Matthew R. Kay @MattRKay Twitter profile

Pinned Tweet

Matthew R. Kay

3 months

Hey @jenorr ! ❤️ Happy Audiobook publishing day!

Check out this great listen on Audible.com. What should conversations about race look and sound like in the elementary classroom? And how can we build classroom communities that encourage these...

www.audible.com

0

5

11

Last Seen Profiles

@UMontreal

@raflow23

@kFOQvTTaiOiixaQ

@farzana_versey

@extrimrace

@ebnfofa4

@Moebel_Hoeffner

@TonawandaFire

@pengen_stw

@mumchit_

@CnftappleLogan

@EleanorLaingUK

@pengen_stw

@BundaRi14854841

@paulin_nermann

@squ1d_s0up

@mevisthekicker

@Spring000508

@ayman_salman_sh

@omg_tesla

@NologyStore

@steelMEGnolia_

@retouchmagist

@Tmxc_

@shotaro_th

@ColleenMakhub

@BOXIANx

@DallasMocha

@avax_market

@HolyNameLeeds

@pengen_stw

@BigEyeUG

@TheAlinaRoseee

@jandakembangstw

@borissaw

@KSUetc

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

9 months

Parenthood has caused my perspective on homework to shift DRAMATICALLY lol Like, y’all had 8 hours w my kid. Y’all couldn’t fit all the work in there?? I only got 3ish hours between home and bedtime. That’s OUR time. You’ll see them tomorrow 😆

825

4K

77K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

9 months

My kid isn’t getting HW yet, just had a hypothetical conversation w my wife about how much it’ll suck when she does

10

40

5K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

Yo they really lied about a teacher propping the door open

87

414

5K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

3 years

Idc about any national learning loss narrative, a lot of ya’ll middle-school teachers really did the damn thing last year. 😍 My freshmen totally killed a discussion today about some pretty complex stuff and cited what they learned last year over zoom. I appreciate you for real.

29

248

4K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

1 year

If you haven’t taught kids in the last decade, your opinion on cell phones in class better be informed by people who have.

94

243

4K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

9 months

@sweetisme3 I’m not dogmatic about it. It’s just, how important is it that they spend quality time with grandma etc? I’m learning that it’s much more important than any one thing I send home

12

3K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

9 months

Right now, I just assign about 20 min of reading. Hopefully with audiobooks they can listen to and from school 🤷🏿‍♂️

28

21

3K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

4 years

Coming to terms with the reality that next year’s freshmen will not have finished 8th grade - and will require the most patient and loving version of me.

65

252

3K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

5 years

Was just about to fuss at a student for having phone out during my student teachers’ lesson. Walked behind her to do it discreetly - saw she was tapping out a reminder to bring book home and read the right pages. Thanks lil homie for reminding me to always assume the best.

19

222

2K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

This week, my 10th graders will be analyzing the minutes from the school board that banned Maus. (We’re studying censorship.) Putting link below in case anyone else wants it.

69

252

2K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

1 year

My colleagues led a good PD yesterday. 💯 Try this out.

28

289

2K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

6 months

Teach

552

119

2K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

6 months

Occasionally I have a parent conference where I just wanna ask how they raised such awesome kids. I legit want tips. How you bring up such a confident, smart, kind, hard working, fun kid? A scholar but not a grade grubber? A kid that CARES about stuff? Drop the details plz 🤣

117

54

2K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

5 years

They asked me what I’d tell pre-service teachers. My answer: get your swag up. Recognize In these crazy times people are stuck in cubicles and offices for 8 hours - but you get a chance to plug into a mission. Every day. So take up space. You are damn lucky to matter so much.

19

358

2K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

As we debriefed today, I told my student teacher that when I feel like crap, the day’s biggest goal becomes “don’t pass it to the kids.” A sophomore that I didn’t know was still in the classroom piped up, “you do a good job of that.” 💙

9

45

1K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

3 years

Accept late work. This week and always.

1

108

1K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

7 months

Email from a teacher friend’s haughty dept chair: “If you would only ___ , these kids would stop ___.” My teacher friend: “Thx! I’d love it if you could come and model this for a few minutes, so I can see what it looks like.” Dept Chair: Teacher Friend (to me): “Thought so.”

27

70

1K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

That students’ social media habits at home have been added to the list of things we have to manage at school… … it’s a lot.

33

91

1K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

3 years

I can not, for the life of me, understand why schools would prefer a culture of academic competition over one of collaboration and celebration.

32

155

1K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

4 years

Anybody got elders that still cut articles you might like out the paper and hand them to you? That’s love 😍

111

25

1K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

3 years

As we see the annual flurry of Frederick Douglass 4th of July speech quotes everywhere tomorrow, I recommend we take time to read more of it than fits on a meme. Reading it as a 19yr old redirected my life. 🙏🏿

19

338

1K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

So much of a secondary teacher’s success seems to depend on us recognizing that we weren’t these kids’ only class that day. They came from somewhere, and they are headed somewhere. We aren’t the only adults telling them to remember/do/navigate things.

40

107

1K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

1 year

“Are we doing anything in class today?”

106

67

1K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

Freshmen returned Born a Crime books today — I caught one under her breath whispering, “I liked you” to hers b4 laying it reverently it on the pile. 🥰 @Trevornoah

26

19

1K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

That hand-written note from a kid at the end of the year hits different 🥰

12

56

1K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

not to flex but my grades due tomorrow and my grades done tonight

33

2

1K

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

I know the Army has the “we do more by 9am…” slogan but on god I PROMISE teachers do more by 10am than anyone else. “Child, you are at a whole 10 and I haven’t even finished my coffee…”

22

61

946

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

9 months

This year’s hack. When a student leaves the room, they tap the light w an elbow so I know not to send anyone else. (Or I know if my student teacher has sent someone out.) Come back in, tap the light off.

45

65

945

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

Some school years we get midway thru Q4 and I’m like, where did the time go? This is not that year.

25

52

937

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

1 year

Idk, if they stopped paying me, I’d stop teaching. Mostly because the bank would take my house. And my kids would be hungry. And man, do they go thru clothes quick at this age. So, I do it for the money. Like a professional. An adult. I’m just blessed to love it-and kids-too.

Mayor Eric Adams

@NYCMayor

1 year

Teaching is a calling. You don't do it for the money, you do it because you believe in the kids that come into your classrooms. The largest school system in the country is only as strong as the teachers behind it. Happy #TeacherAppreciationWeek to all our amazing NYC teachers!

2K

37

269

18

83

928

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

4 years

White Teachers: Action means more than self-flagellation. To your kids, to your colleagues, to the community you serve. We don’t want a pound of flesh. We just want justice and opportunity. If you’re about that business, put your shame away. There’s no time for that.

6

165

922

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

We’re gonna be teaching with masks on for the next 3 years aren’t we

83

36

915

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

3 years

The biggest improvements to my class discussions came when I started encouraging (then requiring) students to cite each other in their essays 🥰 #listenactively They are re-learning that it’s not weakness to be impressed with each other. 🙌🏿

27

125

897

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

1 month

One of my favorite recent traditions: On my student teacher’s last day, my students write notes for a “bad day” jar. When she is having a “bad day” in her 1st year teaching - she gets to go into the jar and get some love. ❤️

7

86

855

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

There is no more important year to teach this unit. I am so fired up rn

21

45

839

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

4 months

Today, during a Book Thief conversation, (What is the “point” of Hans painting over the Antisemetic slur when it’s just gonna get put right up again?) Kid raised hand & said, “It’s like a justice writing a dissent. Just to say, ‘I wasn’t with them.’” I like ta’ fell out. 😍

23

39

821

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

3 years

If one of your students mentions something cool from a previous class, or seems excited about something they learned last year, please let your colleague know that it landed. A 12th grade teacher just sent me out the door beaming. 🥰

6

34

784

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

4 years

Some of the best advice I ever got from my mom: throw short pity parties. Keep them real, but end them. Today, I just hate online teaching. I hate holding classes on Google Meet. I hate it all. It’s not an opportunity-it just sucks. And I respect anyone who feels the same. But...

37

31

754

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

1 year

If I take off sick, I definitely shouldn’t be around kids that day. They’re going to catch either a cold or some unnecessarily harsh words, brought on because my head or heart or spirit hurts. To imply that most teachers aren’t thinking about the kids… You know what? F you.

7

26

764

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

3 years

Imagine making it thru 20/21 and having the energy to police a seniors dress code at graduation

22

60

752

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

5 months

In my fairly distinguished and erudite opinion, this teacher is drawin trippin on one wildin doin too much

𝓈𝒶𝑔𝒾𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓇𝑜𝓇𝒾𝓈𝓉★

@backendzyy

5 months

How yall feel bout this ?

4K

863

16K

84

70

735

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

A wild thought a colleague just shared. Covid absences are, quite obscenely, showing our public school kids the class sizes they deserve 😳 9 kids! 12 kids! 15 kids! (Not 34!)

12

72

731

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

27 days

#snl could sell a million "ya'll won" T-shirts rn

16

42

717

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

Kids taking a standardized test during a lockdown is the most 2021 thing that ever 2021’d.

3

50

696

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

As you contemplate your next anti-teacher take, think about about how all of us are waking up tomorrow and going to do our jobs. And then shut the hell up.

3

86

698

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

5 years

“Non-Stop” is SUCH a certified banger💥 when you’re about to write something you really wanna flex on. “How do you write like tomorrow won’t arrive/how do you write like you need it to survive/how do you write every second you’re alive...” @Lin_Manuel thank you sir.

6

35

677

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

Upon hearing that my student teacher was interviewing for jobs, a kid volunteered to write her a rec letter. Then actually came in with it today! it ends w/ "I don't know who you are, but I know you will feel deep regret for not hiring Ms. Gacioch if you decide not to do so."☺️

16

15

666

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

1 year

Young teacher, you *might* think that you've gotten "call me by my first name" vibes from that 40+ y.o. Black parent or colleague that you've just met. You haven't. (Trust me on this.) Go Mr. Mrs. Dr. etc until they tell you otherwise.

25

20

661

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

5 years

“Where are all the black male teachers?” .... Better question might be, “Where are all the great school experiences that convince black kids to go BACK to the classroom - once they’ve finally escaped?” 🤷🏿‍♂️

EL Magazine

@ELmagazine

5 years

“Creative, empathetic, student-centered pedagogy can’t just be something that ‘special’ teachers do behind closed doors. And it certainly can’t be reserved for the children of white, liberal, upper-class parents.” @MattRKay

0

23

57

13

152

665

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

4 years

I am SIGNIFICANTLY more tired after a virtual day than an in-person one. 😌 my goodness

3

24

649

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

People are again overvaluing school buildings much the same way they overvalue church buildings. Desks and blackboards “teach” as well as steeples and pulpits “love.” It’s the people. It’s always the people.

4

70

642

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

3 years

“Where’s your other shoe.” A parenting memoir.

33

68

625

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 months

My 2 year old put a bar code on me this AM without me noticing. Just taught a whole period. Not one 10th grader said a word. I thought we were tighter than that 😏

49

11

633

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

4 years

I hope this national conversation moves the standardized test debate from “Are are ineffective?” to the historically and morally accurate “They are racist.”

16

118

613

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

3 years

One of the *best* parts of online teaching was how it forced me to find other ways to grade the “process” category in projects. (Since I couldn’t “see” work periods, I needed to trust kids to self-evaluate.) Even when they’re back, this reflection sheet has been transformative.

26

72

602

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

4 years

How on earth do we manage the realization that each of our students has the potential to kill our families with a wayward breath? ... What academic subject is powerful enough to dislodge that justified fear from the front of our minds?

20

120

536

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

Had a project due last night. Some kids made it in, some didn’t. Most who didn’t sent detailed emails about where they are in the process, what happened, when I can expect it. I’m trying to understand how I’d be “teaching responsibility” any better by not accepting their work.

3

21

537

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

1 year

My students went through the trouble of making a slideshow arguing that I should take them to the zoo. ❤️ Should I do it?

105

18

537

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

4 years

I just came back to my computer to see that my 3y.o. left me a lunch. 😍

15

1

529

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

3 years

Kids be like “my computer died” and look at me like they expect me to call upon the old gods and dark lords to summon power back into the machine so they can do their work. What you want me to do about it? 😂

33

37

524

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

3 years

It’s September 97th, 2021

14

47

519

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

Just found out my students favorite Kay-ism is “Date that idea, don’t marry it yet…” My players’ favorite Coach Kay-ism “If you ain’t having fun, you doing it wrong.” What are your classroom you-isms?

126

18

521

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

1 year

My student teacher is playing videos of adults having tough conversations about social media for my freshmen to analyze - in preparation for a fishbowl later in the week. Kids are noticing a LOT. Both good and bad. Really recommend this activity.

5

30

521

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

Reminder - there is no one right way for “good teachers” to feel about going back to school in a few days. I, for one, am both excited to try out new stuff w/ new kids and SHOCKED at how little rejuvenation the summer provided.

1

31

511

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

Sending love to all the teachers like me that woke up already done with the day. Left foot, right foot. We got this

13

25

506

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

11 days

Shoutout to the historians that spent years of unseen hours combing thru old newspapers (etc) so that Negro League legends’ names don’t disappear. ❤️ What a beautiful, loving passion project.

2

63

521

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

3 years

If you are thinking of ending the year as a hard-ass, search your soul. Kids are trying.

11

64

506

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

3 years

Plz remember that it’s more important to build an engaging, challenging, powerful unit (or lesson) around yesterday’s insurrection than it is to squeeze in an ill-planned, haphazard sermon about it today. Today, checking in and answering questions might be just enough. 🙏🏿

0

85

509

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

1 year

I gave kids reading time, but when I looked over shoulders, a lot of them were 20 pages behind. I got a little sad. Walked around. Noticed the same thing. Nudged a kid, asked what was up. She said, “Rereading.” Proceeded to have one of the best discussions of the year. ✨

5

12

505

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

Please keep this same energy when the resistance fighters are brown. 🙏🏿

0

37

496

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

4 years

No lie, my 2 yr old just said “books are bandaid, I need to feel better.” #1stpoem 😳

7

35

498

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

1 year

teachers are dope we’ve really got laptops open tonight planning while the world calls us villains

6

56

498

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

3 years

At 9:31 this morning, I became a daddy all over again. 🥰 Mom and baby girl are healthy and happy. 🙏🏿

0

1

494

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

9 months

@Son_of_Howard I believe that. It’s sad

5

0

481

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

1 year

I don’t think I’ll ever have a clearer example of why we find certain white women’s tears so frustrating. (And not gonna lie… entertaining. As long as it isn’t getting us shot or lynched or whatever.)

"I was asked to define woke. My humiliation went viral"

It was a fair question; after all, it's the centerpiece of my book's premise.

www.newsweek.com

74

30

481

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

7 months

Kid: “Hey Mr. Kay, can you PLEASE give a fake quiz on chapter 12?” Me: “Why?” Kid: “So {redacted} didn’t read, and he asked us what happened, and we told him all sorts of crazy stuff, like Jack cooked and ate Ralph at the end…” Me: (🤣😂) “Now you know you wrong for that…”

16

17

487

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

1 year

lol at the idea that ChatGPT threatens teachers’ job security Cuz. 🤣 2020 showed us the lengths people will go thru to get their kids out the house. At the end it will be nuclear winter, cockroaches, and 9th grade

5

41

480

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

“Covering” a class ≠ Teaching a class

Teamsters Local 502 CASA

@502Casa

2 years

A West Oaklane elementary school had 23 staff absences. Their team struggled to cover the classes. #phled #phledcovidstories

2

6

24

11

63

468

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

9 months

@eightsafron As we grow in a craft, our stances mature. I’m sure you came into the game knowing everything

4

3

459

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

9 months

Whenever I think I’ve got it all figured out, I make myself remember that I used to be a vocal advocate for kids having damn-near unlimited access to cell phones in class. I was actually kinda judgy about it too 😅 “Teach them HOW to use it!” Oof

35

17

471

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

4 months

Me: “The first line of an essay is a hook. It grabs attention.” 2 decades of kids in their first lines: “Webster defines ____ as…” 🤣

27

16

460

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

16 days

In so many powerful ways, my 2023-2024 school year will be remembered as pre-“this* vs. post-*this*.

7

36

453

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

1 month

A mouse just scurried across my classroom. Pour one out for my lesson plan. It’ll be missed. 🙏🏿

46

16

451

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

1 year

Me: “Hows the writing going? You good? You need help?” Kid: “I’m good.” Me: “Show me.” Kid: … Me: (heads over) “C’mon. Show me.” Kid: (furious clicking, dragging, closing of tabs, random music abruptly playing, “game over” chimes then… blank google doc.) Kid: “I’m stuck.” 🥹

12

23

444

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

4 years

“I don’t take late work”

Howie Hua

@howie_hua

4 years

What FEELS like effective teaching but actually isn't effective teaching?

197

50

369

9

38

437

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

1 month

“Take out your books. 250. Huh? Yup. Take… huh? In a sec. Take out your books. The Native Son book. The bathroom? Someone’s out. Hey bud. Hi. Can you take out your book? Appreciate you. Can you tap him? Hi kiddo! Can you take the book out? No worries. Ok everyone… yes, 250.”

20

25

447

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

7 months

For the life of me, I’ll never understand folks who seek out drama at school. Just show up, teach kids, and go home ✌🏿

24

22

437

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

1 year

Me: Buys a new classroom sofa so kids have a comfy seat. Kids:

13

7

438

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

Just went into 4 y.o. bedroom because she was whimpering. Me: “what’s wrong?” Her: “I don’t want to go to college.” Me: “…” Her: “I want to stay with you and mommy.” Me: “there’s a college up the street.” Her: “really! Ok. Show it to me tomorrow. Good night.”

11

6

432

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

1 year

They really don’t be raising their own kids lol

2

34

431

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

Every one of my classes shared "good news" today - 1st day of the week - as per usual. Every class had 10+ hands shoot right up. Some over zoom. We're in year 3 of a pandemic. Kids' aggressive search for joy - "I am two days from dying my hair pink!" - is really something else.

5

19

435

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

3 years

“Oh, ok, got you.”

12

51

423

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

4 years

Fam, I am floored. #Notlight has sold out. @stenhousepub has ordered another printing. E-books are available everywhere - and I legit have about 20 in the trunk of my car if you are in the Philly Area! (Flashing back to days hustling poetry CDs out of my trunk in early 00s!🤣)

36

31

428

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

Fuck anyone who thinks arming me is a solution.

9

22

423

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

4 years

Folks who don’t teach kids English or History are asking how to lead race conversations. First step for many is finding space for ANY classroom conversations-valuing them as much as skill practice, scientific experiments, etc. Skipping from nothing to everything... that’s a lot.

10

63

411

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

5 years

Y’all, let’s really chill out on “Privilege Walk” activities until we actually understand what we’re doing - reflect enough to be sure that we’re not doing violence to our already marginalized students... a lot of our “breakthroughs” are just trauma - hurting kids isn’t our job.

23

54

418

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

4 months

It is so incredibly important that folks stop assuming that their teaching reality is everyone else’s teaching reality.

9

23

413

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

4 years

When out for a run (more a jog if I’m honest) I’m struck by how sincere my head nods to fellow “runners” are - especially folks laboring at it like I am. Inner monologue like, “we really out here. Go get yours sis.” I feel the same about teachers these days. We really out here.

1

11

409

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

2 years

Me: “…oh you’re saying it might have a negative ‘connotation?’ That’s a great point. Wait. Do we all know that word? Can somebody tell your buddies what ‘connotation’ means?” Freshman: “…you know, a word’s VIBE. Like does it have a good vibe or naw?” (I LOVE that definition!)

15

29

391

Matthew R. Kay

@MattRKay

8 months

Kid: “Mr. Kay. Can I put my phone on your desk? I don’t think I’ll be able to concentrate with it.” Me (gushing): “Of course! What a mature decision.” 🥰😊 5 seconds later… Their buddy (sprinting up to my desk): “Hey! That’s MY phone!”

22

10

390