October 13, 2025
By Aleta Margolis, Founder and President
There is, to put it mildly, a lot going on in the world today. You don’t need me to list out the many things causing uncertainty or anxiety in our communities, so I won’t! What I will do instead is to remind you of one of my most helpful —and hope-full—mantras in times like these:
Action is the antidote to worry.
In the last two issues of Hooray For Monday, we spoke with Cathy Fleischer, the author of Everyday Advocacy, whose strategies are helping us all effect change in our daily lives. And over five years and more than 260 issues of Hooray For Monday, Inspired Teaching has featured the voices of many changemakers who have offered rich insights and practical strategies for advocating, building community, and transforming education.
As we all continue to show up in this moment, for our students and ourselves, I want to share several of these voices with you again. I hope they serve as inspiration to action in the days and months ahead.
Helanius J. Wilkins, Artist and Activist
Helanius was a featured speaker at an Inspired Teaching Speak Truth event, during which he explained the importance of connecting with people whose opinions, perspectives, and experiences differ from our own.
An Interview with Jonathan Kozol
Jonathan Kozol, Author and Advocate
Renowned voice in education Jonathan Kozol spoke with Aleta about his latest book, An End to Inequality, and the many ways we can and should support educators in creating engaging, joyful learning for all of their students.
Trabian Shorters, BMe Community
Ann B. Friedman, Planet Word Museum
Dana Mortenson, WorldSavvy
These livestreamed conversations focused on helping educators and parents build connection and community with young people ahead of the new school year.
Judge David S. Tatel, US Court of Appeals DC Circuit (ret.)
As the 24-25 school year began, and prior to the 2024 Election, Judge Tatel shared with us the importance of representation, voting, and education ahead of the publication of his book, Vision.
Esther Wojcicki, Educator and Innovator
Esther and Aleta discuss the ongoing question of bringing AI into the classroom, the value of student-led learning, and what to do about phones in school.
Xochi Cartland, Operation Understanding DC
As part of Inspired Teaching’s 2025 Curiosity Challenge, Xochi shared her insights into engaging and elevating the young people in our lives, and how to support them in becoming critical thinkers.
Mary Brown and Aikta Suri, Lifepieces to Masterpieces
Through their experiences teaching young men in Washington, DC, Mary and Aikta offer valuable lessons on maintaining calm and clarity amidst chaos.
Everyone Can Play a Role in Resistance
Deepa Iyer, Lawyer, Author, and Activist
Deepa sheds light onto the actions we can all take in furthering the causes we believe in, as outlined in her book We are the Builders.
For additional insights, resources, and information on Inspired Teaching teacher and youth programming, subscribe to the Hooray For Monday newsletter!
Hooray For Monday is an award-winning weekly publication of Center for Inspired Teaching, a social change nonprofit organization that champions the power of curiosity and is dedicated to transforming the school experience from compliance-based to engagement-based. Inspired Teaching provides transformative, improvisation-based professional learning for teachers that is 100% engaging – intellectually, emotionally, and physically.
