The Rain, the Reminders, and the Ongoing Journey
October 12, 2026
Rainy and cloudy days in Southern California are far from the norm—especially after weeks of unseasonably humid, higher-than-normal temperatures—and today they have a funny way of shifting the atmosphere. As I sit here editing these blog posts and adding to my Global Education Guide, a wave of cozy melancholy has settled over me.
Sorting through thousands of photos and polishing these reflections makes it painfully clear how much I miss the daily rhythm of Morocco. Today, though, came with a few sweet reminders of how long-distance global connections actually work.
First, a text popped up from our host teacher checking in, complete with a photo of a new kitten in his classroom. I couldn't help but text back reminding him that there was literally a kitten in the classroom during our visit too—apparently, feline teaching assistants just follow him around! On top of that, I realized today that despite my best efforts at rationing the precious Moroccan spices he and his wife gifted me, I have officially run out and am on the hunt for someplace in LA to refill them. When I mentioned my spice crisis to him, his response was wonderfully simple: another holiday to Morocco must be in order. The universe must know when I need a connection to my long distance friends, and I somehow get a text at just the right time. Or I find myself initiating the texts when I think of my global village.
On the flip side, I found out today that I likely won't be able to make it out to Philadelphia to cheer on the brilliant Rabi at the NCTE Conference. Disappointing, for sure—I was so ready for a reunion!—but it made me reflect on how challenging it is to maintain those physical touchpoints once everyone scatters back to their respective corners of the country. It also made me grateful for modern technology and the instant gratification of text messaging. Today it was with our host teacher, last week with my cohort, and Lisa in Northern California. Knowing that has the potential to be an hours long conversation, I will have to clear my calendar and schedule time a proper chat and catch up her.
Yet, sitting here in the grey LA rain, I realize that's the real crux of global education. It’s not just about the glamorous international travel or the initial two-week immersion; it's about the enduring digital check-ins from across the globe (and the shared jokes about classroom kittens and spice rations), the lingering echoes of a host teacher's generosity, and the deliberate effort to keep those collaborative learning circles alive from thousands of miles away.
Even when we can't be in the same room at an NCTE conference, the professional DNA of Team Morocco stays with us, shaping how we show up for our students every single day. The weather outside might finally be damp and grey, but the community we built is permanent—bright and sun-soaked, just like the memories keeping us connected across the miles. And clearly, another trip back across the Atlantic is already overdue.
On n the left: Safi Lecture by Pofessor Kitten-knows
To the right: Grading assistance courtesy of Professor Paws as texted by our host teacher. He's a very hands-on assistant and apparently quite bossy.
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