Stones of Erasmus — Just plain good writing, teaching, thinking, doing, making, being, dreaming, seeing, feeling, building, creating, reading
6.2.25
Flash Fiction: Hashtag Smart (A Story Out of School)

7.5.24
Navigating New Beginnings: Reflections on Teaching and Personal Growth in Jackson Heights
Jackson Heights in Queens is Aglow with May Flowers |
Approaching middle age-I'll be 45 in December-I feel confident yet exhausted, and curious about what's next. Maybe that curiosity is what's pushing me to explore a new direction. If Dante, in his classic epic, can find himself guided to new places, where he is "mid-life in his journey," then so can I?
Right? Listen!
I saw Jason and Corey again; this time, it was during lunch, where 1 sat with two very quiet, amazing teachers and about thirty loud teenagers. They had some stories to tell me-like, 'Remember that time you taught an entire lesson dressed up as Doctor Who?' or, 'When we were being rowdy, so you climbed on the table in your classroom to get our attention?' Yes, those anecdotes are most likely true. By nature, I am an ephemeral person; not much of what I do is permanent. Often feeling like a visitor in my own life, I am comforted when others can validate my experiences. For sure-my tombstone will not merely read
'Greig—he washed his dishes!'

29.4.24
Fostering Textual Ownership: Passionate Teacher Explores Literacies & Strategies. Periodt. 📚

26.3.24
Portfolio: Mr. Roselli's Teaching Career in a Visually Appealing Presentation
Teaching Statement
Everything I do revolves around Arts and Letters. As a kid, I haunted my local public library and connected with teachers and coaches. As an adult, I’ve worked with learners aged ten to eighteen and thrive when students share stories, thoughts, writing, drawings, and future ambitions.
I teach ethical thinking within Humanities and ELA, adapting instruction to engage each class and collaborating with colleagues when units align. Instruction evolves to meet students’ needs, hooking and sustaining their curiosity through co-planning and shared resources.
I design learning spaces with maps, anchor charts, and reading materials that spark inquiry. I love when students exclaim, “Mr. Roselli—look what I read!” because they see me as a fellow learner in our shared journey.
Active Teacher: Celebrating Diversity, Values, Clubs & Student Groups
I engage in school life by celebrating our community’s diversity, upholding traditions, facilitating after-school clubs, and helping students find affinity groups. My commitment extends beyond the classroom into every corner of school culture.
Collaboration in the High School English Language Arts Classroom
Bringing Octavia Butler’s Kindred to life, my eleventh graders dramatized profiles of social justice, historical resistance, and time travel between modern Los Angeles and antebellum Maryland.
Writing Strategies
Independent Reading Initiatives
Are you tired of Netflix? Every summer, I spearhead a themed reading initiative featuring voices like Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds. During the year, students select books, read in class, and share reviews to foster lifelong reading habits.
Field Trips
Community Involvement

17.8.23
Shaping Tomorrow's Citizens: Education, Religion, and Cultural Norms in the Classroom
In this blog post from Stones of Erasmus, I connect philosophical ideas with practical aspects of teaching and societal values. Let's invite reflection on the role of education, the influence of religion, and the importance of cultural norms in shaping the citizens of tomorrow.
The sun may appear small and lightbulb-like to the viewer, but it's actually a massive fusion-powered fireball that sustains life on Earth. |
Parity in the Classroom: The Common Gifts of Our Students
In every classroom, there lies a hidden world of potential. That gossipy student in the back row? Perhaps a budding playwright, weaving tales for the stage. Our students are not just learners; they are creators, thinkers, and future citizens.
The Personal Stance vs. The Professional Stance
Education is not just about imparting knowledge; it's a national effort to produce productive citizens. But what does that mean?
Producing productive citizens is about nurturing individuals who contribute positively to society and the economy. It's about fostering responsibility, hard work, and a commitment to the common good. It's about developing skills like problem-solving, communication, and teamwork that are vital in today's workforce.
The Image of Citizenship: A Reflection of Values
What should citizens of a country look like? The nineteenth-century image of the American family was a myth, yet it shaped perceptions. Today, we recognize that there is no one specific way citizens should look. Every individual is unique, bringing their own strengths and perspectives. The goal is to cultivate responsible, engaged members of society who contribute to the common good.
Religion and Education: A Complex Relationship
"Orderliness is godliness." This saying reflects how we often infuse public education with ideology, including the notion to "pull yourself up by your bootstrap." But do religious influences benefit the school system?
The Puritans were able to impose their ideology, but the relationship between religion and education is complex. Some believe that religious values can create moral grounding and community. Others see challenges in separating church and state, ensuring inclusivity for all students.
Folkways and Mores: The Fabric of Society
Folkways and mores are the threads that weave the social fabric. Folkways are the everyday customs and traditions, while mores are the deeper, moral values that guide a culture. Together, they shape our collective identity.
Opinions: The Personal Take on Knowledge
An opinion is more than a fleeting thought; it's your unique perspective on what you know. It's a reflection of your understanding, your beliefs, and your individuality.

13.7.23
Unlocking Student Accountability in Group Discussions: The Power of Self-Evaluation in the English Language Arts Classroom
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Empower your ELA class! Foster accountability & reflection with Stones of Erasmus' Self-Evaluation Form. |
Imagine if your classroom could emulate this! With Stones of Erasmus' Self-Evaluation Form for Group Work, it can! This resource offers a teacher guide, a self-evaluation form, a Google Form for group work self-evaluation, and a bonus link to a FREE student note-taking template.
Exclusively from Stones of Erasmus |

11.10.22
National Coming Out Day is October 11th: Here's is How One Teacher in Queens Talks About Coming Out as Both a Personal Journey and in Their Role as a Teacher

12.5.21
Why Wednesday Is the Day of the Week to Send Messages (Because of Woden, or, as the Greeks Call Him, Hermes)
Wednesday is named for Woden — the Norse parallel for the Greek and Roman messenger god Hermes.
Ephemera
I’m obsessed with messages, epistolary novels, and journeys and undertakings. I never 👎 skip by a note or love letter. Even a torn letter I see on the sidewalk. I'll pick it up. And save it. And I love to eat tears and swallow joy.
My friends say I’m constantly flexing. My students want the school year to end. I’m listening to lots of books on tape and cooking lots of sausages and egg salad.
Achievements
I’m proud of my student @jukycheng, who got accepted into a Summer engineering program at NYU Tandon in Brooklyn. Congrats, Juky!
And I’m also excited for the Summer—those dog days. But I’m into May. With its warm afternoons and occasional showers.
Let's Chat!
How are you holding up? Need a hug? Here’s one. Need a nudge? Here’s one? Need a ride on a white swan? I don’t have that, but drop me a message if you want to chat about YA novels and the best place to walk in New York City.

9.4.21
On Positivity and How I Am Dealing With Teaching and Promoting Anti-Hate (#stopasianhate #stopblackhate #love)
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"Girrrrrrllllllll!" is my general mood as of late. |
.... she came to me after class and was like, “Thank you for always being positive.” And I was like, “Well. I can embrace my sadness. But it's important not get distracted by the negative.” Like. I mean — I'm not oblivious to the Rainbow of emotions. But I like to infuse joy, especially with adolescents. It is the way I connect, and it's the glue to keep a classroom together. That and reading, writing, and arithmetic.
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My two English colleagues and besties. |
It’s been a stressful year — Covid-19. A disrupted school year. And a tragic time. George Floyd. Breonna Taylor. Say their names. And Asian Hate 😡.
One of my kids said this week, “I don't like coming to school. I like school. It's just getting there. Should I bring mace?” I told him — “Your feelings are valid.” And we talked about strategies to signal for help if a hater ever comes at you. Pretend to talk on the phone. Don't travel alone or on a lonely street.
All this hate takes its toll. It's toxic.
What are you doing to help folks feel safe? What should we be doing? Am I right to spread positivity? Even when I'm sad or broken, or I feel like I can't find the energy to teach or do whatever. I got this.
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#covidstories #highschoolenglishteacher#stopasianhateのヴィジュアルを掲出しています #stopasianhate活動#stopviolence #stopblackhate #stopasianhatenyc 😥😔💔😞😩 #positivevibes #love #stopasianhate❤️😔 #stopasianhate能看到 ✊🏽✊🏼✊🏾✊ #stoppeopleofcolorhate❤️#stopasianhate❌#stopasianhatecanada #motivation via stonesoferasmus.com

8.1.21
A Fourth Grader's Optimism: Who Needs Some Inspiration? (Especially After the Tumultuous Events in Washington, D.C. this Week!)
Feeling the need to be inspired, I found this post-it note on a bulletin board at the school where I am a high school English teacher. I teach in a K-12 school in the New York City borough of Queens.
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Julian in Fourth Grade doles out a massive dose of encouragement. |
Needing Positivity this Week (For Sure!)
I am usually the teacher who brings positivity to the classroom. But lately, I have been feeling down-and-out. Maybe it's the global pandemic that has swept the world, or maybe it's the attack on our democratic institutions on Wednesday that threw the nation's Capitol building into lockdown. A large group of Trump-inspired far-right rioters breached security protocol and entered the federal building, breaking glass, vandalizing the Speaker of the House's office, and even infiltrating the Senate chambers — where just an hour before, legislators had convened to accept certified electoral college votes from the states — to follow through with the Constitutional process to de facto validate the election of the next President of the United States, Mr. Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Inspiring Note from a Fourth Grader
And I saw this note from a Fourth grader. Kids at this age have an optimism and clarity for both big-spectacled dreams as well as practical sense. Who doesn't want the world changed for the better? But I love how he admits it is a challenge. And kudos for his marvelous grammatical construction — "Changing the world isn't easy, but anyone can."

21.4.20
Philosophy in the Classroom: Friedrich Nietzsche's Concept of "Eternal Recurrence" Paired with Groundhog Day — the 90s Movie Starring Bill Murray
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Get this lesson and other lessons from my TpT store. |
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The demon on your chest — would you curse the demon or embrace your fate? |
- Teacher's notes on using this resource
- 7 reading comprehension questions
- 1 Entrance Ticket
- 1 Movie View Guide
- 1 Writing Prompt
- 3 Editable Google Slides handouts
- Further Reading List (To go deeper into the topic with your students)
- Ninth or Tenth Grade High School English Curriculum
- World History Course on the History of Ideas
- Introduction to Philosophy Course
- Literature Course
- Ethics Course
- Introduction to Philosophy Course
- Student Advisory Course
- A Lesson on the "Meaning of Life"

1.11.19
Lesson Plan: Teaching New York City with the Musical "On the Town"
I created a lesson plan based on my classroom experience that is three days long, and I used it for my English Language Learners (ESL), but it also fits for a Humanities, English Language Arts, or Social Studies lesson.
- 1 Lesson Planning Guide and Calendar
- 1 Cloze Passage Worksheet
- Lecture Notes for the Teacher
- 1 Guided Notetaking Organizer
- 6 Editable Google Slide Templates
- 2 Color NYC Landmarks Contact Sheets
- 1 NYC Itinerary Template
- 1 NYC Map Template
- 1 NYC Map Resource List
- List of New York City Regional Transit Maps (including the New York City Subway)
- *Google Classroom / App Friendly Resource*
- Unit on New York City History
- ESL Class for English Language Learners
- Middle School Humanities
- Using Census Data to Explore Ethnic Diversity in New York City Neighborhoods
- Geography Awareness using a Blank World Map
