There’s a teacher in my building who keeps a bowl of snacks on her desk.
Not for her students, though they’re welcome to them. For other teachers. She notices when someone’s having a rough day. She doesn’t offer advice or try to fix anything. She just says, “Grab a snack. Sit for a minute if you need to.”
It’s such a small thing. And it’s everything.
Civil rights historian Vincent Harding once described people like this as “live human signposts.” Not people with all the answers. Not people who have transcended the struggle. Just people who, in the middle of their own weather, help others find a direction worth moving toward.
Lately, I’ve been collecting stories of these signposts. The people who help us see clearly when things feel foggy.
The librarian who knows which book a child needs before they do. The principal who asks “What do you need?” instead of “Why didn’t you…?” The colleague who texts a picture of their chaotic classroom to remind you you’re not the only one in the mess.
The retired teacher who still attends curriculum meetings. The parent volunteer who knows every child’s name. The custodian who checks in on kids like they’re his own.
And beyond the school walls:
- The community organizer who never misses a board meeting.
- The journalist who keeps digging when the story gets uncomfortable.
- The policy advocate who remembers your name and asks how you’re holding up.
These are signposts. Not because they’re perfect, but because they’re present. Because they quietly point toward what matters. Because they remind us we are not navigating this alone.
What Signposts Do
Signposts don’t clear the path. They don’t carry you where you need to go. They don’t hand you the correct answer.
They simply stand in the weather. Steady, visible, grounded, and point.
They acknowledge the difficulty without pretending it’s easy. They help us look up from the struggle and remind us that we’re part of something bigger. They show us we are traveling together, even when our routes look different.
In a moment when so many feel lost, educators facing book bans, organizers fighting budget cuts, journalists documenting injustice, and community members trying to build something better, we need signposts more than ever.
Building Something Together: The Signpost Sessions
Beginning in January, we’re hosting a community learning series called Signpost Sessions. A collaborative space to share stories, learn across sectors, and explore how we might become signposts for others.
This won’t be a traditional PD or webinar series.
Think: audio storytelling, collaborative narrative building, asynchronous participation, and cross-sector connection.
The series unfolds across three modules:
1. See (Jan–Feb 2026)
What struggles are we carrying? What are we actually facing right now? We’ll gather and share stories about the landscape we’re walking through. Our obstacles, our conditions, our pressures.
2. Seek (Mar–Apr 2026)
Who helps us see clearly? What practices or stories sustain us? We’ll map the “live human signposts” in our lives. The people, rituals, and resources that nourish us.
3. Serve (May–Jun 2026)
How can we show up as signposts ourselves? What commitments can we make together? We’ll imagine the work ahead and name concrete commitments to support our communities.
You don’t have to join all three modules. You don’t need special credentials. You just need a willingness to learn with others.
Here’s What I’m Wondering
Who are your signposts? Who helps you see clearly in the middle of chaos?
Maybe it’s someone who showed up at just the right moment. Maybe it’s a practice you return to. Maybe it’s a story you hold onto.
And a bigger question:Would you be willing to help facilitate a conversation about this?
Not as an expert. Not as someone who has it figured out. As a signpost among signposts. Someone who helps hold space for others.
How to Get Involved
1. Share a signpost story
Post on your blog or social media using #init4eachother , or email:
2. Help co-facilitate a module
We’re seeking 4–6 co-facilitators for each module. Email either address with:
- Which module are you interested in (Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, or May/June)
- What draws you to this work
- A signpost story of your own
3. Spread the word
Share this with educators, organizers, journalists, advocates, and librarians. Anyone involved in justice or equity work who may need this space.
The Signpost Sessions are organized by educators through the Initiative for Literacy in a Digital Age , but they’re built for all of us. Across roles, borders, and sectors.
This is for teachers.
For organizers.
For journalists.
For policy advocates.
For community builders.
For anyone trying to navigate the messy work of justice with integrity and care.
Looking forward to hearing your stories.
#init4eachother — because we navigate this together.