Rachelle Travis

Science Teacher. Cyclist. Reader. Special Needs Mom. Runner. Wife. Science Teacher.

Did I mention I'm a science teacher? Middle School, NYC Department of Ed.

[Rachelle Travis @ThisBikerReads]

@NYCSchools @BklynBrdgPark @UFT @harborfisher
We are live with our @mckinneyssa @BillionOyster Mannequin Challenge!

https://t.co/RYBztzUhjU

[Rachelle Travis @ThisBikerReads]

@JetBlue @CaptainPoland5 They broke our daughter's wheelchair, leaving her homebound for half our vacation, refused to refund her ticket, and then tried to get us to sign an NDA in order to receive their offer of POINTS. Why would we fly with them again if we can't trust them with the wheelchair?

[Rachelle Travis @ThisBikerReads]

(4)
A very small number of NYS rest stop bathrooms have adult sized changing tables, but not enough. And I have yet to find a bathroom in NYC area airports with adult sized changing tables.

This law doesn't mandate changing tables in every accessible bathroom, but it's a start.

[Rachelle Travis @ThisBikerReads]

(3)
Baby changing tables don't work for the very large number of adult and adolescent individuals who have the same right to travel throughout NYS as everyone else, but without the same access to public bathrooms they don't have the access to travel.

[Rachelle Travis @ThisBikerReads]

(2)
For context, my daughter Juliette is mostly toilet trained. But she is non verbal and non ambulatory so she can't always communicate her needs and make it to the bathroom on time.

She's not so little anymore. Baby changing tables in public bathrooms no longer work for us.

[Rachelle Travis @ThisBikerReads]

(1)
Individuals like Juliette need access to private and comfortable changing spaces so they can travel with dignity.

And now, the Traveling with Dignity Act (S4042B) has finally passed in BOTH the @NYSenate and the @NYSAssembly! Now @GovKathyHochul needs to sign it into law.

[Rachelle Travis @ThisBikerReads]

How exciting.

[NWS New York NY @NWSNewYorkNY]

John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) reached a record low temperature of 50 degrees today, breaking the old record of 51 degrees that was set back in 2015!

#NYWx

[Rachelle Travis @ThisBikerReads]

@SusanBEdelman "The teachers that will qualify for these differentials are those with non-compliant classes in schools that receive either a space or hard-to-staff exemption that has been approved by NYSED to achieve compliance for that school year."

[Rachelle Travis @ThisBikerReads]

@SusanBEdelman In fact the email we got from the UFT specifically stated that not everyone will get paid, and that not everyone will get the same amount. I'll post the text in my next tweets:

[Rachelle Travis @ThisBikerReads]

@SusanBEdelman "It's important to note that not every teacher whose class is out of compliance with the class size limits will receive the differential."

[Rachelle Travis @ThisBikerReads]

@SusanBEdelman "[teachers whose classes remain above the new class size limits because of approved] [exemptions will be eligible for a differential of up to $8,500 in 2026-27 school year and $9,500 in the 2027-28 school year. These exemptions will be decided upon in November of each year.]"

[Rachelle Travis @ThisBikerReads]

@jjk_stay @JetBlue After you file your claim they'll try to make you sign a non disclosure. Ask me how I know.

[Rachelle Travis @ThisBikerReads]

You have such an amazing Youth Wheelchair program, that seems so much more in line with NYRR's mission. We love our Youth races, but sometimes we want to run bigger races!

Why go down this illogical path for individuals with disabilities who want to participate in longer races?

[Rachelle Travis @ThisBikerReads]

@NYRR The auto email I just got in reference to my @AchillesIntl guide request needs some accessibility modifications.

1) Fix the funky and inconsistent spacing. Makes it hard to read.
2) Replace loooooong URLs with named hyperlinks that are compatible with screen readers.

[Rachelle Travis @ThisBikerReads]

3) (and this one you know!) Making athletes with disabilities go through extra steps to request and justify guides is the opposite of #ADA compatibility.

I spend my life justifying my daughter's access to services. This one should have been a given.

[NASA @NASA]

On Tuesday, June 9, we’ll announce the four astronauts who will orbit Earth aboard the @NASAArtemis III mission!

Watch our live event at 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) to find out who will test the docking capabilities necessary for crewed Moon landings: https://t.co/TyU7StKGxH

[Rachelle Travis @ThisBikerReads]

@pistnyc @NYCSchools Yep. My daughter has "air conditioned bus" on her IEP due to her risk of heat emergencies.

Guess who's bus AC wasn't working well today? Her para kept her cool with a personal fan and spray bottle we provided, but we shouldn't have to send her equipped every day for a broken AC

[Yellowstone National Park @YellowstoneNPS]

It's springtime in Yellowstone, so you know what that means... BABY ANIMALS! 🥰

As cute and fuzzy as they are, remember to give wildlife room and use a zoom. Always maintain a distance of at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears, wolves, and cougars and at least 25 yards (23 m) away from all other animals, including bison and elk. Get a closer look by using binoculars, a spotting scope, or zoom lens. #YellowstonePledge

Photos: (1) bison; (2) black bear; (3) yellow-bellied marmot; (4) pronghorn

[Rachelle Travis @ThisBikerReads]

@pistnyc @NYCSchools @NYCComptroller @rimaleft @profprioleau It was EXTREMELY frustrating, to say the least!

[Rachelle Travis @ThisBikerReads]

@SciInTheMaking I was there too! I presented at two sessions and did the Middle School share-a-thon.

I was on the lookout for serious literacy sessions including those that support MLL learners.

It's pretty easy to submit a proposal. Let me know if you want any support for next year!

[Rachelle Travis @ThisBikerReads]

@SciInTheMaking We need more literacy in science workshops! Have you considered presenting at NSTA or another Science Ed conference?