anti-racism
Go Slow at the Beginning of the Year So Your Students Can Go Fast Later
Welcome back to a new year of students and teaching! For some of you, this will be your first group of students and they will make a lasting impact on your teaching journey. Enjoy the time you have...
Charter Schools
Don't Forget, Not Every Student Had Opportunities for Enrichment This Summer
This summer, my students and I learned that blue crabs are really feisty, but mosquitos are even feistier. For two weeks in June, I chaperoned a student fellowship program called Earthwatch Ignite,...
Teaching
We Can Teach Black History and LGBTQ History at the Same Time. In Fact, We Should.
My social media feeds were drenched with homophobia this week. People were saying how they really felt about my state, Illinois, joining other states mandating the teaching of LGBTQ history in...
equity
Student Journalism Changed My Life
Every student deserves the chance to tell their story. Three years ago, to me, the daily proceedings at the vast majority of schools across my home state of Washington seemed almost identical. At my...
New York
No, But Seriously, How Are the Children?
Last week I made what I thought was a simple request: for all of us to prioritize the question “how are the children?” as if our nation depends on it. This week I want to offer an example of why that...
Teaching
A Teacher's First Year: The Good, The Bad and the Beautiful
Joining a new school community comes with a unique set of challenges. In addition to the difficulties inherent in any new school year, new teachers must also learn and navigate new systems, develop...
