Mental Health
I #LoveTeaching. I Just Hate February.
Many years ago, Charlie came up to me after class and handed me a small folded-up paper on their way to the door. The note, block letters surrounded by wavy lines, said quite simply, “I hope you feel...
Achievement Gap
This Mother, Immigrant and Entrepreneur Is Here to Make the American Dream Come True for Her Family
Sitting down with Brenda Navas and having her walk me through her life was an emotional experience for us both. Brenda and I met six years ago when I started my teaching journey in Las Vegas. When my...
student achievement
Calling Out Silence on the D.C. Graduation Scandal
The selective outrage of partisan ideologues in the education space is a well-known phenomenon and nowhere is that more on display than in the muted reaction to the scandal surrounding the 2017...
Achievement Gap
Trying to Talk About the Achievement Gap? Try This.
Politics and education are two of my favorite subjects. It’s neat when I have an opportunity to combine them. I recently listened to a speech by Gloria Ladson-Billings that did just that. I recommend...
Washington D.C.
3 Truths About D.C. Public Schools Graduation Scandal
D.C. Public Schools is having a moment. Last month, reporters found out a lot of kids graduated from their high schools that shouldn’t have—mostly for truancy issues. The same school district that’s...
Parents
Listen to Parents, Even When You Don't Feel Like It
At the end of a long day, the last thing I'm looking for is a long and detailed email from a parent. Not that I don’t value good communication with parents, but usually I feel exhausted and am still...
