Stories

Charter Schools

Here’s What I Told My Black Students to Remember Now That Trump Is President

The morning after the election, Philadelphia was fresh off a six-day public transit strike. Now our students, who had demonstrated high levels of grit and resilience to get to school despite the lack...

anti-racism

I Joined the Navy at 19 and Never Thought I’d Still Be Enlisted 9 Years Later, But I’m Proud to Say I Am

Today, we honor veterans who have served honorably in our Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard. For me, I joined the Navy when I was 19 years old and planned to only do my required...

Diversity

Congratulations on Being a Good Person, But That Doesn't Excuse Racism.

Dear America, We must do better. After too many highly-publicized murders of Black men at the hands of police, I am reminded of how much further we have to go as a country. How many times will we as...

Literacy

7-Year-Old Jordan West on Writing a Book, a Literacy Princess Party at the White House and Why Every Girl Is Smart, Beautiful and Special

Jordan West wants every girl—regardless of circumstance—to feel smart, beautiful and special. Wearing a tiara, Jordan read the book she wrote, at 6-years-old, to a room of over 100 girls wearing...

When It Comes to Fighting for Kids, Hillary Will Be a Voice in My Head

I voted for Hillary Clinton. I wasn't excited about it as so many other women, young and old, were. And the #ImWithHer movement didn't resonate all that much with me because those who wrapped...

Charter Schools

Who Won Last Night's Election? Not the Kids.

By any measure, last night was a tough night for pro-education reform Democrats. Defying expectations and the polls, Republican Donald Trump was elected President of the United States. The...