Between January 20 and January 31, 2025, Donald Trump signed dozens of executive orders that will have a grave impact on education and members of our community. The Trump administration has revoked long-standing policies that designate schools, churches, and hospitals as ‘sensitive areas.’ Other significant orders include the elimination of DEI programs, the revocation of […]
Linda Darcy
Dr. Linda T. Darcy. EdD is the Director of Teaching and Learning for LEARN, a Regional Education Resource Center on the Connecticut Shoreline. Her credentials as an Equity Consultant include serving as the Diversity Trainer for the Connecticut Legislative Offices, Anti-Bias/Anti-Racist Trainings for dozens of school districts and government entities in Connecticut, speaker at the National Summit for Courageous Conversations and panelist for several national conversations on anti-racism in education.
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Is Miguel Cardona The Anti-Betsy DeVos?
Miguel Cardona, Commissioner of Education for the State of Connecticut and President-elect Biden’s nomination for Secretary of Education, in many ways, is the polar opposite of current Secretary of Education Betsy Devos. Unlike Devos, Cardona actually attended public schools; including a technical high school. He obtained his degrees (BA, MA, EdD) from state universities in […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Let the Pandemic be the Mother of Innovation in Schools
The school year is winding down and the states are opening up. Some people are wondering how this summer is going to shape up. Will we be traveling? Having backyard barbecues? Going to the beach? Will we see a resurgence of COVID 19? Educators (and parents), however, are looking toward the fall. Will schools reopen? […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
TED Talks All Students Should See
I have lost many hours to the “suggested for you” videos listed on the right side of ted.com. There are times that I believe that their algorithm is broken . . . Really? Do you think I would be interested in “How I became part sea urchin”? More often, however, they nail it. Why, yes, […]
Posted inClassroom Management
Consider the Word ‘Respect’
Pet Peeve: Seeing the word ‘respect’ plastered all over a school. I stopped using the word “respect” in my class almost immediately when I entered the classroom 20 years ago; and have been preaching against its use ever since. I have had the opportunity to present classroom management seminars around the country and begin the […]
Posted inTeacher Leaders
Watch from the Balcony, Lead on the Floor
Readers were recently asked to complete the following survey: Below is a list of 10 characteristics of successful schools. Which 3 do you think are most important? A comprehensive approach to the needs of the whole child A relentless focus on standards and having students meet them Very high expectations for student behavior Multi-modal, hands-on […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
38 Days a Teacher: Leadership, Followership, and Fellowship
I found myself standing in front of 27 students, my first day as their teacher, the Monday after Thanksgiving. I was brought in as their Spanish teacher to pick up the pieces after their previous teacher ran screaming into the night, unable to deal with the behaviors and diverse academic needs of the 130 students […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, From the Front Lines, School Improvement, Teacher Leaders
Watch from the Balcony, Lead on the Floor
School administrators spend most of their time on the dance floor, making tactical decisions; putting out fires, dealing with discipline and making sure the buses are running on time. On occasion, administrators have the opportunity to engage in professional learning. This learning is often focused on the ‘balcony view’ of leadership; strategy, rather than tactics. […]