Recently, I met a man named Professor Marvin Dunn, from Miami, Florida. Professor Dunn purchased five acres on which sit several key sites of the Roseville massacre, where scores of Black Americans were murdered in 1923. Professor Dunn told us that while surveying the property so he could lead tours there, he, his son, and […]
Thomas Courtney
Thomas Courtney is a 6th-grade middle school English Language Arts and History teacher in San Diego, California. He is the author of many articles, memoirs, and short stories found in anthologies, magazines, and newspapers. He has written several books, including the upcoming Viral School Rhetoric: A Teacher’s Story of Good Intentions, Bad Policy, and a Pandemic, available in the Fall of 2025.
Posted inCharter Schools
Dystopian Teacher Tales: The La Jollan Educational Missionary Society
Last week, the US Supreme Court was deadlocked 4-4 on a ruling that would have allowed a Catholic charter school in Oklahoma to receive public funding. In the decision, Amy Coney-Barrett recused herself. Although this decision at first might seem like a victory for public and secular schools, it may just lead to some dystopian […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Dystopian Teacher Tales: Cool swag at the school fair!
The following story is fictional, set in a third Trump term. The President has recently alluded to the idea of seeking a third term, and as imagined in this story, that could lead to deep-rooted changes for children in schools. In the story, a single mother and her son Jamaal struggle with finding a proper […]
Posted inClassroom Management
Teaching 102: Seven easy ways to bring manners into your classroom
I’ve heard every teacher I know say it at least once: “My students need to practice manners.” Here’s something else I’ve heard them all say right after that: “I don’t have time to teach my students manners.” I get it. I teach English at a middle school on a block schedule. I teach with a […]
Posted inConfessions of a Teacher
Dystopian Teacher Tales: Hero Teacher Stops Bad Guy With Gun
Although the following story is fiction, it isn’t as far-fetched as you might imagine. Without the US Department of Education or teacher union protections, many states may move to arm teachers in response to school shootings. In some places, they already are. Schools may also partner with associations and businesses that would not have been […]
Posted inConfessions of a Teacher
Dystopian Teacher Tales: Monday in Room B”
Today is Monday in Room B, and it’s going to be a doozy. The kids are a bit nuts what with Christmas Break coming up, and the mandatory state testing benchmarks we have to review. I admit that I could have gotten more sleep. I know I should have. Our day starts off pretty normal. […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Teaching 102: Understanding School Personnel, A Teacher’s Guide
Schools rely on a multitude of people to fully function for each child. The same child who needs a bandage today needs a counselor tomorrow, requires a reading specialist next week, and could benefit from a table adjustment that requires a custodian the day after. Often teachers feel as though we wear multiple hats in […]
Posted inThe State of Education
Opinion: Donald Trump Needs Some School Shooter Training
Former President Donald Trump has nearly been assassinated by two deranged white Republicans with guns-twice. A third instance looked scary, too. Trump has become so worried about it in recent days that he has even asked for a military helicopter. Many people who support Trump seem to believe that the core issue isn’t guns, nor […]