Guest Writer: Dr. Noor Ali, Principal, Al-Hamra Academy Of course, nobody prepared school leaders for a pandemic-sized crisis. This is understood. Nobody is ever prepared for the exception. We prepare for the norm, and if we’re adventurous, we plan to push the envelope on the norm to create a change agency. We calculate, evaluate, and […]
Posted inTeacher Self Care
Disrupt Grind Culture, But How?
Disrupt Grind Culture I have been in school my entire life, constantly learning and moving towards my next achievement. I went to college right after high school, as expected in my family and town. After graduating early from college, I went to grad school the next term and started teaching as soon as I earned […]
Posted inBook Review
How to Think Like Shakespeare: A Fun Educational Tool
As an English teacher, there are few things more contentious than teaching Shakespeare in high school classrooms. The idea that he is outdated, pointless, and just plain boring has plagued many of us. I disagree with all of those things. Because of my positive Shakespeare feelings, I am always looking for new ways to teach […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
SPLC’s “Credit Overdue”: Why it Matters for Youth Offenders
The Southern Poverty Law Center recently released a report about the education challenges incarcerated youth face, called Credit Overdue. After exploring legislation, policies, and real-life experiences of youth in multiple states, the SPLC uncovered a troubling trend: many students who serve time in juvenile detention are not awarded credit for the coursework they complete at […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Every Teacher Needs a Champion: Just Like Our Students
During my early childhood years, I went from the little girl who at first received check marks on her report card for talking too much to the little girl who must have a learning disability because she never spoke, participated, and demonstrated overall disinterest in school. Throw into the mix that I cried all the […]
Posted inCOVID
Remote Elementary Teaching Sucks. Get Over It and Prepare for Survival
This remote teaching thing sucks, but I realize it’s not about me. What am I going to do about it? I have no magic wand to wave to make COVID go away or to have students do school the way they should be able to without all the social distancing and with all the snack-sharing, […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Good Teaching Is Political…Or At Least It Should Be
Several weeks ago, President Trump announced his plans for a patriotic education commission, dubbed the 1776 Commission. He simultaneously criticized teachers for indoctrinating students and urged them to focus on America’s strengths; the president has confused indoctrination and education. Picking and choosing what history to emphasize or highlight based on how it makes the nation […]
Posted inSocial Justice
Dear White Teachers, Black Students Matter
Dear White Teachers, Black Students Matter After George Floyd’s murder, I woke up to a string of messages from one of my Black students, M. She poured her heart out to me at three in the morning, releasing the burdens she carries as a young Black woman in America. She said she was desperate to […]