Ned O’Malley lived for two things: teaching and Sunday football, specifically the Philadelphia Eagles. Monday through Friday, he was “Mr. O’Malley,” the energetic social studies teacher at Franklin Middle School in the suburbs of Philadelphia. But come Sunday, he transformed into “Coach Ned,” the ultimate Eagles fan. Every week started the same way. Monday mornings, […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Dystopian Teacher Tales #7: The educational advocate and her clients
In this scenario, Donald Trump has been elected to a third term, which is something he’s often mentioned during the first portion of his second term. With the complete closure of the federal DOE, something that both Trump and Secretary McMahon have noted as a priority, many Title protections have been returned to states. Similar […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Education Secretary says shutdown proves department is unnecessary
On Wednesday, the Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon said that the federal shutdown is proof that her department should be eliminated, a longtime wish of Donald Trump. “The Democrat government shutdown has forced agencies to evaluate what federal responsibilities are truly critical for the American people. Two weeks in, millions of American students are still going […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Chronic Absenteeism: The Silent Killer
As a former Texas Master Teacher, I thought I knew everything there was to know about education, as it related to data and metrics. I knew how to tier my students based on their academic needs. I understood the necessity for grouping my students by various demographic markers. I effectively delivered the Texas Essential Knowledge […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Department of Education wipes out nearly all of special education office
This is a developing story. The Department of Education has fired nearly everyone in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services in a wave of new layoffs that began Friday, according to the union representing the agency’s employees. This comes after the college access program known as TRIO was let go, according to Rachel Gittleman, the […]
Posted inPolitics
Federal Workers’ Union sues Trump administration over partisan shutdown messaging
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the nation’s largest federal employee union, filed a lawsuit on Oct. 1 against the U.S. Department of Education and Education Secretary Linda McMahon, alleging that the Trump Administration unlawfully compelled federal employees to distribute partisan political messages during the ongoing government shutdown. The complaint, filed in federal court […]
Posted inSocial Justice
The Science of Reading: Forgot the Playground
Decoding alone doesn’t capture the rhythms, rhymes, and stories children carry in their bodies and homes. You walk into a classroom, and you hear the laughter on the faces of the youth. They are clapping their hands, stomping their feet, reciting the songs in their homes, and the dances of the latest dance challenge. I […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Most Banned Books of the 2024-2025 School Year
According to PEN America, there have been nearly 23,000 book bans in public schools nationwide since 2021, the largest number ever recorded in America. There were 6,870 instances of book banning, nearly 4,000 unique titles, during the 2024-2025 school year. This censorship is being mobilized by groups with conservative viewpoints, such as Moms for Liberty, […]