Are you finding it hard to engage your students in coursework? Do your lessons sometimes feel dragging? I’ve been there, and trust me, I’ve got a solution that might change how you approach teaching. Let me tell you about an experience I had that turned everything around. A couple of semesters ago, in my creative […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
“Whitewashing” the curriculum: ACLU takes aim at Department of Defense schools
By: Markus Schmidt – April 15, 2025 This story was originally published in the Virginia Mercury on April 15, 2025. The American Civil Liberties Union is suing the U.S. Department of Defense over what it calls a sweeping campaign of censorship in public schools run for military families, including one in Virginia, accusing federal officials of banning […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Resisting the rollback: How select universities maintain DEI programs despite federal pressure
“Principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are central to our mission as a Jesuit institution and connect us to a long Catholic tradition of advocating for the dignity and worth of every person.” The quote above came from an April 9, 2025 mailing from the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Fordham announcing Pre Commencement Celebrations for groups […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Amplifying Voices: One Mother’s Mission to Change the Narrative on Autism in Black Communities
When Toni Morrison famously said, “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it,” Michele Lamons-Raiford took it personally—and literally. Inspired by her journey as a mother of a Black son with autism, the veteran educator, writer, and advocate, Michele Lamons-Raiford, created Amplify Our […]
Posted inHigher Education
Harvard University rejects the Trump adminstration’s demands
According to a statement issued today to its community, Harvard University will not comply with the Trump administration’s 10 demands that focused on eliminating so-called DEI initiatives and screening for international students “supportive of terrorism and anti-Semitism.”. “We have informed the administration through our legal counsel that we will not accept their proposed agreement. The University […]
Posted inChild Development
Exploring New Horizons: How open-ended play-based learning enhances high quality learning and teaching
“But I can express myself only through writing. I don’t know any other way,” said my 10-year-old student. “Now, how do I respond to this?” I wondered. Still figuring out within myself, I was in for a surprise when the teacher within me immediately agreed with the student. “Yes, I agree. I have seen you […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
U.S. Department of Education moves to strip Maine of federal K-12 funding over Title IX dispute
The U.S. Department of Education has escalated its Title IX enforcement efforts against the Maine Department of Education (MDOE), formally referring the case to the U.S. Department of Justice for legal action and initiating proceedings to revoke the state’s federal K -12 education funding. This move comes after the DOJ launched an investigation in February […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Who’s in charge here? The erosion of authority in schools
“I’d like you to go back to your seat,” I said after the third reminder for off-task behavior. “What!? Why?” she exclaimed, apparently totally stymied as to why I’d ask her to do such a thing. “Because a few minutes ago I told you that if you keep socializing, I would move you back to […]