As a retired elementary educator, I’ve seen firsthand how foundational reading skills shape the trajectory of a child’s academic success and overall confidence. I had the privilege of working with a former student we will call Ethan. Ethan was a bright and curious child who struggled deeply in reading. He stumbled over very simple words, […]
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 inCurrent Events in Education
U.S. Department of Education warns 60 universities over antisemitism allegations
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has issued formal warnings to 60 universities across the country, cautioning them about potential enforcement actions if they fail to protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment and discrimination. The letters, sent today, remind institutions of their legal obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Trump’s Draft Executive Order Seeks to Abolish the Education Department
President Donald Trump is expected to issue an executive order as soon as Thursday directing the closure of the U.S. Department of Education, according to sources briefed on the matter. A draft of the order, reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, instructs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure” […]
Posted inThe International Teacher
Fostering a Love for Lifelong Learning in Classrooms
Change is as constant as learning is to survival. I visited a cousin of mine who lives in a village in Meghalaya. To support her family, she sells momos and aloo muri. The steady stream of customers at her shop is a testament to how good her food is. One afternoon, when I visited her […]
Posted inLiteracy
Elephant in the Classroom: Parents Aren’t Reading to Their Kids!
Podcasters, pundits, comedians, bloggers, and professors rant, joke, and expound on what is wrong with American education and how to fix it. They present their lists of punch-line problems coupled with foolproof solutions that make educating American youth seem a simple person’s game. Whether they recommend more gamification, abolishing standardized tests, social-emotional learning, banning smartphones, […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
President Trump threatens federal funding for colleges who allow illegal protests
U.S. President Donald Trump announced early Tuesday of plans on Truth Social to cut federal funding for colleges that permit what he described as “illegal protests,” a statement that civil rights groups have condemned as an attack on free speech and assembly. In a social media post on Tuesday, Trump reiterated ideas from executive orders […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Linda McMahon, wrestling billionaire, confirmed as Secretary of Education
The Republican-led Senate voted 51-45 on Monday to confirm former wrestling executive Linda McMahon as the nation’s next Secretary of Education. This would place her at the helm of a department that President Trump has criticized and pledged to dismantle. This announcement follows last week’s announcement by staff members in the Department of Education, which […]