“I think the task of philosophy is not to provide answers but to show how the way we perceive a problem can be itself part of the problem” – Slavoj Zizek. I’ve probably asked my coworkers 1000 times if they’ve seen Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Not just because it’s a great movie but […]
Posted inBook Review
Idris Elba set to star as Okonkwo in remake of Things Fall Apart
Idris Elba has officially joined the cast of the A24 TV adaptation of Things Fall Apart and will serve as an executive producer on the project. The series will center around Okonkwo, portrayed by Elba, one of literature’s most well-known characters. Okonkwo is a proud and fearless African warrior and leader determined to preserve his […]
Posted inChild Development
California joins growing movement by states to protect children from Social Media Addiction with New Law
California made a significant move to protect children from the harms of social media with Governor Gavin Newsom’s approval of a bill aimed at limiting “addictive feeds” for minors. On Friday, Newsom signed Senate Bill 976, known as the Protecting Our Kids From Social Media Addiction Act, introduced by Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley). Supported by […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Banned Books Week 2024: The preliminary research and the titles
In anticipation of Banned Books Week this week (September 22-28, 2024); the American Library Association has released preliminary data documenting attempts to censor books and materials in public, school, and academic libraries during the first eight months of 2024. Between January 1 and August 31, 2024, ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 414 attempts to censor library materials and […]
Posted inBack to School
Corsicana ISD Assistant Principal attacked by student: Who will protect the educators?
Tears welled up in my eyes as I watched Corsicana ISD Assistant Principal Candra Rogers describe the horrific incident that occurred at the middle school she leads. Like many educators across the nation, she went to diffuse a situation with an irate student who had become dangerously enraged in a behavior classroom. As the assistant […]
Posted inFeatured
Two Springfield, Ohio Elementary Schools Hit with Bomb Threats After Trump’s False Debate Claims About Haitian Immigrants
Springfield, Ohio, has faced bomb threats for two consecutive days following former President Donald Trump’s remarks during a high-profile debate with Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump, without providing evidence, claimed that Haitian immigrants in the city were engaging in alarming behavior, thrusting Springfield into the international spotlight. “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs. The people […]
Posted inFrom the Front Lines
Do you want to teach empathy? Use Books in World Languages Classrooms
Recently, after reading a troubling article in the New York Times detailing students’ alarming pranks against teachers, I found myself drawn to the comments section. While I shared in the outcry for discipline and action, I couldn’t help but cringe at the focus on the perceived lack of empathy displayed by the students. Research indicates […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Don’t Skimp on Social Studies! Write to Learn in History Class!
By Rhonda van Bergen In many elementary classrooms today, literacy has taken center stage as new standards in reading and writing are implemented. Teachers spend significant time teaching English Language Arts (ELA) skills and strategies to prepare students for high-stakes testing in those areas. Unfortunately, content area instruction in science and social studies often takes […]