Joe Biden removing himself from the 2024 bid for the President of the United States will come with cheers and jeers. Some people will look at his decision’s global political implications. Others will look at the more intricate issues impacting everyday Americans with this political move. I look well beyond that as a former teacher […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Vice President Harris Outlines Vision for America’s Future in AFT Address
Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a speech to the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), focusing on public education and her vision for the future. Harris highlighted her connection to public education and praised the work of teachers and education professionals. “I am a proud product of public education,” Harris said, recounting how her first-grade teacher, […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Thank You, Joe Biden
I’ve been a teacher since Bill Clinton. In my first year, when kids didn’t speak up during a presentation I’d say, “Let’s use the same voice a president would use to give a speech.” Later, after the September 11th attacks, I’d tell my class how some things must be taken seriously, just like President Bush […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
New York City Council aims to tackle school dress code policies
Last Thursday, the New York City Council voted to approve legislation requiring the education department to create a more uniform dress code policy amid criticisms that some schools discriminate against students for what they wear to class. Criticisms of the current policies of New York City’s Department of Education (DOE) focus on transparency and inclusivity […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
The Ten Commandments For the Outside of My Classroom Door
Many people may not be aware that when a public school teacher is first hired, they swear an oath. This oath, like the oath of the presidency, like the oath of the Oklahoma State Superintendent, of the Louisiana Governor’s, like the oath of all who work for US government agencies, involves the duty to protect […]
Posted inBack to School
Abbott Elementary renewed for season 4
ABC announced a new season of Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award-winning comedy Abbott Elementary, which will air on the night of October 9. It will be followed by the ABC News Studios docuseries, Scamanda. The workplace comedy, a group of dedicated, passionate teachers—and an oblivious principal—are brought together in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
U.S. Department of Education Faces Major Overhaul Under Conservative Plan, Project 2025
In the recently released Project 2025, the conservative think tank, Heritage Foundation, proposes dramatically restructuring the U.S. Department of Education, including eliminating or moving most of its programs to other agencies. The Heritage Foundation’s plan, outlined in a new report titled Project 2025, calls for redistributing the department’s programs across the federal government, eliminating those […]
Posted inMental Health
Black students are more than their trauma: A call for strengths-centered support
In the realm of education and mental health, discussions surrounding the well-being of Black and Brown students often revolve around trauma and social-emotional learning. While addressing mental health needs in schools is undeniably important, it’s crucial to recognize that Black children are not a monolith defined solely by their struggles. A troubling trend persists—a tendency […]