There is a difference between “government” and “politics.” The former regards the design of a specific seat in our system; what power is vested in it, and what checks balance that power. The latter regards what butt happens to occupy that seat at a specific time. The butts change, typically per Presidential administration, but […]
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Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured
Teaching a New Generation: Changing the World in a Changing World
Almost everyone I know hated 2016. It was the year that equally ticked off the populace. When the New Year’s Ball dropped, America collectively sighed with relief; we were ready for a new beginning. Resolutions in hand, January 1st arrived… and not a damn thing is changing. Sure, the New Year’s placebo effect hasn’t completely […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
“An Education System Flush with Cash [and] Students Deprived of All Knowledge”
“An Education System Flush with Cash [and] Students Deprived of All Knowledge” In President Donald Trump’s Inaugural Address, these were his first official words about American public education. While it’s all too easy to jest that President Trump could have been possibly referring to his Education Secretary choice Betsy DeVos (who has donated $5.3 million to campaigns […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
10 Years Later: 10 Takeaways on the iPhone and Education
Ten years ago this month, Steve Jobs walked out onto the world’s stage and said “this is a day I’ve been looking forward to in 2.5 years” because of this “revolutionary product that absolutely changes everything.” I’m talking about the iPhone. And boy, did it change everything. Today, nearly 7 in 10 adults has a smart […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Why “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” Still Matters in 2017
In April 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King and several other Civil Rights activists, including the Reverend Ralph Abernathy, were arrested in Birmingham, Alabama, in the midst of a massive non-violent protest campaign against that city’s segregation practices. Dr. King ultimately spent 10 days in jail that April, and while he was there, he penned one […]
Posted inLiteracy
“Last Stop on Market Street” A Picture Book Hero’s Journey
“…and what is that award for?” the boy asked pointing to the right corner of the book. I was showing students in a 2nd grade class the cover of the picture book Last Stop on Market Street, written by American author Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson. The boy was pointing to a black medallion, pasted under […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Who is the Teacher: School or Family?
I saw a discussion post on Facebook the other day about education. No surprise. Everyone went to school, everyone has learned something in their life, so everyone has an opinion. Parents are passionate about their kids and have opinions about all things school. This discussion, however, was a newer one to me. It was about […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Podcasts in the Classroom: My Students
Author’s Note: This article is part 1 of using podcasts in the classroom and looks at my classes’ personal experiences with them. Part 2 of the article will focus on the benefits, uses, and tools of podcasts in the classroom. _________________________________________________________ In Spring 2016, my co-taught World Literature class sat furiously writing. On each desk […]