On Long Island in the summer of 2013, neon green laces started flying off the shelves. They became the symbol of the anti-high stakes testing revolution. This symbol has been embraced by thousands of educators, parents and students in an effort to stop bad tests from hurting children, the mission of a group called Lace […]
educational reform
5 Lessons We All Need to Know in Education
This morning as I was embarking on my morning run/walk, I encountered a hill that was in my way to becoming a more confident runner. The sheer enormity of knowing that I would have to run the entire hill was enough to mentally take me out, but something in me kept telling me to “keep […]
Teaching: The Card Game
In the spirit of “War” and “Old Maid,” I present a card game called “Teaching.” (Note: there is something inherently icky about symbolizing students with numbers or, in this case, playing cards. I didn’t create this game to imply that students are merely numbers or that some students are “worth more” than others. Rather, I […]
The Tyranny of the Datum
Data is a big deal. A great deal of innovation is happening right now in the field of data collection, storage, and management in the field of education. There are some well-documented fears among parents and teachers regarding these trends. Who will control the data? How will the data be used? Will my child’s data […]
Ed Reform's Atari Problem
My cousin, John Michael, had the first Atari I ever saw. Not long after, my cousin Philip got one. I went to their houses every chance I got, and while I was there I hogged their video game machines as much as I could. I still remember the spongy feel and new plastic smell of […]
The Exhaustion of the American Teacher
With the American school year still in its infancy, it’s worthwhile to note that the people doing the actual educating are down in the dumps. Teachers feel more beaten down this year than last. Some are walking into their classrooms unsure if this is still the job for them. Their hearts ache with quiet anguish […]
Former IN Governor Daniels Attempts to Censor Educators
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] Though former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels declared that he supported academic freedom when he became President of Perdue University this last January, it was revealed last week that he spent considerable […]
{Private Screening} Scapegoats, A Documentary
The Educator’s Room is pleased to announce that we are partnering with 3 producers (who happen to be teachers) to have a private screening of their landmark documentary, “Scapegoats the Documentary.” I happened to have the pleasure to view the finished product and this film will make any teacher examine why we’ve been the scapegoats […]