Back to School Hopes and Fears Kids and teachers around the country are heading back to school. In New York City, we have a few weeks more of summer vacation. But like many teachers, my mind is already thinking about the year ahead. I’m curious about the kids I’ll teach, and the families I’ll work […]
immigration
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Fellow educators, do you care about other people’s children? How about migrant children?
Fellow educators, you have made a career centered around giving to children. You have worked diligently to become an expert in your curriculum, designing dynamic lessons while connecting to the whole child. You might even call the students on your rosters, “your kids.” With your compassion for other people’s children as a focus, I ask […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
America Already has a wall, it’s made up of teachers.
I debated whether to encourage my sophomore Global History students to watch President Trump’s address on Tuesday, January 8, 2019. Since 2016, it has been difficult to navigate how to incorporate civics and current events into my social studies classroom. I desire student awareness, but I am concerned that any discussion of his speech, or […]
Posted inAdult Learning
Civility in the Classroom and the Rise of American Fascism
Setting the Stage I am in a hotel room with three millennials: Grace, 24, Gabriel, 22, Glorie, 20. An argument is raging: How can I be civil with people who support evil? I know that’s harsh. Is your neighbor who voted for Trump evil? I’ll say no. But these young people are having none of it. […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
[Opinion] If You Are a Quality Educator, You Can’t Be Pro-Trump
As a mother and a teacher, my job is to educate, care for, and love my kids. I treat my students as I would my own kids, and I expect my daughters’ teachers to do the same. To hear about the 2,000 children who remain separated from their parents, and left in cages and tent […]
Posted inAdult Learning
American Values In the Classroom and Community: Where do we stand as a nation today?
As a teacher and American citizen, it is difficult to discern what values we stand for as a nation today. It seems that our government has blurred the lines between right and wrong, truth and falsehood, equality and discrimination, and honesty and scandal. In the pendulum swing from the “post-racial” Obama years to the quasi-authoritarian […]
Posted inSocial Justice
Our Students’ Uncertain Futures: What does the end of DACA mean for teachers?
“Anyone who is in the United States illegally is subject to deportation.” “Mexico will pay for the wall. 100%. They don’t know it yet, but they’re going to pay for the wall.” “Maybe they’ll be able to deport her.” “It’s our right as a sovereign nation to choose immigrants that we think are the likeliest […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Middle School, Social Justice, Social Studies
Haunting Film about Ellis Island
In 14 minutes, social studies and ELA educators can take advantage of a haunting new titled Ellis about the buildings on the island between New York and New Jersey. Ellis Island served as a United States immigrant inspection station from 1892 until 1954. The 2015 film is now available on Youtube and stars Robert De Niro. The setting […]