Stories

Parents, Get The Truth About Your Child’s Academic Progress

Can a billboard like this make people in Minnesota uncomfortable enough to demand something as essential as literacy for all children? The Ciresi Walburn Foundation sure hopes so. But I pray it also...

Teaching

Hey Shawnta! As a Former School Administrator, What Are Some Red Flags for Potential Teaching Candidates?

Hey Shawnta! As a former school administrator, what are some red flags for potential teaching candidates? Before I was a school administrator, I served on numerous interview committees. Typically,...

The Pandemic Disrupted STEM Education, Science Centers and Museums Can Help Students Recover

The classrooms and hallways of our schools are, thankfully, abuzz with students again. And while educators are now deep in the hard work of supporting students to recover from disruptions, we know...

student achievement

Hey Shawnta! Why Do First-Gen Immigrant Students Score Higher Than Native-Born American Students on All Standardized Achievement Tests?

Hey Shawnta! Why do first-generation immigrant students score higher than native-born American students on all standardized achievement tests? I have been asked a version of this question many times...

Black Excellence Must Come Home To Teach

Recently, my daughter, a high school freshman, attended a citywide HBCU college fair with her school’s Black Student Union. Over 20 HBCUs were represented, but only two had long lines: Howard...

How alternative pathways build math confidence, even for non "math kids"

“When will we ever need to know this?” For decades, math teachers have heard students ask this question in classrooms across the country, while teaching algebra, geometry, more algebra and calculus....