Diversity
We Can't Just Teach About Heroes and Holidays and Call It Culturally Responsive
In a recent training on culturally responsive teaching, I was introduced to a theory called the "Stages of Multicultural Transformation." It goes something like this. Default curriculums, otherwise...
School Discipline
Effective School Discipline Starts With Your Classroom Culture
School discipline will always be a hotly debated topic. As an advocate, I have argued for more proactive, inclusionary practices that address prevention rather than reaction, but I realize that the...
Achievement Gap
Integration Is a Noble Goal, But Obsessing Over It Shouldn’t Distract Us From Improving Teaching and Learning
Another week, another headline about the urgency of jettisoning efforts to improve teaching and learning for all kids and instead laser-focusing on ending segregation in public schools. This time...
Special Education
New York Talks a Big Game on Gifted and Talented Educational Opportunities, But Illinois Is Doing Equity Better
Attacks against private school options are frequent and fervent, but what happens when public school opportunities become the point of confliction? You may have seen some of the recent conversations...
Student Voice
If Your Students Can Relate, They Can Read, So Give Them Culturally Relevant Texts
As a teacher, I know that to get students learning they must first enjoy the idea of learning. Teaching English language arts may seem easy, but nothing about my class is easy. I require fifth...
bias
A Student Left in Handcuffs. We Need to Do Better So It Stops Happening.
There was the day that a sixth grader was upset, was blocked by an administrator from exiting a room and pushed his way past. Within the hour, he was sitting in the principal’s office, handcuffed,...