equity
My Black Students Have Learned to Be Wary of People Who Look Like Me, And That's Not Racist
Recently in class, my students and I were listening to Lil Nas X sing “Old Town Road,” for what felt like the 100th time. Unintentionally I began to sing along, weaving through desks and timing my...
Parents
Thank God for Parents Who Refuse to Be Gaslighted by the Failing Education System
Last week I attended a community town hall in Nashville organized by my friend Vesia Hawkins, a relentless and faithful community servant who brought together parents, young people, advocates and...
California
The Biggest Problem for Kids Today Isn’t Stress, It’s Lack of Purpose
Over 20 years ago, like many college students in the throes of existential questions, I half-knowingly embarked on a quest for meaning. For much of the time, I felt like a castaway in uncertain seas...
Teaching
Black Teachers Face Extra Scrutiny While White Teachers Often Get a Pass
When we hire White teachers, their quality is generally assumed rather than questioned. But when we look at Black educators, their quality is generally questioned. In the context of hiring Black...
student support
Drop Your Assumptions About Kids With Special Needs and Their Families
As a parent of a child with special needs, I pay a lot of money to provide the services that she needs to be successful in school. A lot. A lot of money, and energy, and time, and lawyers, and...
Politics
We Can Support Our Teachers and Still Call B.S. on This Chicago Strike
You know what? It’s a real shame that people can’t seem to separate politics from public service. Because if one more person comes on one of my social media pages trying to argue down my stance on...