opportunity gap
ZIP Code May Not Be Destiny, But It's as Hard to Fight as Gravity
One Saturday I was picking my daughter up from a birthday party at one of those modern-day upscale arcades, and I was surprised to run into one of my students. I was so pleased to see him on a random...
student achievement
Here's How a Trauma-Informed Approach to Remote Teaching Can Help Students Succeed
Every teacher in every school has students who have experienced or are living with trauma in their lives—and many recognize that the trauma may be escalating with school closures. [pullquote]We’re...
student achievement
I Know What Can Happen When a Teacher Never Gives Up on a Student
This Teacher Appreciation Week, I am reminiscing about Ms. Holmes, my fifth grade teacher. I never could understand why this woman made so many sacrifices for me, how much she truly loved me, and how...
student achievement
The Case for Keeping Students With the Same Teacher Next Year
The months after spring break are usually the time when teachers in every school across America look forward to crystallizing an entire year’s worth of human connection, learning and special...
California
We Can Unify and Win Better Schools for Our Kids. Here's How.
During my 33-year journey in public education, I’ve repeatedly experienced the power of unity in achieving desired student outcomes, especially since founding a charter public school in a high need...
Parents
Every Class Has a 'Unicorn' Child, And We Have to Teach Them Creatively
I encountered my first "unicorn" three years ago. She burst into my classroom announcing, Hello! Nice classroom you got there. Oh ... thank you. Are you a student at this school? Or, are you lost? In...