opportunity gap
I Got Rid of Course Requirements for My AP English Class and I Don't Regret It
“So you’re just going to let anyone into your AP English class?” she quipped with sarcasm and snark. “Uhm … yeah,” I responded with cool decisiveness. The scene of this conversation? A conference...
Teaching
What You Think You Know About Restorative Justice Is Probably Wrong
On Monday, we ran a piece written by a mother whose experience with restorative justice was a horror story. Readers responded in large numbers to the piece, largely because it resonated personally...
Parents
Every Parent-Teacher Conference Should Look Like This
I have a confession to make. I am an educator who doesn’t enjoy participating in parent-teacher conferences as a parent. Our son is a junior and our daughter is a senior in high school, and aside...
activism
Will You Still Care About Our Kids When the Teachers' Strike Ends?
My friend and esteemed colleague, Chris Stewart, often asks, “How are the children?” Well, according to Jasmine Lane’s tweet thread asking rhetorical questions like, “How many futures have been...
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...
equity
Leveling' Teachers Doesn’t Always Level the Playing Field for Kids
Imagine you’re a new teacher in a traditional public school district. You have spent the summer planning for and worrying about the upcoming year. You have scanned and re-scanned your ever-changing,...