Poverty
If You're a Politician and Don't Have Education at the Forefront, Then You're Part of the Problem
I recently had the opportunity to join with a few educators in a meeting with a prominent political official in my state to discuss teacher pay. In the course of the discussion, our group shared...
Diversity
The Country Is Massively Polarized But Our Classrooms Don't Have to Be
Editor's note: This post originally ran in 2018 ahead of the midterm elections that occurred during incumbent Republican President Donald Trump's term. I am heartbroken at us. I am heartbroken at...
student achievement
No Teacher Should Be an Island
I didn’t quite understand what it meant to be an “island” until I started teaching eight years ago. For years, I was the only United States history teacher at my small, inner-city Houston campus...
Diversity
Forget About the Pipeline, School Discipline Is Already a Prison for Many Students
As I walked past the principal’s office, I could see that Jonah was sitting outside again, his small legs shaking nervously, his head hung low. His eyes met mine as I passed by to pick up my mail....
Teaching
If School Rules Aren’t Building a Sense of Community, Let’s Be Brave Enough to Rewrite Them
When I was in elementary school, my parents told me that I should ask my teacher for permission to leave the room when I had to go to the bathroom. But they also told me that if my teacher did not...
Teaching
If You Really Want to Make America Great Again, Stop Ignoring Social Studies
It’s funny how a student can make you pause and think hard about something you teach. Recently, I didn’t just pause, I got smacked upside the head like an unexpected foul ball at baseball game. How?...
