student achievement
We Need to Keep Talking About Serena Williams and the Dignity of Black Children
By now we’ve all seen the headlines after the most recent U.S. Open in which Serena Williams lost to Naomi Osaka. Yet the headlines weren’t about the match itself, they were about the courtside...
Parents
Here's What Hurricane Florence Is Teaching My Kids
The other day I found myself, just like all the other teachers in my school, leading a monthly character lesson. This one happened to be on empathy. My students and I talked about the novel,...
Achievement Gap
When Love Is Grounded in the Soft Bigotry of Low Expectations, It’s the Wrong Kind of Love
Teachers love their students. We see the joy they show every year as students return back to school, despite constant beat downs on their profession and struggles for fairer pay. We see it when they...
Special Education
Students Don't Learn From Suspensions But Restorative Justice Offers Opportunity
For the last few years, Chicago Public Schools has been working hard to change its discipline policies and practices to reduce suspensions and expulsions. Instead, the district is encouraging...
Teaching
How Opening Up to My Colleagues Made Me Realize Social-Emotional Learning Isn't Just For Students
Faculty meetings. What comes to mind when you hear those two words? Earlier this year, I experienced an extraordinary faculty meeting at my elementary school, a game changer. And it taught me that...
Teaching
Parents Don't Want Their Kids to Be Teachers But I Do
Recently, I overheard my daughter in the kitchen giving her friend instructions on how to make guacamole. She was so patient, even-keeled, and genuinely helpful. In between bites of chips and...