My Son Was Not Going to Be a Victim of the School-to-Prison Pipeline

My son loved everything about school, until he didn’t. He was eager to learn, read, write and make friends. At 5, he had already had varied life experience

Read More

Here’s How Daniel Anello and Kids First Chicago Put Families in the Position to Succeed

In all my years of working to bring better school choices to families on Chicago’s South and West Sides, it’s always blown my mind that people don’t take t

Read More
Young Black boys working on a STEM project.

This STEM Learning Program Shows How We Can Give Every Child a Chance to Succeed

It is time for us to step up and implement more STEM-focused programs in the most underserved communities. Every child—regardless of race, gender or ZIP code—must have the chance to succeed.

Read More
Two white women have a discussion

Future White Teachers: A Guide to Racism and Privilege

As a new white educator, it’s your job to understand the difference between individual and systemic racism, privilege, conscious and unconscious bias.

Read More

4 Things Every Parent Needs to Prepare Their Kids for School This Year

Summer is winding down across the country and many have already returned school, or the beginning of the school year is right around the corner. Every kid

Read More

It Won’t Always Be the Right Call But Sometimes Suspension Isn’t the Answer

Her name is Alexandra. She was a student in a school where I used to work and she was one of those kids who challenges you, causes her share of trouble, an

Read More

There’s No Back to School for the Kids Who Get Shot and Killed

Outrage: They’re Dying More than 60 youth have been shot here in Chicago this year. At least 20 of those this summer and some of them won’t be returning to

Read More

What James Baldwin’s Activism Can Teach Schools About Social Justice

Every August 2, I spend nearly the entire day observing the birthday of the late James Baldwin, one of the 20th century’s most esteemed and prolific writer

Read More

How to Save Charter Schools From the Beatdown

There seems to be an organized assault on charter schools. Legal challenges, bureaucratic barriers and smear campaigns all work to destroy their reputation

Read More