Sarah Tully at EdWeek highlights a unique way that Rocketship Charter Schools show how much they value parent input; they include parents in the process of hiring teachers. Based on what school leaders and parents say, it seems to be an idea that works. "Their input matters," Smith said. "I can't recall a time where the parents and I or the school leaders were in…

Why Are Children’s Books So White? 3 Ways to Better Serve Black Students in the Classroom

One of the most memorable books I read as a child was Velma Maia Thomas’s “Lest We Forget: The Passage from Africa to Slavery and…

Sure, We Need Data, But We Also Need to Value Teachers and Students

Today, Chicago Public Radio and the Better Government Association reported that Chicago Public Schools (CPS) made significant adjustments to the high-school graduation numbers that senior leaders and…

Turns Out Ms. Martin and Her ‘Crazy Math’ Program Weren’t So Crazy After All

As a Latina student, my experience in school was one with courses varying in quality—most of them weren’t challenging. Now that I spend my time working…

I asked them who was the first black president. They eagerly and confidently responded, “Dr. King!” I was extremely shocked and caught off guard by their answer, for multiple reasons. At the moment I was leading a discussion at a primarily African-American after-school program, on the South Side of Chicago. But it wasn’t just the South Side of Chicago—we were in Altgeld Gardens. Affectionately known as “The Gardens,” this is…

Why I Testified in Vergara, and Why It Still Matters

I distinctly remember the day I stepped into the courtroom for the very first time. My story made headlines throughout the country—the day a Los…

12 Teachers’ Tweets Show Why They #LoveTeaching

This week teachers across the country educators celebrated why they #LoveTeaching. As someone looking from the outside in, it was awesome to witness the successes and joy…

Turns Out What the TFA Haters Really Hate Is Charter Schools

We were about 34 minutes into the podcast before I realized this “debate” about Teach For America (TFA) wasn’t really about TFA at all. It…

Are We Too Focused on How Black Boys Act to Know Who They Really Are?

“Mrs. Stephens, I am having a good day today!” That was how I was enthusiastically greeted by a kindergartner, an African-American boy. He was going…

I Had to Admit My Own Racial Prejudice to Become a Better Teacher

I had never been so acutely aware of the color of my white skin until the day I stood in front of a classroom full…