As a Black Male Educator, I Get to Be a Superhero for Students Too Often Left Behind

Teaching is one of my greatest gifts. Seeing my mother’s life’s work as a teacher in Dekalb County created my blueprint for what the life…

Here’s What I Told My Students After ‘Karen From Mike Bloomberg’s Campaign’ Texted Me

Last week, I received a text from “Karen from Mike Bloomberg’s campaign.” She wrote that “with so much at stake, Americans deserve a Democratic candidate…

Here’s How We Can Attract, Prepare and Support Teachers to Improve Student Outcomes

Becoming a teacher isn’t sexy. For one, there is no economic incentive; for many people, completing teacher preparation programs means taking on even more student…

We’re Teaching Black History Month All Wrong

News flash: We have been celebrating Black History Month all wrong.  Black History Month (originally “Negro History Week”) was started by Carter G. Woodson in…

Why Are Black Families Leaving Chicago? Maybe They Can’t Afford to Wait for Better Schools.

My hometown of Chicago has touted itself as a progressive city for many years. We’ve stood firm in our position as a sanctuary city and…

I #LoveTeaching Because It’s So Much More Than What Happens Within the Classroom Walls

I began my career in education 13 years ago, with hopes that I would earn the credentials and experience needed to develop employment opportunities for…

More Than Anything, I #LoveTeaching for the Relationships We Build Along the Way

When I divulge to strangers that I am a high school English teacher, I am typically met with skepticism. “You teach teenage brats all day?…

Here’s How I Know Our Schools Need More Teachers of Color, Like Me

You don’t wash your hair every day? How often do you wash it? Every other week?!” The fifth grader with blonde hair that reached just past her…

Black History Is American History and Should Be Celebrated All Year Long

As a Minnesotan, February is a signal that the warmth of spring is so close yet so far away (seriously, last Thursday the high was two…

Want Your Students to Thrive? Put These 6 Design Principles to Work in the Classroom

Every gathering is an opportunity for transformation. But when gatherings are intentionally designed to deepen belonging, powerful growth is possible. To create a classroom experience…