I Will Never Again Teach at a School Without Dedicated Mentoring Time for Students

For many educators, January is a time to return to our jobs revived and renewed after the holiday season. For teachers at Rhodes Junior High…

In a Season of Gratitude, I’m Thankful for Our ‘Village’

It was late August, and suddenly, the moment I’d been anticipating for years had arrived. My husband and I were dropping off our baby, Nyanja,…

You Can Call It a ‘Lost Decade,’ But I See a Lot of Good Things Happening

WHAT WE GOT RIGHT: The spin never stops when it comes to education and it goes into overdrive with the close of a decade. Amidst all the hype of a lost decade and the need for humility from education reformers, I see a glass way more than half full.…

Believe It or Not, Trump and DeVos Have Done Some Good for American Education

WHAT WE GOT RIGHT: I’ve been leading Getting NYC Kindergarten and Getting Into NYC High School workshops for New York City parents for approximately 15 years. But only since the 2016 presidential elections has the question began popping up during the Q&A portion: How is (Education Secretary) Betsy DeVos going to affect my child’s education?…

This School Hired the ‘Best Person’ for the Job and Ended Up With a 75% Black Male Teaching Staff

As he moves around his seventh grade math classroom, Aurum Preparatory Academy (“Aurum Prep”) teacher, Salif Doubare, is crackling with energy. He’s tall, thin, wearing…

These Are the Students Who Inspired Us This Decade

WHAT WE GOT RIGHT: With the end of the year fast approaching—and with it the closing of a decade—it is the perfect opportunity to look back and reflect on some of the stories we’ve had the privilege of sharing and amplifying over the years.…

Welcome Back to Charter School Advocacy, Cory Booker!

One evening last summer, I arrived home later than usual, after a happy-hour chat with a good friend about the speech that had just been…

Our Children Need Better Politicians

Can we all agree that the basic care and development of America’s children—yes, every single one of them—is a cardinal virtue that should live unbothered…

One HBCU and One Black-Led Charter School Team Up to Ensure Success for Rural Students of Color

Crossroad Academy Charter School in Quincy, Florida, defies expectations. More than 90% of the school’s 530 students are Black or Hispanic, more than two-thirds qualify…

A Charter School Gave My Son Opportunity. Isn’t That What Democrats Should Stand For?

Tonight, the Democratic candidates for president will hold yet another debate, and likely, say very little about education. That’s why I rallied last night with…