Want to Build a Wise, Engaged Citizenry? Read Banned Books in Schools, Especially by Authors of Color

Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison’s words would have made her a literary giant no matter what, but her position as one of our country’s ‘most-banned’ authors…

Reading the Right Books, Not Just the White Books, Will Help Black Students Succeed

Dear Black Students:  I want to tell you something controversial, something different from the messages most people will give you. I want you to know…

How This Music Program Is Helping Incarcerated Youth Tell Their Stories

More than 60,000 young people are incarcerated in secure facilities, residences and group homes, learning in alternative education settings designed to keep them in school…

Starting a Debate Team Helped Unlock My Students’ Potential and It Can Do the Same for Yours

After teaching middle and high school history for almost 15 years, I believe deeply that rigorous history education has the potential to empower young people…

To Defeat Implicit Bias, Try Project-Based Learning

Project-based learning is a very powerful practice for accelerating important learning for Black, Brown, and low-income kids. It provides “voice and choice” for the students…

I Want to #RemakeLearning to Ensure My Sons Can Thrive in an Ever-Changing World

The children of 1960s-era civil rights-leading parents, my siblings and I were always told that the key to success in life is education. Amid marching…

Our Students’ Truth Matters and We Must Listen

As an English teacher, I encourage students to take risks as they dive into learning and embrace failure. I encourage them to share their struggles,…

5 Things Parents and Teachers Can Do to Teach Kids Critical Thinking Skills

There’s a growing premium on critical thinking. The skill of robust reasoning is increasingly crucial for work—and a successful life. People who know how to…

How STEAM Is Giving Students the Confidence They Need to Tackle the Next Challenge

Over the years, an increasing amount of schools nationwide have incorporated the STEM framework into their curriculum—engaging students around the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering…

Here’s the One Thing You Haven’t Heard About LeBron’s New School

As a sports fan, there are few moments of near unanimous consensus of an athlete’s greatness. But with LeBron James’ unprecedented decision to open the…