How Do We Bring Magic Into the Classroom? Georgia’s New Teacher of the Year Shows the Way.

For 2020 Georgia Teacher of the Year Tracey Nance Pendley, the road to teaching was not easy. Pendley’s mother was a drug addict who was…

If We Want to Retain and Recruit Teachers, We Have to Walk It Like We Talk It

I have attended a lot of educator conferences this year. A common theme I heard over and over again is the challenge of teacher shortages.…

I’ve Never Been Quick to Call Someone Racist, But I’ve Had Enough of This ‘Monkey’ Business

Outrage: We’re Not Your Monkey, Nigger, Niggah or Nigga I want to believe that everyone who “accidentally” says, “nigga,” “niggah” or “nigger” because their favorite…

5 Ways to Get Your Child in a Good School Without Paying Tuition

Parents everywhere ask themselves the same question I did: What are my choices when choosing a school for my child? Since moving back to Atlanta,…

I Was Lucky to Attend a ‘Good’ School, But What About the Kids Who Don’t

Let me tell you a tale of two schools. As the Georgia Teacher of the Year, I visit countless schools all across Georgia—observing instruction and…

My School Showed Me My Passion and Now I’m a Filmmaker

In Georgia, 84,000 students attended charter schools in the 2016-17 school year. My story is just one of thousands of success stories of students who…

Here’s the One Thing We Just Can’t Agree on When It Comes to Schools

Ask any parent and they’ll tell you they want their child to go to a good school. But ask them what makes a good school,…

Y’all Can Have Betsy DeVos, I’m Checking for Stacey Abrams

Outrage: As Long As Betsy’s In Charge, Kids Should Just Stop Going to School Once again, Betsy DeVos demonstrated this week her dangerous ignorance of…

It’s Been 64 Years and We’re Still Working to Desegregate Schools

The recent passing of Linda Brown gives occasion to evaluate her legacy and to acknowledge her family’s contribution to the educational landscape of our country.…

When We Listen to Parents, We Get Real School Choice

As a child, I often heard the words, “Listen to your parents.” It was usually uttered with a stern look and was often mandated from…