Well, Damn. I Am ‘Just a Teacher’ and Proud of It.

OK, so here’s this embarrassing thing I did recently. I kinda promised myself I would never admit this to anyone, so please don’t tell. It…

I Visited a School on the Border and, Get This, the Kids Are Like Kids Everywhere

When Alicia Johal texted me directions to her school, she added, “Oh, and make sure you and your driver are watching the exits. We’re just…

I Thought Watching Another Teacher Get Right What I Got Wrong Would Hurt. Instead, It Inspired.

A couple weeks ago, I had one of those days. After writing a whole post about how nice my room is, a post that included…

Kassie Benjamin’s the Kind of Math Teacher Who Sticks With You Long After You Leave Her Classroom

Here in Minneapolis, the word around town is that South High was designed by a guy who had spent his whole career designing prisons. There…

Before I Come to Your Classroom, Let Me Show You Mine

Hi. I’m going to spend the rest of the year traveling to classrooms all over the country and talking about the things we are doing…

The Necessary Work of Teachers Unions Just Got a Lot Harder

By all accounts, it’s about to be a lot harder for unions to do the work they do, starting tomorrow. There are smarter and better…

One of My Most Conservative Students Shares What It’s Like to Be in My Class

My learning this year has been greatly assisted by a number of students willing to be honest with me. One of them, Alec, is the…

I’m Really Damn Liberal, and My Students All Know It

Social justice teaching is not, or should not, be about teaching students what to think. We should teach critical thinking, teach about empathy and with…

So This Is What You Call ‘Teacher Appreciation’?

It’s Teacher Appreciation Day. But I have to admit it’s kind of a weird time to collect a free burrito and feel “appreciated.” In some…

If We Really Want to Make Schools Safe, We Need to Build Community

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos recently assembled a school safety commission that will explore the need to repeal guidance that helps schools discipline students without discriminating.…