Remote Learning Is Creating Unnecessary Anxiety for My Students Right Now

Is everybody doing okay?  Probably a silly question, but I really wanted to check-in on my American Sign Language (ASL) students. It was day three…

It Should Not Take a Pandemic to Ensure That Every Child Has Food

Kasserianingera, this is a greeting of the Masai people of Africa, simply translated as, “And how are the children?” Because the Masai place their children’s…

COVID-19 Shows Why We Need Public Schools Now More Than Ever

“Mr. Kelly, what happens next?” As a teacher, I have heard some version of that question countless times in different circumstances over the years. However,…

Our Teachers Are Not Okay. We Know This, And If We Don’t, We Should

The last week was stressful for all of us educators, and the coming weeks will provide us with even more challenges, I’m sure.  This is…

This Is the One Time I Actually Do Want to Hear From Betsy Devos

In the past few days, I have received countless correspondence from every online vendor I have ever purchased anything from—the gym, doctor’s office, restaurants, stores.…

Join an Honest Conversation About Race in Schools and Disrupting the School-to-Prison Pipeline

“Structural racism in school systems. Implicit bias among school professionals. White privilege (and, when confronted, White fragility) among school staff. Curriculum and materials devoid of…

There’s Ineffective Teaching in Every School. It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way.

I recently heard a familiar, stinging remark from a policymaker: Allison, if we’re going to increase education funding significantly, we must address the issue of…

Two Years Since Marjory Stoneman Douglas and State Legislatures Are Still Trying to Arm Teachers

It’s been just over two years since the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and I struggle to find an appropriate word to describe…

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?…