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…

History Is Not a Spectator Sport and It’s My Job to Engage My Students

In March 2007 I was finishing my second month of student teaching at Charters Valley High School in suburban Pittsburgh. I had completed drafting a…

I’m a Mom and a Teacher and I’m Running for Office Because We Need Voices Like Mine

This is my living room—organized chaos. You’ll note the toys I haven’t had time to put away and my 4-year-old son’s precious artwork on the…

Yet Another White Family Leaves the City for the Suburbs

Well, we did it. Like millions of White, relatively affluent Americans before us, my wife and I moved with our two boys out of the…

Ninety-Six Percent of Pennsylvania’s Teachers Are White. That’s a Problem.

Imagine a doctor knowing vital, life-saving information about your health, but not sharing it with you. It would be not only unacceptable, it would be…

All This Integration Talk Is Distracting Us From Giving Black Families Better Schools

Last week the Journey for Justice Alliance released a report called “Failing Brown v. Board.” The report is a direct attack on public charter schools…

These 12 States Are Being Sued for Not Funding Schools Equitably

As teacher strikes bring attention to underfunded public schools, families and education advocates are suing to compel states to uphold statutory or constitutional obligations on education funding.…

I Almost Let My Own Issues Get in the Way of My Student Killing It at a Talent Show

From the jump of my educational career I’ve always identified with the troubled students, the outcasts and troublemakers. I gravitate toward them and desperately try…

I Love College Signing Day But I Hate Seeing My Students Hit With Tuitions They Can’t Afford

Today is College Signing Day, the day when high school seniors all across America commit to their choice college or university. Here in Philadelphia, none…

If You’re an Educator Who Thinks We Need to Hold Parents Accountable, You Need to Do Some Soul Searching

Time and time again, I’ve heard educators say that the lack of parental engagement in their schools is what is holding them back. But, when…