Q&A With Sharif El-Mekki and Shareefah Mason: You Won’t Retain Black Teachers Without Transforming Your School Culture

Shareefah Mason of Teach Plus and Sharif El-Mekki of the Center for Black Educator Development (CBED) believe that schools can only recruit and retain Black…

Q&A With Dr. Chad Gestson: Phoenix’s Covid Numbers Transformed Our District for the Better

Dr. Chad Gestson leads the Phoenix Union High School District, which educates 29,000 students in 22 schools from 32 different ZIP codes in Arizona’s capital…

Q&A With Alicia Dixon: Mutual Accountability Is a Stepping Stone on the Path to Justice

Alicia Dixon is executive director of the Marcus Foster Education Institute (MFEI). Since 1973, MFEI has been committed to improving educational opportunities and outcomes for…

Q&A With Paige Kowalski: Getting Transparent About Student Data

Student data. Standardized testing. Accountability. These words set off a lot of big feelings among parents, educators and policymakers — especially fear and anger. Controversies…

Q&A: New Orleans Is Taking a New Approach to Find Its Next Superintendent

Ethan Ashley is the president of the Orleans Parish School Board, which regained full control of New Orleans public schools on July 1, 2018. New…

Q&A: Selma’s Superintendent Keeps Kids Learning, Even as COVID Rages

In 2017 Dr. Avis Williams came to Selma City Schools as its new superintendent, taking over an urban district where almost all students are economically…

Expert Q&A: Focusing on Teacher Well-Being Benefits Students

For more than 35 years, Donna Housman has been helping young children, their teachers and their caregivers build their emotional intelligence. At the Housman Institute,…

At Freedom School Literacy Academy, Black Pride and Academic Achievement Go Hand-in-Hand

Erika Asikoye is the Director of the Freedom School Literacy Academy (FSLA) at The Center for Black Educator Development in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The FSLA, for…

I’m at My Best When I’m With My Scholars

This past year has been difficult for leaders, educators, students, parents, and activists alike, yet, it seems like they aren’t really discussing how they are…

I Managed the Stress of Teaching This Year by Reminding Myself That I Work With Adults, but for My Students

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. If there’s one thing we know for certain, this school year has been difficult for everyone. I recently caught…