I’ve Been Fighting for My Daughters Since 23 Weeks’ Gestation, and I Won’t Stop Now

Why don’t I get to go to school, Mommy? That’s a hard question for a mom to have to answer for an 8-year-old. As I…

Now Is Not the Time to Let Down the Students Who Need Us the Most

After the unprecedented global pandemic that disrupted — not one — but two separate school years, educators are finally preparing to welcome students back to…

Teachers Can’t Expect to Be Held to the Whims of Every Parent

Should we teach about the Civil War anymore? This was a question I was asked by a concerned teacher who feared potential pushback from parents.…

Here’s How Houston Is Bringing More Men of Color Into Teaching

How many teachers in your K-12 experience do you feel truly impacted you? It’s a Saturday afternoon in early June, and urban education expert Kwame…

Here’s Why One-Size-Fits-All Professional Development Is a Waste of Time

My mentor and friend Chris Stewart often asks the question, “How are the children?” This simple yet powerful question captures me. I did a little…

Rigorous Curriculum Matters More Than Ever. Here Are 3 Steps We Should Take Now.

When teachers welcomed their students on the first day of school last September, they never imagined ending the year on Zoom. Now, as the new…

Are Teachers Leaving Because of Pandemic Stress? It’s Complicated.

Plenty of news stories have raised concerns about mass teacher shortages due to pandemic stress. And it’s true that teachers, principals and district leaders have…

School Leaders, Not Politicians, Should Be Making Decisions about How to Teach Our History

Everybody’s gettin’ bands, we just dance to different drums. I like who I’ve become. -Jay Z,“Sorry, Not Sorry” Allow me to apologize in advance because…

Courageous Inclusive Leadership Can Overcome the Polarization of Public Education

School superintendents and state education commissioners have some of the most challenging jobs in America. To succeed, one must be a talented educator, a collaborative…

How I Navigate the Principal’s Gambit to Keep Everyone on the Board

This ain’t checkers. It’s chess.  It was guidance offered to me by Wayne Greer, a veteran principal and mentor, as I joined the ranks of school leadership…