First-Gen Students, The World Needs Us Now More Than Ever

Dear High School and Undergraduate Seniors,  I am no expert. This my story, and I hope it is one many of you can relate to…

I’m a Black Woman on My Way to Becoming a Doctor Because I Never Gave Up

I grew up believing that excellence is not an option, but rather an obligation.  I breezed through high school. I didn’t have to study hard…

We Know Mississippi Can Improve Its Schools, If Only Our Leaders Would Get On Board

The state of Mississippi is often the butt of many jokes revolving around intelligence and education—or lack thereof. These jokes don’t happen for no reason;…

ZIP Code May Not Be Destiny, But It’s as Hard to Fight as Gravity

One Saturday I was picking my daughter up from a birthday party at one of those modern-day upscale arcades, and I was surprised to run…

COVID-19 Has Been a Masterclass in Family and Student Partnerships

Like many of our charter public school peers, our school deeply values and relies heavily on feedback from our school community. At Match Charter Public…

I Know What Can Happen When a Teacher Never Gives Up on a Student

This Teacher Appreciation Week, I am reminiscing about Ms. Holmes, my fifth grade teacher. I never could understand why this woman made so many sacrifices…

Here’s How a Trauma-Informed Approach to Remote Teaching Can Help Students Succeed

Every teacher in every school has students who have experienced or are living with trauma in their lives—and many recognize that the trauma may be…

The Case for Keeping Students With the Same Teacher Next Year

The months after spring break are usually the time when teachers in every school across America look forward to crystallizing an entire year’s worth of…

We Can Unify and Win Better Schools for Our Kids. Here’s How.

During my 33-year journey in public education, I’ve repeatedly experienced the power of unity in achieving desired student outcomes, especially since founding a charter public…

Every Class Has a ‘Unicorn’ Child, And We Have to Teach Them Creatively

I encountered my first “unicorn” three years ago. She burst into my classroom announcing, Hello! Nice classroom you got there. Oh … thank you. Are…