Let’s Stand Up for Justice and Take Police Officers Out of Our Schools

If I had a teacher like you, I don’t think I would be here. Why do you say that? Because you care. I will never…

George Floyd Is Proof America Needs More Black Teachers

America, 2020: A Black man is recorded being killed in broad daylight by a White police officer trained to “protect and serve.” As videos and…

My Students Want to Learn, But They Don’t Have Access to the Internet

As an educator, I learned early on that relationships are key to learning. I’ve always genuinely looked forward to coming to school, greeting my students…

Schools Must Prepare Now to Address Student and Teacher Trauma

My students and I are entering our tenth week of remote learning, all of us isolated from one another and from our shared classroom space.…

I Got a Call From Betsy DeVos. Here’s What I Wish She Had Said.

Every year, I look forward to the first week of May, Teacher Appreciation Week. The week is usually filled with handwritten cards and drawings, a…

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…

I Know What My Parents and Students Need Because I Asked Them

When Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced that schools and non-emergency childcare programs in the state would remain closed through May 4, I held on to…

Here’s One Way to Talk With Teachers About Race in Schools

I’m five hours into facilitating a professional development on race for a group of teachers.  Overall, the morning was positive: everyone has remained engaged in…

Here’s How I Know Our Schools Need More Teachers of Color, Like Me

You don’t wash your hair every day? How often do you wash it? Every other week?!” The fifth grader with blonde hair that reached just past her…

Here’s How Teachers Can Support Their Experiences With Data to Improve Schools

Teachers aren’t asked nearly often enough what they think about the issues that are impacting our students, schools and profession. As teachers ourselves in Chicago…