Parents Don’t Want Their Kids to Be Teachers But I Do

Recently, I overheard my daughter in the kitchen giving her friend instructions on how to make guacamole. She was so patient, even-keeled, and genuinely helpful.…

Some Thoughts From a Teacher on What People Think About Teachers

Education Next’s recent poll offers a fascinating peek into what Americans think about a wide array of educational issues—teacher pay, school spending, immigration and school…

Teaching Is Hard Enough, You Shouldn’t Have to Go Broke Buying School Supplies Too

As school starts back, one of the largest tasks for teachers is to stock up on all of the things they will need for the…

When Students Aren’t Proficient in Reading or Math, It Isn’t a Shame, It’s Violence

I’ve written about teacher accountability before, but I recently read a few things that got me thinking. The first was a report out of Los…

We Could Have More Black Teachers If We Removed These Barriers

There is a growing body of evidence that Black students perform better when they have a Black teacher. It is a problem, then, that only…

A Parent’s Guide to the Changes Coming to Florida Schools

Let’s just start with the bottom line: Florida lawmakers passed a big education bill Monday that is mostly good for kids: It protects recess for…

Hey Charter Schools, If You Don’t Want a Union, Don’t Give Teachers a Reason to Organize

Within the last few weeks, efforts to unionize charter schools have seen two major new developments: the first-ever organizing drive in Washington, D.C. charter schools,…

A Lack of Funding at This Rural School Is Leaving English Learners Lost in Translation

When junior high students move to Beardstown, Illinois from places such as the Congo, they need basic “survival skills” as part of the adjustment to…

Coffee Break: E4E on Entering a New Chapter and Working on Reform From the Inside Out

Recently, the teacher-led reform group Educators for Excellence (E4E) announced a rebranding that includes an updated set of core principles and a new look for…

Forget Your Nostalgia for White Picket Fences, Suburban Schools Need to Accept the New Reality

There’s a myth that persists in education for both parents and teachers: That heading to suburban schools somehow insulates you from hardship, instability and academic failure.…