Why It’s Time to Raise Hell About Reopening Schools

This week, teachers all over the country are holding demonstrations protesting plans to re-open schools for in-person learning. Obviously, there’s heated debate everywhere about how…

Teachers, If You Haven’t Been Giving a Damn About Your Students, We Definitely Don’t Need You Now

Before I stroll into my routine of being a habitual line stepper, let me state my usual disclaimer. Educators, I love and appreciate y’all. I…

Pandemic or Not, Students Need Great Content Paired With Strong Teaching

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…

Culturally Relevant Teaching Isn’t ‘Indoctrination.’ It’s The First Step Toward Justice.

Back in 2018, I was really fed up with the major incidents of discrimination and hatred going on around the country. (Remember Charlottesville? Or when…

There Are Teachers Out There Right Now Causing Real Harm to Black and Brown Students

This is an incredible thread. Joe Truss took the Amy Cooper viral video and described all the ways that that behavior shows up in classrooms…

Parents, Stop Freaking Out, Teachers Aren’t Perfect Either

This year, there will be no more school bells. There will be no more pencils to sharpen or papers to pass out. There will be…

This Is the One Time I Actually Do Want to Hear From Betsy Devos

In the past few days, I have received countless correspondence from every online vendor I have ever purchased anything from—the gym, doctor’s office, restaurants, stores.…

Schools Like This One Might Have an Easier Time Going Virtual

As COVID-19 continues to spread across New Jersey, “long term school closures are inevitable,” said Governor Phil Murphy on Friday. All across the country school districts…

My School Let Me Work a Four-Day Week. It Changed Everything.

Last spring, as a teacher at Alma del Mar Charter Public School in New Bedford, Massachusetts, I got to participate in the pilot of something…

There’s Ineffective Teaching in Every School. It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way.

I recently heard a familiar, stinging remark from a policymaker: Allison, if we’re going to increase education funding significantly, we must address the issue of…