Restorative Justice Practices in Schools Are Good for the Body, Mind and Soul

If you ever wanted a crash course on school-based restorative justice practices, then I urge you to watch this panel. I recently attended the “Re-Thinking Discipline:…

Race, Reform and the Firestorm: Reflections on Our Progress a Year Later

One year ago, I excused myself from dinner with friends and returned to my hotel room to blog about my awe-inspiring experience at the NewSchools…

The Invisible Teacher: How the Secret Lives of Educators Can Impact Students

When you enter a school, it’s easy to notice the brightly colored bulletin boards and the roar of chatter spilling out of the cafeteria. But…

Power, Policy and Prayer: My Eye-Opening Phone Call With Betsy DeVos

A few weeks ago I wrote a blog expressing my exasperation with my children’s public school education and my attraction to school vouchers. To my…

Ms. Rhames Goes to Washington: My Visit at the U.S. Department of Education

U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos mentioned me by name in her keynote speech (starting at 29 min.) at the Brookings Institute last week. It…

The Greatest Teaching Tool a School Can Have? Love.

Somewhere along the way, public schools stopped investing in the souls of children.…

An Open Letter to White Conservative Education Reformers

Dear White Conservative Education Reformers, I am an African-American teacher in the ’hood and I come in peace. I want to thank you for the…

This Educator’s Christmas Wish for Teachers in Chicago

When the final dismissal bell rang on Friday, it marked the official start of the holiday break for Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Kids poured out…