I often describe myself as both an activist and a teacher. Why? Because I firmly believe that a quality education is a basic human right that has been historically and currently denied to so many students of color. And the things...
Archive - September 2018
As a public school parent, I feel pressured to take a solemn oath of loyalty to free government schooling as if these schools are little temples of a high democratic order. I comply, mostly, uncomfortably, because whether I want...
When I saw this picture, I thought it is a dramatic illustration of the importance of little Black girls seeing themselves in children’s books! This picture of Michelle Obama is telling this girl that she can be anything she...
There are six Black male teachers in our school. They represent twelve percent of our classroom teachers. That sounds like only a few (and it is) but in a city where Black men represent four percent of classroom teachers, it...
David Nixon has been homeless on and off for more than half of his life so far. This summer, the 21-year-old was living in an acquaintance’s home. A former ward of the state, Nixon had been evicted from his home in January...
If there is anything corrupt in the world of charter schools you can expect Mercedes Schneider to blog or write a book about it. Yesterday she wrote about a student walkout at a Sacramento charter founded by Michelle Rhee and...
“Black boys need to physically see positive images of themselves reflected back at them in children’s books.” Two years ago, I walked into a bookstore searching for a birthday gift for a young Black boy. When I approached a...
As a new teacher and career changer, I owe so much to the coaching prowess of Mrs. Yvonne Savior. That’s right, even her name was Savior, and it was her guidance and support that helped me have the impact I sought with my...
I care for you, love you and teach you always because I am your papa and you are my [child]. -Barbara M. Joose Fatherhood is a blessed experience that men walk into — whether not they have biological children. The...
This is our school community’s thirteenth year serving students as a turnaround neighborhood charter school. Our turnaround school, used to be the second most dangerous school in the city, if not the state. I attended Shoemaker...