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Archive - September 2018

  • Equity and Justice
  • Let's Talk About It

Educational Justice: Which Are You — an Advocate, Ally, or Activist?

September 29, 2018
by Sharif El-Mekki
6 min read
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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...

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  • Let's Talk About It

If You Ask For My Blind Faith in Public Schools I’ll Ask What You’re Drinking

September 27, 2018
by Citizen Stewart
5 min read
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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...

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  • Black Literacy
  • Diversity
  • Let's Talk About It

20 Books That Inspire Black Girls to Strive Toward Greatness

September 23, 2018
by Nosakhere Griffin-El
11 min read
1 Comment

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...

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  • Diversity
  • Equity and Justice

I’m an Advocate For Far More Black Male Educators But I Know That’s Not Enough for Our Students

September 21, 2018
by Sharif El-Mekki
5 min read
1 Comment

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...

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  • Equity and Justice
  • Let's Talk About It

White Privilege Is Quick To Blame Black Students For Being Poor

September 15, 2018
by Samaria Bailey
8 min read
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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...

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  • Accountability
  • Equity and Justice
  • Let's Talk About It

When Your Racist Colleague Spews Hate, Do You Address It Or Do You Remain Silent?

September 12, 2018
by Citizen Stewart
6 min read
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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...

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  • Black Literacy
  • Let's Talk About It

30 Books That Inspire Black Boys to Be Creative and Build Their Dreams

September 8, 2018
by Nosakhere Griffin-El
16 min read
3 Comments

“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...

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  • Accountability
  • Equity and Justice
  • Let's Talk About It

Kids Aren’t the Only Ones Who Are Learning in Our School

September 6, 2018
by Sharif El-Mekki
3 min read
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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...

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  • Black Literacy
  • Let's Talk About It

Fatherly Love: 7 Must Read Books that Place Love at the Center of Fatherhood.

September 4, 2018
by Nosakhere Griffin-El
5 min read
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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...

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  • Let's Talk About It

Why Do You Teach? If You’re Not the Solution, You’re the Problem.

September 1, 2018
by Sharif El-Mekki
3 min read
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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...

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