Month: September 2017

Dear Sen. Barefoot, How Are You Going to Respond? Concerning Class Sizes in Wake County and All NC Elementary Schools.

/ caffeinatedrage

Dear Sen. Barefoot, Earlier this calendar year you were quoted as saying, “For years, the General Assembly has been sending tens of millions of dollars to districts for new classroom teachers for the purpose of lowering classroom sizes,” he said. “The question we keep asking over and over again is, ‘What did they do with … Continue reading Dear Sen. Barefoot, How Are You Going to Respond? Concerning Class Sizes in Wake County and All NC Elementary Schools.

Happy Birthday to Malcolm – Already a Decade

/ caffeinatedrage

Malcolm turned 10 today. So a "Happy Birthday" to a kid who: teaches everyone how to live in the present, honestly tells you how he feels, reminds me that special needs actually applies to everyone, changes clothes three times a day because, well, because, perfected the art of the smile, calls me by my first … Continue reading Happy Birthday to Malcolm – Already a Decade

In Actuality State Supt. Johnson, You Are the “Status Quo” – Concerning Today’s Court Decision

/ caffeinatedrage / 1 Comment

Mark Johnson claims that he wants to change the “status quo.” But in reality he wants to protect the “status quo.” In fact, he is the “status quo.” The term “status quo” has become something of a nebulous term for public education and has evolved into a powerful logical fallacy used by reformers. Consider the … Continue reading In Actuality State Supt. Johnson, You Are the “Status Quo” – Concerning Today’s Court Decision

Principals Need More Respect Than This

/ caffeinatedrage

If you want to look at the reason why a school performs well, then look to the relationships that surround the people: student, teachers, parents, community, staff, and what might be one of the most underappreciated roles in public education – the principal. The responsibility of a principal is hard to even describe, much less … Continue reading Principals Need More Respect Than This

Collaboration. Not Competition. That’s What We Need For Public Schools.

/ caffeinatedrage

“Collaborate” :intransitive verb. Noun form is “collaboration” - 1:to work jointly with others or together especially in an intellectual endeavor  Simply put, collaboration as described in that first definition from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary website is the best resource/tool that a school can have and that leaders can encourage. What makes schools work best are the … Continue reading Collaboration. Not Competition. That’s What We Need For Public Schools.

Malcolm’s Minions – A Chance to be Ultra-Cool For a Day

/ caffeinatedrage

This Sept. 30th, the Piedmont Down Syndrome Support Network (PDSSN) will be hosting its annual Buddy Walk. For those who are not familiar with the Buddy Walk, here is the blurb from the PDSSN.org website: The Buddy Walk® was created by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in 1995 to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month … Continue reading Malcolm’s Minions – A Chance to be Ultra-Cool For a Day

“Emptiness” – Concerning the State Superintendent’s Words on School Performance Grades

/ caffeinatedrage

It is usually a good feeling that accompanies a “congratulatory” note from someone in a position of authority who recognizes hard work and accomplishment, especially in a field that constantly measures performance in such an arbitrary fashion. School performance grades were released by DPI this week and quick to point out any “successes” that could … Continue reading “Emptiness” – Concerning the State Superintendent’s Words on School Performance Grades