Self-quarantine. Stay at home. Social distancing. Shelter in place. Isolation. Keeping yourself “half a world away.” One of the starker realities of this COVID-19 epidemic is that my neighbors and my family in other states are all literally “half a world” away. That possible human exchange and interaction that fulfills the need of belonging can’t … Continue reading Saving The World By Staying “Half A World Away” – Some Hope From R.E.M.

Remember the HB2 debacle? The one that gave us the "Bathroom Bill" and the lost business in North Carolina and a stain on our reputation as a state? All for a non-existent problem. But Lt. Gov. Dan Forest championed that bill and its intent as much as anyone. Remember this? “If our action in keeping men … Continue reading This Has Aged Well – Framing The Words Of Lt. Gov. Dan Forest Within The COVID-19 Outbreak

It helps to follow people on social media who can always help keep important issues "up front and out loud." That's one reason I follow Kris Nordstrom's Twitter feed. Today he reminded me of the need to get people to fill out the census survey. North Carolina is not doing so well in its completion … Continue reading One The Best Virtual “Lessons” For All Students & Families: Complete The Census

...that I can see them a lot more in the future. It's funny that a nation which is both the richest in the world and the one that supports STEM related educational paths to get more students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematical careers is having such a hard time getting enough masks, test … Continue reading This Teacher Would Rather Miss Them For A Few More Weeks If It Means…

If teachers can teach students remotely through virtual means on a daily basis while still taking care of their own families and needs, then you could get a special session done. And not one of these special sessions where a stupid grab for power bill like HB17 was passed when publicly it was announced that … Continue reading Dear NCGA, Call A “Special Session” And…

Please consider signing to show Raleigh how much our certified and classified school staffs mean to our communities. Here is the link: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/petition-for-immediate-relief-for-nc-public-school-employees-during-the-covid-19-pandemic?source=direct_link&.    

“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, especially in this recent epidemic. What makes … Continue reading What This Current Crisis Shows Is That Our Schools Are About Collaboration Among Teachers, Not Competition

The Great Gatsby is a book that is rather quick to read, easy to absorb, and forever reflected upon. Among my junior English classes, whether AP level or not, Gatsby tends to be the favorite. Students feel smarter for having read it. They despise the right people. They wrestle with the shallowness of the characters. They seem … Continue reading The Eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg Are Now Staring At Our Lawmakers – When Art Imitates Life

Every year on March 21, the Down Syndrome International sponsors for the world community a WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY. You can read more about it here: https://worlddownsyndromeday.org/. The date is a direct reference to genetic condition known as Trisomy 21 (three #21 chromosomes) which is commonly known as Down Syndrome. But Malcolm does not think much … Continue reading 3/21/21 – Malcolm’s Wish For World Down Syndrome Day (And A Thank You To Special Education Teachers)