Below is the transcript of an open letter I wrote to Mark Johnson almost a year ago when he was running for the office of state superintendent. I revisit it to compare what he has done in office in these seven months on the job to what he claimed he was going to do. Judge … Continue reading Revisiting That Open Letter to Mark Johnson, Candidate for State Supertintendent, Concerning Remarks on Poverty and Student Preparedness
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The Words “Standing Up For Public Schools” and “Full Communication” Have Never Described State Supt. Johnson
The Editorial Board of the Raleigh News & Observer minced no words in its central opinion piece from today's edition. It is scathing and worth reading just for the use of diction to carry a rather stern tone (http://amp.newsobserver.com/opinion/editorials/article164127362.html) . From "Chipping away at DPI - and hurting kids:" Mark Johnson, the new state superintendent … Continue reading The Words “Standing Up For Public Schools” and “Full Communication” Have Never Described State Supt. Johnson
What Should Really Be “Special” in North Carolina
From Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary: Definition of special : distinguished by some unusual quality; especially : being in some way superior : held in particular esteem a : readily distinguishable from others of the same category : uniquethey set it apart as b : of, relating to, or constituting a species : specific : being other than the usual : additional, extra : designed for a particular purpose or … Continue reading What Should Really Be “Special” in North Carolina
“May the Good Lord be With You Down Every Road You Roam” – Rod Stewart And Being An Advocate
Not going to lie, I do like many a Rod Stewart song. But now I really think a lot of Rod Stewart as a person. Just take a look. http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/27/health/rod-stewart-disabled-kids/index.html (CNN)Three weeks ago, a group of children with disabilities and their parents chartered a bus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and headed to Washington to protest … Continue reading “May the Good Lord be With You Down Every Road You Roam” – Rod Stewart And Being An Advocate
A Letter to Secretary DeVos from a Special Normal Public School Student
Malcolm will be thrilled with this! Thanks.
Stuart Egan teaches high school in North Carolina. His son Malcolm was born with Down Syndrome. He is in third grade in public school and is thriving. Stuart helped Malcolm compose this letter to Secretary Betsy DeVos. Malcolm wonders if she cares about kids like him.
The letter starts like this:
“Dear Secretary DeVos,
“My name is Malcolm and I just finished third-grade in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School system. I have vibrant red-hair and blue eyes like my mom, wear cool glasses, have a wicked follow through on my jump shot, and am quite the dancer. My dad also wears glasses, but he does not dance very well nor has much hair. My sister is in high school. She is very smart and she helps me with my homework.
“I also have an extra chromosome because of a condition called Trisomy 21. You may know it as Down Syndrome. It…
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The Power of the Student Section
Last night I caught a tweet from my school's spirit club about "theme nights" for the upcoming football season. Hawaiian Night Jersey Night Toga Night White Out Camo Night Neon Night America Night Green & Gold Night Pink Out Lights Out! Tie Dye Those themes are for all of the games - home and away. … Continue reading The Power of the Student Section
The UnFAIR VANITY of Betsy DeVos
I have never read the William Makepeace Thackery Victorian novel Vanity Fair. Never will. But I would like to meet someone whose middle name is Makepeace. My understanding is that it is a somewhat satirical look at English society, but when I look at the title, I immediately think of the iconic magazine Vanity Fair … Continue reading The UnFAIR VANITY of Betsy DeVos
99,999 And Counting
This morning I realized that this blog has been in existence for 16 months. And it hit a rather magical number in hits - 99,999. Look at the right hand side of the screen: Never thought it would get to that. So thanks for reading and agreeing and disagreeing and agreeing to disagree or giving … Continue reading 99,999 And Counting
About the Civitas Institute Post on a Middle School Asking For Donations For Supplies
On June 29th, Bob Luebke shared on the Civitas Institute website in a missive entitled “Schools, Parents – and School Supplies” a rather caustic perspective on the plight of many a public school trying to help provide for students in need. He wrote, A friend recently forwarded the email listed below. It’s to parents from … Continue reading About the Civitas Institute Post on a Middle School Asking For Donations For Supplies
Trinity Christian School and Being GRANTed the OPPORTUNITY to Embezzle
Last week’s plea-bargain agreement of the teacher/coach at Trinity Christian School in Fayetteville, NC is yet another outward manifestation of a much deeper condition, a symptom of a bigger problem – fully-funded schools. And the slap on the hand that was received by Heath Curtis Vandevender for embezzling nearly $400,000 of tax-payer money seems to … Continue reading Trinity Christian School and Being GRANTed the OPPORTUNITY to Embezzle
caffeinated rage 