Four Years Ago Today This Blog Began

1461 days. 1733 posts. 700,000+ hits. And not stopping now. If I could ask for one thing that you can do, it is to share with others the advocacy for public schools that I hope this blog helps to do. And if you could invite others to read and engage with what this blog produces, … Continue reading Four Years Ago Today This Blog Began

Shakespeare & Social Distancing

King Lear is the most referred to play of Shakespeare's on the third question of the AP English Literature and Composition exam. Not Hamlet. Not Macbeth. Not Othello. It's complex and one of his greatest works. And he wrote it while quarantined from the plague. Shakespeare knew something about social distancing. Our own modern "Masters … Continue reading Shakespeare & Social Distancing

Dear First Year Teacher, You Are No Longer A New Educator

For me, it's Year 22. Three schools. Two states. Between two to three thousand students who have come through my classrooms. Tens of thousands of essays graded. Multiple curricula adoptions, evaluation tools, administrative changes, over twenty proms, and more sporting events than I can count. Yet, never have I had to teach remotely in this … Continue reading Dear First Year Teacher, You Are No Longer A New Educator

Saving The World By Staying “Half A World Away” – Some Hope From R.E.M.

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.

This Has Aged Well – Framing The Words Of Lt. Gov. Dan Forest Within The COVID-19 Outbreak

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

One The Best Virtual “Lessons” For All Students & Families: Complete The Census

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

This Teacher Would Rather Miss Them For A Few More Weeks If It Means…

...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…

Dear NCGA, Call A “Special Session” And…

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…

Advocate And Fight For The Unsung Heroes of Our Public Schools: Classified Employees

We need to fight for them so they receive pay during these days of school closure. They are just as vital to the operation of our schools as anyone else, and I am thankful as a teacher to have these people keep our schools not only functioning, but vibrant. If you have never really been … Continue reading Advocate And Fight For The Unsung Heroes of Our Public Schools: Classified Employees

I Signed This Petition. Will You?

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&.