400 years since he died. Four centuries. Multiple generations. New countries discovered. And we still read his work and revere it as a mirror of human nature. There is a bit of a revival taking place in some schools involving Shakespeare. The Common Core asks that student in each grade level come engage with Shakespeare … Continue reading “Lord, What Fools These Mortals Be.” – What Shakespeare Teaches Us About Education Reform
Charter Schools
As God as My Witness, I Thought Turkeys Could Fly
“As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.” – Arthur Carlson, General Manager of WKRP, a fictional radio station in Cincinnati. It's Thanksgiving , and I just watched this episode again and it makes me laugh at how it wonderfully pens human nature which tends to be full of full intentions but short … Continue reading As God as My Witness, I Thought Turkeys Could Fly
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An Application for “The Traditional Public Charter School”
In an educational climate (here in North Carolina and elsewhere) that seems to be changing as quickly as the Earth’s temperature, it might be time to suggest helping traditional schools gain some more resources and support from the North Carolina General Assembly. In the past four years, North Carolina has successfully taken a public education … Continue reading An Application for “The Traditional Public Charter School”
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Teachers, EpiPens, and “Educational” Anaphylactic Shock
In the summer of 1988, I was at the family farm in northeast Georgia feeding calves in a shelter located behind my uncle’s veterinary clinic. I entered the doorway and immediately was greeted by a red wasp who took a small divet out of the tip of my nose while injecting its venom. I immediately … Continue reading Teachers, EpiPens, and “Educational” Anaphylactic Shock
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Open Letter to Mark Johnson, Candidate for State Supertintendent, Concerning Remarks on Poverty and Student Preparedness
Dear Mr. Johnson, I read with great interest your essay posted on EdNC.org entitled “Our American Dream” on September 7th. Because you are a member of the school board from my own district and the republican nominee for State Superintendent, I was eager to read/see/hear what might distinguish you from Dr. Atkinson. I agree that … Continue reading Open Letter to Mark Johnson, Candidate for State Supertintendent, Concerning Remarks on Poverty and Student Preparedness
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Open Letter to Phil Kirk, Chairman Emeritus for the NC State Board of Education
Dear Mr. Kirk, I read with great interest your op-Ed for EdNC.org posted on September7, 2016 entitled “Outlandish myths about NC Republicans and education” (https://www.ednc.org/2016/09/07/outlandish-myths-nc-republicans-education/ ) It originally appeared in The News and Observer on September 6th . Your initial paragraph in which you recount your unparalleled service and experience with education both in public … Continue reading Open Letter to Phil Kirk, Chairman Emeritus for the NC State Board of Education
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About That Letter to the Editor in the 9/1 Winston-Salem Journal Concerning “Johnny-Come-Lately Teachers” Who “Bicker”, “Complain”, “Cry”, “Whine” and Have “Little to Zero Standing”. It Deserves a Response.
I read with great interest (actually, many people did) your “Letter to the Editor” from September 1st entitled “Grateful for the raise” (http://www.journalnow.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/the-readers-forum-friday-letters/article_9eef5d77-bcad-5c1b-9274-b1c01d9e45fc.html) that praised the actions of the current administration and the legislature concerning public education. The full text follows as a reference. “Count me in as a teacher who refuses to bicker and … Continue reading About That Letter to the Editor in the 9/1 Winston-Salem Journal Concerning “Johnny-Come-Lately Teachers” Who “Bicker”, “Complain”, “Cry”, “Whine” and Have “Little to Zero Standing”. It Deserves a Response.
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How John Oliver’s Segment On Charter Schools Speaks to North Carolina
If you have any interest in why the charter school industry has been under the spotlight in this election year in North Carolina, you might want to check out a segment from the August 22, 2016 episode of Last Week Tonight With John Oliver. If you have HBO GO then you can watch all the … Continue reading How John Oliver’s Segment On Charter Schools Speaks to North Carolina
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Open Letter to Alan Hawkes of the Charter School Advisory Board in Response to His Comments About the “SOB’s” at the SBOE
Dear Mr. Hawkes, An NC Policy Watch report from Billy Ball today (“Tempers flare among charter school supporters as state tightens vetting process“) showed that the new rift between the State Board of Education (SBOE) and the Charter School Advisory Board (CSAB) is still growing and seemingly fostering some ill will, at least on your … Continue reading Open Letter to Alan Hawkes of the Charter School Advisory Board in Response to His Comments About the “SOB’s” at the SBOE
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Open Letter to Sen. Jim Davis Concerning Misleading Claims
Dear Sen. Davis, It was with great anticipation that I viewed and watched your comments at a recent Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting in which you were “invited” to rebut the legitimate claims of a highly respected, veteran educator named John de Ville. A video of that presentation is available here - http://livestream.com/accounts/16465545/events/6107359/videos/132381404. However, … Continue reading Open Letter to Sen. Jim Davis Concerning Misleading Claims
caffeinated rage 