When I went to college to become a teacher, I learned the content I would need to teach and the best methods for creating successful academic outcomes for students. And, during my 35 years as an educator, that’s what we’ve continued to do.

When I went to college to become a teacher, I learned the content I would need to teach and the best methods for creating successful academic outcomes for students. And, during my 35 years as an educator, that’s what we’ve continued to do. But that is no longer enough. Teacher-preparation programs must intentionally, and deeply, address equity, race, racism and social justice because, as I often say, teachers are the backbone of our democratic society. Teachers spark and nurture young minds,

I’ve lost my perspective. Not as in “the dog ate it,” but as in “I can’t think straight so how could I possibly articulate any coherent message to you?”

I’ve lost my perspective. Not as in “the dog ate it,” but as in “I can’t think straight so how could I possibly articulate any coherent message to you?” The disarray of my thoughts has been building since 2016, but what’s happened over the past couple of weeks has pushed my brain over its tipping point. And I’m left in a puddle of wordless emotions. The best I can do is to try and describe what’s brought me to this state, so I’ll start with one of my favorite words, flabbergasted -- I think I

While the nation’s attention is quite understandably focused on the protests taking place on our city streets, there is another First Amendment struggle that is developing online.

While the nation’s attention is quite understandably focused on the protests taking place on our city streets, there is another First Amendment struggle that is developing online. Recently, the President of the United States signed an executive order targeting social media. The order was a direct response to Twitter having fact-checked one of the President’s tweets by adding a link that invited users to learn more about mail-in voting. It targets a specific section in the Communications Decency

Trigger warning: Anatomical terms, medical phrases, and grade school potty humor ahead.

Trigger warning: Anatomical terms, medical phrases, and grade school potty humor ahead. I was thrilled when county forest preserves remained open during this pandemic. I was NOT thrilled to see signs indicating their pit toilets were closed. A few times, I treated these signs as advisory rather than compulsory. If a young man were to ask me for words of wisdom, I would tell him, "Your prostate will swell to the size of a grapefruit, and your bladder will shrink to the size of a grape." When I

In 1971, in Virginia, a black teen was shot and killed by a white store owner. The city Alexandria created T.C. Williams, an integrated high school. The movie Remember the Titans gives us a glimpse of that struggle. There is a moment when Julius (a black player) and Gary (a white player) are arguing under a tree. When Gary challenges Julius to give his all for the team, Julius turns to Gary and says, “Attitude reflects leadership…Captain.”

In 1971, in Virginia, a black teen was shot and killed by a white store owner. The city Alexandria created T.C. Williams, an integrated high school. The movie Remember the Titans gives us a glimpse of that struggle. There is a moment when Julius (a black player) and Gary (a white player) are arguing under a tree. When Gary challenges Julius to give his all for the team, Julius turns to Gary and says, “Attitude reflects leadership…Captain.” The unrest, anger, fear and apprehension America feels