NY’s teachers are committed educators who sometimes feel at odds with their leaders and/or the Department of Education. They seek meaningful professional development, a more diverse teaching staff, and adequate support to serve our children.
(This is a guest post by Michael Kane, who has worked as a New York City public school teacher for over 13 years and is a steering committee member of NY Teachers For Choice, a grassroots organization of educators. He is a former UFT union delegate who served on consultation committees addressing problems with working… Continue reading Did NYC Sell Student & Teacher DNA to a Biotech Company?
America hates teachers. There’s no other way to put it. I’m not interested in massaging language to say what is quite obvious to me and so many of my fellow teachers — especially when nobody cares to massage their language when they’re out there bashing us! America has a very toxic relationship with teachers and… Continue reading America’s Toxic Relationship With Teachers
In August of 2018, we spotlighted a mom who was deliberately blackballed by her zoned school – and how she pushed back. In July of 2019, we profiled the family who did everything right when applying their child to public Kindergarten – and still got the run-around. Today, we’ll hear from a parent who took… Continue reading NYC Mom Fights DOE – And Wins! How You Can, Too!
(This is a guest post by Padraig Shea, an educator and baseball coach in the South Bronx. He has taught in Arkansas, South Korea, and Houston. His writing has appeared in the Boston Globe, Valley Advocate, and Fulbright Korea Infusion.) New York City’s coronavirus quarantine has reached biblical proportions; schools and many businesses closed more… Continue reading Remote Learning Shines Spotlight On Why Schools MUST Change
(This is a guest post by Isis Spann, an educational coach determined to prove that “high poverty can equal high performance when we engage more with families.” She is a founding delegate of the National Parents Union, FUNdamentals of Learning owner, and author of “Taking the WORK Out Of Homework.”) In college, I had the… Continue reading You Can’t Teach Who You Don’t Know!
(The author of this guest post, a teacher at a New York City public high school, wishes to remain anonymous. Names and other identifying details have been changed.) “I can’t wait to come back to this school and throw money at everyone,” said Derek, an 11th grade boy in one of my classes. “Hit all… Continue reading So We Beat On, Boats Against the Current: A Teacher’s Take On Schools That Fail Students
(This is a guest post by Dana Kaplan. Dana has her MA in Early Childhood Education with an additional certification in Gifted Education. Dana joined PS 33, Chelsea Prep for the 2006-2007 school year. During Dana’s tenure at PS 33, she taught Pre-K for two years, launched the ICT-Kindergarten class, and independently created, piloted, and… Continue reading Educator Shares Tips For Talking To Kids About Coronavirus Fears
(This is a guest post by Joseph S. Lento, a licensed Teacher of Orchestral Music and School District Administration. In 2014, President Obama named him a National Teacher of Arts and Humanities. Joseph also has commendations from Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. In 1999, he was named NYC Public Schools Bronx County… Continue reading Ending the School to Prison Pipeline…With a Trumpet!!
“Teachers get off at three o’clock. They don’t work a full day.” “Teachers get summers off and all those holidays.” These are the comments that teachers often hear that make our skin crawl. If our workdays are so cushy, why aren’t people lining up to take our place? Folks who make these remarks never seem… Continue reading Lets Talk About Days and Hours Worked
(This is a guest post by Erin McGonegle Crespi, Regional Director of Operations of Achievement First Charter Schools. She holds a BS in Natural Resources and Education from Cornell, and an MST in Science Education from Pace University. She taught 6th-8th Grade Science at MS 80 in the Bronx from 2006-2009, and founded Achievement First… Continue reading Student Voice As Healthy Food for Thought
