Teacher Voices

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.

“Your Job is to Let the White Kids Know that Black Kids Are Just as Smart as They Are, And You are Not Doing Your Job!”: A Teacher’s Reflections
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“Your Job is to Let the White Kids Know that Black Kids Are Just as Smart as They Are, And You are Not Doing Your Job!”: A Teacher’s Reflections

Glenn Mason1 Comment

One day I was walking through the 30th Street train station in Philadelphia when I heard someone shout, “Hey you!”  Surely this wasn’t meant for me. I was a stranger to Philadelphia after all. But this was followed with, “Boy! Don’t you hear me calling you?!” I turn around this time and see a somewhat… Continue reading “Your Job is to Let the White Kids Know that Black Kids Are Just as Smart as They Are, And You are Not Doing Your Job!”: A Teacher’s Reflections

The Case for Afrocentric Schools: Can Traditional Schools Fairly Serve “Distinct” Students?
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The Case for Afrocentric Schools: Can Traditional Schools Fairly Serve “Distinct” Students?

Guest Blogger (via Vivett Dukes)1 Comment

This is a guest post by Kraig Knibb, a doctoral student at Stony Brook University in the School of Social Welfare. He is a social justice researcher, with a specific focus on education, culture, and power  among students of African-American descent. He attributes his penchant for social justice to his Panamanian mother and his emphasis on… Continue reading The Case for Afrocentric Schools: Can Traditional Schools Fairly Serve “Distinct” Students?

We Tried The Integration Route — It’s Not Working. Afrocentric Schools May Be a Viable Answer.
Finding the Right School

We Tried The Integration Route — It’s Not Working. Afrocentric Schools May Be a Viable Answer.

Vivett DukesLeave a comment

Here we go again. Yet another teacher in yet another school has assigned yet another assignment pertaining to slavery that is asinine and insensitive. According to The Tennessean, The hand-written assignment, which touched on issues of slavery, immigration and child labor, was given out Wednesday in an eighth grade social studies class at Sunset Middle. One box… Continue reading We Tried The Integration Route — It’s Not Working. Afrocentric Schools May Be a Viable Answer.

Complaining Doesn’t Win Educational Revolutions – Civic Engagement Does! Here Are Some First Steps from Your Local Activist.
Accountability

Complaining Doesn’t Win Educational Revolutions – Civic Engagement Does! Here Are Some First Steps from Your Local Activist.

Vivett DukesLeave a comment

I had a whole blog post planned out about yet another example of educational disparities on Long Island  when I read this in ERASE Racism:   The vast majority of Long Island students attend low‐ and average‐need districts. Only 14% of all Long Island students attend high‐need districts. There are, however, extremely large racial and… Continue reading Complaining Doesn’t Win Educational Revolutions – Civic Engagement Does! Here Are Some First Steps from Your Local Activist.

Sometimes College Isn’t the Best Choice For My Students — And I Couldn’t Be More Proud
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Sometimes College Isn’t the Best Choice For My Students — And I Couldn’t Be More Proud

Glenn Mason1 Comment

“Did you guys hear? Benny broke his leg!” “Praised be, Benny broke his leg!” “Whew. I’m sure glad to hear that.” The news went through school like a whirlwind amongst the staff. Now, who would be happy that someone broke their leg? Teachers! You see, Benny was our former student, working a job at the… Continue reading Sometimes College Isn’t the Best Choice For My Students — And I Couldn’t Be More Proud

I Think We Have Integrated Ourselves into Oblivion
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I Think We Have Integrated Ourselves into Oblivion

Vivett DukesLeave a comment

On Valentine’s Day when we celebrate love, it’s hard for me to wrap my mind around where the love could have possibly been in the hearts and minds of the teachers who allowed nooses to be displayed in their Long Island middle school classrooms. According to The Grio and several other news source outlets, “Three… Continue reading I Think We Have Integrated Ourselves into Oblivion

Hey, Racist White People, Burn your Black Face Makeup Kits The Way You Burn Your Crosses And Just Stop!
Accountability

Hey, Racist White People, Burn your Black Face Makeup Kits The Way You Burn Your Crosses And Just Stop!

Vivett DukesLeave a comment

How is it that a White teacher — at a professed Christian school, no less — can go before her students dressed up in Black face and a dashiki during an assembly about Africa? In New York. as well as other states, the act of “conduct unbecoming” is a judgement that can get a teacher… Continue reading Hey, Racist White People, Burn your Black Face Makeup Kits The Way You Burn Your Crosses And Just Stop!

The NYC Department of Education Wants to Reserve Seats in Elite High Schools By Race. Here’s Why That’s Wrong.
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The NYC Department of Education Wants to Reserve Seats in Elite High Schools By Race. Here’s Why That’s Wrong.

Guest Blogger (via Alina Adams)Leave a comment

Joseph S. Lento is a licensed Teacher of Orchestral Music and School District Administration.  In 2014 President Obama named him a National Teacher of Arts and Humanities. Joseph has commendations from Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. In 1999 he was named NYC Public Schools Bronx County High Schools Teacher of the Year.… Continue reading The NYC Department of Education Wants to Reserve Seats in Elite High Schools By Race. Here’s Why That’s Wrong.

Educational Equity Will Only Come With The Intentional Disruption of White Privilege
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Educational Equity Will Only Come With The Intentional Disruption of White Privilege

Vivett Dukes1 Comment

Hi Vivett. I read your blog post on New York School Talk. It is getting a lot of attention in the Sewanhaka district — too much attention. The post is fake news. First, South Floral Park students attend Floral Park Memorial. Second, Floral Park Memorial’s student body is 45% minority with an even number of… Continue reading Educational Equity Will Only Come With The Intentional Disruption of White Privilege

The Sad State of Affairs in Long Island’s Schools
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The Sad State of Affairs in Long Island’s Schools

Vivett DukesLeave a comment

I’m proud to have been raised and educated on Long Island where I  raised my own family and still reside. I love living so close to the beach and the City. On so many levels, Long Island is a little piece of paradise on earth — except, of course, when you look at its system… Continue reading The Sad State of Affairs in Long Island’s Schools