Remembering my school days…

I loved school growing up. I’m a proud product of public schools, and I was lucky to have so many smart…

“The Teacher Held My Hand”

My letter to members of the United Federation of Teachers in September of 2001, reposted today in memory of their heroism, and the of those we lost.

Why we support the Every Student Succeeds Act

Susan Bowles, a kindergarten teacher in Gainesville, Fla., was fed up with all of the testing she was required to give her 5-year-old students.

As an act of civil disobedience, for which she was willing to take the…

E4E: Did you hear that?

This is the first post in a short series dedicated to providing a teacher’s perspective on the organization known as Educators For Excellence. The posts in order will focus on their message, show who supports the organization, and hopefully record a audio discussion with a person from…

I hate to say it, but we told you so.

For years, I’ve listened to and met with teachers and parents who poured their hearts out, telling me horror stories about the effects of overtesting and its high-stakes consequences.

Why the hell would AFT sign on to TeachStrong?

My question when I saw the list of signers was, “Why would groups like TFA, Stand for Children and TNTP sign on to this?” Was I missing something? Was there some fine print that changed the principles we have long supported — to give teachers the…

Blended learning in a first-grade classroom

Driving question: How can an experienced teacher reimagine and redesign her teaching by creating her own blended learning model?

This past school year, my students and I entered a new realm of teaching and learning. We created a…

Excitement and Anxiety: The First Day of School

The first day of school is a little chaotic and a lot…

I am an unafraid educator

I became a teacher to make a difference in people’s lives. And I’ve never met another teacher who didn’t feel the same way.

Silence is akin to consent

Last night, I had the honor to speak at the AFT’s Civil, Human and Women’s Rights Conference in New Orleans. This is what I told the 650 people gathered there, and what I will keep saying as I travel the country.