This teacher shows a wider world the look of meaningful learning — he wrote a couple of weeks ago, but it’s still important to see his story. Ray Salazar, a Chicago high school teacher wrote to the CNN “Schools of Thought” blog about exploring the topic of gun violence with his students, who experience it […]

It’s a long weekend, with many readers no doubt away from their computer screens — but I can’t resist sharing the latest installment of the Janet Ilko teacher story saga. As she explains on the NWP Connect website, the moment she returned from the Digital Learning Day in DC, Janet’s school administration valuing a positive […]

I owe big apologies to Janet Ilko and to the people at Digital Learning Day and it’s key sponsor, the Alliance for Excellent Education. I ragged on Janet to share her teaching more widely, not realizing just how much press coverage she and the DLDay were receiving. Digital Learning Day focused a light on great […]

Read education researcher David Kirp’s NY Times smart article on Union City NJ improving schools! We’ve focused in this website on teachers writing about their classrooms to rebuild public trust in education — but I couldn’t resist highlighting the eminently sensible approaches being taking in Union City. They build both academic skills and a positive […]

Just when you might think no one cares! Here’s an Atlanta TV station that regularly recognizes teachers in the area — almost weekly. Check out their latest on HS history teacher Thomas Wolff. Then visit the webpage of the reporter, Donna Lowry, who collects the stories, where you can see many more of them. And […]

You can agree or disagree with Teachers United but they speak up and use their voice. Take a look at this interview with one of the founders and you’ll have your own thoughts on their stands. Such disagreement is bound to happen as teachers begin to get more involved in public discussions on education. That’s […]

OK, folks. Here’s a report (click here to read it) on a teacher who runs for school board because realizes that her local community, including the board, aren’t very well-informed on the good things — or the real needs — in the district’s schools. Sarah Kirby-Gonzalez is running for the position in West Sacramento, CA, […]

Some days I get up rather discouraged — there’s just so much violence, denial, rote restriction, and ill will around us, particularly around education. And then I read something that inspires me and reminds me that intelligence, respect for kids, and effective democracy just keep springing up in schools. So please read high school tech […]

Michael Keathley, a fellow blogger urges teachers to write classroom memoirs. Nice to have another voice joining us to encourage this effort. Read his latest blog post with some good ideas about this — and resolve, in this new year to write, yourself. (We thank him for referring to this site.) Your piece can be […]

In the blog post we link to here, the Learning First Alliance pleads that a more thoughtful public dialogue on education is needed. They provide specific recommendations on constructive ways to speak on the subject. For example, they propose: Instead of “Our schools are failing,” let’s try, “Public schools need to get better at meeting […]