So our friend Peter Smagorinsky wrote a piece for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, (linked here) reminding people of the long observed fact that a large majority of people view their own local school as fairly good. But the same survey respondents see education as a failure overall. This, he points out,  comes from the picture […]

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 […]

Janet Ilko of the San Diego Writing Project is a teacher doing great things with technology for her students. Here’s her thoughtful post on this, written on the National Writing Project blog after she gave a presentation in Washington D.C. on the national Digital Learning Day. And now watch the video she made, which she […]

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 […]

Many of us have followed the saga as the Garfield HS teachers speak up in Seattle to oppose use of the MAP test with their students. Here’s a useful summary of the controversy, on the Education Week Teacher website. Actually, it’s pretty balanced, giving space to statements from both supporters of the test and the […]

OK, People. Here’s a potpourri of items on teachers using their voice. There’s actually a lot going on out there, and that’s encouraging. But it’s going to take a lot more. First, read a statement from Cheryl Williams, Exec Director of the Learning First Alliance, on changing the national dialogue on education from “It’s failing” […]

Whoa! Please read the guest post on Education Week‘s “Teacher in a Strange Land” blog, by writer and former teacher Kelly Flynn. She’s someone who agrees that teachers need to tell our stories ! And it certainly is always great to have someone agree with me, and to say it out loud. Now, I’m hoping […]

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 […]

Here are a couple of fresh angles on speaking up. There are many ways teachers can use their voices. Check out these two: A teacher explains to her audience the need for and value of long-term professional development, as opposed to brief dips into the pool. Watch this short but to-the-point video. A private school […]