Not a year goes by without me hearing “These kids have no idea what a privilege it is to …” Usually because I’ve been the one saying it until the last year or so. The problem with having a privilege when you’re so unaccustomed to it is that...
First, let me tell you how excited I was that the United Federation of Teachers FOILed Joel Klein’s e-mails from DOE. I’m much happier knowing that I wasn’t misjudging anything about him or his co-conspirators on any level. They really do come off like...
Alejandro was staring at the door at 9 pm. I just got back from a long day and a vibrant discussion and dinner at SoHo with some colleagues who I hadn’t seen in months. When I got to my floor in my apartment building, I tiptoed from the elevator to my door, turnin...
The whole premise of some meetings is to listen to the person speak ad nauseam about the topic of their choice with little regard for others’ opinions. It happens all across America in offices where voice only matters insofar as the first one has first, second, an...
Colleague Carrie Kamm commented on my last post with this: She’s probably right. Even after reflecting on the underlying themes of that post, I don’t know exactly what prompted it. I do know it came from a place where people believe all people’s histor...
Nope. I’m not going to let you get away with it. You think you’re slick with your off-kilter jargon and smooth delivery, but I see right through you. Before I continue, I need you to step away from the children. You’re passionate about your subject are...
As if we didn’t already have presidents, mayors, congress members, lobbyists, media members, ex- and current schools chancellors, district leaders, and celebrities come for the heads of teachers under the guise of “student rights,” Kenneth Cole, clothi...
On Sunday, during our walk for the Run for Change, one of my students asked, “What are we going to do for the rest of the year?” “You mean in terms of math?” “Yeah, like what’s going to happen?” “Well for the next month, I...
You didn’t think I’d let the weekend go by without talking about TEDxNYED right? I was honored to be invited to speak (second!) at the TEDx conference at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens yesterday. You often hear notes from the audience̵...
I don’t know if I should reveal this, but, oh well. When I was approached months ago about becoming a speaker for TEDxNYED, I did my usual nod of approval and, “Cool.” I felt a certain surprise about being asked to speak to people I consider colleagues...
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