The Jose Vilson Blog

Education. Math. The Culture. For us.

2025: Because We Had To Do Something About It

How did a bad encounter with two wayward teenagers after Trump’s inauguration transformed my outlook for the rest of the year? Read more here and let me know what you…
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All Posts

Featured image for “Measuring Grit and Children of Color [New York Times]”

Measuring Grit and Children of Color [New York Times]

I was recently invited to write for the New York Times about grading for grit and other socio-emotional elements. I articulated what I felt most
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Bernie Sanders and The Inclusive Vision for Public Schools #EduColor

The electoral politic has brought up some revelations. For one, it only takes a couple of “outsider” candidates to reveal the people who otherwise felt
Featured image for “The One Thing I Don’t Do When I’m Assessing Students”

The One Thing I Don’t Do When I’m Assessing Students

I’ve now taught almost 11 years, starting in the throes of overtesting and overstandardizing. I’ve given multiple forms of assessments over different periods of time.
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College and Career Whatever Have You

A couple of years ago, I had a heavy-set, lighter-skinned student who spaced out for about half my class every day. He twiddled his pencil,

Listen To Me and My Favorite Songs [Rhymes and Reason]

Rhymes and Reason interviewed me to talk about my book This Is Not A Test: A New Narrative on Race, Class, and Education from a hip-hop
Featured image for “Real Solidarity In The Time of Education Reform”

Real Solidarity In The Time of Education Reform

We don’t have to choose between the testing / Common Core State Standards / Teach For America / charter school debate and intersectional / race
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Watch Dana Goldstein and Me Talk With Teachers at NJEA

The New Jersey Education Association Conference was so lit a few months ago that NJTV put up clips from my speech on one of its
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Schools on Trial And What Does Progress Mean?

I don’t have rules posted in my classroom. I’ve been issuing mandates asking students to respect each other, respect themselves, and respect the classroom and
Featured image for “Justice Scalia, Affirmative Action, and Why Shame Is Not An Option”

Justice Scalia, Affirmative Action, and Why Shame Is Not An Option

“That’s going to be a hard school to get into, but we’ll give it a shot.” By junior year, I was already upset at some
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Toni Morrison Speaks To Me About Racism [The Work]

For Lent, I’ve given up. Actually, that’s not true at all. If anything, I’ve re-dedicated myself to loving in spots that I shouldn’t, and letting
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Why We Must Believe (Our Formation)

“Come on, let’s get this done, I believe in you.” “Why do you always say that, Mr. Vilson, like …” “Um, because I believe in
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The Beautiful Teacher Struggle

My feet on the ground actions are simple-not-easy. For the last three weeks sans EduCon weekend, I spent every “free” period plus lunch, after-school, and
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When Two Or More Of Us Are Gathered (An EduCon Reflection)

This is one of those times where I’m glad I invited all my friends to a party that’s not technically mine. For those of you
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Design of a Decade: Moments From 10 Years Of Writing

People forget that, ten years ago, the idea of blogging aloud made no sense to the average reader. The mainstream media had the stranglehold on
Featured image for “What Happens When My Student Curses At Me [Teaching Tolerance]”

What Happens When My Student Curses At Me [Teaching Tolerance]

I had the honor of writing for Teaching Tolerance, one of the premiere teacher resources for anything related to social justice. They asked me to
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What Do You Mean, Excessive Paperwork?

Please do tell me I should be doing more. The job of teaching itself is a pleasure, an honor, and it is work. The acts
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Are You About That MLK Jr. Life?

My latest at Medium delves into the questions I have for those who invoke Martin Luther King Jr. in their crusades for personal gratification. Here’s
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My Reaction to the President’s State of the Union Address

Anytime the president of the United States shouts out teachers, that’s definitely a plus. Well, sorta. As a math teacher, I appreciate the emphasis on
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My New Year’s Resolve

I’m supposed to tell you that I want to lose weight. I’m rounder than ever, so that’s a lofty goal. But that’s no fun, and
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These Feet Will Drag (A Poem)

I haven’t written a poem in a few months. Don’t judge me. These are the words I choose to recite while getting back to work
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The Top JLV Posts of 2015 (According To You And Me)

According to thousands of you, here are the top ten posts 2015 with a few words from each post. This blog surpassed a million views
Featured image for “A List of Things I’ve Learned in 2015”

A List of Things I’ve Learned in 2015

Wouldn’t you know? We been hurt, been down before. When our pride was low, looking at the world like “Where do we go?”
Featured image for “A Bit About The “End” of No Child Left Behind”

A Bit About The “End” of No Child Left Behind

I’m not a fan. I do think we need to have a nation education reform. I do believe that there should be as much federal
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Hope and the Teacher

My colleague asked me point-blank: “You’re saying you don’t think you’re having an effect on kids?” I guess I should have been more poignant. I’m
Featured image for “The Dea(r)th of Opinions [TFA and Writing As A Whole]”

The Dea(r)th of Opinions [TFA and Writing As A Whole]

Back in 2009, ChalkbeatNY fka Gotham Schools had its first fundraiser featuring then-NYC Schools Chancellor Joel Klein and NYU researcher and former education reform cheerleader
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The Students Always Do That

Real talk: I haven’t been feeling myself lately. We’ve had a plethora of school program changes. In sum, I ended up with me having five
Featured image for “Through The Wire [This Is Still Not A Test]”

Through The Wire [This Is Still Not A Test]

No one asked me to write This Is Not A Test, but I still felt it necessary. About two years ago, I was in the
Featured image for “Bad Teacherist [Reading Roxane Gay]”

Bad Teacherist [Reading Roxane Gay]

I’m not the perfect teacher. At my best, I have a meticulously thought-out lesson plan with activities that access multiple pathways, and I can get
Featured image for “Thankful For You [Luz and Ale]”

Thankful For You [Luz and Ale]

I don’t often speak about my personal life because, well, that’s not what I do. It’s weird. I teach. I speak. I write. I activate.
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I’m Not Racist, But My Kid’s Not Going There [On Segregation]

It starts the same. “I heard what you’re saying about integration and everything, and I agree with you in general …” “Yes?” “And I hear
Featured image for “A Not-Review of <em>More Than A Score</em> [Edu-Activated]”

A Not-Review of More Than A Score [Edu-Activated]

In the spring of 2014, a few books dedicated to the “Education Spring” revolt came out from various publishers, one of which was mine, and
Featured image for “How I Got Over [College Activism Is A Must]”

How I Got Over [College Activism Is A Must]

My first real foray into real college activism was on Syracuse University’s campus. It started with visiting a few tables at a college activities fair,
Featured image for “I Saw A Generation of Educators Destroyed By Silence In Tragedy [Howl Again]”

I Saw A Generation of Educators Destroyed By Silence In Tragedy [Howl Again]

Changing our Facebook profile overlays won’t be enough. I’ve seen a whole generation of educators who have so much direct access to the most massive
Featured image for “Mizzou Football and Why It Matters for Schools [LinkedIn]”

Mizzou Football and Why It Matters for Schools [LinkedIn]

In my first, exclusive LinkedIn post, I discuss what leaders can learn from the University of Missouri (Mizzou) protests happening now. Here’s an excerpt: But
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The Investment (A Message To New Jersey Teachers)

Last week, I got to address the New Jersey Education Association about a number of different issues, but I need to leave this one note
Featured image for “Who Created The Cages? [About That Teacher Life]”

Who Created The Cages? [About That Teacher Life]

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to speak at William Paterson University in New Jersey to their college…
Featured image for “Like Water Off A Duck’s Back [A Note on Duncan’s Legacy]”

Like Water Off A Duck’s Back [A Note on Duncan’s Legacy]

Six years ago, I remember sitting in an afternoon meeting with my principal and about 25 other administrators and educators,…
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Lead With Love [Spring Valley High Is Your School Too]

Today, I finally saw some of my cockamamie student groupings come to a screeching halt when some of my best…
Featured image for “We’re Wrong [Reflecting on Spring Valley High]”

We’re Wrong [Reflecting on Spring Valley High]

One more thing about the teachers of color panel went awry from a couple of weeks ago: we too embody…
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This Is What Has To Be Done [#WhyIWrite]

I had the honor and pleasure of having my superintendent visit my classroom today. The first time didn’t go so…
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EduShyster and I Tag Team On A Microphone

A couple of weeks ago, EduShyster visited my classroom because she’s my cousin, not in a biological way, but in…
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Where Have All The Teachers of Color Gone? (With Answers)

You should know that, at last week’s panel for the conference I attended, I went to a panel entitled “Where…
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Mmmmm Oh My Gosh, Stop Lying, Ms. Moskowitz! [Medium]

Remember that piece I wrote at the Progressive? Success Academy CEO Eva Moskowitz’ team decided to write a response. I…
Featured image for “Shut. It. Down. (On The Battles for Racial Equity and Public Education)”

Shut. It. Down. (On The Battles for Racial Equity and Public Education)

39,000 feet above the ground, the chants still ring in my ear: What do we want? JUSTICE!When do we want…

Our Justice Is Complicated

For some reason, my Pocket app has been full of idiosyncratic profile pieces. This Fader one of Drake. This POLITICO…
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#DontStealPossible My A … [The Progressive]

My latest for the Progressive explores the Families for Excellent Schools’ (now postponed) rally in Brooklyn for “equity”. Whatever that…
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Short Notes: Share and Share Alike

I’m bringing back Short Notes Sundays. I get to read a lot of good stuff around the web. Here’s a…