A Schoolteacher's Musings · Current Events

Cutting Honors Programs Will Not Lead to Greater Equity

I recently read an article in the paper about some high schools in California (and elsewhere around the United States) who are cutting their Honors programs in English and Social Studies in order to promote greater equity. There weren’t enough black or brown kids taking the classes, so those in charge assumed that simply having… Continue reading Cutting Honors Programs Will Not Lead to Greater Equity

A Schoolteacher's Musings · Current Events

Are We Going to Whitewash History or Learn from It?

The statues are being toppled. The schools are being renamed. Modern works of genius about our Founding Fathers are being questioned. There is a growing cultural norm to look back on every influential leader in history and question their worth based on their beliefs or actions. And why, do you ask? Because we have a… Continue reading Are We Going to Whitewash History or Learn from It?

A Schoolteacher's Musings · Children & Parenting

Teaching in a Strange New Land – Hope for Teachers & Parents

We thought, as teachers, that we had seen it all. We thought we had endured every kind of stress imaginable. We thought we had this adaptability thing down. And then COVID-19 hit. And in the span of a day or two, we had to create a whole new learning environment for our students. We had… Continue reading Teaching in a Strange New Land – Hope for Teachers & Parents

A Schoolteacher's Musings · Children & Parenting

We Do Need to Talk to Our Children About Sex

If you live in Washington state, you may (or may not) have been aware that a bill passed this last week to require public schools to teach “comprehensive sexual health education to all K-12 students.” After reading a friend’s well-thought out and well-researched Facebook post on it (which I wholeheartedly agreed with and will reiterate… Continue reading We Do Need to Talk to Our Children About Sex

A Schoolteacher's Musings · Children & Parenting

How Many “Reasons Why” Do We Need?

There is a frightening 21st-century predator lurking in the shadows for our children. And it comes in the form of unmonitored access to social media and Internet content. If you’re in your teens or twenties, you might be thinking, “Yeah, yeah – adults have been going on and on about the dangers of the Internet… Continue reading How Many “Reasons Why” Do We Need?