Resources for Talking to Your Kids About the Case of Trayvon Martin

Tyler IzuagieCommunity, Equity, Leadership, Teaching

With Zimmerman’s innocence decided, the underlying issues of race and profiling continue to ignite quarreling responses and catalyzing debates about race in America. Here are some helpful sources that can help you talk to your kids about the issues surrounding these debates. In an NPR post entitled, The Talk: What Did You Tell Your Kids After the Zimmerman Verdict, speakers share … Read More

Disrupting Injustice: Principal Strategies to Advance Social Justice

Jason FlomCommunity, Education, Equity, Leadership, Learning

The problem: Social injustice across our social landscape, with concentrations in schools where social justice is most needed. A solution: Leadership focused on targeting, disrupting, and transforming such norms into new outcomes. Teacher College Record published a paper by George Theoharis, an assistant professor in educational leadership and inclusive education at Syracuse University, titled “Disrupting Injustice: Principals Narrate the Strategies They … Read More

Racing to the Top and Leaving the Impoverished at the Bottom

Tyler IzuagieCommunity, Education, Equity, Learning, Policy, Student, Whole Child

Poverty cripples societal advancement. When prevalent in the richest nation in the world, it becomes mindboggling. Why are so many individuals struggling under the weight of poverty in America? Why is nearly 1 in every 4 children considered impoverished in this land of Race to the Top? Are we racing to the top of the wrong metric?  My hat goes … Read More

Year at Mission Hill, Chapter 7: Behind the Scenes

Jason FlomCommunity, Education, Equity, Science of Learning, Student, Teaching, Whole Child

Chapter 7 of this fantastic series delves into the fuel that keeps the fire going — questioning everything in relation to the whole child: Asking for help. Inquiry to inspire students’ voice. Shared inquiry about students. Building a community of curiosity, which changes teachers’ perspectives on teaching, learning, and their own empowerment as educators, empowerment they then pass on to … Read More

America’s Promissory Note . . . Still Outstanding

Jason FlomEducation, Equity, Leadership, Learning, Student

In a startling article in the New York Times, columnist Charles M. Blow lays out some statistics published in a recent UNICEF report that should equally appall and inspire us. He writes, According to the report, the United States has the second highest share of children living under the relative poverty line, defined as 50 percent of each country’s median … Read More

Year at Mission Hill, Chapter 5: The Eye of the Dragon

Jason FlomCommunity, Education, Equity, Leadership, Learning, Student, Teaching, Whole Child

So much of the language that we know to be valuable in education comes alive at Mission Hill. Art. Empowerment. Choice. Voice. Inspiration. Creativity. Student experts. Student teachers. Community. Every year they employ a school wide theme that aims for depth and breadth throughout the school. This year’s, “Long Ago and Far Away,” and the students share a seam of … Read More

Narrowing the Digital Divide Between High and Low Income Students

Jason FlomEducation, Equity, Learning, Policy

In a recent post at KQED/Mindshift, Tina Barseghian reports on the work of Michael Mills, a professor of Teaching and Learning at the University of Central Arkansas, who advocates for closing the digital divide between high and low income students.  He argues that increasing access to digital devices can play a role in empowering low income students by opening pathways … Read More

5 Steps to Overhaul Teaching

Jason FlomEducation, Equity, Learning, Policy, Student, Teaching, Whole Child

Once again, Columbia University professor, Christopher Emdin, puts forth a rapid fire and common sense proposal for rethinking urban — and really ANY — education to ensure it is student focused, relevant, and purposefully engaging. The basis of this video: Reality pedagogy which is, “Teaching based on the reality of the student’s experience.” 5 C’s of Reality Pedagogy: The Cypher … Read More

A Year at Mission Hill Chapter 1

Jason FlomCommunity, Education, Equity, Leadership, Learning, Student, Whole Child

Below is the first chapter of a remarkable video series: A Year at Mission Hill. The premise, as described on the project’s site, is simple: Ten videos. One year. A public school trying to help children learn and grow. The national conversation we need to be having. What goes into creating a powerful learning environment for children and adults? Meet … Read More