Vulgar and Perilous Reforms
In 1790, conservative political philosopher Edmund Burke wrote in Reflections on the Revolution in France: “A state without the means…
The Biggest Loser in Education
I am a fan of “The Biggest Loser,” the reality-television show which rewards one person with the biggest weight loss…
What If? (#3) OR Why My Teacher Website is So Ugly
What if school systems were responsive enough to keep up with the pace of technology? When it comes to my…
Birthday Wishes
A couple of weeks ago, I was celebrating my birthday with my wife and son–Dora and Manuel. As we finished…
The Problem with VAM Scores
Before the district kill-and-drill benchmark test, a student says to me, “You look stressed.” “I’m fine,” I lie, offering a…
Half Empty or Half Full
I recently read a post on Facebook… A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience.…
It’s Complicated
The other day I was listening to a news program on the radio about national parks. The scientist on the…
Scalpel
In the thick of the sequester debate, the comment is often heard that we should cut with a scalpel instead…
I Am Afraid of Babies
The word makes me shudder, cringe and cower. Unless it is preceeded by the phrase, “You’ve come a long way,”…
Teacher-Defining Moments
After attending an educator’s conference this past weekend, I was inspired with a question to ponder, “How does my background impact…
