Alexis Singleton is one of thousands of Tennessee teachers in their early years of teaching. She’s one of 14 new teachers at her Memphis elementary school, and she’s seen firsthand the effect high teacher turnover can have on students. Read more here
If 2018 hasn’t been confusing enough for you, here’s a little conundrum to ponder: while Kanye “slavery was a choice” West is running around here in MAGA hats and supporting Donald Trump, his arch nemesis, Taylor “we still don’t know how you won that VMA over Beyonce´ but whatever” Swift is throwing her public support…
At 17, Caitlin Brinson isn’t yet old enough to vote, but she’s working hard to get other Memphis residents to the polls in November. The Cordova High School school senior is active in a new youth initiative called Engage Memphis, which aims to increase voter turnout and to educate young future voters on issues that…
I was scrolling through my email when I saw this question. I immediately thought, “NO” then had to contemplate whether that answer stemmed from me as a parent or me as an educator. Many educators are also parents and the dichotomy of these two are engulfing. I once wrote that I haven’t had the pleasure…
Dear Parents, It has taken me way too long to write this to you. Honestly, I know I should have weeks ago when the school year started, but as they say, I wanted to “hit the ground running.” As the year has progressed, I wanted to take a couple of minutes of your time. As…
Oh, boy. Thursday was a DAY. The Senate Judiciary Committee held a public hearing for Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh and Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, one of the 4 (or is it 5? I can’t keep up…) women who have accused him of being a sexual assailant. The hearing was supposed to help the committee…
In just two months, I’ve heard the many stories that before now, I only read about via news articles and saw briefly across news stations. I’ve talked with families of students, community members, 1st and 2nd generation citizens, and students themselves about their stories of being marginalized, oppressed, discriminated against, and left out. I’ve wrestled…
It doesn’t mean all the people in their lives have to do that mirroring, but they should have some. And we know that in the teaching profession, there really are not enough mirrors.” -Lecturer Sarah Leibel I recently had the humbling privilege of reading, “Where Are All the Teachers of Color?” by Josh Moss (2016)….
Another school year is underway. And yes, the year might be filled with professional development opportunities, but how much of those are geared towards professionals working together? Are we still allowing walls to separate and isolate us? I’ve had the opportunity to visit other schools and school districts outside of Shelby County. I am often…
It has been almost 10 years since I became a teacher. I didn’t have many expectations when I began. All I knew was that I wanted to provide the tools students needed to change their life because education had done just that for me.
A poor black girl from inner-city Chicago, I was bused to a gifted center from 3rd grade to 8th grade, where I was one of seven black kids in the entire grade. It was there I learned what I needed to excel, not just in the classroom but in life. Even though we were in a gifted school with students from all over Chicago, we still took the state tests. I recall those being the worst days of the school year.