Originally published on Teachers’ Voice, August 18, 2017 “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke This Won’t Be Easy Important conversations never are. But our students — and colleagues — learn as much from what we do (or don’t do) as what we…

I am lost. I guess I could sugar coat it and pretend that it’s a lesson, or that I’ll be better, stronger for it in the end. I suppose I could wax poetic about the thrill of the journey or say there is no destination at all — that I’m…

Honoring the Anniversary of the Women’s March on Washington — My goddaughter, Dylenah, turned 11 this January. She is bright, creative, kind, energetic, sassy, and beautiful… and she has already conquered more obstacles than many people face in an entire lifetime… and it is extraordinary to watch. She loves purple, peacocks, and pirouettes… She sings Bob Marley in the car…

Why You’re Wrong On American Law… Again Yesterday, during your morning constitutional and roughly two hours before you arrived at Trump National Golf Club for your 65th visit to a golf club (54th confirmed golfing activity)since the inauguration at a cost of approximately $72,392,178 to American taxpayers so far…

PA Lawmakers Move to Recreate a System of Inequities, Paralyze PA Public Schools, and Possibly Even Increase Your Taxes in the Process This is long, but bear with me. . . How do we fund Pennsylvania’s schools in a way that is fair and equitable to taxpayers, school districts, and the students they serve, and also provide all students…

It’s been an extraordinarily long two weeks. As Executive Orders, and #AlternativeFacts wiz by at a breakneck pace, I’m a bit overwhelmed. I know many of you are, too. The environment is noxious with a tense and divisive political dynamic and there is no end in sight. The anxiety is palpable. After experiencing the Women’s March on…

January 27: Mother of Exiles Mourns — January 27, 2016 To begin our second week, I add the song Brave by Sara Bareilles. (Genius Lyrics)As I scrolled through my Facebook feed this morning, there, in the middle of the outcry and outrage about Trump’s Executive Order indefinitely suspending admission of Syrian refugees into the U.S. and limiting…

January 20: The Nightmare Begins — January 20, 2017 This Friday was different than the others. When I woke I realized it would be just a few hours until Donald would take the Oath of Office and become the 45th President of the United States. The thought alone rattled me and, later, brought on…

A Monday Story, Told With A Little Help From Amy Poehler. — Context: It’s Monday. I overslept. Not by the standards of a normal human whose “must do” work schedule is largely governed by Pacific Time, but for mine. Monday is my busy day. Monday is the day that I have to be on my game, cannot get behind, cannot lose focus. Monday…