Series: This post is part of Policy in the Classroom. See the full series → A Policy & the Classroom reflection This and the following two policy posts summarize the themes woven through the earlier pieces in this series. The Question That Changes Everything It was a gray Tuesday morning — the kind where […]
The Trust Gap: Why Teachers Feel Scrutinized but Not Supported Read More »
A Thanksgiving Conversation That Stayed With Me We had a full house over Thanksgiving week—an open house where everyone finally got to meet Rosebud, our one-year-old granddaughter, along with her parents, Scott and Leigh, who hadn’t been back since her birth. Then Thanksgiving dinner, which in our home always seems to swell beyond the number
Teacher Voices II: What Teachers Are Saying This Year Read More »
Kelli and I are both members of the Delaware State Education Association Retired local. As members, we recently attended the Appoquinimink Food Service Union social — a lively event full of conversation and support for their contract negotiations. While there, I overheard someone mention a growing worry about young men and their mental health. That
When Young Men Fall Silent: What Teachers Can Learn from Their Struggle Read More »
A Perspective Shifts feature post A Chorus in the Room A week ago Kelli, my wife, and I attended a protest in Rodney Square, Wilmington, Delaware with about 150 union members. I was struck by the solidarity. I had a chance to chat with other teachers. Then, the other night, I found myself scrolling
Teacher Voices: In Their Own Words Read More »
Series: This post is part of Policy in the Classroom. See the full series → Years ago, I was president of the Brandywine Education Association. That role meant regular meetings with the superintendent about how new policies would affect teachers. I still remember one presentation where he clicked through PowerPoint slides explaining our “new equity
Equity on Paper, Equity in Practice Read More »
Series: This post is part of Policy in the Classroom. See the full series → There’s a rhythm to August that teachers know well. The school building hums with fresh paint and polished floors, bulletin boards bloom with new colors, and we sit down with our lesson plans — hopeful, a little nervous, and always
The Weather of Policy Read More »
We are just leaving Germany for Scotland after a full week with our exchange student, Sabrina, and her family — celebrating a beautiful wedding for her younger sister and enjoying long conversations with her parents and extended family. As usual, education found its way into our discussions, especially how politics and policy shape what happens
When Policy Meets the Classroom: What We’ve Learned Over 25 Years Read More »
A peaceful, morning-lit workspace, inviting reflection and prep—perfect for grounding yourself before the classroom day begins.
What I Wish I Knew Then: Back-to-School Wisdom from a Retired Teacher Read More »
“A river does not resist. It flows. It yields to what is, and in doing so, carves canyons.” As August ripens, there’s a subtle change in the air—slightly shorter days, the occasional golden leaf, a hush between summer’s brightness and fall’s urgency. For years, this was the time I’d start to turn inward again, anticipating
The Wisdom of the River: Listening Before the Year Begins Read More »
My wife, Kelli, and nephew, Gavin, and I drove to Florida the other day. We drove the 17 hours switching off and on, the kind of trip that stretches your patience as much as your mileage. The open road always has a way of slowing you down, even when traffic isn’t. There were stretches of
Sacred Space on the Highway: What the Road Taught Me About Teaching and Letting Go Read More »
