Frida Kahlo is known for her vibrancy in art and life, and her courage. Although I have always loved the surreal, direct qualities of her portraits, I had forgotten that she experienced injury and illness that led to multiple physical
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8th Grade Promotion: Party, Pomp or Passé?
A few weeks ago, I attended my son’s 8th grade promotion ceremony. Needless to say, I am extremely proud of him. He has overcome many obstacles and is becoming a responsible student and a principled friend and citizen, in addition
Read MoreVouchers Can Bridge the Income-Tuition Gap
Note: Some numbers from the Private School Review provide perspective for what follows: Currently, 64,353 Arizona students attend 478 private schools. Elementary schools charge an average of $6,268 per year for tuition and high schools charge an average of $17,116.
Read MoreI Teach In a Traditional Public School and I Support School Choice
I’m a traditional public school teacher (and union rep), and I support school choice. As a right-leaning independent with a high concentration of libertarianism running through my veins, I default to political positions that tilt the balance of power toward
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When the Batteries Die
My Swedish grandmother had an important role in my childhood, and when I think of her or see her picture, I am flooded with a lot of fond memories. One of my favorite memories was when she would bounce me
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Where I Live
Like Oscar Wilde, I learned in elementary school that it was only in the theater that I lived. I was one of the kids who found a home in the sharp contrast of the blinding stage lights and the inky
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The War Cry of a Childless Teacher
“At risk of being too honest, I’m just going to say it: teachers who don’t have their own kids can’t fully understand what it’s like.” It’s lunch, mid-conference. I’m sitting at a ballroom table, surrounded by empty coffee cups and
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Teaching Analogies and Christmas Reunions: A Manifesto about the Profession
“Must be nice to have so much time off!”: this is the most frequent sentence I hear from friends and family I see infrequently. “You’re always working!” This sentence loops in our house as relentlessly as the chorus of
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Oh The Places of School Choice
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.” ~Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go! Educators, riddle me this: How many of us actually send our personal children
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A Fresh Look at Student-Led Conferences
As I was preparing my scholars for student-led conferences last week, I began to recall how anxious I felt when my parents went off to school for the traditional biannual parent-teacher conference. The anxiety I felt was not even rational:
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