This article appeared on December 15th 2014 on expectmoretn.org and in the Knoxville News Sentinel As a middle school teacher, I base every decision on the following question: What is best for my students? Every time I have found the answer to…
According to Jane Roberts at the Commercial Appeal, tonight Shelby County Schools adopted the first phase of a teacher pay-plan based on performance: The highest performing teachers, those who earn a 5 on their annual evaluation, are slated to get a…
Today marks the first day of a new project I’m working on – the promotion of teacher voices not just here in Memphis, but across Tennessee. As always, I’m searching for teacher voice stories that are positive and solutions-oriented. I’ll…
TNEdReport features a full-length interview with the ASD’s Chris Barbic by Zach Barnes. Its a large interview and well worth the read, but here are a few highlights. First, Barbic calls into question the ongoing practice of judging the ASD…
As a follow-up to the piece I just posted highlighting the coverage of the ASD’s takeover decisions, I wanted to write a related post highlighting two things that aren’t being talked about when it comes to the ASD’s future in Tennessee.…
Yesterday the Achievement School District (ASD) announced it will take over five schools here in Memphis and one in Nashville. In doing so it rejected calls from multiple quarters to put a moratorium on expansion until they demonstrate success with their…
In my Wednesday piece, “What’s Missing from Governor Haslam’s Teacher Support Initiatives,” I said that I think that his initiatives will make a tangible impact on teachers here in Tennessee. I also said that they aren’t enough if the Governor…
Yesterday Governor Haslam released a statement outlining four new initiatives designed to “support educators across the state” in response to our “direct feedback.” After casting my critical teacher eye on these proposals, I find many things to like. However, in my opinion some…
Good evening and welcome to the final post of #TNedcommishmadness. First, let me congratulate our winner, Jason Vance of Loudon County Schools, who triumphed in a hard fought battle over Andy Spears in the final round. Education Commissioner Madness Champion:…
