This past June, I completed my second year as a Teach for America teacher. I’d worked in one of the most struggling high schools in Memphis but rather than being scared away, it strengthened my commitment to teaching. Yet I…
Monthly Archives: November 2013
How Do SCS High Schools Stack Up Nationally?
by bced13 • • 1 Comment
When we compare schools across the country, we typically do so using elementary and middle school scores such as NAEP. But High School is where the magic happens. High school is the place where it all comes together, where students…
This is Why Poor People’s Bad Decisions Make Perfect Sense
by bced13 • • 0 Comments
Saturday I happened upon a piece on the Huffington Post written by a mother living in poverty. This piece has been making its way around the internet, and per request of the author, I wanted to share the entire post…
Pre-K’s Failure and Lack of Civic Trust
by bced13 • • 0 Comments
Our school is currently constructing a gymnasium for our kids, and every day I walk past the portable unit where the construction workers take their breaks. I’ve started having short conversations with one many in particular, a long time Memphian…
I’m Voting for PreK and So Should You
by bced13 • • 4 Comments
Tomorrow, Memphians have a chance to go to the polls and vote for a small, small sales tax (half a percent, or $0.005 on every dollar) increase to support public education. The average family would barely see any dent in…
Jay Martin: What Will Education Become Without Teacher Voice?
by bced13 • • 0 Comments
I’ve been privileged to participate in the flagship Embark leadership program for young Memphians. We had our graduation tonight and were privileged to hear from Mr. Jay Martin as our keynote speaker. Martin started the Boys and Girls club Technical training…
Growing our Irreplaceables Part 7: Summing It All Up
by bced13 • • 2 Comments
Check out the rest of our irreplaceable series here: Part 1: the need Part 2: develop successful school leaders Part 3: incentivize the best to teach in high need schools Part 4: recruit only the best Part 5: targeted professional…
Whats Working with Common Core: A Teachers Perspective
by bced13 • • 3 Comments
It has been over a month since the Tennessee Senate Education Committee held a hearing to dig deeper into Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Proponents and opponents waited somewhat patiently while appointees read the math and literacy standards on the…
Growing our Irreplaceables Part 6: Enhancing Teacher Career Options
by bced13 • • 1 Comment
I’m someone that needs a good challenge, whether it be in my personal or professional life. I like the thrill of facing a difficult problem and having to come up with a creative solution. For example, possibly my most exciting…
Growing our Irreplaceables Part 5: Targeted Professional Development
by bced13 • • 0 Comments
One of the best professional development (PD) opportunities I’ve been to was at an NCTM conference in St. Louis. I walked into a lecture hall and instead of rows upon rows of chairs, we were seated at tables of 8…