It was during my lone year as a vice principal that I was the disciplinarian at my school. I absolutely hate the job. I loved the kids. I knew many of them very well because I taught them previously. They were really great kids. I hated the job because of my teacher colleagues—they saw my … More How NOT To Discipline in an Urban School
I am a firm believer that school should be fun for kids. I don’t mean the fun from watching videos, going on field trips or letting them run around all day—although that is fun too. I mean fun in the classroom learning. Yes… kids can have fun learning in the classroom. Of course, it requires … More How To Actually Have Fun In Class
The most envied teacher at any school isn’t the smartest teacher, the most politically connected teacher or the longest tenured or the most attractive teacher. The teacher most envied was the teacher was the teacher with the best classroom management. I know this because years ago, not to toot my own horn, but I was … More Building Classroom Management by Being Visible
Whew, its been a while since I’ve spoken here… let me dust off the cobwebs and see if I remember how to do this… This year, I was “elected” to be the department chair of the humanities; English, Social Studies, the Arts and Foreign Language departments. It sounds prestigious on paper. But it’s just more … More How to Approach Walkthroughs
When you ask a teacher about lunch duty, they give one of two answers… either they think it’s cool or they hate it. Some teachers hate lunch duty for legit reasons. One reason is that their colleagues ditch it and their left with one or two less adults. Another reason is because there is little … More Lunch Duty
One of the more unsettling realities about teaching is being a push-in teacher. A push-in teacher is a one who doesn't have their own classroom and uses an “open” classroom when it is their period to teach. Rather than sharing a classroom with another teacher, an administrator decides to give them a cart for their … More How To Push-In a Classroom
I've had the career affirming task of talking teachers off the ledge who found themselves unpopular with their students. Personally, I’ve had some unpopular moments. My students knew I didn’t care if I was popular or not – I told them so. I told them that my responsibility was to prepare them to be comfortable … More When My Students Don’t Like Me
Standardized testing is considered a necessary evil in inner-city schools. Folk will say that the students are at the nucleus of what happens in a school, but the truth is that at an inner-city school, test scores are at the nucleus. Do not let anyone tell you any different. Standardized tests are administered to gauge … More Do Standardized Testing Smarter
Towards the end of my last full school year in the classroom, I received a note in my mailbox from administration. The note was a reminder to teachers to staying on top of students; to finish the year strong. Of course, holding our students accountable to the rules and expectations of the building is something … More Finishing the School Year Strong
The Constitution of the United States is a powerful document. Not only does it lay out the rules for governing, but it is also the mirror by which we look at ourselves as a nation; for better or for worse. As a former history teacher, I may come off bias, however, to know and understand … More A Curriculum Teaching the Rules of Engagement
Police officers should not be stationed in schools. However, you may teach at a school where there is probably a school resource officer on the premise. Depending on the population of your school, you may have multiple on the campus. School resource officers are police officers who are assigned to schools to maintain discipline. They … More How Do You Discipline?
Police officers do not belong in schools. However, you may teach at a school where there is probably a school resource officer on the premise. Depending on the population of your school, you may have multiple on the campus. School resource officers are police officers who are assigned to schools to maintain discipline. They are … More How To Handle A Fight
The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone
Where Race and Sport Intersect at the Point of Commentary
A blog on race, equity, and urban education
... A Strong Rhyme to Step To
"To sting people and whip them into a fury, all in the service of truth."
Navigating Inner City Ministry in Real Time
Urban Education Mixtape 