[Disclaimer: If you are not a first-year teacher, please pass this along to a first-year teacher that you know. However, there are some gems that you can utilize also.] As a first-year teacher, there’s so many things you must learn in order to do your job well. When you agree to teach at a … More For the First-Year Teachers
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
One of the things I dreaded most as a teacher was attending professional development sessions offered by my schools. PD sessions were supposed to be a time where I could refine my craft; a time where I could learn from administrators and specialists in the field during workshops where I and my colleagues could strategically … More Doing PD The Right Way
There is little doubt that teachers can have a major impact on the academic achievement of students. There is research that can back up that assertion. Such research has led school reformers and policymakers to conclude that what high-poverty schools need are more effective teachers. However, the various challenges of high-poverty schools, challenges that are … More Teacher Effectiveness In High Poverty NJ Schools
One of the more important things you can do with your student(s) is to prepare them for college. It is important that you, parent(s) and/or guardians, help with college preparation outside of school because your student(s) school may or may not do the best job at preparing your student(s). There are countless horror stories of … More College Preparation 2.0
A few years ago while at my former place of employment, a colleague and friend approached me with the assignment of speaking the keynote message at a senior class sendoff event. This particular graduating class was near and dear to my heart. It was with great pleasure that I agreed to his request. The problem … More To The Graduating Class…
I’ve argued the need for school districts to hire more Black teachers; specifically Black male teachers.[1] My argument isn’t limited to only adding more Black male teachers – but Black and Latino teachers of both as well. My call isn’t limited to where Black and Latino teachers are largely absent; but also for where they … More Camden City Charter Schools Must Recruit More Black and Latino Teachers
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 