“Where are the Snows of Yesteryear,”

In my union rep days I visited a couple of schools a day “showing the flag,” some principals welcomed me, a few thought I was a troublemaker, in a way, they were correct. In the winter I kept my army field jacket in my car in case I had to walk to the school, IContinue reading ““Where are the Snows of Yesteryear,””

“Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste,” Why We Need Wily, Experienced Leadership

The days are getting longer, otherwise the bleak, chilly days seem to be modeling the political climate. One day Trump is thinking about giving DACA kids permanent status the next swooping down and snatching immigrants off the streets, the next day probably messing with Social Security and Medicare, is that whirring sound sucking sanity downContinue reading ““Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste,” Why We Need Wily, Experienced Leadership”

Will Public Education and Teacher Unions Survive Trump?

The pundits are suggesting names for the next Secretary of Education, that’s if the Department of Education survives. Betsy De Vos is campaigning as well as the Commissioner of Education in Oklahoma  who ordered posting the Ten Commandments in every classroom.  Do you post the Protestant or the Catholic commandments? They’re different!  Are you working onContinue reading “Will Public Education and Teacher Unions Survive Trump?”

Regents Exams Will Be Gone! Replaced by a Book Report or an Internship

“The educational foundations of our society are presently being eroded by a rising tide of mediocrity that threatens our very future as a Nation and a people. . . . We have, in effect, been committing an act of unthinking, unilateral educational disarmament,” (A Nation at Risk, 1983) Five years ago I attended the firstContinue reading “Regents Exams Will Be Gone! Replaced by a Book Report or an Internship”

Gates and the Department of Education’s Quest for the Mythical Magic Bullet: Next Quest: Algebra 1

Soon to be former Chancellor David Banks mandated a new Algebra 1 curriculum without prior consultation with teachers, who have been sharply critical of the new curriculum, Michael Mulgrew, the UFT President, “We have a mess on our hands,” the appalling 2023 59% Algebra 1 passing rate dropped to 45% in 2024. A Department leaderContinue reading “Gates and the Department of Education’s Quest for the Mythical Magic Bullet: Next Quest: Algebra 1”

Mulgrew v Trump(ism): The Upcoming UFT Leadership Election

I taught high school Social Studies and like to think of myself as an historian, I completed all my  PhD coursework and began my dissertation, “life” intervened. I read as much as I can; enjoyment and expanding knowledge. I keep promising myself I’ll finish that dissertation, maybe. I’ve been writing my blog (Ed in theContinue reading “Mulgrew v Trump(ism): The Upcoming UFT Leadership Election”