What’s your elementary or middle school doing to get your kid ready for college? If you said something like, “teaching them stuff,” or “I don’t know,” don’t feel bad, you’re in good company. If you said AP classes, IB programs, or dual enrollment, I’d just remind you I said, elementary and middle school, not high […]
From Brazil To A Life In Computer Science: Alex’s Story
About a year and a half ago, Alexandre Antanaitis moved from Brazil to the United States with his family. They settled in south Florida and he enrolled in South Broward High School. As his teachers describe it, it was the school’s computer science program that gave him direction in a “literal foreign land.” Not only […]
Relententlessly Mobilizing Parents- Keri Rodrigues
Keri Rodrigues is Mom-In-Chief of Massachusetts Parents United, a parent advocacy group fighting for high-quality education, safer neighborhoods and stable homes. When we think about parent engagement, Keri isn’t just talking about it, she’s doing it. This mother of 3 boys is fed up with being left out of decisions made about her kids, and […]
No Parents, No Progress
Just as parents should be involved in classrooms, so should we be involved when those doors have to close. In a recent panel discussion on school choice in D.C., Robin Lake describes leaving parents out of the conversation of school choice as an “huge unnecessary liability.” I completely agree, but her comment still left me […]
Tandoori In His Lunchbox: Culture And Education
by Talitha V. Anyabwelé, founder of the Black Girl Speaks movement, and the creator of the Raising Imhotep Consulting firm and curriculum. She advises clients in educational remedies, cultural diversity training, and conflict resolution. Apala Kapoor* was standing in the foyer. She’s a regal, statuesque woman with piercing eyes, and thick, ebony hair interlocked into […]
Welcome Talitha Anyabwelé to Faces of Education!
Faces of Education welcomes our newest contributor–Talitha Anyabwelé! We are excited to share her unique perspective on how education and culture are inseparably connected. Talitha V. Anyabwelé is the founder of the Black Girl Speaks movement, and the creator of the Raising Imhotep curriculum and Consulting firm where she advises clients in educational remedies, cultural diversity […]
Our Sons Rarely See Faces Like Theirs Leading The Classroom
Men have always been rare in the classroom. Let’s face it, teaching is a female dominated field. But that’s changing because of educators like Shamar Knight. Only 2 percent of educators in the United States are Black men. That means that millions of Americans have never had a Black male teacher. That includes teachers, counselors, […]
The Education Aftershock As SoFlo Accepts Students From Puerto Rico
The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) just said “they ain’t payin”, so go figure it out SoFlo!” An October 6th announcement from the FDOE says only schools that hit high enrollment of Puerto Rican students displaced by Hurricane Maria will get state help. Hialeah Republican Rep. Manny Diaz Jr., the House Pre-K-12 education budget chairman, […]
Superhero Cape Not Included: Dealing With Stress As A Special Needs Parent
by Basilisa Perkins, mother of 2 and public health educator in Broward County, FL. Advocate for her girls and, at times, homeschool teacher to her daughter with special needs. The stress level of parents of kids with special needs is comparable to that of a combat veteran. Though stress is a normal part of “adulting,” the demands […]
Bad Schools Are Like Restaurants With Cockroaches; We Like Them Until We Find The Cockroaches
Researching all day long (which I have no time to do), I still wouldn’t understand if my kid’s school is giving them everything they need. Parents need the experts, the food inspectors, to go check the kitchen and tell us if there are roaches. Otherwise, if my kid is happy and healthy I may just […]