Earlier this month, The Leadership Conference Education Fund and Anzalone Liszt Grove Research gave us updates on a poll of Black and Latino parents’ views on how America is doing in educating our kids. Very few surprises in the sentiments: still disparities and major gaps in opportunities. The “New Educational Majority” (in other words, us), remain disappointed […]
Thank God High Achievement Is Free; The Kids At Hilltop Can Afford A Double Dose.
“Mom went to work the 3am shift and thought her boys had gone to school,” Principal Sheryl Mosley tells me. “One of the brothers showed, the other didn’t. I always check up on them because of her work schedule. The third-grade brother said he thought his brother was behind him on his way to school, […]
Focus on Kids, Not Adults, To Build 21st Century Learning: Superintendent Robert Runcie
It’s not easy to get an audience with the person holding the highest office in the school district, so when we do we take full advantage. We get the parent-insider on big ticket items from the superintendent of Broward County Public Schools, Robert Runcie. In our first conversation last month Runcie was serious about staying focused on our schools and […]
From Wheelchairs To Marching Band, To NASCAR
by Elena Tayem, communications coordinator at the George Snow Scholarship Fund (GSSF). This nationally recognized Palm Beach County public charity is dedicated to providing scholarships and support services to young men and women with financial need so they can build a better life through the pursuit of higher education. Since its inception, the Fund has giving out over […]
Welcome Our Newest Contributor, Basilisa Perkins: Mother, Wife, Parent of Brain Tumor Survivor
Ten days before her second birthday, my husband and I sat across from a neurosurgeon whose job it was to inform us that she had a brain tumor. That was over eleven years ago, but the impact of that moment cannot be understated. It’s devastating, painful and scary…like someone threw you into the deep end […]
Confronting Hopelessness: A Journey To Unexpected Freedom
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 Buddhist nun, Pema Chodron, explains hopelessness in a way that resonated with me and has helped me to become a better parent to both my children. She […]
Here’s Why Broward Superintendent Runcie Isn’t Too Worried About That Whole Trump/DeVos Thing
The superintendent of the 6th largest school district in the nation is always on-message. But, parents want to know the real deal on Robert Runcie’s priorities for leading Broward Schools. In our interview he was frank, undistracted and forthcoming on his agenda. From the challenges to change education, to his views on the new federal administration, he made no bones about public […]
There Are College Tours, And Then There Are College Tours.
It’s Spring Break, and around the nation thousands of high school students are visiting colleges. For some, it’s a special rights of passage as their families have attended college for generations. For others, it’s the first time they have packed a suitcase or left their city. Whichever side of the narrative a teen is on, a college tour is more than seeing […]
The Littlest Lady Wins the Biggest Prize- Elaine Saef, Broward Principal of the Year 2017
The leadership of a principal permeates the school building. Elaine Saef pours her heart and soul into Panther Run Elementary. And, when she finaled for 2017 Principal of the Year, about a third of the over 1000 guests came just to support her. Her win was a raucous celebration of love. “This school is family. Everyone is […]
The Virtual Leadership of Christopher McGuire Is Changing School Choice
I’m not sure which I found more intriguing: the fact that a virtual school principal has made finalist for the prestigious Principal of the Year award, or that virtual schools are a real school choice for families in Florida. I met Christopher McGuire at his finalist interview. He leads Broward Virtual Schools (BVS), one of the […]