John Legend says half his freshman class made it 4 years to graduation. He not only graduated second in that class, but went on to college on a scholarship. Now as a successful songwriter, he attributes his success to teachers who believed in him. Now, he’s cofounded LRNG Innovators to fund great teachers leading exciting […]
“Voices4Ed” Is A Different Conversation ((PodCast Alert!!))
When smart people bring their vision to life to illuminate the voices of students, parents and teachers. Ikhlas Saleem and Lane Wright launch Voices4Ed to talk about what’s really happening in our public education. This episode features Sharif El-Mekki, co-founder of The Fellowship: Black Male Educators for Social Justice Vincent Cob II at the Inaugural […]
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 […]
When It Storms On Education: A School Board Member’s View
The last few weeks have been tough for us here in Florida. Hurricanes are a real reminder of just how fragile we are. It takes no pity, ripping us from our homes, neighborhoods, routines, livelihoods and schools. As soon as winds leave we all start chasing an elusive sense of normalcy. But, almost nothing signals […]
Scholarship Spotlight: Emergency Funds For College, To Leading Emergency Services
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 […]
Equal Opportunity Accountability At Bonita Springs Elementary
I found a Unicorn. It lives and breathes in a little-known city on the west coast of Florida called Bonita Springs. Actually it’s a school that’s done a literal 180 in terms of the academic performance of its kids. It turned from a school that had fallen to a “D” rating until suddenly, it didn’t. In 2015 […]
Before We Hate On All Charter Schools Here’s An Example Why They Are Not The Enemy
I never really understood the charter school vs. district school debate. My goal as a parent was to send my kids to the very best school I could find or afford (district, charter, private, you name it), and work hard to make sure they didn’t become anyone’s educational statistic. Fight mode Today, the hottest news in […]
The Ones Who Disappear Into The Cracks Can Still Find Family At HANDY
Only 3%! Did you know that only 3% of foster kids graduate college compared to the Florida rate of 76%? I had a chance today to attend the HANDY Organization Scholarship Breakfast for 17 foster kids who graduated college. Breon Callins was one of the graduates. As a little boy, he and his brothers were removed from their […]
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 […]
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 […]