As I sit here reading about the situation in Oklahoma, I can’t help but feel disbelief and outrage at the revocation of a teacher’s license for simply providing her students with a QR code to access a library in Brooklyn. The fact that state officials have spent two years working to pull her license seems like a gross abuse of power and a clear violation of her right to free speech and expression. It’s disheartening to see such vindictiveness and pettiness from those in positions of authority.
Summer Boismier’s decision to stand by her beliefs and refuse to apologize for sharing publicly available information with her students is commendable.… Continue reading
Tim Walz’s impact on his gay and bisexual former students is truly heartwarming and inspiring. His unwavering support, inclusivity, and kindness have left a lasting impression on those who have had the privilege to be mentored by him. It’s clear that Walz isn’t just any ordinary teacher; he goes above and beyond to show acceptance and guidance to all students, regardless of their sexual orientation.
Reading about the experiences of his former students, it’s evident that Walz isn’t just a teacher but a mentor, a leader, a role model. The way he encouraged and inspired his students to follow their dreams and supported them every step of the way is truly commendable.… Continue reading
As I sit here reflecting on the recent news of a Texas school district agreeing to remove ‘Anne Frank’s Diary,’ ‘Maus,’ ‘The Fixer’ and 670 other books after a right-wing group’s complaint, I am filled with a range of emotions. The fact that books about the Holocaust and antisemitism are being lumped together with books containing sexual content is not only absurd but deeply concerning. The comparison itself is offensive and shows a lack of understanding or empathy towards the atrocities of the Holocaust.
The decision to remove these books reminds me of the actions taken by dictatorships and authoritarian regimes throughout history.… Continue reading
As I read about the Connecticut town having to pay $100K to settle a lawsuit because a teacher showed a Kendrick Lamar video in school, I am left shaking my head in disbelief. The idea that a simple music video could cause such an uproar is baffling to me. The fact that a student and his family felt so traumatized by the imagery in the video is quite frankly ridiculous.
I can’t help but wonder what our education system is coming to when a teacher can be reprimanded multiple times for attempting to expose students to thought-provoking content. The teacher in question was scolded for showing clips of Fahrenheit 9/11, suggesting students watch an R-rated movie for extra credit, and now, showing a Kendrick Lamar video.… Continue reading
As I read about the recent incident involving a Massachusetts teacher who was placed on leave after holding a mock slave auction and using a racial slur in the classroom, I can’t help but feel a sense of frustration and disbelief. How is it possible that in this day and age, we still have educators who think it’s appropriate to engage in such inappropriate and offensive behavior?
The fact that this teacher also used a racial slur while reading aloud from a book is even more disturbing. It’s clear that dehumanizing words such as slurs should never be spoken by employees or students, as mentioned by the district officials.… Continue reading
As a high school graduate myself, the thought of missing out on the opportunity to walk the stage and receive my diploma with my classmates is unfathomable. Graduation is a momentous occasion, a culmination of years of hard work and dedication, and it is a time for celebration and recognition. So, when I came across the news of three Tennessee high school graduates with disabilities who were required to sit in the audience at their commencement ceremony, my heart sank.
These students, who had worked just as hard as their peers to reach this milestone, were denied the chance to fully participate in their graduation.… Continue reading
In a society where we are supposed to hold educators to the highest standards, it is absolutely sickening to hear about cases like the one involving a teacher accused of having sex with two of her students. The fact that she downplays her actions as mere ‘mistakes’ that ruined her ‘dream job’ is truly appalling.
The idea that she wanted to be in a position where she could prey on vulnerable young boys is disturbing beyond belief. The power dynamics at play in a teacher-student relationship are already imbalanced, but to take advantage of that for personal gain is unforgivable.
It is infuriating to see the way some people try to shift blame onto the victims and minimize the severity of their own crimes.… Continue reading
Putin’s ambitious goal of attracting half a million international students to Russian universities by 2030 certainly raises eyebrows and elicits skepticism. The idea of luring students from countries like China, India, and North Korea to study in Russia seems almost too good to be true. But delve a little deeper, and it becomes evident that there may be ulterior motives at play.
One can’t help but wonder if Putin’s true intention is to amass a pool of potential hostages or political pawns for future use. The prospect of coercing or manipulating international students, especially from countries with political tensions, is not entirely far-fetched.… Continue reading
When I think about the recent news of Columbia canceling its main graduation ceremony amid protests related to Gaza, it strikes a chord deep within me. As someone who didn’t get to experience a traditional high school graduation due to the pandemic, I can empathize with the students who are now missing out on their college graduation because of these protests. Graduation is a milestone in one’s life, a moment of celebration and achievement that deserves to be recognized and honored.
It’s disheartening to see how a few individuals can disrupt such an important event for an entire graduating class. While I understand the importance of raising awareness about global issues, there is a time and place for activism.… Continue reading
As I sit down to process the recent news coming out of my beloved state of Texas, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of disappointment and frustration. It’s disheartening to see Governor Greg Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton leading the charge in a lawsuit against the Biden administration’s new Title IX guidelines that protect LGBTQ+ students from discrimination in education.
The fact that Governor Abbott has ordered schools in Texas to ignore these new rules is not just unacceptable, it’s downright cruel. How can we, as a society, allow our leaders to actively promote discrimination against a marginalized community?… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood