Tag: politics

  • Why do we punish learners in math class?

    I am all fired up and angry about a new graphing calculator app today. Not that the app exists, but the way they are selling it. Reason number 1: I don’t know what to say about this other than express my complete and utter revulsion at the ideas expressed by this new graphing calculator app…

  • Equity: Another definition

    I have been listening carefully lately whenever I hear the word “Equity” used by teachers. I haven’t engaged with these definitions, just listened to how the teachers are using the word so I can understand what they are saying. I am learning that we are not using the word in the same way at all.…

  • Teachers work in fear?

    Another #BlAugust post, but this is an fired up post. I was going to blog about my Knowing and Learning preparation today, but a comment from a college learner in my program made me more and more upset as I thought about it. The learner (I redacted the name to protect them) said, “I was just…

  • Noncomplementary behavior in teaching

    I have been thinking about what the phrase “Teaching is a political act” means, and how the decision influences my actions in the classroom with learners. As I have been thinking about this, I realize the while the learners may engage more and learn mathematics at a higher level, some of their parents may be…

  • Critically evaluating Value Statements

    I chose to examine my district’s math results for my final project in my Critical Pedagogy class. It made me seriously depressed and angry. It is one thing being told that we have “gaps” in our math outcomes, it is something completely different to do the research yourself and find just how large, systemic, and…

  • Why do we throw away the first years?

    Someone in my critical pedagogy class made a very astute comment the last class. We were discussing professionalism, the fact that there are many attempts at deprofessionalizing teaching going on today, and we were having a great conversation about who is benefiting from these acts. Who is pushing the process, who is benefiting, who does…

  • Holding the kitchen hostage – Power in the Classroom

    This post is a call to action. It tells a story that came out of my class presentation last night. I am in a hostile, passion filled mood because of it.   I started with this video. Let me just warn you before you click play. Every time I watch this video, I cry. These…

  • NYT – You blew it

    In my Feedly this morning popped up the article by Larry Ferlazzo called, “Disappointing NY Times Article On Teachers & ‘A Sharing Economy’.” Okay, let me be more blunt. I am not disappointed in the NYT, I am frustrated and a little ticked off. It stems from this article in the NYT: A Sharing Economy…

  • NV Legislature speech take 2

    I always tell my speech and debate competitors that a good speech takes multiple drafts, and this speech is no different. After sleeping on it overnight, and re-reading it today I realized that my speech was fighting itself in the wording, so I rewrote some key sections. I like this version much better. I really…

  • Speaking to the NV Legislature

    Tomorrow I am speaking to the NV Legislature on the Assembly Bill 303 (pdf text) that would eliminate the end of course exams that I don’t like, but would also eliminate the Common Core State Standards from all NV schools. Can I complain for a second on how difficult it is to give a 3 minute speech?…