2016
The remarks of Donovan Livingston at Harvard
“Education then, beyond all other devices of human origin, Is a great equalizer of the conditions of men.” – Horace Mann, 1848. At the time of his remarks I couldn’t read — couldn’t write. Any attempt to do so, punishable by death. For generations we have known of knowledge’s infinite power. Yet somehow, we’ve never […]
Read MoreWhy let the facts get in the way of a good story? Women will always be blamed for boys’ underachievement
Society piles up all its ills at their door — and then buggers off on a cheap holiday in term time. And female teachers, it seems, are the devil’s work. A report published by the Higher Education Policy Institute last week came with the grim warning that girls born this year would be 75 per […]
Read MoreThe importance of male teachers
My daughter Avery’s grade five teacher is a bit of an anomaly. Students build different models of paper airplanes to test hang time during the unit on aerodynamics. The kids help choose and order school supplies as an exercise in budgeting and mathematics. And, when learning about democracy in social studies, they put the concept […]
Read MorePhiladelphia School District seeks to recruit minority teachers
School District of Philadelphia officials are striving to recruit minority teachers to help fill vacancies. Philadelphia School Superintendent William Hite and Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Jerry Jordan addressed the importance of increasing diversity in the district’s workforce during a Philadelphia Tribune editorial board meeting this week. The push for diversity comes as the district […]
Read MoreTeaching becomes Brosnon’s dream job
Like many young people, Brosnon Siluuga dreamed of a career in sport or the gaming industry, but after following advice from family and friends, he became a teacher and hasn’t looked back. Brosnon graduated with a Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Primary from the University of Auckland on Friday. He now teaches Year 5 students at […]
Read MoreThey call him MISTER
When Walter Lee was a young child, his poor, rural town of Eutawville near the banks of Lake Marion in Orangeburg County, built a new school. Somehow his father ended up with an old chalkboard and some school desks, which he brought home, and Lee would play teacher. “When I came home, I would write […]
Read More