Chicago’s Peace Warriors

A group of students from Chicago’s North Lawndale College Preparatory High were in the middle of a weeklong summer training to become Peace Warriors—peer nonviolence leaders. Suddenly, a sophomore named […]

Teaching the Prison Industrial Complex

“Harm comes from prior harm.” As Deandra says this, I am sitting in the back of my classroom, taking notes. My students are sitting in a circle in the middle […]

Science for the People

Ninth graders develop science literacy as they become neighborhood environmental experts and activists.

Putting a Human Face on the Immigration Debate

For those of us working with immigrant populations, we have in our students living examples that we can use to bring the immigration issue to the forefront and teach all of our students.

Taking A Chance With Words

None of my schools issued uniforms. What I did wear was a uniform in my head which kept me in line, out of trouble. It was a suit which had […]

Pressuring the Gap

Ohio attempts to close achievement gap by focusing on 9th-grade males

Beyond Anthologies

A veteran teacher laments the trend toward mandated curriculum and argues that teachers should choose materials that address students’ lives and social issues.

Acting In and On the World

Oregon students and teachers learn life lessons by participating in the ‘Theater of the Oppressed’.

Language Lessons

Using native Spanish speakers to instruct their classmates in more than just verbs and pronunciation.

Edwina Left Behind

Edwina did what was asked of her. Did Alaska do everything it could for her?

My Small School Journey

An Oakland teacher experiences the negative effects of small school reform in the midst of a budget crisis.

Reconstructing Race

“Is Mr. Smith a White Guy?” I then changed the topic, volunteering to be a contemporary example. “OK, so the next question is: Is Mr. Smith a white man? Yes […]