During this past school year, I took eight minutes out of each lesson to address social justice and the realities of being Black and brown citizens in America facing an evergoing battle for diversity, equity, and inclusion. They won’t get realistic, real-life messages of struggles Black Americans have faced from the ’80s until now. Most public education systems don’t have…
We Need White Allies To Not Remain Silent in These Times!
“Please Be Brave’ — Amid Pain and Fear“, states Kira Tookes, educational advocate and sister in the movement. She shares here words in this article originally posted by the 74! even in the midst of COVID19 and the racial atrocities happening across America, Kira finds hope that ally-ship and commitment to justice can create a new reality for our students…
Atlanta Parents Want Equity Now for Black and Brown Children in APS! It’s Been Too Long.
Atlanta Thrive and our Black and brown children in Atlanta need our help! I am sharing their open letter below regarding much needed change in our Atlanta Public School System for Black and brown children. Please sign the petition, share like and take action! Dear Atlanta Parents and Residents, We must come together to demand more and we must do…
Social Distancing in Overcrowded Public Schools Is a Recipe for Disaster!
Discussions across America are happening on virtual platforms regarding what school will look like in the fall for K-12 and higher education. Social distancing is needed to support health measures related to COVID-19. We have to stop and consider the fear of not only parents and students but also teachers and their families when returning to school. As a 16…
As Black Male Educators, We Can’t Hide Our Voices or Our Stories!
Since Ahmad Avery was murdered, I have been in a spirit of apathy. The weight of watching a Black man being hunted in Georgia’s streets was overwhelming. Hearing Breonna Taylor’s story just chiseled another chip into my stone of sensitivity. Something was different about George Floyd. His murder has been the first time that I have felt something in a…
Instead of Blaming Black Parents, We Should be Empowering Them!
Family engagement isn’t a best practice that enough public schools are using effectively. Teachers are conditioned, not trained, to simply move the “paperwork” for compliance. The issue is family engagement is only important because of the Title I money associated with it. In education equity conversations, I hear a lot of educators state that parents are the problem. Quite honestly,…
An Open Letter to the GaPSC to Remove EdTPA Requirements for Teachers
May 16, 2020 Dear Georgia Professional Standards Commission, I am a Black male educator, part of the 2% of black male educators in schools. My story made national headlines as I highlighted why I left school administration to return to the classroom to serve as a special education teacher. It was a hard decision; however, after being put in a…