Category: Education Reformation

  • Public Education Has Become un-American

    By Ann Snuggs, Guest Blogger It’s been eight years since I walked out of the classroom, thoroughly disgusted with the path taken by the American education system. I seem to remember my term was “travesty” in describing the public schools of that time. From Pauline’s comments, it appears that the problem has gone from bad to…

  • The Faults in Our Education System: A Student’s Perspective

    A Student’s Perspective. My students have a lot to say about the current education system. Instead of telling you how they feel, I decided to let them speak for themselves.  By Mariya Pinchuk In a world filled with radiant colors, the students remain black and white; their canvases stripped of all personalization. Confined between four…

  • Our Not so Magical Education System

    New blog category: A Student’s Perspective. My students have a lot to say about the current education system. Instead of telling you how they feel, I decided to let them speak for themselves. Some articles originally appeared in The LHS Revolution (thelhsrevolution.com); others are created specifically for this blog. Their parents have signed permission forms…

  • My Journey into the Spotlight

    The past two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity. My Resignation Letter went viral through Facebook and Twitter. Within two days of posting the letter on my blog, the Gazette contacted me for an interview; then, KKTV 11 News asked for an interview, followed by Fox News America’s Newsroom before the week was over. A number of radio…

  • My Resignation Letter

    Dear Administrators, Superintendent, et al.: This is my official resignation letter from my English teaching position. I’m sad to be leaving a place that has meant so much to me. This was my first teaching job. For eleven years I taught in these classrooms, I walked these halls, and I befriended colleagues, students, and parents alike. This…

  • I’m Taking a Stand

    Thursday, March 13, 2014, my children and I will be at our state capitol in Denver, Colorado protesting standardized state tests. I may be putting a lot of things at risk by taking this stand, but ethically, I cannot support a program that is damaging the profession I love. Join us in Denver at 11:30…

  • Opting Out: Why Ian Will Never Take State Tests

    I’m taking a stand this year: My son is not taking the standardized state tests that are being mandated by the government. His school will receive a zero for my opting him out, which will lower his school’s proficiency standings. On one hand, I feel bad that his school is being punished for my decision;…

  • Part 3: The solution is right in front of us

    Robinson’s final point is that we cannot help our students thrive under the current educational system, but we do have an alternative-school model that should replace what we are doing now. I agree. I’ve transcribed his main final points in italics, and then I’ve added my own thoughts and experiences, but feel free to watch…

  • Part 2: the 2nd principle that drives human life

    In an earlier post, Part 1: Identifying the problems, I discussed how Ken Robinson’s video  is helping education by shining a light on the problems, identifying the 3 principles that drive human life, and then he offers an existing solution. The first principle is about individuality. Robinson explains the 2nd principle this way: 2nd Principle that…

  • Part 1: Identifying the problems in our current educational system

    Ken Robinson: How to escape education’s death valley I love Ken Robinson’s videos: He is entertaining and makes a lot of sense. Recently I read some criticism about him; these people thought Robinson was a lot of fluff with no substance, and some thought he was doing more harm than good because he creates a…