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Category Archives: Education
Help win education’s STAR Wars
Forcing Carl to focus through a week of STAR testing was harder than beating Darth Vader in a light saber duel. Share this:
Posted in Commentary, Education, Politics
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How to love your job
Noelia could always make a teacher’s day, so I was glad to do the same for her. A 17-year-old who moved to the country just recently, she told me she felt badly about her command of English. Share this:
Posted in Commentary, Education
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This Crazy Congress shows courage
When the government bans homework, lowers the drinking age and prohibits senior citizens from driving all on the same day, there can be only one explanation: those yahoos in Congress are at it again. But these young lawmakers have courage … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Education, Politics
Tagged gay rights, Johanson, marriage equality
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Kids lose when schools cut sports
Before the big race, my teammates and I huddled together, stacked our hands and cheered like the pumped-up teenagers we were. Twenty-five years later, I still hear the echoes. Castro Valley High’s cross country team had an eight-year championship streak … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Education, Politics
Tagged budget cuts, cross country, school sports
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To save education, scrap BTSA
Teachers face no shortage of adversity, from high-maintenance kids and parents to high-stakes tests and false fire alarms. Sometimes the good news seems rare, so this article tacked to my school’s copy room wall caught my eye: Share this:
Posted in Commentary, Education, Politics
Tagged BTSA, California, education, Johanson, teaching
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Bring on the phone cops
Fans of the television sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati” may remember Dr. Johnny Fever’s funniest moment in the series. After he smashed a telephone to pieces in a fit of rage, the paranoid deejay ranted about rabid “phone cops” he believed … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Education
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Student election theatrics mirror national politics
Campaign posters blanket the walls each election week at the high school where I teach. This year, some posters reflected a more unscrupulous election than usual. Share this:
Posted in Commentary, Education, Politics
Tagged education, politics, student elections
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“It’s like impossible”
Anyone who spends much time with teenagers has noticed their unfortunate use of the word “like” outside the parameters of affection or comparison. Continue reading
Don’t wish upon a STAR
Aaron and Travis didn’t even try to fake it. When the test started, they started bubbling in their answer forms without even reading the test questions. Choosing answer “A” for each of the dozens of problems, they made perfectly straight … Continue reading
Hayashi interview provides teachable moment
Kids love field trips and this one proved more memorable than most. Strange as it was, an interview with Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi produced interesting lessons for all involved. Share this: