[Cross-posted on Edutopia] Children force us to acknowledge realities that many of us can and would chose to ignore. How is it that I regularly hurry past the homeless, hoping to avoid interacting, while my son intentionally slows down and registers that there is a human being in need right there in front of him? […]Read Post ›
[The following article was published in the Summer 2014 issue of the Penn Urban Ed Journal] And of course I am afraid, because the transformation of silence into language and action is an act of self-revelation, and that always seems fraught with danger. […]Read Post ›
[Cross-posted on Edutopia] Thinking back on my own personal history as a student, I have remarkably few memories of impactful learning happening inside a classroom. I remember social situations (both good and bad), I remember moments of personal connection with teachers, and I poignantly remember the small number of real-world, hands-on experiences facilitated by teachers. Deep, impactful […]Read Post ›
My 10th graders recently submitted their final portfolios. As I read the portfolios a sense of accomplishment and pride is tangible. For others the portfolios are a poignant moment of reflection as they realize they achieved less than what they are capable of. Overall I appreciate the thoughtfulness, insights, and honesty as we wrap up […]Read Post ›
[Cross-posted on Edutopia] Recently the Center for Teaching Quality launched a #Teachingis campaign for teachers to tweet different visions and realities of teaching. The responses were varied and poignant. As we know, teaching is ever changing and virtually indescribable in its complexity. Reading the tweets of “what #Teachingis” helped me think more deeply about the multilayered identities that we […]Read Post ›
Mr J Block 