Toxic Teachers Need to Go

This article was first published on indy.education There is not enough self-care in the world that can shield a person from a toxic work environment. I had a few jobs before I became a K-12 educator. I worked in my dorm’s cafeteria, at Villa Pizza in the student union at Purdue, and at a church daycare. The work environment was nice. People were supportive, kind, and courteous. When I accepted my first… Read More

#ARMMEWITH Respect!

By Shawnta Barnes In the song, “Respect,” originally written and recorded by Otis Redding is the lyric, “All I’m askin’ is for a little respect.”  I want to belt that line like Aretha Franklin did in her cover of the song to anyone who is suggesting I be armed with a gun in my classroom.  It doesn’t help when the disrespect towards teachers comes from the White House. I felt disrespected when… Read More

Strong Connections

Jim Mustian of The Advocate writes about Xavier University and New Schools of New Orleans joining forces in an unprecedented way to develop a program dedicated to educating and preparing college seniors to become public school teachers.  This first of its kind partnership between a charter school and an HBCU will be called the Norman C. Francis Teacher Residency and its mission is to diversify the teaching force in New Orleans Public Schools… Read More

No More “No Excuses,” Please

  Critical thinking, logic and reasoning are a few skills I believe should be taught to our children in order for them to be productive. Our children should meet high expectations and they should conduct themselves in a manner that represents them well. I want our children and teenagers to be challenged to the point of discomfort. But in the end, when they look back over the tough road they traversed to… Read More

We The People

    We The People, We Got Work To Do With the people, for the people, by the people. I crack up when I hear it; I say with the handful, for the handful, by the handful, cause that’s what really happens                                -Fannie Lou Hamer This past weekend, voters in the great state of Louisiana went to the polls to choose from several candidates vying for city, parish and statewide political seats in various… Read More

Heroes in Education: The Belief in Possibilities

  Recently I was asked to present an award at the 2015 OPEN Public Education Awards. The gala showcases innovators and exemplars in public education telling the untold stories of successful schools in New Orleans. I was thrilled to be invited and grateful for the opportunity, yet I had no idea of the impact the event would have on my perception of education. With so many people offering up their opinions on… Read More

Night of Inspiration

  Everyone looks for that one night of inspiration. What’s your inspiration? How does it make you feel inside? Does it make you smile or laugh? Do you dream about it? What’s your definition of inspiration? Last week, I attended an event called “The Family Night of Inspiration” held at Andrew H. Wilson Charter School. It was open to the public. It was an open house for the school to showcase all… Read More

As Parents We Ask, Who Cares for Children Anymore?

I eat, sleep and breath education nowadays. I am always contemplating what can be done to make things better for our kids in New Orleans. How can the groups that I am involved in affect parental involvement, awareness and participation? From leadership classes to town hall meetings, these thoughts of how to spark holistic growth in our schools run through my mind. One morning it wasn’t any different but as I sat… Read More

A Thank You to Teachers

Many kids wake up on a daily basis and fight to survive and succeed in spite of all the negativity surrounding them. I don’t believe there is a single child who truly doesn’t want to learn. A lot of children may not have anyone in their corner to push them. Sometimes school is the only outlet for many kids, a place where they receive love, get to be themselves and escape the… Read More

Valuing a Connection Beyond the Classroom

Mrs. Turner. Mrs. Brinkley. Mr. Falcone. Ms. Breaux. Coach Dixon. Mr. Ussin. Mr. Cooke. I can recall teachers who have helped to shape my life. Along with my family and key male figures on my block, I am thankful for them. My first-grade teacher, Sister Ann Joachim, still teaches in New Orleans. I am 42 years young. I can still visit her and recall great memories of my childhood. I can remember… Read More