A former writing teacher, Marilyn Anderson Rhames was the Manager of Alumni Relations at a charter school in Chicago. She holds master’s degrees in education and journalism, is a former Teach Plus</a> policy fellow, and a founder of the nonprofit Teachers Who Pray. In 2013, Rhames received the Educator’s Voice Award for her blog and was also named “Commentator/Blogger of the Year” by the Bammy Awards. Follow her on Twitter @MarilynRhames. This blog is no longer being updated.
Education
Opinion
Common Core Puts Teachers to the (Standardized) Test
Can the Common Core Standards make push classroom instruction and make standardized testing a worthy cause?
Education
Opinion
Guns, Death, and the State of the Union
Is the state of the union really getting stronger? President Obama thinks so, but it certainly doesn't feel like it on the streets of Chicago.
Education
Opinion
Teach Students: Dr. King Day is NOT a Black Holiday!
Students of all races and ethnicities must learn about the Civil Rights Movement, and teachers must help them understand that it didn't just benefit black people.
Education
Opinion
Writing Teachers Can't Jump: Schooled by a Student-Staff Basketball Game
Teaching your students valuable lessons about life can happen on or off the basketball court.
School Climate & Safety
Opinion
Diary of a Mad Black Teacher: Part 2: Sandy Hook
The murders of 62 mostly minority children in Chicago this year were just as tragic and newsworthy as the 20 children killed in Sandy Hook. Had you heard about the former statistic?
Education
Opinion
Slave, Masochist, or Just a Teacher Burning Out
This is a follow-up post originally published on Dec. 19, 2012 on the Education Week Teacher blog "Teaching Ahead: A Roundtable." Please Click here to read what other panelists have to say about teacher retention, and add your voice to the discussion on how to stop teaching's "revolving door."
Education
Opinion
Teacher Retention: It Feels Good Not Wanting to Quit Every Day
A good principal will help teachers not want to quit teaching, even when the days in the classroom are long and hard.
Reading & Literacy
Opinion
The Power of Poetry Slams: A Kid, a Mic, and His Words
Want to engage the most reluctant writing student? Teach a poetry unit, invite guest writers to lead a workshop, but most of all, host a poetry slam. It may be the game changer you've been waiting for.
Education
Opinion
How to Raise the Roof on Teen Reading Levels
Guest Blogger: Nawal Qarooni
Nawal Qarooni is Lead Literacy teacher for the middle grades in a charter school in Chicago. She has also taught language arts in Brooklyn, New York and was a reporter for the Newark Star-Ledger. She holds masters degrees in both journalism and education.
Nawal Qarooni is Lead Literacy teacher for the middle grades in a charter school in Chicago. She has also taught language arts in Brooklyn, New York and was a reporter for the Newark Star-Ledger. She holds masters degrees in both journalism and education.
Education
Opinion
Oprah, Rihanna, and What Young Black Girls Need
Oprah Winfrey always said she had wanted to be a teacher. She wanted to be the Teacher of the Year, in fact. She pursued a career in journalism instead and went on to become a multi-millionaire media mogul.
Education
Opinion
I'm Thankful for the Lousy School Job on My Resume
I stumbled across my resume the other day and examined every major place I've worked in the past. I took a moment to reflect on my experience at each school and each journalistic publication. I paused over each university listed, each honor bestowed upon me.
Education
Opinion
A Cerebral Climb Avoids a Fiscal Cliff
Will all taxpayers in America—rich or struggling—see their taxes go up come January 2, 2013? Will the federal government simultaneously slash its budget across all departments by nearly 10 percent? As Americans are ringing in the New Year, will our government resuscitate an economic recession with its flawed policies?
Education
Opinion
Four More Years ... Their Lives Will Never Be the Same
Did your guy win or lose? Half of the nation is celebrating this day after the presidential election, and the other half is shaking its head in defeat. The next four years look hopeful. The next four years look bleak.