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Overdue Conversations: What Should Black Teachers Teach Black Students About Political Violence?

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Classroom Discussion Questions: Put students in small groups or discuss as a whole class : Why do you think leaders like King, Malcolm X, and Newton were targeted by violence? How does political violence affect communities beyond just the leader who was killed? What lessons from these leaders can we apply to our lives today? Can love, unity, and service really be stronger than violence? Why or why not? How can young people carry forward the unfinished work of these leaders? By Don Allen, Ed.S., M.A.Ed., MAT  Black teachers shoulder a profound responsibility in today’s society. Our children are growing up in an environment where violence is a pervasive reality, manifesting itself through various forms—whether it stems from governmental actions, extremist groups, or even within our own neighborhoods. Failing to address this harsh reality leaves our young people ill-prepared to navigate the complexities and dangers of the world around them. By engaging in open and honest discussions a...
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It could be guns, but it is something deeper than Guns Killing People

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By Don Allen - Journal of A Black Teacher  I write as a Black American who has attended too many funerals. Too many mothers are fainting in church pews. Too many kids are learning the cadence of gunfire as a lullaby. And the real truth is this: it is or might very well be about guns, but it is most definitely about the individuals who use them and choose to kill. Let’s be clear, guns are everywhere in this country. Easy to buy, easy to hide, easy to pull out in anger.  The United States has more guns than people. If access were the only problem, then mass shootings in white suburbs and rural areas would look like the everyday reality of Black neighborhoods. But they don’t. We know who dies in disproportionate numbers: young Black men, women, and children who never got a chance to grow up. That’s not a statistic, it’s an obituary waiting to be written. But where is the national outrage? Where are the same government officials who wail for gun bans after a shooting in Minneapoli...
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Location: 201 Presidents' Cir, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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Children Did Not Bring the Achievement Gap into Twin Cities Classrooms

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"...If we treated education the way we treat sports, failing leaders wouldn't survive a season. Coaches who can't win get fired. Players who don't produce get pushed harder to improve. But in education, the most important playing field of all, we tolerate failure year in and year out."  By Don Allen, Journal of A Black Teacher  Walk into most Twin Cities schools today, and you'll see gleaming new lockers, polished hallways, and floors freshly waxed. They gleam like museum pieces of what "progress" is supposed to look like. This also depends on the location of the school. I had a friend who said his classroom was mopped twice in the 2024-2025 school year. His building served African American students in one of Minneapolis’ poorest neighborhoods. But scratch below the surface and you'll find that too many children still cannot read at grade level, do basic mathematical calculations, or pass science benchmarks. The truth is unavoidable: children di...
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Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Not A Winner

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“I can’t help but wonder about the odds.” Pull Quote. By Don Allen - Journal of A Black Teacher (2025) Since the Minnesota State Lottery launched in the Fall of 1989, I have bought three or four tickets. Every time I scanned one, the kiosk flashed the same verdict: “ Not A Winner .” Not exactly life-changing, just a gentle smack to my daydreams of a $300 million jackpot: a Bentley in the driveway, a 10-bedroom home on five acres, and a full country spread, farm (corn, watermelons, tomatoes, herbs), sheep, goats, horses, hogs, cows, dogs, cats, barns, the works. I get it, the lure of ‘winning’ is a sophisticated construct built on powerful digital marketing platforms. Poor people (me) want more. It's interesting to think about the lottery. While I buy that ticket for a shot at millions, I can’t help but wonder about the odds. Paying a dollar feels like a small investment, but in reality, the chances of winning anything significant are incredibly slim. It sort of feels like a gamble...
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Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Replacing MCAs: Algorithms to Predict, Adjust 6-12 Scholars' Flukes, Wobbles, and Trends in Learning (Twin Cities specific)

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Many educators and parents rightly argue that MCA assessments fail to capture the full brilliance and potential of each student. If these scores are unreliable measures of learning, then school and district leaders have a responsibility to adopt more precise, classroom-based systems for identifying student success and struggle. It is no longer acceptable to rely on outdated, one-size-fits-all tests. The time is now to leverage technology, specifically, adaptive algorithms, to monitor real-time progress, diagnose learning patterns, and ensure every student receives the support they need to succeed. Anything less is educational malpractice. By Don Allen, Ed.S., M.A. Ed., MAT  - Journal of A Black Teacher (2025) In the data-rich but insight-poor school systems of today, leaders of school districts need to adopt technology to monitor and assist student learning from grades 6 to 12. The stakes are too significant to depend on conventional grading or antiquated assessments such as the MC...
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Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA
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