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The Theory of Corners

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While sweeping the garage one day, I found myself instinctively starting from each corner, pushing the pill of ‘stuff’ toward the center. Seemingly such an act of meaninglessness, it brought into view a brilliant observation of leadership and organizational dynamics that I would later conceptualize as the Theory of Corners. Just as dust usually accumulates and is never cleaned out from the corners of a space, so too are blind spots in organizations, those areas where inefficiencies, inequities, and unspoken truths reside. I realized then that nuanced leadership means venturing into the metaphorical corners, addressing the hidden challenges, and moving them toward the center for systemic growth and transformation. This theory shaped my leadership philosophy. By Don Allen, for Journal of A Black Teacher (2025) Nuanced leadership is an art form often drowned out by loud voices, rigid hierarchies, and unwavering allegiance to the status quo. These are the leaders who dare to dwell in the ...
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Teaching While Black (TWB)

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Note to Readers : Courageous Conversation protocols are used in this reflection.  By Don Allen (Journal of A Black Teacher) REAL-LIFE FICTION In my second year teaching 7th-grade English to a predominantly Black middle school, I was making a difference. My classroom hummed with purpose as students turned ideas into action. They put out a monthly newspaper filled with their voice, stories, and dreams. We organized clothing drives to give back to the community, teaching the value of service and empathy. They knew their voices counted, not just with me but with the middle school. Many of them, for the first time, felt seen. By the end of that year, I was asked to move up with my students to teach 8th-grade English. The decision of the administration felt like a validation of the relational trust and curricular rigor I had established. However, the optimism I carried into my new role was quickly tempered when a new White teacher took over my 7th-grade classroom. Fresh out of a special...
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Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Dorothy's Ruby Slippers Sell for $28M; This Money Eludes Education

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“The ruby slippers are more than a collectible; they are a metaphor for possibility. In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy’s journey home hinges on realizing that she already possesses the power to return—she just needs guidance to unlock it. Similarly, our society holds the power to uplift future generations through education. We don’t lack the resources; we lack the collective will to prioritize them.” By Don Allen, Journal of A Black Teacher (Editorial Opinion)  In a moment that underscores the dissonance between cultural fascination and societal priorities, Dorothy’s iconic ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz recently sold at auction for an astonishing $28 million. While this transaction demonstrates the enduring allure of nostalgia and Hollywood memorabilia, it simultaneously sheds light on a more troubling reality: the chronic underfunding of education, particularly in underserved communities. As we marvel at the price tag of these sequined shoes, we must ask ourselves: What could $28...
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Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Postmodern Critique of The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky (1880) and Its Educational Implications

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By Don Allen, Ed. S., M.A.Ed., MAT It is against this background that Fyodor Dostoevsky's examination of truth versus self-deception in The Brothers Karamazov (1880) acts as a staple toward which a postmodern critique of modern educational systems can be hurled. The passage, with its brooding over lying to oneself and the consequential self-destruction, relates to a much greater existential predicament relevant in today's date: the deliberate strangulation of critical thought and self-awareness. Education, ostensibly designed to inculcate these qualities, paradoxically produces few scholars who are prepared to challenge the deeply entrenched status quo created by highly functioning yet ultimately low-output education systems. Postmodernist theory contests the meta-narratives that underpin traditional educational constructs. These systems, born of industrial and neoliberal imperatives, prioritize measurable outputs-test scores, degrees, and economic utility-over the inculcation ...
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Location: Minnesota, USA
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Black Don.

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The dominant culture in education constantly reminds me that no matter how many degrees I hold, my place in their system is defined by their comfort with my presence. Credentials don’t shield against biases; they merely illuminate the barriers to equity, reinforcing a hierarchy that resists meaningful change for marginalized voices. Yes, DEI is dead.  By Don Allen, Ed.S., M.A. Ed., MAT  - Journal of A Black Teacher        Sitting in Cohort 13's class on Saturday represented one of the most uncomfortable experiences of my doctoral journey. The topic of the evening rested on an upcoming event meant to seek current disparities in education and propose solutions with key policymakers and stakeholders. This was a rare opportunity, as our voices as educators could be elevated into spaces of power. Then, as the discussion unfolded, I watched colleagues back out, pointing to vague reasons or shifting the focus to other priorities.       The unea...
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Location: Minnesota, USA
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Part Two: Teaching In the Game - Scholarly Tuning

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by Don Allen, Ed.S., M.A. Ed., MAT (Journal of A Black Teacher)  Introduction      This article focuses on best practices and research-based strategies for teaching middle school students (ages 11–14) academic writing. As an educator working directly with these students, I encounter the daily reality of bridging gaps in their understanding, often starting with small, targeted chunks of knowledge. Adopting a constructivist approach, I aim to engage students in active learning experiences that scaffold their growth, fostering a mindset that sees improvement as achievable and writing as a skill they can develop. One core principle in this process is recognizing the importance of attention in learning. As Zaretta Lynn Hammond notes, “Attention drives learning. Neuroscience reminds us that before we can be motivated to learn what is in front of us, we must pay attention to it.” Applying this to middle school writing instruction means designing lessons that captivate stude...
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Location: Minnesota, USA
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Did Black American Elites Derail the 2024 Democratic Opportunity?

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Disclaimer: This article does not mention the vice president or former president by name, nor do I mention Black Greek organizations, community leaders, or celebrities. This editorial opinion is a practice of higher-order thinking, or what some might call ‘nuanced,’ meaning to look into blind spots for discovery, truth, and facts. By Don Allen, Ed.S., M.A. Ed., MAT (written for educational purposes) In the wake of Tuesday's presidential election, our communities are broken, far more than we will ever want to admit. A Black woman, an apex of feminism, strength, free will, and determination, was denied the top seat, in the top spot, in the top country in the world. This historic opportunity moment, pregnant with the promise of progress, was squandered, leaving in its wake questions about the fissures within the Black political landscape. While nobody has the answer, valid philosophical questions must be asked to understand the structures at play. In a period of increased racial con...
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Location: Minnesota, USA
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