Journal of a Black Teacher

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...

“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...