Journal of a Black Teacher

“It is unabashedly ambitious, and yet completely accessible to those willing to put in the time and effort.” Course Evaluation by Don Allen, Ed.S., M.A.Ed., MAT.  Hamline University's "Academic Writing for Graduate Students" (GED 8005-1), taught by Professor Julia Reimer in the Summer of 2025, provided me with a foundational experience, helping me to develop my scholarly voice and enhance my graduate-level writing skills, including experimenting with journal and book writing in tandem with authoring a critical dissertation. As a doctoral student who has been a Piper for 15 years (10-years in graduate school), I took this course seriously and with enthusiasm, I can attest with certainty that GED 8005-1 is more than a support course, it is a required academic rite of passage that needs to be permanently integrated into the Ed.D. program for all subsequent cohorts. I was a little nervous at first because I didn’t want what I thought was a random course to deconstruct my GPA....

There are many reasons why students don’t write well in college; the first of these reasons is that secondary school systems in the Twin Cities have watered-downed writing curricula and students that make it to advanced placement classes or take university classes in high school are an elite few creating another disparity; but still, they struggle too - ask any local university program - some of our scholars in college have 2.0 G.P.A.s simply because they did not learn academic writing in high school.     By Don Allen, M.A. Ed./MAT  (Editorial Opinion) (Inserted photo is my Grammarly overview from June 18-25)      Academic writing is essential for success in college and beyond. However, Twin Cities students often face significant challenges when it comes to mastering this skill. There are several reasons why students struggle with academic writing in college, including limited access t...

“With gratitude, optimism is sustainable. If you can find something to be grateful for then you will find something to look forward to - and you carry on. ” ~Michael J. Fox  By Don Allen, M.A. Ed./MAT      While only a few Twin Cities public schools try to educate our children, charter schools have high potential advantages for our Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian children; it's essential to recognize that charter schools vary widely in their approaches, quality, and outcomes. It's crucial for parents to thoroughly research and visit specific charter schools to assess their academic performance, teaching methods, student support services, and overall fit for their child's needs and aspirations. Parents should consider all available options and make an informed decision based on what they believe is best for their child's education and well-being.      In recent years, charter schools have become a popular alternative to traditional...