Journal of a Black Teacher

  In the Fall of 2023, at the beginning of the new academic school year, I am asking all of my students to make a video for their parents by reading this letter; also, I'm collecting data (see the bottom).  by Don Allen, M.A. Ed./MAT  Dear Parent: You Are The Key To My Success At School. Can We Partner? Students read : As a student, the key to my success at school lies in the partnership between you, me, and my teachers. You undeniably play a crucial role in shaping my educational journey, and your involvement can greatly impact my academic performance. Your involvement provides me with a strong support system. When you take an active interest in my education, it sends a powerful message that education is important and valued in our home. This encouragement motivates me to strive for excellence and gives me the confidence I need to succeed. Furthermore, I become aware of my strengths and weaknesses when you are involved in my education. This knowledge allows me to provide targeted

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 to resources, inadequate preparation in high

  “Education must begin with the solution of the student-teacher contradiction, by reconciling the poles of the contradiction so that both are simultaneously teachers and students.”  ― Paulo Freire The class text reminds me of Herbert Kohl’s I Won’t Learn From You: and Other Thoughts on Creative Maladjustments as it pertains to exemplars of learning scenarios tied to family status and in-school academic performance; see the story about “Barry” (Kohl, 1995, p. 8).  Although not assigned this week, I liked Chapter One because it explores the importance of culturally responsive teaching practices in promoting student engagement and success; the authors highlight the need for an education system that recognizes the interconnectedness of social justice and environmental sustainability. They argue that traditional approaches to environmental education often ignore issues of power and privilege, perpetuating systems of oppression. In Culturally Sustaining Pedagogies , Chapter 2, You Ain'

By Don Allen, M. A. Ed./MAT      The Twin Cities public schools are supposed to be the foundation of education for our children, but unfortunately, they are committed to and incentivized to pursue mediocrity. This is a serious problem that needs immediate attention. One of the reasons why this is happening is because of leadership and funding. The schools are not getting enough money to provide quality education to students, and some in district leadership have dismissed talent for partisan politics.      As a result, teacher-eco systems are not motivated enough to put in extra effort, and students are not receiving the education they deserve; the data (Minnesota School Report Card) clearly shows the generational down spiraling.  Another reason is that there is no accountability for poor performance. Leadership and teachers who do not perform well are not held accountable, and there are no consequences for their actions. This leads to a culture of mediocrity where everyone settles for

  By Don Allen, M.A. Ed./MAT - Entry: J ournal of a Black Teacher May 26, 2023 Today, I am frustrated.      I’ve worked for the last seven years to understand the data-driven defeat of some of our most reputable educational institutions. When I write ‘defeat,’ it does not mean the system is not functioning at some level; you have buses, students, passing bells, teachers, social workers, counselors, administrators, and such with an output that might not meet the core ethics of society’s expectations for a well-rounded education system (creating Minnesota’s Best Workforce ). I could be wrong. Maybe people don’t care? I don’t hold any of the power; if I did, the conversation would look different. To be honest, I do not understand the current rules about being just fine with less and inefficient with what you have. Processing the Twin Cities' educational information for understanding and critique is very different from simply blaming the school systems for the recent uptick in teenage

“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 public schools. These schoo

A. This has nothing to do with white supremacy or race, sorry.   2023 : What will people think about our society 20 years from now? We should be looking at, answering, and taking action on this question. Admit it, the wheels are stuck, feelings are more important than the competition; nuclear waste in well water is ‘safe’ to drink; really? (Monticello, MN.). And the chicken wing shortage (seriously, somebody skipped math). The US has supported Ukraine in the war with the equivalent of enough money to pay every 12th grader in the United States $10,000+ to attend their senior year with enough left over to remodel most US schools. Why does the media get to decide who ‘caste’ leaders are? Why are the lowest common denominators in human capital priced at the highest value? ‘The View’ or the ‘Steve Harvey Show’ might not have my best interests at heart. We have an unbalanced power dynamic that gives most authority to those on top with a successful elimination of the middle (missing middle)