“And after fire came a gentle whisper”1 Kings 19:12 For the first time in my career, I almost walked away. I was sitting in my office, and it was two days before school was letting out. I had this pit in my stomach. I had so many emotions, and I got to a point where…
I know what many of you are thinking; it’s July. Why should I be worrying about this now? You should worry because school is around the corner. The is the first stop on this journey called the school. Kindergarten, for many of us, was a fun time full of little expectations. This is no longer…
When I look around schools, I wonder whether some teachers have enough social responsibility to be in the classroom in front of this generation’s children. It is amazing how much school has changed since I was in school. The type of teacher I had growing up might not survive in today’s school. I wonder if…
On Saturday, May 25, 2019, the Indy Chapter of the Indianapolis Black Expo held the 3rd Annual African-American Excellence in Education Awards at Martin University. The Indy Chapter of the Indiana Black Expo (IBE) Education Committee Co-Chairs Marlon Llewellyn and Candace Pate sent a request to school districts, schools, and The Mind Trust to nominate…
On a personal note, this is an exciting piece to write and share with everyone. It was January 2018 when Ashley Virden and I wanted to do something special in the Dubarry neighborhood. She grew up in the neighborhood that was home to the school I lead. From that mutual passion, we launched Dubarry Determined…
The goal of the school is that students are in a safe, supportive, and focused classroom that allows them the opportunity to learn and grow. This should be the top concern for all stakeholders. There are several different strategies for classroom management and discipline. Typically, the most severe problems usually lead to a suspension. There…
June is LGBTQ Pride Month. Many in this community or who are allies of this community are celebrating Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School. This Catholic school was asked by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis to fire a gay teacher. Instead of complying with the request, the school refused. Gay teacher firing at Catholic schools has been a…
Alessia Johnson was named the 33rd superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools, and she is the first black woman to hold this position in the district. Johnson’s selection was the worse kept secret. Despite, two other finalists being interviewed publically with Johnson on Tuesday, June 18, I fully expected the school board to choose Johnson, and…
Today at 11:30 am in a press conference at the IPS Educational Center, IPS board president Michael O’Conner announced the board decided on Aleesia Johnson as the new superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools. Here is a statement released by Chiefs for Change. Future Chief Aleesia Johnson selected as superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools Johnson has…
Tuesday night, the public in person and via live stream was able to hear from the three finalists for the Indianapolis Public School Superintendent position. The candidates Devon Horton, Aleesia Johnson, and Larry Young were given fifteen uninterrupted minutes to make their case then for forty-five minutes, they answered questions from the board. This was…