I was asked about a year ago to write a statement of my teaching philosophy. I just came across it, and it still seems pretty accurate, so I thought I would post it here: The most fundamental thing I do in my work with middle school and high school students is help people relearn how … Continue reading Thoughts on a Philosophy of Teaching
Author: erikamaren
New Orleans in the News Again
There has been renewed press in recent days about the New Orleans Recovery District. Andrea Gabor's opinion piece in the New York Times entitled "The Myth of the New Orleans School Makeover" received a lot of attention and a ton of criticism, and so the same old debate continues. It is amazing anyone still thinks … Continue reading New Orleans in the News Again
Thoughts on the Beginning of Another School Year
A new school year is beginning. For many students, here in Los Angeles, it begins today. I feel terrible for them, because very few of them will be receiving the education they deserve. I also feel terrible for us, as a society, because we will not receive the benefits of the contributions these children are … Continue reading Thoughts on the Beginning of Another School Year
Back to Blogging
It’s been a long time since I have written a post here, just because other priorities have gotten in the way. Recently, however, I find that thoughts about education are bouncing around in my head all the time, and the best way I know to sort out thoughts is to write about them. So, I … Continue reading Back to Blogging
Why I Quit, and Why Teach For America Should Too
A lot of Teach For America (TFA) alumni have been telling their stories lately. Here’s mine: In 1993, the year after I finished college, I joined TFA, which was still a new organization. At the time, there was a teacher shortage, and the whole point was that we were going to work in schools that … Continue reading Why I Quit, and Why Teach For America Should Too
Ossining, NY: A School District with the Freedom to Educate
This inspiring story by Jackie Mader in The Hechinger Report about the school district of Ossining, NY contains a lot of interesting information, but what struck me most was an innovative approach the district took to increase integration. They reorganized their four elementary schools so that each school, instead of serving a neighborhood, took one … Continue reading Ossining, NY: A School District with the Freedom to Educate
Back to the Blog
It has been a long time since I have posted anything here, but I am about to start again, because I am finding I have a lot I want to say, mostly about public education. I like to take the time to think before I write, and to edit before I post, so I won’t … Continue reading Back to the Blog
Teachers Want to Teach
Teachers love to teach. That may sound obvious, but it is an important fact that the public debate seems to be ignoring. There is nothing better, for a teacher, than seeing a child’s face brighten in comprehension. There are few things more exciting for teachers than a classroom full of engaged students, learning something new. … Continue reading Teachers Want to Teach
A Better Way to Fight Poverty
I recently read this: http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/14/out-of-poverty-family-style/?scp=1&sq=poverty&st=cse about an organization called the Family Independence Initiative (F.I.I.) which assists people in finding their way out of poverty. F.I.I. turns on its head the usual social services model, which is very similar to the foreign assistance model frequently used in developing countries. These models offer material goods and services … Continue reading A Better Way to Fight Poverty
The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
My father owned many paperbacks by Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett. I’m not sure if he had their complete works, but it must have been close. I read them all in quick succession sometime in my early teens and developed a deep affection for them. I recently reread The Big Sleep and it was every … Continue reading The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
E. Steiger & Co. 
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