So a discussion ensued over the meaning of Columbus Day, not just it’s meaning, but a broader discussion on our national symbols, institutions, and myths. Are there common stories left that bind […]
A Gay, Liberal Protestant Reads the Benedict Option Vol 2
In lieu of the critiques Rod Dreher offers against modernity, which he sees playing out in American culture, including the increasing acceptance of LGBT people, the dramatic rise of the nones, […]
The Easter of Democracy: Lincoln at Gettysburg
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Few words […]
Drinking with the Saints: The Sinner’s Guide to a Holy Happy Hour
Introduction: Although drinking alcohol is against what we as Latter-day-Saints know as the word of wisdom. That doesn’t mean we cant learn important truths from those of other faiths, whose customs might […]
Make a Donation For Your Exaltation
If you haven’t heard, the church recently announced that it will allow members to “pay tithing and submit other charitable donations” electronically. Now, if you’re anything like me, you no longer need […]
In Defense of Higher Education, Loans and All
Thanks to Facebook’s settings, I am privy to whole conversations on others’ timelines simply because my wife makes a comment. A couple years ago, I read through a “discussion” about the movement […]
Anti-Gay Harrassment at Southern Virginia University Drives Away Student
The Roanoke Times recently published an article about Nic Jensen and his battle with Southern Virginia University over allegations of sexual harassment from the school’s provost Madison Sowell. There has been discussion about Nic’s supposed activism in […]
States Fail to Keep School Vaccination Data #MuckReads
by Amanda Zamora ProPublica, Feb. 6, 2015, 3:50 p.m. How prepared are U.S. schools for measles? Most states don’t keep those records. A USA Today analysis found just 13 states met federal […]
Like a Mother Bird: Don’t Work Harder than Your Students
by Adam Stout My student-teaching supervisor watched what I was doing one day and told me, “Don’t work harder than them.” I was amused. I thought she was offering a sort of […]
You Need Credibility
By Adam Stout As a 2nd year teacher, I have learned a lot and have a lot left to learn. So, take this post for what it is – the musings of […]
When Charter Schools Are Nonprofit in Name Only
by Marian Wang ProPublica, Dec. 9, 2014, 10:49 a.m. This post has been updated to include a response from National Heritage Academies. A couple of years ago, auditors looked at the books […]
New Teacher Journal: The First Days
Teaching is hard. This is not shocking news, but exactly how hard it is did not sink in until my first day as a middle school reading teacher. That was Monday. I […]