The subtle racism of Seattle's 'trusted institutions' continues to impact our kids

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The subtle racism of Seattle's 'trusted institutions' continues to impact our kids

The increase in physical violence against Asian Americans is not a mysterious aberration. It’s the result of hateful rhetoric from our last President, among others. It’s part of a history of anti-Asian racism and violence that is too often overlooked or minimized. And it’s also being made possible by insensitive, dehumanizing language that has been normalized.

Take this sign, hanging casually in a Swedish Hospital health facility, perpetuating dangerous stereotypes during a time of such specific violence.

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As we mourn the loss of 'normal,' the time has come to envision a bold new future for our schools

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As we mourn the loss of 'normal,' the time has come to envision a bold new future for our schools

We may have experienced the Last Class in the world we once knew, but from adversity always comes opportunity. I hope we use this time to create a new world of opportunities and access for students of color and the educators that continue to support them.

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Seattle presses pause on gatekeeping by giving every student an 'A'

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Seattle presses pause on gatekeeping by giving every student an 'A'

Seattle Public Schools announced that all high school students will receive an “A” in every class for the spring semester, a move that quietly eliminates — for the time being — one of the primary ways an unjust education system sorts and tracks our kids.

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A middle school teacher finds hope and silver linings in his students: 'They are learning about themselves and what is important in life.'

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A middle school teacher finds hope and silver linings in his students: 'They are learning about themselves and what is important in life.'

In the early weeks of online learning, a Portland middle-school teacher finds that his students’ personal growth is inspiring hope for the future and offering certainty during unsteady times. Through this necessary period of solitude, of living simply in shared sacrifice, people young and old “are learning about themselves and what is important in life.”

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As illusions and excuses crumble under the weight of COVID-19, we find a moment of truth: What new world will we create for our kids?

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As illusions and excuses crumble under the weight of COVID-19, we find a moment of truth: What new world will we create for our kids?

What new world will we create for students and families in the wake of a pandemic that, for now, has only just begun? What are we learning as COVID-19 brings tumbling down the illusions and excuses that propped up the old system? How will our system of education change? How will we move forward as parents and teachers, school administrators and students?

Who will we choose to be now?

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It’s time to get creative as COVID-19 homeschool parents

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It’s time to get creative as COVID-19 homeschool parents

It’s been 10 days since my kids were last in school here in Seattle, and as the COVID-19 pandemic continues its systematic shutdown of, well, the entire system, it’s time for us parents to get creative. That’s why I’m glad to be helping my son and his buddies produce a sports-talk podcast about their own youth baseball league.

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Let's get your kids writing during the Coronavirus Quarantine

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Let's get your kids writing during the Coronavirus Quarantine

I have so many thoughts to share amid all of this, and I will be posting as often as I can find the time to write amidst the many quarantined kids in my house.

For today, with schools closed in so many states, let’s talk about the fact that so many of us parents are suddenly homeschooling our kids.

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