Trump's Election: The Simple Story No One Is Telling

By: James A. Lindsey

November, 13, 2016

Allthink.com

Allthink is a social media platform that promotes free speech and diverse opinions.

Link: https://www.allthink.com/1902322

Key Points: The authors main thesis is that progressive liberalism is moving too fast for conservative sensibilities. The article goes on to explain (with examples) how this has happened and how it contributed to this years presidential election results. If we want to unite and move forward as a country, the author stresses the importance of truly understanding each other.                  

Audience: Educators, Voters, Everyone

Relevance: This article articulates the importance of understanding the other. In this case the other is the conservative population of our country. I urge everyone to read this as it may help you better understand your neighbor. 

What to Say to Kids on November 10 and the Days After

By: Maureen Costello

November, 10, 2016

Teaching Tolerance

Link: http://www.tolerance.org/blog/what-say-kids-november-10-and-days-after

Key Points:  As a result of this “ugly and damaging” election, it is important that educators create school environments that are safe and free of fear for students.  In addition to safety, students need to be told the truth from their parents and teachers that there is still work to do.  The article breaks down some essential points to acknowledge in regards to the election and moving forward.  Some of these points include: the country is divided, students need to see other people’s realities, and students should turn to historians’ explanations when teachers are unable to answer questions.  Also, the voting process needs to be considered by looking at participation, voter awareness, and other barriers that someone may face in being able to vote.  Daily citizenship is critical, protecting minority rights, individual rights, understanding majority rule, and educating minorities.                  

Audience:  Educators, parents, and community members

Relevance:  Educators can model being hopeful of the future to their students.  Students should be able to stand up for what they believe in, ask questions, and express their thoughts and feelings.  Also, they can be provided with opportunities to engage in their community by serving and volunteering.  This work will be important to the learning.  Students should be encouraged to identify ways that they can take part in their communities.   

A Collection of Resources for Teaching Social Justice

*A Collection of Resources for Teaching Social Justice*

*A Cult of Pedagogy

By Jennifer Gonzalez

February 14th, 2016 

http://www.cultofpedagogy.com/social-justice-resources/

Key Points: 

This article highlights what many teachers find important when it comes to the impact they have on their students. When asked the question of what each hopes their students will come out of the classroom with most teachers will respond with wanting their students to be responsible people who contribute to society in a productive manner. How is it that we shape these people? This article discusses many tips one a teacher can use in order to properly produce these outcomes in relevance to social justice and its impact on society. One strategy in particular,is key; keeping your administrator in the loop of all conversations. This will keep your administrator up to date with what you will be talking about in the classroom so if he/she gets a concerned call from a parent they are not out of the loop. 

Targeted Audience: Anyone who is teaching social justice within the classroom. 

She didn’t think a flu shot was necessary — until her daughter died

• She didn’t think a flu shot was necessary — until her daughter died
• The Washington Post/Kristine Guerra/October 276, 12016
• Vaccines are only effective if a high percentage, 90 - 95%, of the population have had vaccines. The movement afoot these days if for parents to forego vaccination of their children believing, mistakenly, that vaccines cause autism and pose other extreme health risks. Sometimes the gamble not to vaccinate pays off. Sometimes it does not, and a family is left to deal with the results of their faulty logic.
• Why is this relevant? We are teachers, and our primary focus should be our students. While many parents are choosing not to vaccinate, this leaves sometimes large swathes of students unprotected. The decision to not vaccinate is, of course, a personal one for parents. However, some people do not have the choice to vaccinate or not. They cannot due to health reasons. These people depend on the theory of herd immunity. Again, herd immunity can only be reached assuredly with vaccination levels of 90 - 95%. However,some of our students cannot be vaccinated due to health concerns, such as compromised immune systems. Our prime focus is to make sure all of our students are safe and healthy.

Understanding the Needs of Students From Military Families

Understanding the Needs of Students From Military Families

Edutopia/Maurice J. Elias/May 11, 2016

Understanding the Needs of Students From Military Families

 Key Points-This is a population of students that we don’t hear much about in terms of how to create an environment that is conducive to their access to education. The article identifies resilience in military children in their strong sense of purpose, capacity to socialize, knowledge of different cultures, and an intergenerational commitment to character, service and a devotion to something beyond themselves. While each child may differ in how these strengths are displayed, these are assets they bring to the classroom.

ESSA Would Handcuff a Trump Education Secretary on Common Core And More

ESSA Would Handcuff a Trump Education Secretary on Common Core And More

Education Week

Alyson Klein

11/11/2016

Key Points: President elect Donald Trump campaigned on eliminating Common core. Every Student Succeed Act prevents future Education Secretaries from manipulating states' standards.

Relevance: The ESSA sets up the common core standards as the right for the individual state to choose. The Federal government should not be able to manipulate what standard a state chooses to adhere to. 

Can a President Trump get rid of Common Core?

National Public Radio

Corey Turner

11/10/2016

Can a President Trump get rid of Common Core?

Key Points: States have always selected their own standards. Race to the Top is over, and No Child has been replaced by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

Relevance: The Republicans are going to have control of the White house and congress. Will they take their fight to the Common core State Standards?