Fellow parents, we can’t morph into teachers over a weekend. Let’s give ourself some compassion.
Tales from the Front Lines of Teaching Remotely: Lara Elementary
Editor’s note: Chicago Unheard is inviting teachers and parents to share their stories of learning while coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. Patricia Hernández teaches English Language Arts at Lara Academy in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood. Lara is a high-achieving neighborhood school serving a predominantly low-income, Latinx population. More than half of the students are still learning English and 16 percent…
How This Teacher Is Handling The COVID-19 School Closures
Because Illinois’ COVID-19 school closures will run right up until my two-week Spring Break in April, I, like many of you, am about to embark on a month-long separation from school period due to coronavirus concerns. Whatever your feelings are about the virus or the decisions to temporarily close schools, this will be the reality for many teachers in the…
Chicagoans Speak Out Against Keeping CPS Schools Open in the Face of the Coronavirus Pandemic
Last night, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a new set of measures to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19. Those measures did not include closing schools. Chicago Public Schools announced they will keep district schools operating as usual. Currently, only Vaughn Occupational, where a staff member tested positive for coronavirus, is closed. According…
What Should CPS Do to Fight COVID-19?
It’s past time for CPS to fight COVID_19 with basics like hand sanitizer and soap. At the same time, the district must develop a longer-term game plan focused on equity if e-learning becomes necessary.
Here’s How Redwood Grow Deftly Brings the Science of Reading to Teachers
Last month, I wrote about my visit to Redwood Day School, where teachers use structured phonics and an explicit approach to reading instruction that is proving effective for students who have experienced persistent reading challenges. The goal of Redwood Day is to help students catch up to their grade-level peers and return to more traditional schools. But many more young…
My Chavez Students Are One in a Billion
Recently, Chicago Public Schools released a report from the CPS Inspector General’s office questioning how the NWEA test is given to students. While the report mainly focuses on lengthy testing times and frequent pauses during tests, it also includes a table that lists schools, grades and subjects where students achieved huge growth. This table includes Chavez Elementary’s third-graders, for growth…
By Working with Braven, Monroe Elementary’s Kyle Schulte Is Helping First-Gen Chicago College Students Land Their Dream Jobs
Monroe Elementary assistant principal Kyle Schulte just can’t get enough of helping young people achieve their dreams. Here’s how he and Braven help college students pursue their career goals.