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It can be daunting but also amusing to set the context for Harper Lee’s classic To Kill A Mockingbird. If my students thought the 1992 L.A. Riots were “back in the day,” imagine how long ago the 1930’s feel to them. Not only that, but when I refer to the southern United States, several of them think I really mean “a place near L.A.”To conquer this, we spent a period locating Alabama on the map, sipping sweet southern tea and checking out Dorothea Lange’s Depression-era photos. I even play a compilation of tunes that were popular then, including A Tisket, A Tasket by Ella Fitzgerald. Overall, we have fun as we look back.

Catherine Alene reflects on the power of positive classroom experiences for our most vulnerable learners.

The TT audience weighed in on a school dilemma ripped from the headlines: ‘Students petition to display Confederate flag at school, turn in 300 signatures.’

The 2008 election showed us that true progress in the struggle for equality is possible. Yet there is still much work to be done.

To develop the next generation of civic leaders, educate children early and in age-appropriate ways about their identities and key concepts about race.

It’s that time of year again—when former students come into my classroom to vent about the college application process. I’ve already written more letters of recommendation than I can count this year. Now, it’s just a waiting game. My students are not good at waiting, especially when the outcome is out of their control. Not knowing whether they will be accepted to their schools of choice is excruciating.