This November 6, 2015 Letter to the Editor of The Independent newspaper is at the heart of why I founded Learning401: to give voice to the public that is public school. The author, Kim Kimball, a retired South Kingstown school teacher and lifetime resident of the district, makes three points, while passively alluding to an even bigger challenge to our democracy: the fear of speaking out. More than building blocks of a democracy, these suggestions, and her courage in sharing t

Recently I shared an article [via Facebook and Twitter] on the topic of play at school that was refused by a local school PTO Facebook page. The potential for controvery aside, given recent parental concerns regarding reduced recess time, the article did not meet the PTO's standards for sharing only school-related information. [Here's the article link in case you missed it: "When one New Zealand school tossed its playground rules."] In all fairness to the PTO Facebook page

Last week I presented a keynote at the Women’s Leadership Conference hosted by the Vermont Women in Higher Education in Killington. I met some amazing women with marvel superpowers, to include Stasia Savasuk, founder of Thrift Me Pretty. Stasia is a personal stylist who helps women dress their authentic selves in a radical self-love, guilt-free, money-doesn't-define-my-value way. Stasia's seven-year-old daughter, Raisa, is the inspiration behind her business venture - a child

Here's a great example of what happens when you mix education technology with community [IN the classroom], while giving teachers the freedom to teach in Rhode Island public schools: With high-tech help, Providence elementary school is making progress in math, reading By Linda Borg, Providence Journal 3/14/14 #edtech #blendedlearning #technology #community #freedom #providence #publicschool #projo

In July 2011 I participated in the Save Our Schools rally and march in Washington. Summer temps soared and the humidity had no mercy on the thousands of teachers, parents, students, and concerned citizens assembled peacefully across from the White House, yet the crowd kept growing. One marcher from Wisconsin lost her group while en route to 16th Street. When I asked what inspired her to attend the event, she noted that it didn't matter who she walked with, so long as she wal