Mesquite Independent School District’s Post

Having just joined the The Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton and the Chesterton Academies of Minnesota as a Senior Fellow, I've been musing on the place of G.K. Chesterton among modern thinkers, or "public intellectuals" (if you prefer). Chesterton observes a delightful distinction between two types of reformers in society: "The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to [a fence or gate] and says, 'I don't see the use of this, let us clear it away.' To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer, 'If you don't see the use of it, I certainly won't let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it.'" Just go away and think. Perhaps that's what we've largely lost: the ability to pause long enough to recognize the just and prudent purposes of inherited ways of life--from institutions to mores to rituals. Fortunately, the folks in the Chesterton School Network (Dale Ahlquist, Emily Selene de Rotstein, Joseph Grabowski, Mark Steeves, Brenie Bowles, Nes Rotstein, Grettelyn Darkey, Ruth Laxen et al.) are equipping schools that train high schoolers to pause and think, under the influence of the insightful Prince of Paradox. #chesterton #reform #classicaleducation https://lnkd.in/gXqtkV95

Beyond Proud of You Mark! To all of my educators if you have any words of wisdom for my younger brother please drop them in the comment section!

"School choice is not a luxury but a necessity for Black, brown, and low-income students striving for academic success." Denisha Merriweather and Elizabeth BeShears debunk a school choice myth and discuss the demand for school choice in Alabama. https://shorturl.at/jKU24 #BlackMindsMatter #EducationFreedom #schoolchoice

Ohh this is fun! Here are my stats: 11 years 5 school 2 district 3 charter networks countless classrooms Subjects(s) taught: English 9, English 12, ESL, Writing II (10th grade), Composition III (11th grade), Composition IV (12th grade) Principals: 7 Number of students taught: 1,500 or more States taught: CA, NY, TN Certified: Single Subject in English Degrees: BA in English, MA in Language and Literacy, 2 semesters worth PhD courses in Applied Linguistics

22 days left of my 5th year of teaching. Now THAT is crazy, here's some of my stats: 5 years 2 school 2 district 4 classrooms Subjects(s) taught: World History 1, U.S History Dual Enrollment, and Civics and Economics Principals: 2 Number of students taught: around 700 States taught: VA Certified: Social Studies and Special Education Degrees: B.Sed Social Studies, Special Education, and M.Ed Administration and Supervison, Ph.D (Loading Fall of 2026!)

A remarkable and inspiring article on Patrick Tutwiler's career in education!!

I am incredibly proud to share the remarkable achievements of Compton Unified Esports League (CUEL) and Whaley Middle School! Their unwavering commitment to education, innovation, and community upliftment is truly commendable. Let’s dive into the inspiring details: 🎮 Scholastic Esports Excellence: Whaley Middle School, home of the Warriors, has been at the forefront of scholastic esports. Through their esports programs, they empower students to excel academically and socially. These programs are not just about gaming; they’re about building 21st-century skills that prepare students for college and career success. 🚀 By merging game-based learning with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), Whaley Middle School is shaping the future leaders of our community. 🌐 Bridging the Digital Divide: Whaley’s vision extends beyond the classroom walls. They are part of a broader initiative to provide modern, cutting-edge education to students across the entire district. Bridging the digital divide is their mission. By ensuring equitable access to technology and educational resources, they uplift not only students but also families and the entire community. 📺 KCAL News Spotlight: Did you catch the KCAL News Class Act morning show? It featured an amazing coverage of Whaley Middle School’s STEM programs. The spotlight showcased how Whaley is nurturing young minds, fostering creativity, and preparing them for a dynamic future. 🙌 Community Impact: Whaley Middle School’s leadership isn’t just about academics; it’s about transforming lives. They’re creating a ripple effect that reaches far beyond the school gates. 👏 Let’s applaud the educators, students, and families who make this possible! Together, we’re shaping a brighter tomorrow. 🌟 #ComptonUnified #EsportsLeadership #STEMEducation #CommunityImpact 🔗 Read more about Whaley Middle School1 🔗 Learn about CUEL’s mission2

Schools that retain Black and Brown teachers are schools that are attractive for new Black and Brown teachers. Read our recent blog from Sharif El-Mekki about the importance of recruiting and retaining Black and Brown teachers for student engagement: https://lnkd.in/eVhsFqFF

If you want to raise the bar of your teaching skills, one possible source of inspiration is to look at the accomplishments of Jaime Escalante. Traveling to America from Bolivia, he ended up teaching at Garfield High School in the city of East Los Angeles, California. At the time, few people had the expectation that students there—low-income minorities—could master more advanced mathematics. Mr. Escalante believed differently, and he filled his students with high expectations and a high level of motivation and purpose. In 1982, every one of his advanced math students passed a calculus advanced placement test. This was so shocking to some people that it resulted in the test company refusing to accept the results. The students were forced to retake the test, and they again achieved good scores. [A movie was made about this called Stand and Deliver.] The entire level of expectation and belief in the students at Garfield High School changed. By 1991, about 600 students were taking advanced placement tests in math and other subjects—a huge change. Mr. Escalante was dynamic, caring, and highly committed to his students. He was able to connect with and inspire them. While the class was highly productive, there was always an upbeat, fun environment with lots of humor. Mr. Escalante exuded the belief that his students would reach a high level of achievement, and he backed up this confidence with effective teaching techniques: a competency-based approach with lots of practice done on a step-by-step basis, group learning and collaboration amongst students, providing students with real-world examples, etc. Mr. Escalante firmly believed that, with proper instruction, he’d make an exceptional learner out of every student. I bet he would also believe that, with proper instruction, every aspiring teacher could reach or surpass his level of achievement with his students. In fact, Mr. Escalante wrote the following: “I always have to laugh when someone suggests that my program is dependent upon one teacher’s personality (my own) and could never serve as a model for use in other schools. It just shows how far away we have drifted from the fundamentals of teaching.” https://lnkd.in/ezn9DwBi

It is personal!