Author Archive

Now They Notice?

14 months after Michelle Rhee became Chancellor of the DC Public Schools, parents, educators and other advocates are apparently feeling “marginalized”.  According to Michael Birnbaum of the Washington Post, the above-mentioned groups have been noticing that Rhee seems to have a “top down” management style that leaves out critical voices. 
Gee, really?
Birnbaum quotes the advocates as [...]

The American Dream?

Now that I’m back blogging, I seem to be talking a lot about my heritage…
My maternal grandmother used to tell the following story about her arrival to America.  She explained that when she came off of the boat at Ellis Island, she got down on her knees and kissed the ground. True story. My grandmother [...]

What Wendy Kopp Could Have Learned From My Sicilian Grandfather

My grandfather grew up in the same town in Sicily as some seriously questionable characters.  We have lots of stories in my family of Grandpa’s dealings with certain individuals - he knew this one or that one- but they are mostly family-folk lore and the aggrandizement of a pretty gentle and honest man.
Still, he knew [...]

Where Are We Headed?

This is my last post for a while.  I’m going to be unplugged for a bit.  My co-author will still be plugging away, though.
Isn’t it funny that we have the most interesting interactions with people when we are leaving the place we live?
I was waiting on line at what has to be the worst Post [...]