Chad Sansing

Say it ain’t over the rainbow

Our local school division redistricted my son this year. At his new school he sits on an exercise ball and uses a netbook that slides out from under his desk. He leaves class for a few hours per day to attend Talented and Gifted (TAG) class and something called TAG Extension. He says that TAG … Continue reading →

The garbage we sell kids

Although each of our civics classes is at a different place, each one engaged in some pretty compelling discussion this week. A few classes tackled excerpts from this video and wound up discussing separation of powers, property rights, rule of law, and zoning. In a fit of righteousness, we wound up co-writing this statement: I … Continue reading →

Do I have a right?

Author’s note – much of what you’re about to read is inspired by the juxtaposition of articles featured on BoingBoing. I spent this morning sharing iCivics and its marquee title, “Do I Have a Right?”, with local colleagues. “Do I Have a Right?” is an resource management game in which the player assumes control of … Continue reading →

Learners ≠ consumers

Since returning from #ISTE11, I’ve struggled with writing about education. Given the tanked economy, our retrograde, juvenile government, and the epidemic breakout of strong-man/yes–man/straw-man educational dictatorships, I’ve felt a bit like Margot from “All Summer in a Day.” We are living and working in a playground battlefield. It’s insane. In response, we need to make … Continue reading →

What makes us citizens? #bloggermarch #sosmarch

This is, perhaps, my favorite passage from the Save Our Schools March website: There is no greater mandate in education than guiding our children to act as responsible citizens engaged in their community, nation, and the world around them. Most American public schools do not do this work. They are not built to do it. … Continue reading →

The big us

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has published its findings after a years-long investigation of “suspicious scores” in Atlanta schools. The Journal-Constitution found that over 170 educators – including over three dozen principals – had falsified student answers in 44 of the 56 schools scrutinized in the probe. In a PBS News Hour interview, Heather Vogell, a reporter … Continue reading →

Join the Coöp

Several Coöp members and friends at #ISTE 11 have asked me about the beginning of our work, so I’d like to share out these founders’ reflections that Adam, Paula, and I wrote earlier in the year: “Beacon of Hope” by Adam. “A Year in the Life…” by Paula. “Who the hell am I and what … Continue reading →

Occupying the social space around #ISTE11

So far I’ve spent my time at #ISTE11 working with and thinking about the Coöp and the National Writing Project (NWP). Yesterday, Paul and I helped facilitate a Hackasaurus-inspired NWP Hack-Jam attended by David and John, amongst others. The evening before that I got to spend time with David, Deven, Mary Beth, Paul, and Shelley … Continue reading →

#freedom2learn

John Thompson recently wrote about autonomy and accountability on Alexander Russo’s This Week in Education blog. These lines struck me: NYC’s leaders knew all along that accountability couldn’t just be a punitive regime. There also had to be high levels of psychological safety for adults to learn — a high level of trust. And: …engineering high … Continue reading →

On exemplary work

I’ve been paying close attention to the comments Kirsten, Sabrina, and others have shared about the gendering of teaching. When I read them, I think of videos like this one: The administrator is the strongman. The teachers are silent in the presence of the administrator. The students prop up the adults’ work. I am struck … Continue reading →

It’s a mess – and it’ll be great

I greatly admire Adam, his conviction, and his advocacy. When I saw him begin a conversation with Diane Ravitch, I jumped in, hoping that Ravitch would take my interest as incentive to respond to Adam. I wish all of our national leaders would spend some time discussing learning and stewardship with him. Ravitch did reply, … Continue reading →

The summer of our discontent

[This is a cross-post from Classroots.org, which is a blog about reforming classroom practice. Here the post is addressed to every community member invested in educational transformation, and whether or not there should be such a distinction or such a disclaimer as this are questions ripe for comment and debate.] Transforming our schools will take … Continue reading →

Chad Sansing Educational Advocacy Quotes™

Be the first to purchase a Chad Sansing Educational Advocacy Quote™! Quotes, pricing, and package options listed below. Synergize your educational advocacy with sincerity, the Chad Sansing Way™. By purchasing any quote, you acquire the license to use the quote in perpetuity as if you wrote it. You also receive access to 24-7 technical support … Continue reading →

Emperors, clothe yourselves

This may surprise you, but I was a loudmouth jerk in high school. I routinely took on teachers (and classmates – sorry GHS Class of ’96!) if I felt slighted by them in any way. Looking back, sometimes I had a case, but more often than not I was arguing just to argue. Compliance wasn’t … Continue reading →

#teachin11: If we want to be super…