A former writing teacher, Marilyn Anderson Rhames was the Manager of Alumni Relations at a charter school in Chicago. She holds master’s degrees in education and journalism, is a former Teach Plus</a> policy fellow, and a founder of the nonprofit Teachers Who Pray. In 2013, Rhames received the Educator’s Voice Award for her blog and was also named “Commentator/Blogger of the Year” by the Bammy Awards. Follow her on Twitter @MarilynRhames. This blog is no longer being updated.
Teaching
Opinion
Even the Best Teacher Could Be Considered a Negligent Parent
Educators need to think twice about the way we classify parents unto the "good" and "bad" categories. Every parent should be seen as a work in progress, just as we are, as well as our students. Schools have to put systems in place to provide quality supports to all the various constituents of the school community.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
The Day All the Middle School Teachers Got Pregnant
Why on earth would seven middle school teachers plan to get pregnant all on the same day? This story will warm your heart and make your belly ache with laughter.
Equity & Diversity
Opinion
Why All American Teachers Should Care About Chicago
This week marked the 50th anniversary of "Freedom Day," the vaguely remembered 1963 Chicago Public Schools boycott in which 250,000 black students stayed out of school to demand an equal, desegregated education.
Today, Chicago and most major cities are still providing an unequal and very segregated public education to minority students. We will not solve this problem until educators and civic leaders begin an honest, solutions-oriented conversation about the root cause of the problem: institutionalized racism.
Teaching
Opinion
Dad's Happy Birthday Message Inspires Teacher to Live Passionately
It's my birthday today, and I am grateful to be alive and to be carrying a life. At this time last year, my dad left a message on my cell phone in which he sang "Happy Birthday" and recited a little silly poem in my honor.
Education
Opinion
A School Parking Lot Sign Can Lead to a Government Shutdown
Regardless of what your political bent is—Democratic, Republican, Independent—there is one thing I think we can all agree on: leaders make more careful choices when their decisions directly impact them.
Teaching
Opinion
Who Wore the Pants at the 2nd Annual Bammy Awards?
Last Saturday, I won the "2013 Education Blogger/Commentator of the Year" title at the Bammy Awards in Washington, D.C. The Bammys sent a limousine to take me and all the honorees from the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel to the Arena Stage Theater, where the ceremony took place. There was the red carpet, the photographers, the cocktails, the tuxedos and evening gowns—and me, all dolled up with the sexiest man alive by my side, my husband Kevin.
Education
Opinion
Teaching While Pregnant: Nine Months of Intensive PD
Every now and then I feel a violent shaking in my stomach. My baby turns over from one side to the other or stretches wide after an afternoon nap. When this happens I'm caught off guard; I catch my breath; I instinctively reach for my stomach and rub. Never mind that I'm in the middle of a read aloud or in a parent conference. For those few seconds, the world must wait. It's all about Baby Boy Rhames (B.B.R.).
Equity & Diversity
Opinion
Book Review: Why We Need More 'Black Militancy' in Schools
This post originally appeared in Education Week's Bookmarks blog.
Teaching
Opinion
50 Years Later: Still Dreaming for Children in Chicago
My dream is that the poor black and brown children of Chicago will get an equal chance at obtaining a quality education this year—not just at the "welcoming" schools but in the ordinary, less politicized neighborhood schools.
Education
Opinion
Back to School When Last Year Didn't End Well
I know I am not the only one. There must be thousands of teachers in my district, in my state—in America—who are just like me. We did not end last school year on a positive note. Some of us had clashes with parents, with other teachers, with administrators, or all of the above.
Education
Opinion
Two Years of 'Charting My Own Course' (and Counting)
This 96th blog post marks my second bloggaversary!
School & District Management
Opinion
WARNING: This Blog Post May Be Too 'Taboo' for Wimpy Teachers
There are certain topics that most teachers will not want to talk about publicly. But when teachers discuss these taboo topics out in the open, we strengthen our voice, regain our credibility, and elevate our profession.
Equity & Diversity
Opinion
Trayvon Martin and the Value of a Young African American Male Life
What is the value of a young African American male life? It's priceless, of course, but you wouldn't know it just by living in the city or watching the news.
Teaching
Opinion
Beauty, Brains, and Bucks: The Aunt Who Inspired Me to Believe
My aunt inspired me to be smart, beautiful, and really good at something important. I thought this meant being a medical doctorate like her, but it actually meant becoming a writer and teacher.
