Statement of Principles

I'm not a politician, I'm a Freirean activist whose entire life revolves around the struggle and firm principles. While electing a board majority that values public education is crucial, it doesn't alleviate the need for active struggles for social justice in our communities.

I support what works in Education:

- Fully funded public schools with elected school boards
- Small class sizes
- Dual language immersion
- Free voluntary reading (FVR) and ample access to libraries. FVR is a research based notion of allowing students to chose their reading materials.
- Project based learning and respect for vocational education
- Culturally relevant curriculum, ethnic studies, and liberation pedagogy
- Arts, music, and literature
- Schools encouraging community and parent collaboration. Our schools belong to the communities they serve and can never achieve their potential without listening to the voices of parents.
- Professional, experienced educators with the right to collective bargaining

I vehemently oppose:

- Privatization via charters and vouchers
- Standardized tests being used for high stakes accountability decisions
- A singular focus on testing leading to a narrowing of curricula and elimination of electives
- Segregation by race, class, and ethnicity, which result from privatization and other corporate reforms.
- Discrimination against students with special needs or disabilities
- Alternate teaching certifications that lead to inexperienced and unqualified instructors
- Unproven methodologies and programs being imposed on districts
- No Child Left Behind, Race to the Top, and Common Core State Standards
- Profiteering in the name of "helping kids"

Education Articles & Essays

I bring that same sense of principle and purpose to my writing. I'm very fortunate to be widely published, and even cited in books and academic articles.