As Pride Month begins today, we at TEP are taking a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the LGBTQ+ children and advocates in our communities and the educators who support and nurture them. Because we believe in equity for all students and we are very concerned about the liberation and freedom of Black and Brown students in particular, we want to …
3 Things You Need to Know about Florida’s Ban of AP African American Studies
As you may have heard, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced last week that he would ban a pilot program for an Advanced Placement (AP) African American Studies course. While students, teachers, activists, and legislators in Florida speak out in opposition to this decision, there are a few crucial things you should know about the ban. We’ll continue to track this …
Centering the Joy of Black and Brown Children
This year at TEP we’re dreaming of learning environments that are safe and nurturing. In that pursuit, we believe in centering the joy of Black and Brown children. When children have their joy centered they can be more grounded, more focused, freer, and happier. Joy allows students to thrive. We want that for Black and Brown children. We believe that …
Affirming the Profession and Dignity of Teachers
As we continue to highlight this year’s policy priority areas, we want to focus our attention on teachers. We firmly support ALL policies that affirm the profession of teaching and the dignity of teachers. When it comes to the classroom, teachers are well-suited to offer students what they need for nurture and development – and to do so in the …
Ensure Adequate Supplies, Facilities, and Resources for Equitable Learning
This month at TEP we are honing in on our Policy Priority Areas. We want to share why each is important to realizing our dream of quality education for all God’s children. We also want to share how you can partner with us to strategically demand better for our kids and our schools. This year we are focused on creating …
Investing in the Mental and Emotional Well-Being of Students
This month at TEP we are honing in on our Policy Priority Areas. We want to share why each is important to realizing our dream of quality education for all God’s children. We also want to share how you can partner with us in strategically demanding better for our kids and our schools. This year we are focused on creating …
Let a Child Be a Child
I was such a cute little girl. Seriously, look: It is the wonder and innocence for me. I’m thankful that my parents were able to help me cultivate and nurture that wonder. They were always fierce protectors of me and my sibling’s education. When one of my brothers was 8 or 9 years old, one of his teachers struck him …
Why Is the Child Crying?
The most important question in the world is, “Why is the child crying?” Alice Walker In the American school system, Black youth are routinely denied the grace and innocence of childhood. Black children are perceived as older and guiltier than their white counterparts, a perception born out of an amalgamation of dehumanization and racism. This is a dangerous perception that …
Weekly News Roundup: Remote Learning Shift Exposes Tech Gaps
As schools across the country shut down, parents, students, and teachers are left with uncertainty and questions about what the future holds. As advocates for a high-quality education for ALL students, we’ll work to keep you up to date on the education world’s response to this crisis. As we’ve seen time and time again, many of our nation’s students are …
Weekly News Roundup: Guidance Harms High-Poverty Districts
As schools across the country shut down, parents, students, and teachers are left with uncertainty and questions about what the future holds. As advocates for a high-quality education for ALL students, we’ll work to keep you up to date on the education world’s response to this crisis. As we’ve seen time and time again, many of our nation’s students are …