Crook. Liar. Shady. These are a few modifiers used to describe Chris Cerf, State-Appointed Superintendent of Newark Public Schools. Why so mean? He just took over the helm. Give the man a chance, right? Wrong. Cerf’s educational track record is clear: privatize as much as possible and profit off of
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Cami Created Chaos: Reflections on the 2015 NPS Budget Hearing
In the nearly empty auditorium of Belmont-Runyon Elementary, Newark Public Schools district staff leisurely finished the setup for the evening’s public budget hearing. There were a sea of blue seats; walking in, you had your pick.There were almost more security guards than audience members, even when the meeting commenced. The
Continue readingLessons from the Students: Critical Pedagogy in Action
“If students are not able to transform their lived experiences into knowledge as a process to unveil new knowledge, they will never be able to participate rigorously in a dialogue as a process of learning and knowing” -Paulo Freire @sueg4600 What does social justice pedagogy look like? Somewhat rhetorical. Completely
Continue readingFrom the Run Radio
Just to get by Just to get by Just to get by Just to get by Do you really feel brand new? Radio stations taking requests Got me head nodding Not wanting to get out my truck Then it hits me, What the fuck? I usually drive in silence Not
Continue readingconceptualization of a vacuum
let me tell you about a vacuum; its purpose is to suck the very life out of everything it comes across; an abyss, where fear breeds, giving birth to hatred and intolerance; actions carried out here have no existential dimension; worst yet, it lives in the chests of woman and
Continue readingWhat’s Up with Newark?: Unfiltered Discussion
Facing the near-Antarctic temperatures, I walked over to Bethany Baptist Church this morning to attend the What’s Up with Newark? roundtable discussions. I am a member of the host committee for Young People Organizing for Change, a coalition of young professionals who are targeting a particular population to get more
Continue readingIs Slowing Down Common Core in NJ Enough?
September 2013 ushered in not only a new school year but new curricula across Newark Public Schools. These changes come on the heels of official Common Core implementation throughout classrooms in September 2012. In just one more year’s time, the first standardized tests aligned to Common Core will be administered.
Continue readingA Funeral I’ll Never Forget
Walking into a funeral home on Mt. Prospect Avenue was the last way I thought I would be starting my summer of 2008. But there I was, surrounded by colleagues of Barringer High School, remembering the life of Sujeiti Ocasio. I don’t have one negative memory of Sujeiti. She was
Continue readingRally for NJ Working Families (Aug 20th)
By far my favorite picture from today’s rally outside of 2 Cedar Street, NAACP-Newark President Deborah Smith-Gregory leads the charge and keeps the momentum. It was a great image of union unity and I look forward to keeping the pressure on Newark Public Schools to provide all workers with a
Continue readingfunny face
laughter fills my heart, smiles stretch wide when I see your funny face side glance stares cause jigsaw hands. bring your funny face to mine
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