As I watched video clips and read about Bree Newsome being arrested for scaling a flagpole at the South Carolina capital and removing the Confederate flag I recall being immediately impressed. My admiration for Bree wasn’t because of the symbolism connected to her action, or her presumed stance on race. I was impressed with her approach to what she and many… Read more →
About me
Adversaries and Allies in Education: Is it Really a Black and White Issue?
Did she really just say that? As a graduate student I’ve seen the statistics and studied the literature on our nation’s school to prison pipeline and how we systematically introduced children of color into the criminal justice system through zero-tolerance disciplinary measures. Although that topic was real, it was still somewhat abstract because I’d never encountered an instance where I… Read more →
Promoting Inclusive Lifestyles
A few years ago I recall an instructor in my master’s program recounting her experience as a parent of a child with a disability. This instructor was a fierce advocate for children with disabilities. As a matter of fact, a couple of us referred to her as “radical” because of her no-nonsense approach to issues that she felt were important. She wanted… Read more →
Success Happens Before the Meeting
If you work in a school you’ve likely seen this image many times – a parent patiently waiting for their child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting to begin. Some parents are experts and can recite that parent rights speech from memory. For others, the process is brand new. What are the thoughts racing through their minds as teachers and… Read more →
Drum roll please….my first blog entry!
Senator Tom Harkin’s Amazing Legacy
Meeting Senator Harkin in Washington, DC at 2014 Colorado Capital Conference
What better way to begin my journey than to acknowledge the journey of someone who has dedicated their life to supporting those with disabilities. The ability of many individuals with disabilities to live independent and fulfilling lives is the result of Senator Harkin’s landmark legislation in 1990, the American with Disabilities Act. Not only did the law make discrimination on the basis of disability illegal, it also forged the way for many of those things that able-bodied individuals take for granted — but individuals with disabilities rely on for their quality of life. Ramps for wheel chair access to public building, lifts on public vehicles, braille on elevator buttons, audible crossing signals, accessible sidewalks/curbs, and many other things are the direct result of Senator Harkin’s actions. Senator Harking is planning to retire and will not seek reelection in 2014. He will be missed!