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In New Orleans it’s called “mess.” That cancerous, manipulative drama that teenage girls get wrapped up in every year. We dealt with our share of it this year at my school, most of it within the seventh grade. It came to a head with two strong-willed young ladies yelling from behind their desks, exchanging threats and insults.

Casting educators as saviors undermines the teaching profession—and our students.

Jeanie Greenidge felt invisible as a child. Now she’s helping make sure every student is seen.

Some people argue “gay-friendly” schools offer needless segregation. Others say they’re the only chance some kids have to make it.

One South Texas school district fights for stability in the lives of homeless children.

The editor of Teaching Tolerance explores the ins and outs of social boundaries at school.

Sometimes, even the best intentions can discourage youth activists. Here's a list of ways you can help, not hinder, young people.

A couple of years ago, an acquaintance who worked at the local college where I was teaching had trouble sending and receiving emails. She couldn’t, for the life of her, figure out why. Then an IT administrator clued her in: Her first name—Gay—triggered the school’s Internet filters. They were set to block any references to homosexuality, gender identity, etc.

On a recent rainy afternoon, our 20 kindergarteners were kept indoors for playtime. I stood near a group of four children stringing beads for bracelets and necklaces. Levi explained he was making a bracelet for his daddy. The child next to him, Catherine, blurted out angrily, “I hate daddies!” Levi searched for words, looked at Catherine and asked, “Why do you hate daddies?” He repeated it a few times. “I don’t have a daddy,” Catherine replied. “I hate daddies.”