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Since the polarized 2016 election, many people have suggested what schools can do to promote civility, critical thinking and civic engagement. This educator says democratic education might be the most important way to go.

Class discussions about To Kill a Mockingbird typically focus on the book’s white protagonists. This brand-new TT lesson turns the lens by focusing on the perspective of one of the book’s African American characters.

What’s your go-to text by an indigenous author? This educator calls attention to the limitations of using only Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko, and offers a detailed list of suggested additional readings.

Children are susceptible to superficial notions of beauty, but this teacher believes the real purpose of education is to give them a different message.

School and community gardens yield cooperation and understanding.

A community museum reaches out to schools and families.

Hand-raising workshops combat participation inequity.

It was a whirlwind day, and yet it was entirely typical of what happens at our high school—in most high schools, probably. I just thought it was worthwhile to put this day down as an official mark that this is what regularly happens. First thing in the morning my secretary called me on the radio to tell me that I had a visitor. This could be anybody: former students, current students, teachers in other buildings who are visiting and wanted to drop by to say hello. It was Janelle. Janelle graduated early this year, so I never get to see her much anymore. She brought her month-old daughter and wanted to show me that she had all ten fingers and all ten toes. Of course, I said, “You know I’m going to hold her, right? And smell her? And kiss her? And then I’ll steal her.” She laughed and looked at me sideways because I’m always joking with her. If I keep it light enough, I sometimes think I can force her to stay in school.

Students learn to spot bias in their culture —and confront their own homophobia in the process.