Some Words on Hope
The Narwhal quoted police and prison abolitionist Mariame Kaba on her understanding of hope: “The idea of hope being a discipline is something I heard from a nun many years…
Marie Snyder
Just 1,460 More Days ‘Til We Vote Him Out!
They called the election before all the polling places were closed because Ford had that much of a lead. My first thought this morning: “Realizing what a bubble I’m in…
Ford’s Privatization Scheme
How privatization of social services and healthcare is moving forward in Ontario from an anonymous ODSP employment provider: (from here with links to articles here and here) Ford two years…
So, Where are We Headed?
I knew what he was going to say as soon as we made eye contact. A bearded shit-eating grin in a pickup-truck stopped at a light while I cycled across…
On Optional Grade 13 – aka Breaking the 34-Credit Threshold
When Conservatives Mike Harris and Ernie Eves decided to get rid of grade 13 and the OAC year – Ontario Academic Credit – in 2003, I was opposed to the…
Pandemic Amnesia
Someone told me that we need to adapt to Covid faster, and get used to masks and checking air quality much faster for our own survival. They think our problem…
Are We Being Manipulated to Ignore Covid?
Recently @LauraMiers wrote: “When people finally realize they’re being manipulated–that repeated Covid infections cause permanent organ damage and autoimmunity, dramatically shorten life spans, exacerbate all re-existing issues, and lead to…
The Harrowing Road for Candidates – and the Rest of Us
I’ve recently read two articles on the problem and solution to the current nastiness in elections after hearing first hand about serious issues candidates have had at the door. You…
Masks Work
I posted this on social media, and it garnered some notice: At almost half a million distinct views in four days, it’s doing considerably better than my entire blog! Of…
Student Led Differentiation
Occasionally we actually get some good ideas from PD in-servicing. I previously wrote in praise of Paul Gorski‘s anti-grit (possibly now anti-resilience) stance. Today we watched a video that, in…
Not Dead Yet!
This pandemic feels like living in a horror movie that just keeps going on and on. We think the killer is dead, but then they come back for yet another…
On Removing Mask Mandates
I’m gobsmacked by the recent move to remove the mask mandate for schools starting March 21st, at the start of spring. The Hamilton Board dared to face down the ministry,…
On Masks, Ventilation, and Contact Tracing – Yes, Again!
On Monday I presented to my school board to try to persuade them to keep masks even if (when) Ford removes mandates and to allow me to keep my Corsi-Rosenthal…
On the Importance of Civics Classes
On Monday, I did a five minute bit on CBC Radio’s Metro Morning with Ismaila Alfa about teaching civics. They called me last Sunday afternoon, having exhausted all other avenues,…
Lunatic Fringe?
I’m a bit of a social media addict, but I quietly wandered away from Facebook last summer when too many people I know in real life were making fun of…
Bad News is Increasing, but More Slowly?
Teaching in Ontario right now is an absurdist’s wet dream. Schools can only close if there’s more than 30% absent, and many classes are half full, but nobody’s actually away…
Ontario Schools Opening Monday: A Collection of Responses
There is a simmering rage out there from Lecce & Moore’s reiteration of the “leaked” news of schools being in-person in five days. Of course it wasn’t truly leaked. This…
Juris My Diction Crap
This Matrix clip has been at the front of my mind since I started looking into how to get a booster for my youngest, who’s 17, because I question if…
LTC Homes: Ownership Matters
Nancy Olivieri, Michael Hurley, Vivian Stamatopoulos, and Natalie Mehra explained Doug Ford’s sneaky passing of Bill 37 just before Christmas in today’s Toronto Star. They warn, “Hope to live out…
Resilience During a Pandemic in a Capitalist Dystopia
I learned little from English classes. I think my highest grade in high school was a 53. I mastered grammar and that formulaic essay enough to slip over into a…