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In the face of unrelenting terror, teacher unions in Kansas and U.S. should force gun reform
As I teach my college-bound seniors “Antigone,” in what will be their final month and a half of school, I am asking them to consider: What laws are worth breaking? What superordinate priorities should people hold above what they’re told to do? For what would you be willing to sacrifice your comfort, your prosperity, your […]
As ideologues assault public education in Kansas, we need action along with hope
The Kansas Reflector welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation about how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout our state. Aaron Schwartz is a writer and teacher in the Kansas City area. Hope is a fragile thing, so in need of nurturing that we have an […]
In school board races, beware bullies’ outrage and ignorance
The Kansas Reflector welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation about how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout our state. Aaron Schwartz is a writer and teacher in the Kansas City area. Think back to the 2020-2021 school year. Remember with me the unprecedented behavior of […]
Teachers should educate students, not train them for the workplace
The Kansas Reflector welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation about how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout our state. Aaron Schwartz is a writer and teacher in the Kansas City area. Recent surveys and presentations from the Kansas State Department of Education’s “Kansas Can Success […]
A letter of encouragement, and some words of warning, to my fellow teachers
The Kansas Reflector welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation about how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout our state. Aaron Schwartz is a writer and teacher in the Kansas City area. Nearly a month ago, I was asked to consider writing a letter of encouragement […]
How Kansas teachers can avoid a summer of self-improvement gaslighting
As the worst school year in most teachers’ careers comes to an end and summer begins, some much-needed reflection is not happening. Contrary to popular belief, most teachers continue to work throughout the summer. Most teachers’ summers include professional development and continued learning. This year especially, crucial reflection about the state of education is being […]
The Kansas Legislature has subjected school boards to ludicrous anti-mask political theater
There is no good-faith argument for removing masks in schools. That’s all that should have to be written. It’s all that should have to be said at district board meetings where now, thanks to Kansas Senate Bill 40, board members must now listen to the anti-mask arguments of community members who want to complain. Now, […]
If Kansas schools return to ‘normal,’ then we’ve learned nothing from the pandemic
The Kansas Reflector welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation about how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout our state. Aaron Schwartz has been a teacher in the Kansas City area for 13 years. I have my own way of phrasing an idea about bureaucracy that’s […]
Kansas high school students could learn better life lessons without sports during COVID-19
The Kansas Reflector welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation about how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout our state. Aaron Schwartz has been a teacher in the Kansas City area for 13 years. I love sports. I grew up on the magic of baseball, became […]
Kansas’ COVID-19 response is an enduring moral failure
The Kansas Reflector welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation about how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout our state. Aaron Schwartz has been a teacher in the Kansas City area for 13 years. We should all be ashamed of ourselves. There is no nice way […]