Who Should Biden Choose for Secretary of Education??

We need an Education Secretary with a sense of humor and a love of trees: ME!! (photo cred Clara)

The obvious choice is:  ME!!

but since I didn't donate big $$$ to the campaign, and I'm not in charge of a huge organization that did, I'm certainly  not in the running.  

BUT WHO IS??  Lots of names have been floated. It's very important when you think about the floatee to understand who the floater is (metaphor off the rails - ha!)

For instance, when Democrats for Education Reform suggests someone for the top ed job, we need to understand just who DFER is before we assume that their nominations are good.  Sure, the name sounds good: "Democrats for Education Reform." But if we've learned nothing from the past 20 years, it's that the word reform means "testing the shit out of teachers and students until everyone gives up in despair."  Alternate definition: setting poor schools that serve lots of poor children and students of color up to fail according to our narrow definition of succe$$ then closing their beloved neighborhood school and giving it to a charter outfit so they can make money by looting public school funding."  

Also, if we are honest, we can look at the "Democrats" part of DFER and realize that they have been behind this bullshit "reform" effort from the beginning.  Remember Clinton at the national Governor's education summit with Bush I?  (A history lesson for another day.) Obama and his pal Chicago schools chief Arne Duncan were not our friends.

So... who does DFER have in mind for us?

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Chalkbeat's article about DFER's suggestions is here.

There have been reports that Biden is considering a big union leader, perhaps AFT president Randi Weingarten or former NEA leader Lily Eskelsen García. I'm a union supporter, but somehow the head of a giant bureaucracy with a mixed record on neoliberal bullshit doesn't seem right.  Especially Weingarten, who is not a teacher, and who was head of the NYC union when I worked there and (another story for another day!) was shall we say ... less than helpful.

So, who are we Shit-Talkers thinking about?  There's a petition going around in support of Kevin Kumashiro.  Some folks like Pedro Noguera for the job.  I've heard Gloria Ladson Billings' name multiple times, but also have heard that she will lead the transition then go back to what she feels is unfinished work for her in California.  

Diane Ravitch, anyone?  Probably not - she posted an article by Carol Burris offering an extensive list of qualified folks - read it here.

What about Pedro Noguera? Brilliant, kind, diplomatic - but not TOO diplomatic - stands up for kids and teachers, handsome, generous (those last two not requirements but still!).  

My bottom line:  NO ONE who is supported by DFER or other ed "reform/ruination" folks.  ​BECAUSE THIS:

"Innovation" means business-school bullshit innovations, not teachers having room to be flexible and creative and permission to be the bold and badass educators they are. "Choice" means undermining neighborhood schools with charters owned by for-profit outfits that are looting the public coffers (see innovation, above). "Accountability" means testing testing and more testing ... data, data, data. Meaningless and unhelpful data.

Also: no Gates Foundation people; no Eli Broad cronies, not Teach for
America kook-aid drinkers!!

​Weigh in folks and let us know who you want to lead us beginning January 20, 2021.  And yes, feel free to nominate yourself.  It's fun!