Box of delight

What are the barriers women face in the economy today? A special congressional committee is addressing this question and getting to the heart of how women can succeed in the workforce and balance other life priorities.

On Sept.22, the Republican Policy Committee Working Group on Women in the 21st Century Workforce held its first hearing of many to understand the economic challenges and discrimination facing women.

Racial tension rose on many colleges and university campuses last year, with protests erupting on dozens of campuses and a national debate over “safe spaces,” “trigger warnings” and freedom of expression. A recent survey of college and university presidents conducted by Insider Higher Ed and Gallup found that less than 25 percent thought race relations on campuses other than their own were good or excellent during 2015-16 (though 84 percent said race relations on their own campuses were just fine).

ast year, when I began looking at the challenges of social integration – how well we get on with each other but also how well we get on compared to each other – I thought I knew what I would find. After all, it’s action we’ve been lacking, not analysis.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, President Obama said the museum helps to "better understand the lives of the president, but also the slave." (The Washington Post)
In a speech filled with reminders of America’s dark and not-so-distant past, and hopes for a brighter future, President Obama helped to inaugurate the National Museum of African American History and Culture today in Washington.

What is professional development?  It is pretty much anything that helps one develop professionally. At the heart, professional development is about growth and learning.  In the field of education, it seems like many quickly think of educational opportunities that mimic what they see in their schools. As a result, they turn professional learning and education into schooling.  The problem with that is that schooling is too limiting.  In this age, there are many other exciting and high-impact learning opportunities for teachers that extend beyond traditional notions of schooling.  When we hear the phrase “professional development,” certain practices likely come to mind, things like in-services and conferences. In the digital age, there are countless other opportunities for professional development and restricting one’s thoughts to just a few options limits our insight into what is possible for our students.  With that in mind, here is a brainstorm of 20 options available to educators today. This is far from an exhaustive list, but it is enough to start exploring the possibilities.  Feel free to suggest others in a comment to this post.

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