Darcie Cimarusti is a mother in New Jersey. She is not a teacher. She does not belong to a teacher’s union. She cares about public education. She became active as “mother crusader” in the last year or so, and she has demonstrated the amazing power of an informed citizen.
She has a voice and a blog. She speaks out. She does research. She is heard. She is making a difference.
When I travel and speak, people often say to me, “what can I do? how can I help? what role is there for a solitary citizen?”
In the future, I will point to Mother Crusader Darcie Cimarusti. With her one voice, she has the politicians in New Jersey reading and quaking. She is exposing the facts, and that terrifies them. She is an investigative reporter without pay or portfolio.
There is a stink of moral corruption here. Maybe other kinds as well.
As Jersey Jazzman said in his comment on this blog, New Jersey’s school politics today is “a cesspool.”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
IF left to the hands of sell-out politicians in both parties, profiteering corporations, blind-eyed newspapers, and even complicit union leaders, the pillar of democracy that once was public education will be gone. There is no hope without parents, educators, and citizens advocating like Mother Crusader. And lest I forget, yours too, Ms. Ravitch! Thank you.
I’m very happy to hear a parent is exposing the corruption in her state, now THAT is amazing. She’s being a citizen and god bless her!
WOW! What an outstanding blog unveiling all the connections. Rayer talks about changing the education landscape. I think Mother Crusader is well on her way in changing the thinking in NJ.
This post inspired me to resume blogging today. Sometimes a reminder that we can make a difference is necessary. Here is the result: http://madisonamps.org/2012/07/16/the-search-is-on/. Thanks.
Keep at it, TJ.
Thanks,Diane, She is an inspiration! I love this blog!
Also Tom, thanks for your suggestion. It was very informative as well.
I’m just a stringer for a monthly magazine who started off as a parent activist and I was the only person covering this 5-hour horror show yesterday. It is so important to get these stories out, because the corporate media will not:
http://www.progressive.org/wis_committee_says_high_schools_need_to_serve_business.html#.UAWmAfXI-oc.twitter