Dear Readers,
Today I ended my five-year association with Bridging Differences, the blog I shared with Deborah Meier. This is my farewell letter on that blog.
I did so because I am devoting all my blogging time to this space.
In less than four months, the blog has had nearly 1 million page views.
I am having way too much fun, and I love the community that we are building together of people who care passionately about the future of education.
I hope you will take the time to read my farewell to Bridging Differences.
Now let’s get on with our work.
Diane
Diane Ravitch's blog 
I ended up on this blog because I started on Bridging Differences. A new journey, or the continuation of an old one? A bit of both, I suppose….but life is not as neat and well-defined as the edubullies and their product pushers would lead us to believe. And a long journey is safer, more enjoyable, and a vastly better learning experience if one has good companions. You and Deborah fulfilled that role for me, and I am guessing for many of those that read your joint blog, because you fulfilled that role for each other. Kudos.
Your farewell entry on BD was excellent. Nonetheless, I must say that in spite of my appreciation for all that you and Deborah taught me over the last three years, you got huge amounts of help in making big shifts in my opinions and attitudes. One of my best teachers among your BD posters — Ed Jones — couldn’t resist showing me once again [in his farewell entry on BD] that I could never have ended up agreeing so much with you two if he hadn’t always jumped head, er, feet first into the fray. In the midst of any serious discussion about any serious issue he would often provide one or two of his three points just to show all of us that the edubullies had no solid arguments based on logic, fact, or respect for others. I will admit that at times I am a slow learner, and it took me many months to realize that it wasn’t different people with the [eerily] same handle writing the same irrelevancies over and over again, but the same person who found new ways to make those same three points appear slightly different each time.
So, in all fairness, as much as I would like to say that you and Deborah deserve all the credit — my hat’s off to you, Ed Jones! And to all the Ed Jones-wannabees! Diane and Deborah could never have done it without you!
Thanks a billion! [Re: RheeSF goal]
I offer sincere apologies to the readers of this blog because it is rather discourteous to take up space by replying to one’s own posting. However, honor dictates this posting.
I returned [9-12-12] to Diane’s BD farewell and found more comments. I would be remiss in not thanking Ed Jones for doubling and tripling down on all of his most essential points, and doing it in such a marvelously unambiguous way. You have done nothing, in my eyes, but add to Diane’s stature and standing — and you couldn’t help yourself even when reason and decency, at least, would have suggested you heed the wisdom of the old saying “If you have nothing nice to say about someone, don’t say anything at all.”
A bravura performance.
And I cannot leave the honor roll of those who convinced me that Diane and Deborah were on the right track by leaving out Rodgers12. His final posting was a model of how to make the other side[s] look great and one’s own position look foolish.
To be clear: I am not being sarcastic or funny.
Diane and Deborah could never have convinced me so thoroughly if you hadn’t given so much of yourselves to this blog. Your efforts paid off handsomely, although surely not in the way you intended.
That guy will miss me. He was the first to read my posts, the first to respond, always with a derogatory comment. I never responded to him, but he needed me so much that he never gave up. Who will fill his lonely hours now?
I love your blog, the sense of community you’ve created, and the people who comment here; even those whom I disagree with.
My only complaint is that you’ve created a blog that’s too darn addictive.
I love it too, and the people, even the occasional trolls and cranks. Just like a small town. I think we have a village idiot too.
Although I loved Bridging Differences, the entries were a little too long to read and to digest, and when I recommended it to others, they’d tell me they just didn’t have the time to read it with the attention it deserved. Having said that, this blog–with its 5-to-10 short & to-the-point daily posts–can be rapidly read & appreciated.
That’s how you’ve gotten 1 million+ –short on space, but long on crucial education news, with informative comments. Everyone I’ve recommended this blog to is addicted, as am I. Ignorance is NOT
bliss, so thank you so very much for keeping all of us informed, Diane!
LOVE your blog!
I am trying to get as many people to read it as possible. I have been posting several of your entries on my Facebook page and have been discussing some over lunch and after school with my fellow teachers. I just bought your book: The Death and Life of the Great American School System” so I will be reading like crazy to keep up with both. I have also been promoting your visit to the Austin high school. I will be there!
The “Wall” WILL be falling soon but not before a lot of scary and difficult hurdles. Teachers NEED to hear you so they will have the courage to see it through.
THANK YOU!
Congrats! I’m a new reader (of the blog, I know your books). Yeah, informal is the way to go.
Never Stop Writing! Every time I read your blog I am inspired and become even more vocal to everyone and anyone I know about public education. Thank you!!!
Your blog helps me keep colleagues and friends informed about the injustices in public education. Our students deserve the best and this can only happen when people are aware of the situation. Putting one’s head in a hole in the ground doesn’t make the problem go away. You inspire me to do what I can.
The world is better for your move. We are the village. And your thoughts, inspiration, and sharing is a gift. Thank you. You are truly amazing. Your energy and untouchable insights and energy. Mahalo
For all your thoughts and the thoughts to which you and your fellow bloggers have led me. Thank you!
Thank You! You give us encouragement and the strength of our convictions and conscience. Your voice reminds us that we are not the insane deranged people. We may suffer a number of indignities, but the truth is on our side.
Thank you, K–the best comment “…the truth is on our side.”
Thank you for all you do for teachers everywhere. Teachers work tirelessly, alone in a classrom all day, and to find a place of comfort and support in your living room at the end of a long day is great encouragement to keep fighting the good fight. Your words truly make a difference to teachers and the world.
I recommended this blog to several teachers today. I must say, a couple of them had never heard of you. They do now. Hope they will become a faithful reader of this blog just as I am. The more we communicate, the more we educate so that we can end this war on education and come out victorious.
I read the farewell letter. It was excellent.
A marvelous farewell letter. I only hope Deborah Meier’s next post doesn’t start with “Dear Michelle”!!!
perish the thought!
One thing that makes it unlikely: Deborah and I had no staff, we wrote all our own stuff.