I used to wait with great anticipation every Sunday night to read Michael Winerip’s education column. They were always informative and on the cutting edge of important issues.
But a few months ago, for no discernible reason, the newspaper of record canceled his invaluable column and gave him the assignment of writing about “Boomers.”
I was tempted to scream and curse (in private) at the loss of this great voice, this beacon of sanity in a world gone mad.
Today, he managed to write an education column that was about a boomer.
It is about a great teacher inspiring his students and changing his community.
It reminded me how much I miss Michael Winerip on education.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Thank you for finding this and sharing it. Boy did it make me miss Mike on Mondays.
A talented writer who “gets it” describing a teacher who gives all for his students … thanks for posting this!
The best education columnist there is. What a shame the Times did not appreciate him. Too bad their editorial writers never bothered reading his columns.
A wonderful, heart warming story. Beautiful!
Thank you, Diane, for posting this incredible article. Thanks you Michael Winerip for writing the post (I, too miss, you desperately each Monday). Thank you Ron Adams for being such an extraordinary teacher, educator and believer in public education. This article brought tears to my eyes in part because this professional and his colleagues are being so demeaned and being forced to do things they know are not in the best interest of students and learning.
Thank you, Diane, for posting this article. Thank you, Michael Winerip, for finding a way to write it. Thank you, Ron Adams, for showing us what real teaching is.
I’ve barely read a NY Times article since Michael Winerip was reassigned. Whoever is covering education these days for the Times is horrible.
Very nice article but, does Mr. Adams use data to drive his instruction? Does he post a student learning objective (SLO) linked to a common core standard for every lesson? How else will the iPad carrying idiots doing learning walks know if he is on task?
Thank-you, Diane for highlighting our loss of a reporter willing to challenge reformy edu-narratives. This speaks to a larger issue of the integrity, or lack thereof, in our media. Reporters who challenge powerful interests risk their careers without solid backing of their employers. It’s curious that the NYTimes would sideline an issue that has generated so much controversy in NYCity and nationally.
The NY Times editorial board loves Ed reform. It’s not so curious Winerip was reassigned.
Mike Winerip wrote on education as a part-time NYT employee, I believe.
NYT offered him a full-time position to report on Boomers.
Well, as much as I love his writing — and dislike the weak work coming out of Kristoff, Friedman and Brooks on education — I don’t make sure to find his take on Boomers, even though I am one.
I just read the NYT less.
Maybe we should let NYT know?
correct. he was doing education stories on contract. now he’s on salary.