Tom Ultican was everywhere at the Network for Public Education Conference in Indianapolis. He attended the keynotes and a full slate of workshops.
Tom will bring you with him as he listens attentively at every session.
He concludes on this happy note.
A Personal Perspective
Almost four years ago, I attended my first NPE conference in Chicago. I was very motivated by what I saw and heard, however, I did have a concern. It seemed like the movement was dominated by older white teachers like me, who were approaching retirement age. I thought that did not bode well for the future of our movement to save quality public education.
This year the conference was even more motivational with a big positive difference. A large wave of diverse youthful professionals have taken leadership. The future looks very bright with so many brilliant young people who are growing their expertise in research and organizing. These youthful leaders are determined to save our public schools. They are standing up for a social good that is not related to Mammonism or self promotion. They are the resistance that is winning.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
I am pleased that so many diverse young people are stepping up to defend public education as they are the future. It is all possible because you are a visionary. You were able to create a working organization from an idea and a passion for public education. Many thanks to NPE, the little engine that could.
I am also heartened by the number of educators running for office in the midterms. Close to 1500 brave, idealistic people are taking the plunge. This is unprecedented. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/teachers-running-for-office-november-protests_us_5bd07fc3e4b0d38b587ea712
Public school students and their communities are incredibly lucky to have NPE working for them, as Tom Ultican details.
University students and their communities are lucky to have UnKochMyCampus working for them. Among UnKoch’s latest efforts are the exposure of religious schools that hypocritically take the money of social Darwinists and oligarchs. The schools are being asked if, in return, for money, they are propagandizing for the donor class’ concentration of wealth.
Frederick Hess’, “Don’t Surrender the Academy” (Philanthropy Roundtable), is a how-to guide for university targeting, by the richest 0.1%. The article was co-written by a Gates employee.
The monolithic demographic at the Koch-funded university centers for economics provokes the question, why is inclusion so lacking.
Ministers serving on university boards for schools affiliated with religions e.g. Methodist colleges, Duke and Southern Methodist, should take a page from the Methodist minister who confronted Sessions at a meeting of the Federalist Society. Instead they remain silent or ineffective in shining a light on the Koch’s anti-democracy agenda.
An excellent summary of the conference themes and some of the sessions. Thanks Tom
Semicolon error in first line. Tom or Diane?
HI Professor Harlan Underhill:
I am sorry to have this late reply to your post on October 26. Here is is for you.
It is about your expression as follows:
[start previous post]
Harlan Underhill
October 28, 2018 at 12:33 am
Duh? Paper covers rock. Rock breaks scissors. Scissors cut paper. Is it irony?
Reply
m4potw
October 31, 2018 at 8:58 pm
Thank you professor Harlan Underhill:
Ha ha ha, I truly enjoy your word “DUH”.
Pls take a look at the current “CHAOS” in all turned around and upside down in the current administration in the White House. Yes,don’t you say “duh” to all subordinates to the current US President. They must heartily support and work for Trump then and now.
What kind of scissors to cut what kind of paper? You know the original or the simple or the complicated implication in four dimensional world, ha ha ha. All is delusional to me in the GREEDY, LUSTY, and ANGRY people who treasure material more than kindness. Back2basic
[end previous post]
IMHO, your question “Tom or Diane?” shows that you have a detailed oriented curiosity BUT you have a different mindset. Please elaborate your idea when you ask for a clearer question. As a result, there will be someone who would be able to pinpoint an answer that satisfies your curiosity to your satisfaction. Take care to all “duh” people who are still in a delusion with hateful emotions about a WASP-oriented “America First” mindset that does not include a vision for AMERICANS from all cultural backgrounds who have been born in AMERICA for many generations. It is sad for Americans in general. Back2basic
It was heartening to read this morning about Tom Steyer’s spending at historically Black colleges and universities to encourage students to vote. His campaign funds human beings working for humanity.
Bill Gates’ manipulation at HBCU’s shows the exact opposite. He disproportionately targeted HBCU’s (they are financially weaker) for his Frontier Set program which trades money (strings attached) for control. No surprise Frontier blathers about “portfolios, …strengthening capacity to adapt…transfer of change strategies”. The Frontier Set mandate to schools is to collaborate with Gates on course content and delivery. How convenient that Gates and Z-berg are investors in the largest for-profit seller of schools-in-a-box.
Steyer is an admirable man who believes in democracy. The Gates family belong in a different species classification.
AN EXACT understanding of the Bill Gates “philanthropy” model: He “…trades money (strings attached) for control.”