Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s InsightsA Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
6-26-25
6-26-25
The Philosopher Crackpot Who Hates Democracy and Influences Powerful Tech Bros https://dianeravitch.net/2025/06/25/the-philosopher-crackpot-who-hates-democracy-and-influences-powerful-tech-bros/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Curtis Yarvin is a philosopher who opposes democracy and supports autocratic rule, influencing tech and political elites.
- Yarvin's ideas, known as neoreaction, advocate for dismantling democratic institutions in favor of a corporate governance model.
- His extreme views include controversial solutions like converting underclasses into biodiesel, reflecting his provocative nature.
- Yarvin's influence is notable among Trump's inner circle, with his ideas impacting policy suggestions and political strategies.
Florida: Rare Public Protest Kills GOP Plan to Cut Funding for AP CLASSES https://dianeravitch.net/2025/06/25/florida-rare-public-protest-kills-gop-plan-to-cut-funding-for-ap-classes/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Florida GOP lawmakers proposed cutting funding for AP, IB, and dual enrollment programs, sparking public outrage.
- The plan would have negatively impacted over 110,000 students and undermined one of Florida's most successful public school initiatives.
- Parents, educators, and bipartisan groups united in opposition, flooding lawmakers with emails and protests.
- The public pressure led to the quiet withdrawal of the funding cut proposal, showcasing the effectiveness of collective advocacy.
Heather Cox Richardson Questions Trump's Mental Health After His Frenzied Tweets https://dianeravitch.net/2025/06/25/heather-cox-richardson-questions-trumps-mental-health-after-his-frenzied-tweets/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Heather Cox Richardson questions Trump's mental health following a series of frenetic tweets and public outbursts.
- Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, but it was not confirmed by any official agreement, and hostilities resumed shortly after.
- Trump's social media posts claimed success in foreign policy and attacked political opponents, while a CNN poll indicated public disapproval of his actions.
- The Defense Intelligence Agency's assessment suggested the U.S. strikes on Iran were not as effective as claimed, leading to criticism from various political figures.
- A controversial video posted by Trump further fueled concerns about his approach and mental state.
Big Education Ape: ZOHRAN MAMDANI WINS NYC DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY: A POLITICAL EARTHQUAKE OR JUST A TREMOR? https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/06/zohran-mamdani-wins-nyc-democratic.html
### Key Points
- Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, won the NYC Democratic mayoral primary, defeating Andrew Cuomo.
- Mamdani's campaign focused on progressive issues like rent freezes and taxing the wealthy, appealing to younger voters.
- Cuomo's defeat is seen as a sign of a shift towards progressive politics within the Democratic Party.
- Mamdani's victory challenges the centrist narrative that moving too far left would alienate moderate voters.
- The general election will be competitive, with Mamdani facing Curtis Sliwa and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams.
Big Education Ape: ZOHRAN MAMDANI WINS BIG WITH NEW BOLD IDEAS FOR SERVICES IN NYC: WHAT NEW PUBLIC SERVICES ARE YOU CRAVING? https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/06/zohran-mamdani-wins-big-with-new-bold.html
### Key Points
- Zohran Mamdani's win in the NYC Democratic primary is attributed to his advocacy for bold public service ideas like rent freezes, free public buses, and taxing the ultra-wealthy.
- The article proposes a wishlist of public services, including universal healthcare, free public transportation, and publicly-owned grocery stores, aiming to make life in the U.S. more equitable.
- Additional suggestions include rent control, affordable housing, subsidized utilities, job creation programs, free education, cultural services, food security programs, and climate action services.
- The article encourages readers to express their priorities for government services and engage with elected representatives to advocate for these changes.
Integrating Film into Classroom Lessons: Observing Three Teachers https://larrycuban.wordpress.com/2025/06/25/integrating-film-into-classroom-lessons-observing-three-teachers/ via @CubanLarry
### Key Points
- Observations of Mr. Lesser's U.S. history class reveal a mix of Q&A and documentary viewing, with limited teacher engagement during the film.
- Mrs. Munoz's English class uses "Hotel Rwanda" to explore genocide and imperialism, fostering active student participation and evidence-based discussions.
- Mr. Roth's history class at Mission High School showcases "Walkout," sparking emotional responses, personal reflections, and discussions on stereotypes and identity.
- Cuban argues that integrating films into lessons demands more planning and effort, rather than serving as a break from teaching.
A $1.3 Billion School Funding Shortfall in Kentucky, by @TheAndySpears https://open.substack.com/pub/theeducationreport/p/a-13-billion-school-funding-shortfall?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
### Key Points
- Kentucky faces a $1.3 billion annual school funding shortfall, with inflation reducing the purchasing power of school funds.
- Transportation funding is inadequate, covering only 74% of calculated costs, and the state needs to raise per-pupil funding by over $2,000 to restore adequacy.
- Teacher shortages are worsening due to low salaries and diminished pension value, with Kentucky ranking 42nd in teacher pay.
- The Kentucky Student Voice Team reports schools are funded 24% below the proper level, and inflation has worsened the gap.
- Governor Beshear has proposed increased school funding, but the legislature has resisted, focusing instead on school voucher policies, which voters rejected.
Teacher Tom: Humans in Motion, Thinking, and Learning at Full Capacity https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2025/06/humans-in-motion-thinking-and-learning.html
### Key Points
- Movement in preschool environments, such as play-based classrooms, enhances children's learning, concentration, and information retention.
- Studies support the idea that physical activity sharpens senses, improves self-regulation, and can even unconsciously generate ideas.
- Philosophers like Nietzsche and psychologists like William James emphasize the connection between physical movement and mental well-being.
- Modern research, such as Katherine Isbister's work on embodied self-regulation, highlights how changing body posture and movement can influence emotions and thoughts.
- The traditional schooling approach of limiting movement to focus on learning is counterproductive; children think and learn better when they can move freely.
- Play-based learning allows children to function at their full mental and physical potential, unlike traditional classrooms that restrict movement.
They Want to Trigger You. I Choose Action Instead. – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/06/25/they-want-to-trigger-you-i-choose-action-instead/
### Key Points
- The far-right thrives on provoking outrage, using hate and grievance as tools to fuel their political identity and distract from justice.
- Their tactics include gaslighting, deflection, and framing resistance as radical, while portraying themselves as victims.
- The author emphasizes the importance of strategic, organized, and disciplined responses rather than reactive anger, focusing on building coalitions and community power.
- Historical examples and current events, such as Project 2025, highlight the dangers of authoritarian rollback and the need for collective action.
- The movement aims to counter lies with truth, preserve history, and strengthen diversity, all while rejecting hate and staying focused on justice and democracy.
- The author stresses patience, persistence, and determination, advocating for long-term change and a collective effort to build a better future.
- The article concludes with a message of hope and action, emphasizing that the future belongs to those who build, not those who troll or destroy.
Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s InsightsA Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!6-25-25
The article is a compilation of various educational, political, and societal issues, including censorship in higher education, federal policies affecting schools, environmental conservation rollbacks, disinformation in media, challenges in public education, and global child welfare. It highlights key developments, critiques, and proposals to address systemic challenges in these areas.
### Key Points
- Republican-led states are enacting laws restricting discussions on race and DEI in higher education, threatening academic freedom and sparking First Amendment lawsuits.
- A federal judge blocked President Trump’s attempt to ban international students, citing constitutional rights and the critical role of international students in U.S. higher education.
- The Trump administration removed protections from 58 million acres of wilderness, prioritizing commercial interests over environmental conservation.
- Policies under leaders like Trump are criticized for harming children by cutting essential programs like Medicaid and SNAP, while global malnutrition issues remain solvable with affordable solutions.
- Disinformation campaigns spread through social media, undermining trust in credible institutions and weakening democratic structures.
- Federal mismanagement and proposed funding cuts under Trump threaten public school programming, particularly in rural and vulnerable communities.
- Mississippi advocates oppose school voucher programs, emphasizing the need to support public schools to ensure equity and accountability.
- Trusting children with autonomy and promoting play-based learning are emphasized as ways to foster responsibility and curiosity in education.
- Concerns about AI in classrooms focus on protecting student privacy, while issues of nepotism and potential school closures highlight challenges in Seattle Public Schools.
- A lawsuit alleges antisemitic harassment at Nathan Hale High School, raising concerns about safety and administrative oversight in Seattle Public Schools.
- Mentoring for first-year teachers in Missouri shows variation in practices, raising questions about effectiveness and resource availability.
- A report highlights a shortage of middle-skills credentials in high-paying occupations, emphasizing the need for equitable pathways to address workforce gaps.
- The community schools model, as seen in Hamilton Elementary, aims to rebuild trust in public education by addressing broader community needs, though its academic impact remains unclear.
- The School Food Best Practices program supports school nutrition initiatives, with updates on related resources and deadlines.
- Critiques of Trump’s policies highlight their negative impact on democracy, education, and public welfare, while emphasizing the importance of resisting privatization.
