WATCH THE VIDEO: Biden demands resumption of in-person learning in “school reopening summit” - World Socialist Web Site

Biden demands resumption of in-person learning in “school reopening summit” - World Socialist Web Site

Biden demands resumption of in-person learning in “school reopening summit”

On Wednesday, the US Department of Education hosted a “National Safe School Reopening Summit,” bringing together figures from the Biden administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and handpicked school district superintendents, union officials, teachers and students to advance the ruling class campaign to reopen schools before the pandemic is contained.

The three-and-a-half hour event, chaired by Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, had an Orwellian and highly contradictory character, in which the various speakers distorted science and sought to sugarcoat the reckless drive to reopen schools. Everyone at the summit participated remotely, with only one occupant visible on each screen, in stark contrast to the packed classrooms into which educators and students are being sent.

The current state of the pandemic and the horrific experiences of mass death and suffering over the past year were glossed over with vague references to “trauma,” while every speaker referred to school reopenings as “safe” and “scientifically based.” The entire event was designed to suppress science and chloroform educators and the broader population into accepting the reopening of schools. CONTINUE READING: Biden demands resumption of in-person learning in “school reopening summit” - World Socialist Web Site

Jill Biden honors teachers in her 1st event as first lady

Jill Biden honors teachers in her 1st event as first lady

Jill Biden honors fellow teachers in her 1st official event as first lady

As an educator herself, Biden said she couldn't wait to take the opportunity to thank teachers across the nation for their “heroic commitment” to their jobs.

For her first official event since becoming first lady, Jill Biden honored a group of Americans close to her heart — her fellow teachers.

Biden, who’s an English professor at Northern Virginia Community College, held a virtual meeting with educators across the country to show appreciation for their hard work amid the coronavirus pandemic and to let them know they have the support of the White House.

“I couldn't wait one more day to have this meeting,” she told those watching, “because I have never felt prouder of our profession. In this pandemic, educators have shown heroic commitment to their students.”

It’s a commitment, she noted, that goes far beyond the basics required in a typical classroom.

“I've been so inspired by so many of you who have gone above and beyond to meet your students, where they are, in this past year,” she said. “Teaching late nights because your students don't have access to computers until somebody in their family, who's finished using the computer, can give it to them; driving hot spots to neighborhoods without Wi-Fi; taking tearful calls from parents who felt like they just could not juggle at all; supporting parents, distributing food, doing everything that you can to support students’ mental health. And educators, you've done it all, while taking care of your own families and facing your own challenges." CONTINUE READING: 

Big Education Ape: First lady thanks educators through virtual event | Coronavirus | kulr8 com - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/01/first-lady-thanks-educators-through.html

Jill Biden's former students share stories about her classes - The Washington Post

Jill Biden's former students share stories about her classes - The Washington Post

Most people know her as Jill Biden. But to some she is Dr. B, the compassionate and challenging educator who went the extra mile.

Mikaela Stack knew her English professor as the “petite, blond lady” who “dressed up to the T.” The professor was a strict, but fair, grader. She assigned an essay every week and shared stories about her trips through Africa.

Stack had left Sweden in 2014 to pursue a degree in political science, and she had been living in D.C. for only a few months when she started taking English at the Alexandria campus of Northern Virginia Community College, or NOVA.

One night, her roommates — two Capitol Hill staffers — turned on the TV to watch President Barack Obama deliver the State of the Union address.

“They show the balcony [and] Michelle Obama,” said Stack, now a stay-at-home mother. “And I thought, ‘Why . . . is my English professor sitting next to Michelle Obama?’ ”

Stack said she ran to find her English Composition 111 syllabus.

“My English teacher is the second lady of the United States!”

Jill Biden has largely avoided talking with students about her life in politics, dodging questions about her husband and, sometimes, referring vaguely to him as a relative, she told NPR in 2013. When students sign up for her class, it is listed as being taught by “staff,” rather than “Dr. Biden,” she wrote in her 2019 memoir, “Where the Light Enters.”

Biden had two major roles during her eight years as second lady. One was being the vice president’s wife, performed, for instance, on diplomatic trips abroad. The other was teaching English. And she’ll do it all again as first lady. When she returns to NOVA this spring, she will become the first woman in the CONTINUE READING: Jill Biden's former students share stories about her classes - The Washington Post

NANCY BAILEY: The Attack on Dr. Jill Biden is Cloaked Hatred of Teachers and Public Education

The Attack on Dr. Jill Biden is Cloaked Hatred of Teachers and Public Education

The Attack on Dr. Jill Biden is Cloaked Hatred of Teachers and Public Education

Much has been written about the offensiveness of the Wall Street Journal’s Epstein opinion piece on Dr. Jill Biden. It lacks respect for Dr. Biden, a veteran teacher, deeply committed to her profession and community college students, but it’s also meant to ridicule teaching and public education.

First, it’s never wise to criticize intellectual pursuit, to deride a person for bettering themselves, for improving their knowledge and understanding of the world. This is especially true of teachers who prepare students for their futures.

Belittling University Education Schools

Dr. Biden’s criticism indirectly attacks the University of Delaware and their education school, a public university. Tucker Carlson said, Dr. Jill has an education degree from some school in Delaware, and you’re supposed to find that highly impressive. 

Colleges of Education could always improve, but for years nonprofits like Relay Graduate School of Education, and more, have been jockeying to replace them.

By disparaging teachers’ main producers, our public universities, and these schools are in danger of closing; they promote a privatization agenda cast by corporate CONTINUE READING: The Attack on Dr. Jill Biden is Cloaked Hatred of Teachers and Public Education

“Dr.” Jill Biden Is Fine with Me. | deutsch29: Mercedes Schneider's Blog

“Dr.” Jill Biden Is Fine with Me. | deutsch29: Mercedes Schneider's Blog

“Dr.” Jill Biden Is Fine with Me.

On January 20, 2021, Jill Biden will become the first First Lady to also hold a doctoral degree in education. In Jill Biden’s case, hers is a Doctor of Education in Education Leadership from the University of Delaware.

Biden is headed for the White House, and given her newly-heightened profile, I am not surprised that someone rose to the ugly occasion of trying to cheapen her educational achievement, not because Biden herself was using her title to market herself or some ed-reform product, nor because she was using the title to leverage some other personal gain, but just because an opportunity to show oneself to be a horse’s posterior presented itself. 

Jill Biden is widely known as an educator; therefore, her use of the title, “Dr.,” is reasonably associated with that well-known context, even on Twitter. There is no “MD” confusion, and therefore, no problem.

As for her dissertation, I read it. Given the criticism levied against Biden for her Ed.D., I wanted to CONTINUE READING: “Dr.” Jill Biden Is Fine with Me. | deutsch29: Mercedes Schneider's Blog

Mike Klonsky's Blog: Epstein's poke at Dr. Jill Biden backfires.

Mike Klonsky's Blog: Epstein's poke at Dr. Jill Biden backfires.

Epstein's poke at Dr. Jill Biden backfires.

Whatever the purpose of Joseph Epstein's WSJ screed... it surely failed. I think his poke at Dr. Jill Biden for professionally using 'DR.' in front of her name had less to do with educational leadership titles and Dr. Biden's personal achievements (which are notable) and more with discrediting the Biden/Harris election victory. 

The best honorific for Dr. Biden might be "Teacher". 

Whatever his intent, it most certainly backfired. The negative response on social media has been over the top. While the relatively-unknown Epstein may be the current hero in MAGAland's war on "identity politics",  in the education community he has become just another symbol of Trumpian anti-educator, misogyny. 

If anything, I'm sure he's driven even more white, educated, suburban women from DT's base. That being a demographic shift that helped put Biden over the top in several swing states. Thanks for that, Epstein.

Other reactions: 

Northwestern University said in a statement on Saturday that it disagrees with the "misogynistic views" of Joseph Epstein, an author and former professor at the Illinois school who wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed published Friday that Biden should drop the "Dr." because it "sounds and feels fraudulent, not to say a touch comic."

He also compared Biden’s doctoral credentials to an honorary degree that requires no academic CONTINUE READING: Mike Klonsky's Blog: Epstein's poke at Dr. Jill Biden backfires.

About that PhD. – Fred Klonsky

About that PhD. – Fred Klonsky

ABOUT THAT PHD.

With all the crises facing folks these days, some may wonder about why the hell are we talking about Jill Biden and her title as a doctor?

The Wall Street Journal, which published the original op-ed piece by Joseph Epstein, doubled down. Top WSJ editor Paul Gigot complained about critics of the column playing the gender card.

Whatever that is.

Dr. Biden has earned her title. She plans to continue to teach at a community college.

But what would be a shame is if the moment was lost to ask what exactly the Biden administration has planned for secondary education, student debt, junior colleges, adjunct pay and job protection?

Over 70% of U.S. instructors in higher education are adjuncts or never-to-be CONTINUE READING: About that PhD. – Fred Klonsky