Latest News and Comment from Education

Thursday, January 23, 2025

MEMES THAT MADE ME LAUGH TODAY 1-23


MEMES THAT MADE ME LAUGH TODAY 1-23













































































Big Education Ape: LEONARD PELTIER: FREE AT LAST - THANK YOU PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/01/leonard-peltier-free-at-last-thank-you.html


FROM WATERGATE TO TRUMP 2.0 - by MIKE SIMPSON https://ru4people.substack.com/p/from-watergate-to-trump-20 


Big Education Ape: TRUMP 2.0 EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT SING, DANCE, STIR THE CULTURE WAR POT, AND SHAKESPEARE https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/01/trump-20-executive-orders-that-sing.html 


Big Education Ape: FROM LOBSTER TAILS TO TALL TALES: MY SUMMER OF CIVIL RIGHTS, RACISTS AND COCA-COLA https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/01/from-lobster-tails-to-tall-tales-my.html


Big Education Ape: IT'S ALMOST THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN: THE GREAT AMERICAN STANDARDIZED TESTING CIRCUS https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/01/its-almost-that-time-of-year-again.html 


Wednesday, January 22, 2025

LEONARD PELTIER: FREE AT LAST - THANK YOU PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN


LEONARD PELTIER: FREE AT LAST

 THANK YOU PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN

“It’s finally over — I’m going home,” declared Leonard Peltier, the words carrying the weight of nearly half a century of incarceration and a struggle that has echoed across generations. For over 15 years, the *Big Education Ape Blog* has been banging the drum for Peltier’s release, and now, at long last, justice has taken a step in the right direction. President Joe Biden, in a move that will undoubtedly ruffle more than a few feathers in certain federal agencies, granted clemency to the 80-year-old Native American activist. And just like that, one of the most contentious symbols of systemic injustice in America is heading home — albeit to indefinite house arrest. But hey, freedom is freedom, even with a Wi-Fi password.

A Political Prisoner in Plain Sight

Leonard Peltier’s story is one that reads like a bad screenplay: a Native American activist caught in the crosshairs of a politically charged trial, convicted for the 1975 murders of two FBI agents during a violent standoff on South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation. The trial? Let’s just say it wasn’t exactly a masterclass in due process. Coerced testimony? Check. Withheld evidence? Check. A courtroom atmosphere that could have doubled as an FBI reunion party? Triple check.

For decades, activists, tribal leaders, and human rights organizations have pointed out the glaring flaws in Peltier’s conviction. It’s not every day you see *Amnesty International* and *Desmond Tutu* on the same page as *Willie Nelson* and *the Dalai Lama*. But when it came to Leonard Peltier, the consensus was clear: this man was railroaded by a justice system that seemed to have misplaced its blindfold and scales.


Biden’s Big Move

President Biden’s decision to commute Peltier’s life sentence wasn’t just an act of mercy; it was a long-overdue acknowledgment of a system that had failed spectacularly. After years of petitions, protests, and polite-yet-firm letters from everyone under the sun (including several members of Congress), Biden finally took action. The result? Peltier’s life sentence has been commuted to house arrest, allowing him to spend his remaining years outside the cold confines of a prison cell.

Of course, not everyone is thrilled about this decision. The FBI Agents Association has already issued statements expressing their disappointment, which is about as surprising as finding out water is wet. But for Indigenous communities and human rights advocates, this moment is nothing short of monumental. It’s proof that even the most entrenched injustices can be chipped away with persistence, advocacy, and a little help from a president willing to stick his neck out.

A Symbol of Resilience

Leonard Peltier isn’t just a man; he’s a symbol — and not the kind you see on bumper stickers next to “Coexist” and “Save the Whales.” For Native American communities, his case represents decades of systemic oppression, broken treaties, and a justice system that often seems more interested in maintaining power than pursuing truth. His release is being celebrated not just as an individual victory but as a broader moment of hope for Indigenous rights and sovereignty.

Peltier himself has spent his 40-plus years behind bars reflecting on his role as both an activist and a prisoner. In his writings, he has expressed sorrow for those who have passed during his incarceration and gratitude for the countless supporters who have kept his story alive. He has also been candid about his frustrations — from repeated denials of clemency to health issues exacerbated by subpar medical care in prison. At 80 years old, with declining health and an abdominal aortic aneurysm that sounds as terrifying as it is hard to pronounce, Peltier’s release couldn’t have come at a better time.

The Bigger Picture

Peltier’s release isn’t happening in a vacuum. It comes at a time when America is finally starting to reckon with its treatment of Indigenous peoples. Just last year, President Biden issued a formal apology for the federal government’s role in Indian boarding schools — institutions that were less about education and more about cultural erasure on an industrial scale. These schools inflicted untold trauma on generations of Native children, and Biden’s apology, while significant, is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to addressing historical injustices.

The *Big Education Ape Blog* — ever the thorn in the side of complacency — has been quick to connect the dots between Peltier’s case and broader systemic issues. From the abuse suffered in boarding schools to the ongoing struggles for tribal sovereignty, the blog has made it clear that Peltier’s story is part of a much larger narrative. And while his release is cause for celebration, it’s also a reminder that there’s still plenty of work to be done.

 A Legacy of Advocacy

The fight for Leonard Peltier’s freedom has spanned decades and involved an eclectic mix of supporters. From grassroots activists to Hollywood celebrities (yes, we’re looking at you, Robert Redford), the coalition advocating for his release has been as diverse as it is determined. Organizations like *Amnesty International* have highlighted his case as a glaring example of political imprisonment, while publications like *Popular Resistance* have chronicled his struggles in excruciating detail.

Even education-focused blogs like *Big Education Ape* have taken up the cause, using their platforms to draw attention to Peltier’s plight and its implications for justice in America. Their coverage has ranged from biting critiques of systemic racism to heartfelt calls for clemency, proving that sometimes even an "ape" can be an eloquent advocate for change.

What Comes Next?

So what does life look like for Leonard Peltier now? Indefinite house arrest may not be anyone’s idea of paradise, but compared to the walls of a maximum-security prison, it’s practically Club Med. For Peltier, it’s an opportunity to reconnect with his family, reflect on his journey, and continue advocating for Indigenous rights from the comfort of home (and hopefully with access to better healthcare).

For the rest of us, his release serves as both a victory and a challenge. It’s a victory because it shows that persistence can pay off, even when the odds seem insurmountable. But it’s also a challenge because Leonard Peltier’s story isn’t unique. There are countless others who remain trapped in systems designed to marginalize and oppress. If we’re serious about justice, we can’t stop at celebrating one man’s freedom; we have to keep pushing for systemic change.

The Last Laugh

As we close this chapter in Leonard Peltier’s saga, one can’t help but marvel at the irony: it took 48 years, countless protests, and a presidential intervention to correct what many saw as an obvious miscarriage of justice from day one. It’s almost enough to make you laugh — if you don’t cry first.

But laugh we shall, because sometimes humor is the only way to process the absurdity of it all. Leonard Peltier is finally free (well, free-ish), and that’s no small thing. So here’s to him — and here’s to everyone who fought tirelessly for this moment. May his story inspire us all to keep fighting for justice, one witty blog post at a time.

Departing Biden commutes Leonard Peltier sentence https://nondoc.com/2025/01/22/departing-biden-commutes-leonard-peltier-sentence/ via @nondocmedia 

‘It’s finally over’: President Biden Grants Leonard Peltier Clemency https://ndncollective.org/president-biden-grants-leonard-peltier-clemency/ 

Big Education Ape: PRESIDENT BIDEN APOLOGIZES FOR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S ROLE IN BRUTAL INDIAN BOARDING SCHOOLS: FREE LEONARD PELTIER https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2024/10/president-biden-apologizes-for-federal.html 

Big Education Ape: Please Share this! Free Leonard Peltier: Obama Urged to Grant Clemency to Native American Activist Jailed for 40 Years | Democracy Now! https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2016/12/please-share-this-free-leonard-peltier.html

Big Education Ape: Peltier: ‘My Forty Years In Prison’ | PopularResistance.Org https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2016/02/peltier-my-forty-years-in-prison.html 

Big Education Ape: Modern School: Does America Torture Americans? Yes... https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2011/07/modern-school-does-america-torture.html?spref=tw



TRUMP 2.0 EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT SING, DANCE, STIR THE CULTURE WAR POT, AND SHAKESPEARE


 TRUMP 2.0

EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT SING, DANCE, STIR THE CULTURE WAR POT, AND SHAKESPEARE

Ladies and gentlemen, hold on to your MAGA hats and prepare for a whirlwind tour of Trump 2.0. The executive orders are back, and this time, they’re bigger, bolder, and more controversial than ever. If you thought the first term was a reality TV show, buckle up—this sequel is a mashup of *The Apprentice*, *Survivor*, and *Game of Thrones*, with a sprinkle of *Shark Tank* just for fun. Let’s dive into the greatest hits of Trump’s latest executive order playlist, where culture wars meet policy chaos, and the Constitution gets a serious workout.  

Birthright Citizenship: The Constitution vs. The Apprentice

In a move so bold it could’ve been a season finale twist on *The Apprentice*, Trump has decided to tackle birthright citizenship. His executive order declares that babies born to undocumented immigrants (or certain temporary residents) on U.S. soil are no longer citizens. Yes, you read that right—he’s taking on the 14th Amendment like it’s a poorly negotiated trade deal.  

Legal scholars are already sharpening their pencils (and their wit), pointing out that this little thing called the Constitution might have something to say about it. But Trump seems undeterred. His message? “You’re born here? Big deal. Not a citizen. Next!”  

Energy Emergency: Drill, Baby, Drill (and Cancel Those Windmills)  

If there’s one thing Trump loves more than a golden escalator, it’s oil. Declaring a “national energy emergency,” he’s ordered expedited drilling in Alaska and beyond. Forget Biden’s coastal protections—Trump’s executive order rescinds them faster than you can say “polar bear habitat.”  

And those offshore wind turbines? Trump paused leasing federal waters for wind projects, citing his long-standing feud with the spinning giants. “They’re ugly, they kill birds, and they make me seasick,” he probably didn’t say but definitely thought.  

Oh, and the Paris Climate Agreement? Once again, Trump has ghosted it like a bad Tinder date. “We’re out,” he declared, proving that when it comes to climate commitments, he’s the Houdini of global diplomacy.  

DEI: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion? Not on My Watch!  

In his crusade against “woke” culture, Trump has set his sights on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. His executive order eliminates policies that promote these values across federal agencies. He even went so far as to revoke Lyndon B. Johnson’s Equal Employment Opportunity order from 1965—because apparently, 58 years of progress was just too much.  

Trump also directed the FAA to ditch DEI hiring practices in favor of good old-fashioned “merit-based hiring.” Translation: “If you’re woke, you’re broke.”  

And just in case that wasn’t enough, he ordered agencies to investigate large corporations and universities with hefty endowments. Nothing says “small government” like micromanaging billion-dollar institutions from the Oval Office.  

Transgender Policies: Back to Binary Basics  

Trump’s executive orders have also taken aim at transgender Americans. He declared that official documents must recognize only two sexes—male and female—because apparently, biology is now a matter of presidential decree.  

He also rescinded Biden-era provisions that allowed transgender individuals to serve in the military. While he didn’t immediately reinstate his first-term ban, he left the door wide open for a sequel. It’s like he’s teasing us with a cliffhanger: “Will he or won’t he? Tune in next season!”  

Jan. 6 Pardons: Forgive and Forget?  

In one of his most eyebrow-raising moves yet, Trump pardoned the majority of Jan. 6 defendants and commuted the sentences of 14 others. Among the lucky recipients were leaders of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, proving once again that loyalty pays—especially if it involves storming the Capitol.  

Trump referred to these individuals as “hostages” in need of rescue, which is certainly one way to describe people convicted of crimes against democracy. He even pardoned Ross Ulbricht, creator of the infamous Silk Road marketplace, because why not throw in a wildcard?  

Health Orders: WHO’s Out and Big Pharma Wins  

Remember when Trump pulled the U.S. out of the World Health Organization (WHO) during his first term? Well, he’s doing it again—for good measure. Citing the WHO’s “mishandling” of the COVID-19 pandemic and its alleged political biases, Trump’s executive order makes it clear: America is breaking up with global health diplomacy.  

As for prescription drug costs? Biden’s 2022 order to lower them has been tossed out like last season’s fashion trends. Big Pharma is back in business, baby!  

TikTok Ban: Suspended but Not Forgotten  

In a surprising twist, Trump has suspended his beloved TikTok ban—for 75 days. Why 75 days? No one knows. Maybe it’s a grace period for him to perfect his renegade dance moves or launch his own TikTok rival app called *TrumpTok*. Whatever the reason, Gen Z can breathe easy… for now.  

The Name Game: Denali Becomes Mount McKinley Again  

If renaming mountains were an Olympic sport, Trump would take gold. In an executive order that feels oddly personal, he renamed Denali back to Mount McKinley and rechristened the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. Because nothing says “Make America Great Again” like slapping new labels on old landmarks.  

Federal Workers: Back to the Office or Bust  

Federal employees hoping for continued remote work privileges are in for a rude awakening. Trump has ordered all government workers back to their cubicles full-time and implemented a hiring freeze across federal agencies (except for the military and immigration enforcement).  

But wait—there’s more! He also reinstated his infamous Schedule F executive order, making it easier to fire civil servants deemed disloyal to his administration. It’s like *The Apprentice*, but with less drama and more bureaucracy.  

A Department for Efficiency (and Irony)  

In perhaps the most ironic move of all, Trump established the Department of Government Efficiency via executive order. Because nothing screams “efficient” like creating an entirely new department to oversee efficiency. It’s like hiring a personal trainer who spends all their time eating donuts instead of lifting weights.  

Final Thoughts: A Symphony of Chaos  

Trump 2.0’s executive orders are many things—bold, divisive, legally questionable—but above all, they’re entertaining in a way only Trump can deliver. Whether you agree with his policies or not, you have to admit: The man knows how to keep us talking. 

So grab your popcorn and settle in for what promises to be a wild ride through the next four years of executive orders, culture wars, and bureaucratic mayhem. Love him or hate him, Trump is back—and he’s singing to his choir louder than ever before.

If William Shakespeare had attended the Trump Inauguration he might have said:  

Now is the winter of our discontent,  

Made glorious summer by this son of Queens;  

And all the clouds that lour’d upon our house  

In the deep bosom of executive orders buried.**

Now are our brows bound with MAGA hats;  

Our bruised arms hung up for monuments of walls;  

Our stern alarums changed to Twitter storms,  

Our dreadful marches to rallies and chants.  

Grim-visaged truth hath smooth’d her wrinkled front;  

And now, instead of mounting facts and reason  

To fright the souls of fearful adversaries,  

He capers nimbly in a golden tower  

To the lascivious pleasing of a base.

But I, who am not shaped for woke agendas,  

Nor made to court an amorous progressive press;  

I, who am rudely stamped, and want the virtue  

To strut before a liberal ambling crowd;  

I, who am curtail’d of this fair proportion,  

Cheated of decorum by dissembling polls,  

Deformed, unfinish’d, sent before my time  

Into this breathing world, scarce half made up,  

And that so lamely and unfashionable  

That fact-checkers bark at me as I tweet by them;  

Why, I, in this weak piping time of peace,  

Have no delight to pass away the time,  

Unless to sign my shadow in the press  

And descant on mine own executive orders:  

And therefore, since I cannot prove a uniter,  

To entertain these fair well-spoken days,  

I am determined to prove a disruptor  

And hate the idle pleasures of these elites.

Orders have I laid, proclamations dangerous,  

By drunken prophecies of fake news and fraud,  

To set my predecessor and the woke  

In deadly hate the one against the other:  

And if the courts be as true and just  

As I am subtle, false and treacherous,  

This day should birthright citizenship be mew’d up,  

About a clause, which says that ‘soil’  

Of America’s heirs the citizen shall be.

Dive, thoughts, down to my soul: here  

Alaska drills.

Now is the age of culture wars declared,  

With genders fixed and DEI dismantled;  

Where monuments rise to classical columns,  

And windmills pause at the stroke of a pen.  

Pardons flow like wine at a feast,  

And the hostages of January 6th walk free.  

The Paris Climate burns in the flames of my ire,  

While gas and coal rise from the ashes of treaties.  

TikTok dances on a temporary stay,  

And the WHO withdraws to the sound of my scorn.

But I, who am unfit for compromise,  

Will stride this stage with a villain’s glee.  

For I am the winter of their discontent,  

And glorious summer shall never return.


Monday, January 20, 2025

FROM LOBSTER TAILS TO TALL TALES: MY SUMMER OF CIVIL RIGHTS, RACISTS AND COCA-COLA


FROM LOBSTER TAILS TO TALL TALES

MY SUMMER OF CIVIL RIGHTS, RACISTS AND COCA-COLA

Ah, Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2025. A day to remember a great man, reflect on his legacy, and, in my case, reminisce about a summer in 1974 that felt like a cross between a history lesson, a comedy of errors, and a Southern-fried soap opera. Strap in, folks, because this is the story of how I accidentally stumbled into the orbit of civil rights legends, a future president, and one of the most obnoxious racists this side of a bad country song—all while working at a Red Lobster in Marietta, Georgia.

Now, let me set the stage. It was late May 1974, and I had just started my new job as a manager at Red Lobster. The South was already hot enough to cook shrimp on the sidewalk, and I was working 10-to-12-hour days like someone trying to pay off a debt to the mob. I didn’t have a day off for nearly a month, and when I finally got one, I decided to explore the Civil War history of Atlanta. Because nothing screams "relaxation" like trudging through battlefields in the Georgia heat.

Enter my new lady friend—a Marietta native with an encyclopedic knowledge of local history and a fondness for dragging me around town like a reluctant contestant on a historical scavenger hunt. She took me to Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield, where I learned that "strategic high ground" is just code for "sweaty uphill hike." Then it was off to Stone Mountain to see the giant carvings of Confederate generals, which looked like Mount Rushmore’s grumpy cousins. We also visited Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King Jr. had preached, and wrapped up our tour at Atlanta Underground, which is basically a mall with delusions of grandeur.

Oh, and somewhere along the way, we passed the Georgia Governor’s Mansion. Who did we see waving from the lawn like he was hosting a barbecue? None other than Jimmy Carter himself—then the governor of Georgia and future peanut farmer-in-chief. He was so friendly that I half-expected him to invite us in for sweet tea and pecan pie.

But the real fireworks that summer came courtesy of two men who couldn’t have been more different if they’d been characters in a buddy cop movie: Hosea Williams and J.B. Stoner. One was a civil rights hero; the other was… well, let’s just say he probably thought "civil rights" was a typo.

First, there was Hosea Williams. I didn’t know it at the time, but he was one of Martin Luther King Jr.’s closest allies and had been with him on the day he was assassinated. My encounter with Hosea happened when I was sent from my Marietta restaurant to the Atlanta Red Lobster, which was being picketed by union organizers. As a manager, I was faced with the unenviable choice of crossing the picket line or getting fired. Let me tell you, nothing prepares you for this kind of moral dilemma—certainly not the Red Lobster employee handbook.

The man leading the protest? Hosea Williams himself. Now, imagine my surprise when this legendary activist—this lion of the civil rights movement—looked at me, laughed, and said, "Don’t worry, son. No harm will come to you if you’ve got to keep your job." Then he handed me a cold Coca-Cola like we were old friends at a backyard cookout. We stood there chatting and laughing, and for a brief moment, I forgot that I was sweating bullets in polyester slacks. It wasn’t until years later that I realized just how big a deal Hosea Williams was. At the time, I just thought he was the nicest guy I’d ever met who also happened to scare the corporate bigwigs at Red Lobster.

And then there was J.B. Stoner. If Hosea Williams was the angel on one shoulder, J.B. Stoner was the devil on the other—the kind of guy who made you want to shower after being in his presence. Stoner was a card-carrying member of the KKK and had allegedly bombed churches in Birmingham. He even ran for lieutenant governor of Georgia alongside Lester Maddox, whose idea of progressive politics probably involved segregated salt shakers.

My first encounter with J.B. Stoner happened when he came into the Marietta Red Lobster and demanded that his server—Gloria, a Black woman—be replaced with someone white. Now, I’m not saying I’m a saint or anything, but there are few things more satisfying than watching a racist storm out of your restaurant because you refused to cater to their nonsense. The next time Stoner came in, he tried the same stunt. This time, he grudgingly allowed Gloria to serve him after delivering a monologue about his hatred for Black people that would’ve made even his fellow racists say, "Dude, tone it down."

But oh, it gets better. On his third visit, we assigned another Black female server to his table just to see if he’d implode like an overcooked soufflé. He grumbled but ate his meal. By his fourth visit, we were out of Black servers on shift, so we recruited one of our Black cooks from the kitchen to wait on him. That seemed to be the final straw for ol’ J.B., who never darkened our doors again. I like to think he went home that night muttering about how even his beloved cheddar biscuits had turned against him.

So here we are in 2025, and every MLK Jr. Day, I think back to that wild summer of ’74—my six degrees of separation from Martin Luther King Jr., courtesy of Hosea Williams and J.B. Stoner. It’s funny how life works sometimes. One minute you’re sweating through your manager uniform at Red Lobster; the next minute you’re sharing a Coke with a civil rights icon or outsmarting a card-carrying bigot with nothing but good manners and a roster of amazing Black employees.

And if there’s one thing I learned from that summer—besides the fact that wearing polyester in Georgia is basically self-torture—it’s this: heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes they’re leading protests or preaching from pulpits. Sometimes they’re waving from governor’s mansions or serving cheddar biscuits with a smile. And sometimes they’re just regular folks trying to do the right thing in a world that doesn’t always make it easy.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I think it’s time for some sweet tea and pecan pie. Jimmy Carter would approve.


Sunday, January 19, 2025

PENNY DOES DC


 Editor's note: My two cents -In the grand chessboard of public education, the billionaire oligarchs have been playing a cunning game, moving their pawns with precision to undermine the system from within. By installing operatives in key administrative roles, they’ve managed to gum up the works and create chaos, all while claiming to be saviors of the system they’re actively dismantling. Armed with buzzwords like "innovation" and "accountability," they’ve pushed policies that prioritize profits over pupils, leaving teachers demoralized and communities divided. It's a classic bait-and-switch: promise to "fix" public education, then quietly replace it with a privatized patchwork that benefits the few at the expense of the many. The following illustrates just such a strategy: (see  THE OLIGARCHY'S GREAT AMERICAN EDUCATION HEIST:  https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-oligarchys-great-american-education.html )

PENNY DOES DC

PENNY SCHWINN GOES TO US DEPT OF EDUCATION AS A DEPUTY UNDER LINDA MCMAHON

Once upon a time, in the shadowy halls of the Billionaire Oligarchy™, where the air smelled faintly of caviar and freshly printed tax loopholes, a grand scheme was afoot. The mission? To dismantle public education one Trojan horse at a time. And who better to lead this audacious campaign than the enigmatic, ever-ascending Penny Schwinn? A woman whose career trajectory resembled a rollercoaster designed by a conspiracy theorist on Red Bull.

Penny’s journey began innocently enough as a Teach for America recruit in Baltimore. There, she taught for two years, which is roughly the same amount of time it takes most teachers to figure out where the staff bathroom is. But Penny wasn’t like most teachers. No, she was a 'visionary'. By the time her chalk dust had settled, she was already earning a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins and plotting her next move—straight out of the classroom and into the boardrooms of reform.

After a brief stint training teachers in Los Angeles (because who better to train teachers than someone with two years of experience?), Penny made an unexpected pivot. She joined McMaster-Carr, a bolt and screw company. Yes, the irony was palpable—she was learning how to fasten things while preparing to unfasten the public education system. It was during this time that she crossed paths with St. Hope Foundation, a charter school empire run by Sacramento’s own Kevin Johnson, former NBA star and mayor with more scandals than slam dunks. Penny took on the role of “Head of Student Achievement,” while her husband Paul became the principal. It was like a family sitcom, but with federal investigations instead of laugh tracks.

By 2011, Penny was ready to go solo. She founded her very own charter school in Sacramento: Capitol Collegiate Academy. It began with 60 kindergartners and a dream—though that dream seemed to involve shedding students faster than a dog in summer. By the time her first cohort reached seventh grade, only 15 students remained. But hey, who’s counting? (Answer: the state auditors, probably.)

Nine months into her principalship, Penny decided that running a school wasn’t challenging enough. So she ran for the County school board and won, backed by endorsements from some of Sacramento’s most colorful characters, including Sheriff Lou Blanas, whose reputation for police brutality was rivaled only by his knack for political machinations. It was like assembling the Avengers, but if all the Avengers were under federal investigation.

Penny didn’t stay long on the County school board—just 14 months later, she jumped ship to become an assistant superintendent for Sacramento City Unified School District. Her new role came with a six-figure salary and oversight of… wait for it… her own charter school. That’s right, Penny was now both the fox and the farmer in this henhouse of education reform.

But Sacramento wasn’t big enough for Penny’s ambitions. Soon, she packed up her whiteboards and PowerPoints and headed to Delaware, where she became the Chief Accountability Officer for the state’s Department of Education. Her tenure there was marked by controversy when her husband landed a cushy job funded by—you guessed it—the Delaware DOE. It was like nepotism bingo: “Family member hired? Check! Conflict of interest? Double check! Awkward press conference? Full card!”

From Delaware, Penny leapfrogged to Texas, because everything’s bigger in Texas—including no-bid contracts awarded to friends. One such contract cost taxpayers $5 million and involved a company run by Michelle Rhee’s former deputy chancellor. By now, it was clear that Penny had a type: reformers with résumés as dubious as their spreadsheets.

But Texas was just a pit stop on Penny’s inevitable road to Tennessee, where Governor Bill Lee welcomed her with open arms and a mission to overhaul public education. As Tennessee’s Commissioner of Education, Penny rolled out initiatives faster than legislators could say, “Wait, what?” Her pièce de résistance was a no-bid contract for a pilot voucher program that left lawmakers scratching their heads and parents Googling “school choice pros and cons.”

Penny’s tenure in Tennessee wasn’t without its critics. Cultural conservatives thought she wasn’t doing enough to root out “woke ideologies,” while moderates questioned her tendency to launch programs without consulting anyone outside her inner circle (which may or may not have included Kevin Johnson via Zoom). Meanwhile, her department faced high turnover, morale issues, and enough eyebrow-raising decisions to make Spock look permanently surprised.

And then came the twist no one saw coming: Penny Schwinn was tapped by none other than Donald J. Trump to serve as Deputy Secretary of Education in his second administration. Yes, the same administration that wanted to abolish the Department of Education entirely. It was like hiring a chef for a restaurant you’re planning to burn down.

Trump announced her appointment on Truth Social, accidentally calling her “Peggy Schwinn” but praising her “strong record of delivering results.” Critics were quick to point out that those results often included declining enrollment numbers and skyrocketing controversy indexes. Even JC Bowman, head of Professional Educators of Tennessee and frequent Schwinn critic, admitted he didn’t see this coming: “Whoever vetted her needs to be vetted.”

As Deputy Secretary, Penny would be working under Linda McMahon, co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment and Trump’s pick for Secretary of Education. Together, they were poised to tag-team public education like it was WrestleMania—complete with folding chairs and dramatic monologues.

And so, Penny Schwinn ascended to the Mount Olympus of education reform—or perhaps its Thunderdome. Her story serves as a cautionary tale for anyone who thinks public education is too boring for intrigue. Because in the world of the Billionaire Oligarchy™, even kindergarten classrooms can be battlegrounds for power, profit, and plot twists worthy of Netflix.

The end? Probably not. Stay tuned for the sequel: 'Penny Schwinn and the Voucher Apocalypse'.

EDUCATION MALPRACTICE? – Dad Gone Wild https://norinrad10.com/2020/08/27/education-malpractice/