Blog
Explore articles that dive deeper into the values behind American Classroom—from education trends and parenting tips to civic engagement and stories that celebrate strong families, schools, and communities.
Teaching the Holocaust: Cultivating Empathy and Civic Virtue in Today’s Classrooms
Antisemitism is rising once again, both globally and here at home. From defaced synagogues to targeted harassment on college campuses, the evidence is not just anecdotal. The Anti-Defamation League reported a historic surge in antisemitic incidents across the United...
School Choice, Done Right: How Arizona Put Parents Back in Charge
Arizona has become a national beacon for educational innovation. With an array of schooling models now available to families—including charter schools, private institutions, microschools, and homeschooling cooperatives—parents here are no longer bound by the arbitrary...
Founding a K-5 School in Maricopa, Arizona: Tradition, Trust, and Community
The Value of Small Schools with Big Purpose In a time when education often feels like a numbers game, small schools with a focused mission are more necessary than ever. When we emphasize intimate campuses and traditional instruction, we’re not resisting progress;...
The Case for College Now: Why Dual Enrollment Is a Game-Changer
Families today face a barrage of mixed messages about higher education. Some say it's essential; others argue it's overrated. But beyond the ideological crossfire lies a proven, practical pathway that strengthens both opportunity and affordability: Dual Enrollment....
Agency and the Declaration: Reviving the Spirit of 1776 at 250 Years
In most of the world, throughout most of history, individuals have served governments. Here, our Constitution says the reverse. In declaring independence 250 years ago, our Founders broke with monarchy and empire to affirm a startling truth: our rights do not come...
Virtue Literacy: The Missing Foundation in American Education
In our pursuit of academic excellence, we have too often ignored the deeper question: Who are our students becoming? This question is not sentimental. It is civic. It is constitutional. And it is urgent. Education that cultivates only skill but not character leaves...
Career and Technical Education: Reigniting Student Engagement and Purpose
In too many American high schools, some students are disengaging. Not all—many thrive—but a meaningful subset drifts through classes without relevance or purpose. Parents see it in flagging motivation and spotty attendance. Teachers feel it in the slow fade of...
Grit & Greatness: An NFL Player’s Journey into Art and Teaching
Jose Portilla’s story is one of grit, balance, and reinvention. Born in Mexico and raised in Texas, he became the first Mexican-born NFL player to play in a Super Bowl, lining up in Super Bowl XXXIII with the Atlanta Falcons. But...
Art, Intention, and the Work Only You Can Do
In the first episode of season two of American Classroom: Stories of Building a Civil Society, we sat down with artist and educator Ben Sowards to explore what it means to grow into the kind of creator only you can become. As a designer for the U.S. Mint, Sowards has...
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