Author: Shane Phipps

My name is Shane Phipps. I am a teacher and writer living in Indianapolis. I have taught 8th grade U.S. history since 2001. I am the author of historical novel, The Carter Journals: Time Travels in Early U.S. History (Indiana Historical Society Press, 2015). My book is used in several school districts across the region as a supplemental curriculum resource. I write a weekly column about education in the Anderson Herald-Bulletin. This column is also shared in about a dozen other newspapers throughout the state of Indiana. I also write a blog for the national platform called Patheos. You can check that out at this link. The mission of this particular blog is to face the growing crisis within public education head on, honestly and frankly. That's just what you'll read here. I've been immersed in the game of education for two decades and I've seen the changes, most of them for the worse. I have a platform to share with my readers the real truth about what is going on. I'll share inspirational successes, disappointing failures, and ideas for making things better.
By Shane Phipps Posted on

Trump’s “Patriotic Education Commission” Plan Shows Complete Lack of Understanding of what Patriotism Is

“This past week, the president doubled down by announcing that he will create a “Patriotic Education Commission” so that schools will be forced by “patriotic parents” to “stop teaching about what America has done wrong” and “start teaching about freedoms.” When I heard this announcement, I was gobsmacked. It has become clear to me that our president and those who still support him—most particularly, the far-right Christians—do not understand the concept of patriotism whatsoever. As a teacher of American history for the past 20 years, I feel it is my duty to try and deliver to them a lesson on patriotism and American freedoms.”

By Shane Phipps Posted on

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Reopening Schools

“Nobody expected the reopening of schools to be without problems. It is the way schools react to these problems that will make the difference between being able to stay open and having to close back down. Being honest, forthright and transparent is a good place to start.”

By Shane Phipps Posted on

The Covid-19 Pandemic is Revealing Just How Crucial Public Schools Are and Why They Should Be Equitably Funded

Being a few weeks into the COVID-19 shutdown, students across the country have by now settled into new routines for their education. For those with the capability, that probably means … Continue reading The Covid-19 Pandemic is Revealing Just How Crucial Public Schools Are and Why They Should Be Equitably Funded

By Shane Phipps Posted on

No More Middle Ground: At this point, you are either for public education, or you are against it

Everything we crazy, paranoid teachers have been warning you about for the last decade is coming to pass right before our eyes. We told you that the new accountability system … Continue reading No More Middle Ground: At this point, you are either for public education, or you are against it

By Shane Phipps Posted on

Indiana Governor Holcomb Continues to Insult and Taunt Public School Teachers.

Back in November when 20,000 red clad supporters of public education descended upon the Indiana statehouse for the Red for Ed Action Day Rally, our Governor was cowering a thousand … Continue reading Indiana Governor Holcomb Continues to Insult and Taunt Public School Teachers.