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

Holcomb and Congress Now Playing Good Cop/Bad Cop with Teachers

Indiana’s public school teachers continue to be marginalized and manipulated as pawns in a dangerous political chess game. Our state’s elected officials probably think they’ve figured out how it’s going … Continue reading Holcomb and Congress Now Playing Good Cop/Bad Cop with Teachers

By Shane Phipps Posted on

An Open Letter to Governor Eric Holcomb: We See Right Through You, November is Coming

Dear Governor Holcomb, I’m just going to come right to the point; with all due respect, sir, you are just another part of the plan and we see right through … Continue reading An Open Letter to Governor Eric Holcomb: We See Right Through You, November is Coming

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Trouble, Uncertainty, and Hope Face Public Education on the Brink of a New Decade

Next week, I will begin my third decade in public education. I began my career in 2001 on the eve of one of the most traumatic moments in U.S. history. … Continue reading Trouble, Uncertainty, and Hope Face Public Education on the Brink of a New Decade

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An Open Letter to Representative Jim Lucas Who Invited Teachers to “Prove Him Wrong”

Jim Lucas has been taunting teachers again. Lucas is a representative in the Indiana House from the Seymour area. He’s no fan of public education. You may have heard of … Continue reading An Open Letter to Representative Jim Lucas Who Invited Teachers to “Prove Him Wrong”

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Attention Governor Holcomb: There is Change on the Wind and Eddie Melton is Riding In.

Attention Governor Holcomb: You had the opportunity to witness first hand an incredible show of strength and solidarity outside your place of work on November 19th. You chose not be … Continue reading Attention Governor Holcomb: There is Change on the Wind and Eddie Melton is Riding In.

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The Education Pendulum is Swinging Back and Policy Makers Aren’t Going to Stop It

Public education really shouldn’t be a political issue, but we all know that it is–and it’s a big one. As a political issue, public education is subject to the same … Continue reading The Education Pendulum is Swinging Back and Policy Makers Aren’t Going to Stop It

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Hey Indiana Legislators, Let Me Tell You About Some Friends of Mine

Hello Indiana legislators, I know you are tired of hearing from us teachers. You may be particularly sick of reading what I’ve been writing about you. I get it, we’ve … Continue reading Hey Indiana Legislators, Let Me Tell You About Some Friends of Mine

By Shane Phipps Posted on

To Stem the Tyrannous Tide, We Need More Educators in Indiana Government: My Platform, Were I to Run

We stand on the cusp of a colossal disaster. A critical teacher shortage is getting worse by the hour. This crisis shows absolutely no signs slowing down. New teachers looking … Continue reading To Stem the Tyrannous Tide, We Need More Educators in Indiana Government: My Platform, Were I to Run