Article Club

Hi VIPs! This week’s audio letter is an invitation to all of you to join me in annotating an article together. Many of you know about my hope that The Highlighter, at least in part, becomes a sort of article club, where interested folks read and reflect on and annotate and think about and discuss great articles in order to make connections, build empathy, and become better people. Want to try it o...

When I featured “79” as one of last year’s best three articles (see Issue #173), naturally I wanted to speak to author Brian Broome. He graciously accepted the invitation, and I’m honored to present our conversation to you, loyal Highlighter Podcast listeners! In the interview, Brian talks about how he became a writer in rehab, how the first piece of writing he submitted got published, and how “79...

Why are we still teaching reading the wrong way? Why are so many educators ignoring settled research and brain science and doing their own thing instead? In “Hard Words: Why Aren’t Our Kids Being Taught to Read?” Emily Hanford investigates these important questions. Emily’s documentary was featured in The Highlighter #162, and it was wonderful to have a conversation with her. Also check out Emily’...

Anne interviews San Francisco first grade teacher Kristin Smith about why she doesn't assign homework, how to create a reading culture through book choice, and how to get the resources needed to do it ( http://www.childrensbookproject.org ). --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/highlightercc/support This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get ac...

Last month, we did a deep dive on reading instruction. Now it’s time to reflect on what we learned and to share some of our highlights. It’s also time to realize that we’ve just scratched the surface on reading — and that the topic deserves another month of study! Also in this episode: Anne shares her favorite article of the month from the newsletter, and Mark shares his favorite podcast episode s...

Joan Cone is a retired English teacher who taught for more than 40 years. In the middle of her career, she changed the way she taught her class in an attempt to support young people to love reading. Ms. Cone wrote about that transformation in her article, “Appearing Acts,” published in the Harvard Educational Review. The piece was featured in The Highlighter #137 as well as in Podcast #34. In this...

Dr. Arce has worn many hats in education: bilingual elementary school teacher, literacy specialist, head of San Francisco State's Literacy Specialist Program, and now head of SF State's Department of Elementary Education. Hear her advice for teachers (Stand! Organize! Resist!) as well as school leaders (spend more on teachers and good books) then share your thoughts at 415-886-7475. If you have ti...

Before John was an author, CEO, and literacy education advocate shaking hands with the president and being a guest on Oprah, he was a college-educated high school teacher who didn't know how to read. Hear his remarkable story, his hopes for American education, and his advice for teachers today. For more information, head to johncorcoranfoundation.org or find The Reading Gap and EBLI on Facebook. -...

Mark goes on assignment and interviews three excellent reading teachers in San Francisco. Todd Smith, Nick Nordlinger, and Shannon Jin-a Lamborn talk about how they’ve built readers in their high school classrooms, plus we discuss this month’s lead article, “Appearing Acts,” by retired teacher Joan Cone. Please take a listen! Also, we’d love to hear from you. Leave your thoughts at (415) 806-8175....

This month, we’re focusing on reading — one of our favorite topics. Hope it’s a passion of yours, too! In this episode, we begin with a startling statement about young people’s reading habits. Then we chat about how reading emerged as an essential part of our personal and professional lives. Finally, we offer a preview of what’s in store for this month. If you’re an educator, or a person who cares...

Anne and Mark conclude this month’s deep dive on college with some reflections, highlights, and student voice. What began as a general focus on college ended up centering on the experiences of first-generation college graduates — who make up 1/3 of all college students today. Why aren’t their voices more represented? Also on today’s episode: Anne finally asks Mark what he’s reading, plus we previe...

Anne interviews two former students who graduated six years ago to learn how well prepared they felt for life after high school. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/highlightercc/support This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit articleclub.substack.com

Rosie Leyva is a third grade teacher in Oakland and a first-generation college graduate. In this episode, Rosie discusses her experiences in college and explains why she connects deeply with this month’s lead article, “Who Gets to Graduate?” If you want an extra dose of inspiration, listen to the end when Rosie describes how she builds a college-going culture for her current students. --- Support...

Mark and Anne unveil a new format for The Highlighter Podcast: covering one topic over the whole month. Listen to learn what March’s focus will be! And let us know what you think! (415) 886-7475 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/highlightercc/support This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit articleclub.subst...

Christine Rhee is a loyal subscriber, loyal listener, and loyal San Francisco Giants fan. She's also an attorney in San Diego and former criminal prosecutor. On the show, we talk about predictive policing and the article, "Can You Arrest People Before They Commit Crimes?" which appeared in The Highlighter #127. Please enjoy and call in with your thoughts: (415) 886-7475. --- Support this podcast:...

Brittany Flynn is a learning specialist at Impact Academy in Hayward, California. On the show, she talks about what it means to be a learning specialist and about her favorite aspects of the profession. Before serving at the high school level, Brittany worked with young children, one reason she chose "Why Are Our Most Important Teachers Paid the Least?" for our discussion. This article from The Hi...

Alvin Chang is senior graphics reporter at Vox and the author of the lead piece in The Highlighter #125, which focused on school resegregation. Mr. Chang creates explainers that include data, cartoons, and history. He believes that our society's most challenging problems emerge from the everyday decisions that we make. On the show, Mr. Chang and I talk about how he got into data journalism, how he...

Anne Nyffeler is a great teacher and instructional coach in San Francisco and is the editor of Anne-otations, The Highlighter's new feature! Each week, Anne will select one excellent podcast episode to share. This week, it's "You Had Me at Black." We talk about microaggressions and how white teachers can lessen the violence that many students of color must face in the classroom. Please listen and...

Omar Bryan is a talented artist, art teacher, and school leader in the Bay Area. He's also a big champion of The Highlighter! On the show, we talk about how he got into education and how he applies his art background in building relationships with students. We also had a chance to chat about this week's lead article, "Millennials Are Screwed," by Michael Hobbes. Please take a listen! --- Support t...

Jamie Marantz is an experienced educator in the Bay Area who works relentlessly to disrupt predictable educational outcomes for young people. She questions school policies that are for the comfort of adults rather than for the benefit of the children. In this episode, Jamie and I talk about two pieces: the NPR article (#121) on Ballou High School in Washington DC and about the Code Switch podcast...

Barbara Shreve is an outstanding Math educator in the Bay Area who believes in the power of math to support young people's identity formation -- who they are and how they have agency in the world. She is also a wonderful, caring, close friend. On the show, we talk about our deep respect for high-quality journalism. We chat about our experience working on our high school newspaper and how it shaped...

Olivia Morales teaches social studies in New Orleans and is the co-founder of Teacher Beasts, which promotes exercise and wellness among educators. On the show, Olivia and I talk about the educational landscape in New Orleans, particularly its emphasis on high-stakes testing and charter schools. We also chat about "The Nationalist Delusion," which appeared last week in the newsletter. Please liste...

Science teachers Jonathan Wright and Philippe Vanier, friends and colleagues, talk about the lead article from this week's newsletter, "Can Racism Be Stopped in the Third Grade?" Please enjoy! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/highlightercc/support This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit articleclub.substac...

Sonya is a mom, loyal subscriber, and devotee of Oakland. On the show, we talk about choosing a school for her daughter, the stress of buying a house in the Bay Area, and her experience living in the Deep South. Please enjoy! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/highlightercc/support This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus ep...

Kati Parker is the first-ever former student of mine on the show! She is great and smart, and we chatted about "The Gentrification of Soul Food." Please enjoy! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/highlightercc/support This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit articleclub.substack.com