Gary The Creator
Just my thoughts!
Guest Commentary: Make America Great Again?
I believe that historians will ultimately view Donald Trump as one of the most ineffective and divisive presidents in American history. However, I agree with his assertion that we must "Make America Great Again." Where we diverge is in our understanding of what true greatness means for this nation...
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A New Vision: The Future of Community Engagement in K-12 Education
In New York State, the face of K-12 education is evolving, and at the center of this transformation is a renewed commitment to community engagement. No longer just a buzzword, community involvement is becoming a critical pillar for educational success, equity, and innovation across urban, suburban...
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Seven Continents, 102,000 Miles, 13 Months and Countless Lessons You Wouldn't Learn in School
Imagine this: you pull your kids out of school for a year, stash your stuff in storage, rent out your house, put your career on pause and set out into the wide world, bound for all seven continents as a family. You serve up lessons the kids would miss during the year in their American classrooms in...
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Understanding the Warning Signs: How Schools Can Detect Behavioral Precursors to Violence
In today's educational landscape, the safety of students and staff is a top priority. Yet, detecting potential acts of violence in K-12 schools remains a difficult and often imperfect process. While there is no single formula to predict violent behavior, research and real-world experience suggest...
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Deadline Approaches for $4.2 Billion New York Environmental Bond Act Grants: Here's How to Apply
New York State opened the floodgates for transformative environmental funding, and time is running out to apply. The deadline to apply for funding under the New York State Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 is June 6, 2025 . Approved by voters in November 2022...
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Supreme Court Poised to Back Student in Landmark Disability Rights Case
The U.S. Supreme Court appeared ready on Monday to side with a Minnesota student with a severe form of epilepsy, signaling it could overturn a decades-old legal precedent that makes it harder for families to win disability discrimination cases against public schools. The case, A.J.T. v. Osseo Area...
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Breaking the Silence: How Schools Can Support Students Battling Social Anxiety
In today's classrooms, there's a growing but often silent challenge that many students face daily: social anxiety. It's more than just being shy. For some students, speaking up in class, making eye contact, or even walking into the lunchroom can trigger paralyzing fear and self-doubt. Research...
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New York Leads 19-State Lawsuit Against Trump Administration to Protect $13.8 Billion in Education Funding
New York Attorney General Letitia James is spearheading a coalition of 19 states in a federal lawsuit aimed at halting the Trump administration's recent directive that threatens to cut billions in education funding unless schools dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The...
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How New York State School Districts Can Invest Public Funds
In New York State, school districts have specific authority under General Municipal Law §11 to invest public funds that are not immediately needed for operational expenses. This authority ensures that taxpayer dollars are managed prudently while maximizing safe returns for the benefit of the...
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