"He's arguing with the men who ran the camp, the one in Cambodia. He was 14 when the Khmer Rouge took over and he went to prison camp. His whole family was killed, more than 60 people. He never tells us what happened to him there, but we hear everything when he's out in the street shouting. I can't get it out of my mind sometimes."

I am committed to transforming our schools and world, and I work hard at maintaining hope and faith that this can be done. Occupy Oakland and the general strike that this movement initiated on November 2, are tremendously inspiring. This is a moment brimming with possibility, potential, and learning opportunities.

What about Sept. 11, 2001? I propose we call this, "A day leading to a national month of inspiration and gratitude." Let 9/11 be a source of social-emotional and character development (SECD) for our schools, staff and students.

Five Historical Map Resources from My Wonderful World Blog http://ow.ly/54MwI

Education historian Diane Ravitch makes the case for changing the way we think and talk about public education