Of Teaching

The New York Times reports that New York State has a brand-new state education commissioner, courtesy of the New York State Board of Regents under the leadership of the fabulously wealthy and well-connected, Merryl H. Tisch.

Ms. Tisch says she hopes Dr. Steiner will continue to build on the work he has done at Hunter College where, she says, he “has pushed the envelope, challenged orthodoxy and developed rigorous evidence-based approaches that help prepare and support teachers in a diverse range of settings to lead their students to remarkable gains in achievement.”


Ms. Tisch used to be a first-grade teacher, whereas Mr. Steiner has taught only at the university level. His response when asked about this:

“I have had the pleasure of teaching about 2,000 students in the last quarter of a century,” he said of his time in universities. “Of course I have spent a lot of time in schools and I look forward to doing ever more of that. There are certain truths of teaching — some that transcend age, and some that are lost.”

Also: J.R.R. Tolkien - Ring Verse.