Dear Friends,

A couple of weeks before the election the hosts of the “Community Connection” podcast asked me to reflect on my 41 years covering public education. 

Those of you interested in the subject might find it of some interest, and I guarantee that anyone who has sleeping issues will find it therapeutic! 

I just received this note from Eric Worcester, one of the hosts, and a fellow education wonk.

Hi John,

Our episode is now live! Thank you again for joining us.

Nathaniel and I really enjoyed talking with you and hearing the stories and perspective you’ve gained from your years covering education. It was a privilege and honor to spend that time with you, and we could easily have kept the conversation going. We’d love to have you back!

The episode is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QidUaDz_dA0

We’d be grateful if you could share the episode with your readers and on social media to help more people find the conversation.

Thanks again,
Eric

Please share the YouTube link with your wonky friends. These are incredibly challenging times for public education (and most public institutions). Schools can no longer behave imperiously. It’s past time for educators to behave like librarians, who have to be attentive and responsive to the public. 

Come to think of it, it would be helpful if more educators thought like swimming coaches, who cannot say, “Well, I taught them to swim; it’s not my fault that some of them drowned.”

​Thanks, and best,

John

John Merrow

former Education Correspondent, PBS NewsHour

“I don’t want to BE old when I am old.” Jack LaLanne