A Fragile Web
Nicole Bowmer writes about her memorable first year teaching sex-ed.
A Radical Idea
Mark Putney on the revolutionary vision of public education and the challenges facing Oregon's schools
Harping On
April Choi writes about seeking inner harmony and finding harmonics.
Reclaiming Our Language
How Klamath people are working to revitalize their language. By Ke-ash Ne-Asht Sheshatko
Tips for Facilitating Reflective Conversations
Four facilitators share tips on leading reflective conversations.
The Distance Between Us
Barb Lachenbruch writes about reconnecting with her son through their shared vocation.
Finding a Voice as an Advocate for Others
Sosan Amiri and Rozzell Medina speak about power, justice, education, and community.
Making Pre-K Possible
This comic by Sarah Mirk explores how universal preschool went from an idea to the ballot to law in 2020.
Elopement
After his son wanders off from school, a father retraces the journey.
A Remedy for Disruption
Chelsea King on mask mandates, school board meetings, and the importance of presence
They Belong to Themself
We do not possess the intellect, identity, or sexuality of our children, Chelsea King writes in this essay. We are only witnesses to their journeys.
Saved by the Bell
Food writer Heather Arndt Anderson on how childhood poverty and working in the school cafeteria shaped her connection with her subject.
"Children Are Born Curious"
Olivia Wolf talks with Kali Ladd, director of the educational nonprofit KairosPDX, about the future of school in Oregon.
Tutoring the Kingpin
May Maylisa Cat writes about how helping a friend apply for the citizenship exam revived memories of her own experiences of educational discrimination and marginalization.
Virtual Think & Drink with Kali Thorne Ladd, Alex Sager, and Paul Susi: What Are Schools for?
A live conversation on the purpose of school for students, parents, teachers, and the community at large. Watch the recording of this August 2020 program here.
Essential but Excluded
Carolina Gómez-Montoya writes about the precarious and disempowered place adjunct instructors occupy in institutions that have come to depend on their labor.
Humanity in Perspective
Free college humanities courses for youth and adults who face financial barriers to continuing their education.
Stories from the Diaspora: The World is Full of Lessons
Oregon educator and Kosova refugee Flamur Vehapi shares poetry, wisdom, and social justice as part of Stories from the Diaspora a project now being hosted on our website.
The Air I Breathe—2014
Ifanyi Bell writes about growing up tolerated and underestimated in Portland in the 2014 “Quandary” issue.
Neither Here nor There
Kiki Nakamura-Koyama writes about her struggle to fit in across continents and how she is empowered to change that experience for her students.
Editor's Note: Pushing Forward, Holding Back
Kathleen Holt writes about seeing herself reflected in her son's fierce passions.
Stand
A student reckons with an inappropriate teacher’s power and her own powerlessness. An excerpt from Reema Zaman's memoir, I Am Yours.
Drill
Dan Falkner writes about searching for a solution at a training for teachers on responding to school shootings.
My Name
Sravya Tadepalli writes about her experiences with people mispronouncing her name.
Talking about Sex
A conversation with Conversation Project facilitator Emily Squires on how we talk about sex in our school system.
Acceptance
Shilo Niziolek writes about the impact of Marylhurst University's closure on its students.
Expanding East
Oregon Humanities partners with Rosewood Initiative and Alder College to offer Humanity in Perspective courses in East Portland.
Buying Time
Wendy N. Wagner on what we owe our children
Sixteen in America
Marissa Levy writes about mental illness exacerbated by stresses created by social media and academic pressure.
Posts
Readers write about Harm
More to the Story
A grade-school musical offers educators and students a chance to reexamine history. An article by Marty Hughley with photos by Fred Joe
Remembering Peter Sears
We were saddened to learn of the death of former Oregon Poet Laureate Peter Sears, who passed away July 20.
Taking the Lead
We partnered with Catlin-Gabel’s PLACE program to train high school students to lead community conversations. Filmmaker Sika Stanton asks these emerging leaders from North Portland about how they hope to use their new skills.
In the Land of the New
Mexican immigrants find home in el nuevo South. An excerpt from Translation Nation by Héctor Tobar
Whose State Is This?
Journalist Brent Walth on how legal measures targeting Latino Oregonians reflect fears of change.
My North Star
How Mumia Abu-Jamal Led Me to Activism. An essay by Walidah Imarisha
The Rim of the Wound
Writer Wendy Willis's open letter to the students of Columbia University Multicultural Affairs Advisory Board, with a special note to her daughters.
On the Bench
Not starting and starting again. An essay by Brian Doyle
Posts
Readers write about "Me"
Résumé of Failures
The stories of struggle, insecurity, and loss behind a successful writer's accomplishments. By Kim Stafford
Second Opinions
Camela Raymond asks economists, activists, public officials, and financiers for advice for Oregon's ailing economy.