Author: Shane Phipps

My name is Shane Phipps. I am a teacher and writer living in Indianapolis. I have taught 8th grade U.S. history since 2001. I am the author of historical novel, The Carter Journals: Time Travels in Early U.S. History (Indiana Historical Society Press, 2015). My book is used in several school districts across the region as a supplemental curriculum resource. I write a weekly column about education in the Anderson Herald-Bulletin. This column is also shared in about a dozen other newspapers throughout the state of Indiana. I also write a blog for the national platform called Patheos. You can check that out at this link. The mission of this particular blog is to face the growing crisis within public education head on, honestly and frankly. That's just what you'll read here. I've been immersed in the game of education for two decades and I've seen the changes, most of them for the worse. I have a platform to share with my readers the real truth about what is going on. I'll share inspirational successes, disappointing failures, and ideas for making things better.
By Shane Phipps Posted on

Teacher who struck student has long history of political indoctrination

Last week, I wrote an article about the now national story of the teacher in Jimtown, Indiana who was caught on security cameras striking a student in the face. At that time, … Continue reading Teacher who struck student has long history of political indoctrination

By Shane Phipps Posted on

Viral Video of Teacher Slapping Student Shines Spotlight on Our Mental Health Crisis

Chances are you’ve seen the shocking video from Jimtown, Indiana that shows a veteran teacher slapping a student in the hallway. If you haven’t, you can see it here. It’s a … Continue reading Viral Video of Teacher Slapping Student Shines Spotlight on Our Mental Health Crisis

By Shane Phipps Posted on

Awful Education Legislation Isn’t Really About Transparency: We Already Have Transparency

Here’s where teacher frustration boils over when it comes to transparency and parental involvement: Every time it comes up, guess who gets the blame…guess who has more work put on their plate to try to rectify the problem…I’ll give you a hint…it sure as hell isn’t the parents or guardians. When parents aren’t involved, the blame and the penalty is ALWAYS PLACED ON THE TEACHERS. This has been true within our own school society forever. Now it’s coming down on us from the highest levels of our government. 

By Shane Phipps Posted on

The war on public education is a war of attrition and there will be no winners

I’m back again and I come with more reports from the front lines of the war on public education. I wish I could write about something else—after all, every day … Continue reading The war on public education is a war of attrition and there will be no winners

By Shane Phipps Posted on

ALEC Legislation is a Trojan Horse for Christian Nationalists

It is the middle of the day at the public high school in Anytown, Texas. During the school’s non-instructional break period called FOCUS, which is used for various things such … Continue reading ALEC Legislation is a Trojan Horse for Christian Nationalists

By Shane Phipps Posted on

Tipping point: Could public education be a month away from collapse?

By now you know at least something about the growing teacher shortage crisis. It’s already bad and it’s getting worse. So how bad is it? How close are we, really, … Continue reading Tipping point: Could public education be a month away from collapse?

By Shane Phipps Posted on

To far-right lawmakers and parents, critical thinking is the enemy of the state

“The end game of the far right has always been and continues to be to obliterate the Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendment and use Christianity and Nationalism to completely rewrite the curriculum of public schools. This concept is beyond frightening but even more horrifying is the fact that they are having a lot of success in getting this done.”

By Shane Phipps Posted on

Same lipstick, different pig: with Indiana HB 1134 Hoosier lawmakers continue their attacks on teachers

A couple weeks ago, I wrote an article about the Indiana Senate Bill 167 which caught quite a bit of attention. I certainly wasn’t the only one out there speaking out against … Continue reading Same lipstick, different pig: with Indiana HB 1134 Hoosier lawmakers continue their attacks on teachers