Katie Caprez McKinley

Part of the challenge to wide understanding: a highly skilled teacher makes it* look easy. *simultaneous classroom management, instruction & adaptation. To be a truly excellent teacher is no easier than throwing a back handspring on a balance beam. Just because professionals make it look easy doesn’t mean it is (take it from someone who learned that the hard way).

Deeply intrigued by this

For the first time in the nation’s 250-year history, a U.S. Navy warship will be commissioned in the Buckeye State, and there is no shortage of ways for Ohioans to welcome the vessel to its namesake city: l.cleveland.com/2rg0jm?utm_cam… Photo: U.S. Navy

@Jesse_Leg As a person who loves an after-action report (learning from mistakes is important) I’d followed this a bit — the @CrookedMedia / Pod Save guys are among the people publicly pressuring the DNC to release this postmortem. Hope it happens.

I genuinely feel bad for DNC Chair Ken Martin. The autopsy almost certainly says something to the effect of: Democrats lost in 2024 due to a combination of economic dissatisfaction, incumbent fatigue, Kamala’s unpopularity, concerns over crime and immigration, and overreach on cultural issues like trans, DEI, and other woke crap—reflecting what is now conventional wisdom. So Martin puts the kibosh on its release, because he knows many of the bigwigs in his own coalition—like the Pod Save America Bros—aren’t willing to contend with those realities. They insist upon telling themselves stories about how if Kamala had just been a little bit more pro-Hamas and hostile to Israel, she would’ve beaten Trump. This is, of course, absurd. Very few Americans cast their ballot based on Israel or Gaza or Iran or any of that stuff. And to the extent foreign policy played any role in the last presidential election’s outcome, it’s likely that voters doubted Harris‘s abilities to keep Americans safe following the Biden administration’s disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal. There were no foreign policy incidents even remotely as calamitous as that during Trump‘s first term. Beyond all that, it’s worth noting that Jill Stein—the Green Party’s protest vote option for Palestine-obsessed, self-loathing Americans—also racked up markedly fewer votes in 2024 than she managed to collect in 2016.

researchers should do good research instead of bad research but i wonder if the causal error between bad research --> policymakers bad ideas is reversed. the reason policymakers seize on sloppy on research is because it says what they want theargumentmag.com/p/education-re…

What a time to be alive.

@marcportermagee @AmeriCorps Will read! I’d consider incentivizing, if not mandating, service. Even social/prestige incentives, if not economic . Working together on something hard, pushing alongside peers to finish strong — few better ways to build confidence & camaraderie. Youth desperately need both!

@KatieCaprez @AmeriCorps I'm pro! (But voluntary) researchgate.net/publication/25…

Do we need a residential educational institution that is neither college nor career training nor credentialing but one more year of “life training”? Kind of an on-ramp to adulthood for 18-24 year olds. Some countries have a “folk high school” system to meet this need.

The ancient texts must not be forgotten.

Best take on this article that I’ve seen so far 👇

Folks who paid to serve me this ad: I regret to inform you that I’ve not only *been* #Catholic for several decades…I’ve also taught Catholic theology classes to teens and tweens! Are there folks for whom this kind of this is actually persuasive?

Hyper-focusing on a single part of an otherwise-solid, comprehensive reading program will likely end poorly. This is why people joke about the folly of “skipping leg day” at the gym. Strength comes from the entire scope and sequence, can’t just do hundreds of curls. 💪

Uh, I think I really need to make a pilgrimage to Rome for All Saints day...for, like, my spiritual well-being. Yes, that's it...

Your annual Donald Rumsfeld IRS Tax Day Letter appreciation post.

Statement From Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly: In recent days, many Catholics and other people of goodwill have been deeply disappointed by the disparaging comments directed at Pope Leo XIV by the President of the United States. The Successor of Saint Peter is not a politician — he is the Vicar of Christ, entrusted with proclaiming the Gospel and shepherding souls. The Knights of Columbus has always stood in solidarity with the Holy Father, recognizing in him a spiritual father who calls the world not to division, but to unity, not to conflict, but to peace. In this moment, we reaffirm that commitment with clarity and conviction. At the same time, we recognize that faithful Catholics can and do engage vigorously in the public square, and that nations have a right and duty to safeguard the security of their own people — always in accordance with the demands of justice and the pursuit of peace. The Church does not ask Catholics to withdraw from civic life, but to engage with and elevate it — bringing to our civic dialogue the light of truth, respect for the dignity of every human person, and a steadfast concern for the common good. Pope Leo XIV has consistently called for peace, dialogue, and restraint in a world marked by war and suffering. The Holy Father’s words are not political talking points — they are reflections of the Gospel itself. Whether one agrees or disagrees with particular policy judgments, the Holy Father’s prophetic voice deserves to be heard with respect and engaged seriously. As Knights, we are called to be men of unity, as followers of Christ and patriotic citizens. I encourage all Knights of Columbus to pray for the Holy Father, to pray for civic leaders, and to pray for peace and those working to achieve it. And let us recommit ourselves to charity in our public discourse. May we be known not for echoing the divisions of our time, but for healing them. In a moment of tension, the path forward is not louder conflict, but deeper fidelity — to truth, to charity, and to the Gospel.

Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every other name. Philippians 2:8-9

Honor, truth, & beauty are precious, important elements of “the good life,” but they are not automatically valued, sustained, or protected. If we want a society with (or certainly, day-to-day glimpses of) these things, we’re responsible for acting. Lunch break musing (old pic).

@DanaPalubiak Question: Jack, Mae, & Amy are in your 4th grade class. Each scored “Proficient” on 3rd grade standardized ELA test. Mid-year ELA results arrive: Jack & Mae score “Advanced,” but Amy’s now reading slightly below grade level. This doesn’t prompt *any* changes to instruction?

@KatieCaprez We’re not short on data. We’re short on time, autonomy, and systems that actually let teachers use it.

If, once student test results are back, “nothing changes in the classroom” per action (or inaction) of a school’s instructional leaders, that’s a disservice to students. Assessment informs good instruction. Who can say “nothing” about learners can be gleaned from state tests?

"Do you like His hand, or do you like the pennies in His hand?" -Fulton J. Sheen on how we turn to God in prayer only when we need something

@KenShepherd Senator Hirono is also a step parent.

Tim Scott’s wife has children. He is as such a stepdad. So not childless.