Kenzo Shibata, 09/20/12

Chicago Educator, Writer, Public Schools Advocate

I was quite disappointed early this week to read an email sent from "Hipster" Alderman Proco "Joe" Moreno's office admonishing members of Chicago Teachers Union in their fight for better schools.

John Thompson, 09/18/12

Award-winning historian and inner-city teacher

Whether you agree or disagree with the contemporary market-driven, test-driven "reform" movement, it would be hard to deny that it has benefited from the best public relations campaign that money can buy.

Nico Lang, 09/19/12

Co-Creator and Co-Editor, In Our Words

Even though the strike has ended, America's inequalities won't end with a single compromise. They will end when we stop fighting each other and fight for the one thing we can agree on: the future of our children.

Amy B. Dean, 09/19/12

Fellow of the Century Foundation and co-author, 'A New New Deal: How Regional Activism Will Reshape the American Labor Movement'; President and founder, ABD Ventures

The takeaway from the Chicago strike is that true leadership in education requires partnership -- an approach that supports what is working in our schools and creates a collaborative effort among teachers, school officials, and policymakers.

Meryl Ain, Ed.D., 09/19/12

Your Education Doctor

Having sat in on numerous school contract negotiations, I can tell you that the best contract agreement is when both sides walk away not feeling totally satisfied. That appears to be the case in Chicago.

Anne Sobel, 09/19/12

Lecturer in Film Production, Northwestern University in Qatar

My mother and father were Chicago public school teachers for the entirety of their 30-year careers. I wish commentors offended by the suggestion teachers should get paid well could spend one day in a public school teacher's shoes.

Cheryl Mendelson, 09/19/12

Author, 'The Good Life: The Moral Individual in an Antimoral World'

The legal use of Tasers for pain compliance -- hurting people so badly that they are rendered submissive -- is common. This is legal torture. It doesn't stop being torture, and it doesn't stop being wrong, when inflicted to make someone obey police orders.

Susan Eleuterio, 09/20/12

Professional Folklorist and Educator

In the old days, teachers would have been told how to vote. Today, they are part of the process. The teachers want (and deserve) to be part of the decision making.

Paul Klein, 09/19/12

Art advocate

Thought Catalog, 09/19/12

Online Magazine for People Passionate About Culture

I know voting is important. But I'm also in my 20s, meaning I've moved a dozen times in the last decade (and lived in four different states). It hasn't been easy to have my act together in time to vote every two years.

So this year I've put together a state-by-state list of what you need to do to vote, especially if you're new to your state like I am, so we can all be prepared come November 6th.

Jay Weston, 09/19/12

Publisher, Jay Weston's Restaurant Newsletter

Lani Hall is a true literary talent who is now one of the major writers of the naturalistic Chicago school and will leave a lasting impact on us all.

David Protess, 09/18/12

President, Chicago Innocence Project

In this case, the accusers and the accused have more in common than they may think: The justice system failed them both.

Michael Rusin, 09/18/12

Teacher, Lincoln Park High School

Instead of privatized education for Chicago, I hope for a future with strong neighborhood schools where teachers work together with CPS to create safe environments and strong learning communities.

Barbra Streisand, 09/18/12

Singer; Actress; Director; Composer; Activist

Do we want to go backward with Mitt Romney or move forward with President Obama? On Tuesday, November 6th, the American people will have the power to make that choice.

Rina Ranalli, 09/18/12

Writer, editor and publishing consultant

We parents who want an educational system that can rescue those most at risk realize that no contractual agreement will solve those glaring inequalities.

Etan Thomas, 09/16/12

Author, poet, philanthropist, NBA veteran

The point is, these conditions are not conducive to a healthy learning environment. And they are not conducive to a healthy teaching environment. And it's why supporting the striking teachers in Chicago is imperative. So, what are they fighting for?

Andy Thayer, 09/20/12

Anti-war activist and co-founder of the Gay Liberation Network in Chicago

Honduras is the third poorest country in the Western hemisphere. After Mexico, it is the largest source of migrants from Central America to the United States. It is also the murder capital of the world.