"Meet the Champs"

As Nicholas Kristof goes on sabbatical, he leaves us with thoughts about Elizabeth Vicary Spiegel and I.S. 318 .

"What Makes a Good Teacher"

Vera Titunik writes:

New York City children start school this week, and, like many parents, I hope that each of my kids will get the perfect teacher. The new book from Paul Tough, “How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity and the Hidden Power of Character,” has given me a new sort of perfection to hope for: someone like Elizabeth Spiegel, the chess teacher at I.S. 318 in Brooklyn.

Paul Tough on Elizabeth Spiegel and her ability to channel Mike Ditka: "She does not hug." But hey, Elizabeth hugged me a couple months ago! (And I'm really not a hugger.)