Category Archives: Education & Teaching

Writing on teaching, learning, schools, higher education, pedagogy, mentoring, intellectual development, and the role of education in personal and social transformation.

“To Be Ignorant of One’s Ignorance” — Amos Bronson Alcott

Posted on August 3, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

What is your favorite quote? “To be ignorant of one’s ignorance is the malady of the ignorant.” — Amos Bronson Alcott

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How Learning to Type Prepared Me to Be a Writer

Posted on August 1, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

What’s a skill you consider basic, that most people don’t actually know how to do? Typing! I’m from the generation where we had the option to take typing classes, as an elective. In 6th grade, a friend and I discovered … Continue reading →

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Edmond Dantès, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Second Chances

Posted on July 31, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Who is the fictional character you relate to the most? This is an easy one! Edmond Dantes, from my favorite book as a teenager, “The Count of Monte Cristo.” Alexandre Dumas’ book has been adapted for the screen numerous times, … Continue reading →

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Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday: A Reflection

Posted on July 4, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

On July 4, 2026, America marks its 250th birthday, reflecting on its Declaration of Independence and the historical complexities surrounding its authors, notably Thomas Jefferson’s legacy as a slave owner. The piece underscores the contributions of Black Americans throughout history and critiques the current leadership dynamic, advocating for new, younger voices in governance. Continue reading →

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Journey Through Crime, Justice & Literature – The Series

Posted on February 17, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

In this series, I trace how a teenage brush with homicide headlines became a lifelong interrogation of justice. From police tape and tabloid “if it bleeds, it leads” narratives to courtrooms, prisons, and the literature that wrestles with guilt, I ask what truth survives punishment. Along the way, I revisit forgotten voices, personal losses, and hard-earned lessons—seeking a language that honors victims, confronts systems, and insists on humanity, story at a time, without flinching. Continue reading →

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Revisiting _The Miseducation of the Negro_ This Black History Month

Posted on February 3, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Carter G. Woodson’s seminal book, The Miseducation of the Negro, published in 1926, is a book Black folk should periodically revisit, perhaps every three years, ideally every year.  If you are Black and you have not read the book, then … Continue reading →

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Leadership Mini-Series: Joseph, Ethics, and Leading with Conviction – The Leadership Challenge of Remembering

Posted on September 14, 2025 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Joseph exemplifies leadership through integrity and resilience, even in his imprisonment. Kouzes and Posner emphasize the importance of modeling and inspiring vision. Joseph’s story serves as a reminder that leadership involves community memory and recognition of others’ strengths, prompting reflection on how leaders ensure their followers are acknowledged. Continue reading →

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Leadership Mini-Series: Joseph, Ethics, and Leading with Conviction – Joseph, Cupbearers, and Ethical Memory

Posted on September 7, 2025 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

This series explores the intersections of biblical wisdom (Joseph and the cupbearer), ethical leadership, and modern research on justice-centered leadership. Continue reading →

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Participatory Research: A How‑To Blueprint

Posted on September 2, 2025 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

A practical guide to co‑designing, conducting, and deploying participatory research in criminal legal system advocacy—grounded in the 2025 white paper on incorporating lived expertise. Continue reading →

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Toni Morrison Slays Moby Dick

Posted on April 28, 2025 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Toni Morrison writes that Moby Dick is “[a] complex, heaving, disorderly, profound text.” In my attempt, in my teens and twenties, to read as many “classics” as possible, I set out, like Ahab, to conquer the great white whale of … Continue reading →

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