Tracy O’Connell Novick
@tracynovick.bsky.social
Yes, that Tracy Novick
she/her/hers
Education policy and finance
I speak here only for me/ nullius in verba
from the Heart of the Commonwealth
Sometimes random photos of the cat
linktr.ee/TracyNovick
she/her/hers
Education policy and finance
I speak here only for me/ nullius in verba
from the Heart of the Commonwealth
Sometimes random photos of the cat
linktr.ee/TracyNovick
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
I work in procurement and our vendors have been rolling out AI systems and... it has been a disaster. The AI gets everything wrong and I have to navigate a labyrinthian telephone menu to get to a human to fix it.
This has big "We'll colonize the moon in 10 years!" Musk energy.
This has big "We'll colonize the moon in 10 years!" Musk energy.
February 14, 2026 at 2:03 PM
I work in procurement and our vendors have been rolling out AI systems and... it has been a disaster. The AI gets everything wrong and I have to navigate a labyrinthian telephone menu to get to a human to fix it.
This has big "We'll colonize the moon in 10 years!" Musk energy.
This has big "We'll colonize the moon in 10 years!" Musk energy.
Let me just note, in this thread about how cities are neat places to live, that as a white kid growing up in a very white suburb, “Sesame Street” did that for me.
It was my intro to subways, people being multilingual, corner stores, trash pickup, multiracial neighborhoods, you name it.
It was my intro to subways, people being multilingual, corner stores, trash pickup, multiracial neighborhoods, you name it.
February 15, 2026 at 12:03 AM
Let me just note, in this thread about how cities are neat places to live, that as a white kid growing up in a very white suburb, “Sesame Street” did that for me.
It was my intro to subways, people being multilingual, corner stores, trash pickup, multiracial neighborhoods, you name it.
It was my intro to subways, people being multilingual, corner stores, trash pickup, multiracial neighborhoods, you name it.
Hey UK folks:
Desperately looking for anyone in Scotland to foster a 2 year old female cat named Bambi. Incredibly affectionate and friendly. Indoor-only. Whether temporary (a few weeks) or longer term.
She's going to be put to sleep otherwise -- due to a heart issue that won't affect her for another 12 months
She's going to be put to sleep otherwise -- due to a heart issue that won't affect her for another 12 months
February 14, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Hey UK folks:
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
As I argue in the article, there’s no version of “the public humanities” *more public* than high school English!
February 13, 2026 at 7:32 PM
As I argue in the article, there’s no version of “the public humanities” *more public* than high school English!
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
My partner did not believe this wasn’t a Nintendo screencap of Luigi until I zoomed in on his face, and I urge you to do the same
What a great photo of Brazilian alpine skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, the first South American to ever win a medal at the Winter Olympic Games.
February 14, 2026 at 9:59 PM
My partner did not believe this wasn’t a Nintendo screencap of Luigi until I zoomed in on his face, and I urge you to do the same
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
This is a powerful story for me. Several branches of the Women's Institute are closing across the UK in protest at the new trans-exclusionary ban against trans women. It cuts through the lie by the media and GC groups about speaking on behalf of women. Solidarity.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
‘Carnage of concern and upset’: Women’s Institute groups close after transgender ban
Members warn NFWI decision has opened up toxic culture that deters younger women from joining
www.theguardian.com
February 14, 2026 at 1:06 PM
This is a powerful story for me. Several branches of the Women's Institute are closing across the UK in protest at the new trans-exclusionary ban against trans women. It cuts through the lie by the media and GC groups about speaking on behalf of women. Solidarity.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
Legendary founder of NPR programming Bill Siemering is enjoying Zoom visiting with students so much that he's asked me to put a second call out. No honorarium necessary. Any takers?
Bill Siemering, founding program director of NPR, author of its mission statement, has asked me to inquire if any profs might be interested in a Zoom class visit? No honorarium necessary. Bill founded All Things Considered, Fresh Air, won a MacArthur, etc.
A Founding Father of NPR Worries About Its Fate
www.nytimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Legendary founder of NPR programming Bill Siemering is enjoying Zoom visiting with students so much that he's asked me to put a second call out. No honorarium necessary. Any takers?
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
Well. I’ll be thinking about this for a while.
February 14, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Well. I’ll be thinking about this for a while.
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
Via @clairegiangrave.bsky.social: Epstein files reveal ties to Catholic conservatives' anti-Francis campaign —> religionnews.com/2026/02/11/e...
Epstein files reveal ties to Catholic conservatives' anti-Francis campaign
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The newly released Epstein files show that Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon discussed opposition to Pope Francis, including a move that Bannon claimed would ‘take down Francis.’
religionnews.com
February 14, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Via @clairegiangrave.bsky.social: Epstein files reveal ties to Catholic conservatives' anti-Francis campaign —> religionnews.com/2026/02/11/e...
I call @repmcgovern.bsky.social’s office at least once a week, usually to thank him.
This week, the email his office sent back closed with this:
This week, the email his office sent back closed with this:
Republicans own this shutdown. They would rather defund critical agencies that keep us safe like the TSA, the Coast Guard, and FEMA, than rein in Trump’s rogue secret police as it’s literally killing American citizens.
February 14, 2026 at 7:58 PM
I call @repmcgovern.bsky.social’s office at least once a week, usually to thank him.
This week, the email his office sent back closed with this:
This week, the email his office sent back closed with this:
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
Remember when we asked you for supplies for folks being thrown out of Whipple in dangerous conditions?
You were sending them to St. Paul Corner Drug, who was working to get them out into the neighborhood. They've posted a heartwarming thank you on IG:
www.instagram.com/p/DUojPuBDd6x/
You were sending them to St. Paul Corner Drug, who was working to get them out into the neighborhood. They've posted a heartwarming thank you on IG:
www.instagram.com/p/DUojPuBDd6x/
February 14, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Remember when we asked you for supplies for folks being thrown out of Whipple in dangerous conditions?
You were sending them to St. Paul Corner Drug, who was working to get them out into the neighborhood. They've posted a heartwarming thank you on IG:
www.instagram.com/p/DUojPuBDd6x/
You were sending them to St. Paul Corner Drug, who was working to get them out into the neighborhood. They've posted a heartwarming thank you on IG:
www.instagram.com/p/DUojPuBDd6x/
Oh wow,
Also if you decide to try to argue about vaccines! Yeah no.
Also if you decide to try to argue about vaccines! Yeah no.
Also, if you quote tweet this with some comment that it is “deserved” when we’re talking about kids who just left home for the first time: blocked.
February 14, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Oh wow,
Also if you decide to try to argue about vaccines! Yeah no.
Also if you decide to try to argue about vaccines! Yeah no.
Florida law says colleges have to allow an opt-out on mandatory vaccinations.
And so the measles that came back on the buses from DC in January are currently ripping through Ave Maria University in Florida.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/w...
And so the measles that came back on the buses from DC in January are currently ripping through Ave Maria University in Florida.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/w...
Measles Outbreak Hits Florida College
www.nytimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Florida law says colleges have to allow an opt-out on mandatory vaccinations.
And so the measles that came back on the buses from DC in January are currently ripping through Ave Maria University in Florida.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/w...
And so the measles that came back on the buses from DC in January are currently ripping through Ave Maria University in Florida.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/w...
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
“what cool shit can I do as Mayor? oh, I can marry people? awesome, let’s do it”
once again the constant theme of “New York is great, New Yorkers are great, isn’t this great?” comes through
once again the constant theme of “New York is great, New Yorkers are great, isn’t this great?” comes through
Everyone in the world comes to get married at the NYC Marriage Bureau. Last week, the Mayor stopped by to officiate a few of those ceremonies.
Thank you to all the couples who shared their joy with us. Happy Valentine's Day, New York.
Watch the full video at Youtube.com/nycmayorsoffice
Thank you to all the couples who shared their joy with us. Happy Valentine's Day, New York.
Watch the full video at Youtube.com/nycmayorsoffice
February 14, 2026 at 4:25 PM
“what cool shit can I do as Mayor? oh, I can marry people? awesome, let’s do it”
once again the constant theme of “New York is great, New Yorkers are great, isn’t this great?” comes through
once again the constant theme of “New York is great, New Yorkers are great, isn’t this great?” comes through
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
In 1854, after watching the federal government deploy 2000 federal troops and spend $40,000 sending Anthony Burns back into slavery, Boston's Amos Adams Lawrence said “we went to bed one night old-fashioned, conservative, Compromise Union Whigs and waked up stark mad Abolitionists.”
Yesterday morning kids were sent running from their bus stop in panic because ICE showed up. This guy at today’s ICE Out of Lindenwold protest is a must watch 😭. @maddow.bsky.social
February 14, 2026 at 5:07 PM
In 1854, after watching the federal government deploy 2000 federal troops and spend $40,000 sending Anthony Burns back into slavery, Boston's Amos Adams Lawrence said “we went to bed one night old-fashioned, conservative, Compromise Union Whigs and waked up stark mad Abolitionists.”
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
For #caturday a medieval snail cat! 🐌 🐈
📕 This remarkable creature is depicted in the Maastricht Hours – an illuminated devotional manuscript produced in the Netherlands during the early 1300s.
🗃️ #arthistory #medievalsky #art #cat #cats #design #booksky
📕 This remarkable creature is depicted in the Maastricht Hours – an illuminated devotional manuscript produced in the Netherlands during the early 1300s.
🗃️ #arthistory #medievalsky #art #cat #cats #design #booksky
February 14, 2026 at 12:49 PM
For #caturday a medieval snail cat! 🐌 🐈
📕 This remarkable creature is depicted in the Maastricht Hours – an illuminated devotional manuscript produced in the Netherlands during the early 1300s.
🗃️ #arthistory #medievalsky #art #cat #cats #design #booksky
📕 This remarkable creature is depicted in the Maastricht Hours – an illuminated devotional manuscript produced in the Netherlands during the early 1300s.
🗃️ #arthistory #medievalsky #art #cat #cats #design #booksky
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
Yeah.
It's the caring labour of coding that is constantly rendered invisible. Real Men move fast and heroically break things, ripping the future into the present whether we like it or not.
Caring whether it's fit for purpose and methodically examining what's being proposed to assess it is for pussies.
Caring whether it's fit for purpose and methodically examining what's being proposed to assess it is for pussies.
February 14, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Yeah.
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
Absolutely beautiful Steve Sack
February 14, 2026 at 1:54 PM
Absolutely beautiful Steve Sack
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
Nahid Bhadelia, director of Boston University’s Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases in Massachusetts: “Just because we say we’re going to stop caring about these issues doesn’t make the issues go away—it just makes us less prepared."
February 14, 2026 at 11:43 AM
Nahid Bhadelia, director of Boston University’s Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases in Massachusetts: “Just because we say we’re going to stop caring about these issues doesn’t make the issues go away—it just makes us less prepared."
I assume these Massachusetts middle schoolers organizing anti-ICE walkouts are all just getting an A on their state-required civics projects, right?
February 14, 2026 at 3:13 PM
I assume these Massachusetts middle schoolers organizing anti-ICE walkouts are all just getting an A on their state-required civics projects, right?
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
Cardinal Cupich will celebrate an outdoor Ash Wednesday Mass and procession in solidarity with immigrant families…a judge ordered the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to grant the Christian advocacy group access to the Broadview detention center near Chicago. religionnews.com/2026/02/13/j...
Judge orders ICE to allow Catholics access to Chicago-area detention center
(RNS) — The plaintiff group — the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership — has announced that Cardinal Blase Cupich will be joining them for Ash Wednesday Mass.
religionnews.com
February 14, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Cardinal Cupich will celebrate an outdoor Ash Wednesday Mass and procession in solidarity with immigrant families…a judge ordered the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to grant the Christian advocacy group access to the Broadview detention center near Chicago. religionnews.com/2026/02/13/j...
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
“Vehemently anti-AI,” presumably. Who will speak for these students? Read the thread to see how we are failing them.
"I know several teens, including my own college-age kid, who are vehemently AI. They choose not to use AI for environmental reasons, for ethical reasons, for creative reasons, or just because they want to use their own thinking. What do we tell those students? Do we have to force them to use AI?
February 14, 2026 at 1:45 PM
“Vehemently anti-AI,” presumably. Who will speak for these students? Read the thread to see how we are failing them.
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
Will support fare gates on transit when there are gates on metered parking spots. The deep brow furrowing about revenue loss never seems to apply to drivers!
"For Cohn, the fare gate debate is a chance to change how public transit works. “Whenever I see lots of money being put into combatting fare evasion, it always just ends up reinforcing to me why fare-free public transit is a good goal.”"
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/13/n...
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/13/n...
The new fare gates at South Station are annoying. They’re also part of the answer to a bigger problem. - The Boston Globe
For some, the gates are a practical solution to fare evasion, which drains MBTA resources. For others, they’re a symbol of why the transit agency needs radical reform.
www.bostonglobe.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Will support fare gates on transit when there are gates on metered parking spots. The deep brow furrowing about revenue loss never seems to apply to drivers!
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
Someone go get this Pelican Rapids classroom a way to raise baby chicks, please. (caught that one after I gave!)
www.donorschoose.org/project/litt...
www.donorschoose.org/project/litt...
Little Eggs, Big Lessons: Supporting Our Chick Project, a project from Mrs. Snavely
Help me give my students an incubator and brooding box so my students can experience the chick-hatching life cycle firsthand, building responsibility, curiosity, empathy and real-world science skil...
www.donorschoose.org
February 13, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Someone go get this Pelican Rapids classroom a way to raise baby chicks, please. (caught that one after I gave!)
www.donorschoose.org/project/litt...
www.donorschoose.org/project/litt...