Annie Holmquist

Editor

Annie is Editor of Intellectual Takeout. In her role, she assists with website content production and social media messaging.

Annie received a B.A. in Biblical Studies from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul. She also brings 20+ years of experience as a music educator and a volunteer teacher – particularly with inner city children – to the table in her research and writing.

In her spare time Annie enjoys the outdoors, gardening, reading, and events with family and friends.

Recent blog posts by this author

New York Times: Apprenticeships are a Path to the Middle Class

By now you’ve probably heard about the back-to-the-future moment many European countries are having with higher education. Sensing the need to have a well-trained, capable, and employed population, European nations are increasingly...

3 Simple Ways to Become a Better Reader

I’ve loved books ever since I was a small child. As an expression of my love, I always tried to treat them carefully and respectfully, never throwing them around and never – Heaven forbid! – writing in them. While the respect my...

3 Simple Criteria for Choosing Books

Over the years, I’ve heard a number of teachers and parents say a variation of the following: “I don’t care what the child reads, just as long as he is reading!” This statement always makes me uneasy. I can see the need to give a child...

Thomas Jefferson's Ridiculously Long List of Book Recommendations

Last week saw the 239th celebration of America’s Independence Day. Considering many Americans today can’t even explain why we celebrate the 4thof July, it’s somewhat awe-inspiring to see how the American Founders were able to have the...

Half of Public School Parents Would Rather Enroll Their Child Elsewhere

The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice just released its annual survey detailing America’s opinions and attitudes on education. Among other things, the survey asked questions about curriculum, tests, and various forms of school...

Are Gifted and Talented Students Being Left Behind?

We hear a lot about the efforts and plans to promote the progress of failing students in today’s public schools. But in our efforts to get those students caught up, are we also squelching the abilities and interests of our best and brightest...

4 Proven Ways Fathers Improve Their Child’s Education

If you could name one piece of advice your father gave you about education, what would it be? I asked myself this question the other day when I realized that Father’s Day was fast approaching. One particular phrase of my father’s immediately...

NPR: High School Grad Rate "Isn't Worth the Paper It's Printed On"

It’s the end of the school year and by now just about every graduating senior has donned cap and gown and walked across the stage to receive his or her diploma. Statistics place national graduation rates at 81% - a percentage that has risen...

10 Great Summer Classics Your Kids Will Enjoy

Ah… summertime. School is out and your kids are hanging around, complaining of boredom or playing on your iPhone. How do you ensure that your children won’t fritter away their summer in useless activities that fail to stretch their mind? For...

And the Reason Parents Choose Public School is...

While reading through the Friedman Foundation’s recent poll on Minnesota K-12 education and school choice, questions 8 and 9 caught my attention. These questions asked respondents to state their preferred school type, and then asked the...