learning curve

One teacher?s quest to connect with his students

Nathan Eckstrom (left) taught an English class in Les Cayes, Haiti.

Keith Bedford/Globe Staff

With Boston schools ever more diverse, many teachers journey to Haiti and other lands, hoping to learn more of students? roots, challenges, and dreams.

Divided Nation

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/09/02/BostonGlobe.com/National/Images/06dividednationpacs_ConradA.jpg In national politics, big money drowning out everyone else

The way democracy is practiced is being redefined. To some, it is a breakthrough for free speech; to others, a threat to fair elections.

As Whitey Bulger, Johnny Depp (top right) joins a roster of actors playing real-life villains that includes Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty (?Bonnie and Clyde?), Brad Pitt (Jesse James) and Casey Affleck (Robert Ford), and Robert De Niro as Al Capone.

Warner Bros. Pictures/2015

Ty Burr | Critic?s notebook

?Black Mass? the latest example of our fascination with villains

This is how our culture explains a sociopathic thug. We build him up until he?s legendary, and then we get a movie star to play him.

State finds license fraud by 13 nurses

The action sparked questions about the background checks state regulators rely on to issue licenses to thousands of nurses.

KEVIN CULLEN

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/10/18/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/cullen_20131018.jpg Nanny?s case could have broad effects on child abuse prosecutions

The state?s highest court is about to consider appeals in two cases of men convicted of child abuse.

Sophomore Liz Kantor, left, and junior Aislinn Brophy auditioned for the Hasty Pudding in Cambridge on Saturday.

Wendy Maeda/Globe Staff

Auditions, but no Hasty Pudding roles yet for women

Nearly 20 women tried out Saturday for Harvard?s all-male Hasty Pudding Theatricals.

Yvonne Abraham

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/09/13/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/abrahamy-8810.jpg Life doesn?t come with trigger warnings, and neither should college

Schools are increasingly in the business of making sure that students are never offended or made to feel uncomfortable.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox celebrated after hitting his 500th career MLB home run during the fifth inning of Saturday?s game.

Brian Blanco/Getty Images

How the Red Sox woke up a monster in David Ortiz

Stifled as a power hitter in Minnesota, Ortiz was able to break loose in Boston, thanks to Grady Little and a ground out.

Interactive

David Ortiz?s 500 home runs

An interactive database of the Red Sox slugger?s major hits, and how he compares to other players in the 500 club.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/09/12/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/2015-09-12T232638Z_732521305_NOCID_RTRMADP_3_MLB-BOSTON-RED-SOX-AT-TAMPA-BAY-RAYS.jpg David Ortiz asks into lineup, then hits No. 500

Ortiz, originally slated for a day off Saturday, instead became the 27th player to cross baseball?s major home-run milestone.

DAN SHAUGHNESSY

Apparently, Boston has a history of cheating

It did not start with Bill Belichick and the 2001 Patriots. No doubt you already knew that. This goes way back.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/09/10/BostonGlobe.com/Ideas/Images/0913doping200-577.jpg A moral case to let athletes dope

Such prohibitions promote a sense of justice and fairness that we reject in other aspects of society.

my first home

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/09/10/BostonGlobe.com/Business/Images/MFHsky.jpg From Haverhill to Hollywood

Haverhill native and ?Dancing with the Stars? host Tom Bergeron recounts his days in the ?little shack by the railroad track.?

From right, Marianne Duddy-Burke and her wife, Becky, at their Hyde Park home with their daughters Emily and Infinity.

Jim Davis/Globe Staff

Gay Catholic families plan pilgrimage to see pope

The papal visit feels like a moment of possibility to Catholics concerned about the church?s relationship with gay and transgender people.

JOHN L. ALLEN JR. | ALL THINGS CATHOLIC

Expect the unexpected in Pope Francis? US visit

This pontiff is perennially capable of surprise, from his schedule to his statements.

fall arts preview 2015

Critics? picks for fall arts events

Globe writers offer noteworthy exhibits, attractions, and concerts to see this season, including Courtney Love and Todd Almond in ?Kansas City Choir Boy.?

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/09/11/BostonGlobe.com/Business/Images/rathe_fallRE_biz05.jpg Home sales likely to stay strong this fall

Agents and analysts predict a seller?s market, as buyers take advantage of more homes for sale and interest rates near historic lows.

Ground Game

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/09/11/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/97d29f535cbe4f999be2c5aac9659429-97d29f535cbe4f999be2c5aac9659429-0.jpg Some Democrats question debate schedule

Calls to add additional Democratic presidential debates have gained some traction in the past week.

Opinion & Ideas

JEFF JACOBY

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/09/11/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/Jeff_Jacoby_150px-1280.jpg The Iran deal is a bait and switch

Here are five ways that President Obama has conned the voters.

The Big Picture

A student peeks into her classroom as she waits for the first day of school at the Alexander Hamilton School in Glen Rock, N.J. on Sept. 2.

Mitsu Yasukawa/The Record of Bergen County via Associated Press

The Big Picture

Back to school

In a familiar fall ritual, children around the world returned to classes this week.

BetaBoston

BetaBoston

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/09/11/BostonGlobe.com/Business/Images/iOS9-iPhone6s-3Up-Wallet-PR-PRINT.jpg Apple takes on carriers with iPhone lease plan

Apple?s new program allows customers to keep paying by the month, and get a new iPhone once a year.

Crux

ON SPIRITUALITY

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2015/09/10/BostonGlobe.com/National/Images/43e99f9883d14f7dbcccf8d9f72d8f13-d562f35ee7534050a57f8b8f5f448a48-0.jpg Colbert: A cultural ? and Catholic ? superstar

Let?s face it. There are not many cultural superstars who are superstar Catholics, too. But Stephen Colbert is one of them.

Travel