The Teacher's Forum

In this episode of the Teachers Forum, host David Harris interviews Adrian Gordon, a distinguished music educator and composer and one of only a handful of Black composers of classical music in the nation. Adrian shares his unique journey in music, from his early influences growing up in a Jamaican household to his experiences in music education and composition. He discusses the challenges of repr...

In this episode of the Teachers Forum, host David Harris engages in a deep discussion with educators Melanee Duncan Friday and Dave Stieber about the pressing issues of mental health in students, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. They explore the impact of social media, the challenges faced by students in processing emotions, and the role of schools in providing support. The conve...

In this episode of the Teachers Forum, LaQuinda Johnson shares her transformative journey in education, from her early influences and teaching experiences in Miami and Atlanta to her decision to leave the classroom and start Lady Quinn Enterprise. She discusses the challenges and rewards of teaching in diverse environments, the importance of building relationships with students and parents, and th...

This is a rebroadcast of one of the most popular episodes from last season, timed to coincide with this week’s annual NAIS People of Color Conference (POCC) in Denver, Colorado. Many listeners felt this episode should be mandatory listening for those attending POCC for the first time. Join David and his distinguished guests—Bobby Edwards, Jacqui Pelzer, and Jana Dorsey—as they delve into the histo...

In this episode of the Teachers Forum, David engages with three distinguished educators—Sara Rich Merlo, Jamie Lathan, and Matt Scialdone—who are dedicated to teaching American history, particularly the often-overlooked narratives from the Jim Crow South. The conversation discusses the Civil Rights Restorative Justice Project and the work they're doing to address the "harms resulting fro...

In this episode of the Teachers Forum, David welcomes Sofia Gonzalez, a passionate educator and advocate for the Latino community. Sophia shares her journey from a daughter of immigrants (4:15) to becoming a teacher and nonprofit leader. She discusses the importance of cultural identity in education (00:08:39), the diversity within the Latino community, the debate around the term Latinx (16:16), a...

In this episode of The Teacher's Forum , David is joined by Dr. Roderick Carey from the University of Delaware to explore the educational experiences of Black and Latino boys in K-12 schools. Dr. Carey shares his personal journey and discusses the systemic challenges these boys face, such as disproportionate discipline and the lack of cultural representation in curricula. The episode emphasiz...

In this special episode in honor of James Baldwin's 100th birthday we are joined by two distinguished educators, Dr. Yven Destin and Tyron Dandridge to discuss the life and works of James Baldwin and his impact on American history and fiction. They explore their personal encounters with Baldwin's work and how it has influenced their careers as educators. The conversation delves into the...

Join host David Harris for Season 2 of *The Teacher’s Forum* podcast, premiering on September 3, 2024. Building on the success of Season 1, this season brings even more insightful discussions and stories that matter most to K-12 educators. From celebrating the 100th birthday of James Baldwin to introducing our new Teacher’s Forum Roundtable, we’ll explore the pressing issues in education today. Su...

In this engaging and final episode of Season I of The Teacher's Forum, David sits down with his former student, Sam Bright, an eighth-grade science teacher in East New York, Brooklyn who is in his third year of teaching. Sam shares his journey to becoming an educator and the challenges he faces in a diverse urban school. He discusses the importance of cultural awareness and the joy of helping...

In this compelling episode of The Teacher’s Forum, David interviews Matt Hawn, a veteran high school teacher from Tennessee who was fired in 2021 for teaching about race and white privilege. As educational landscapes across the country face unprecedented challenges, his experience sheds light on the broader issues at play. Matt openly explores the events leading up to his firing, and the larger co...

In this engaging episode, David interviews Charles Williams, a Chicago public school assistant principal and host of The Counter Narrative Podcast, about his educational journey and career path. Charles shares his motivation for becoming an assistant principal and highlights the importance of creating a supportive environment for teachers. They discuss how principals are depicted in media, with a...

In this episode of the Teachers Forum, David sits down with Justin Sheehan and Alyssa Smith about their experiences living and teaching abroad. Justin shares his educational journey, from excelling academically but struggling with executive function, to becoming a STEM educator and teaching in Guadalajara, Mexico. Alyssa discusses her educational background, including her love for learning and the...

In honor of Women's History Month, join David as he sits down with two extraordinary educators: Zakiyyah Ali, a former New York master Social Studies teacher and EdD student at Howard University, and Stacey Gibson, an educator, and featured  TED Speaker.  Our conversation delves deeply into education today, starting with a robust discussion on James Baldwin's timeless 1963 piece, "A...

In a special Black History Month episode of "The Teacher's Forum," join David in a powerful exploration of the forgotten enslaved cemetery at Sardis Road Presbyterian Church, just across from Providence Day School in Charlotte, North Carolina. In an exclusive interview, former Eagle Scout Hoke Thompson shares how he discovered and restored the 234 year old cemetery. The conversation...

In this captivating episode of "The Teacher’s Forum," join us as we delve into the inspiring journey and vision of Hatim Eltayeb. Hatim takes us through his incredible life story, starting with his upbringing in Oman and Cairo, leading to his unexpected detour from a legal career path to becoming a driving force in education. From his formative years to attending Harvard University, Hati...

Join David for an enlightening conversation with early childhood educator Giselle Sanchez-Santiago as she shares her journey from Puerto Rico to Chicago's south side to becoming an educator at Velma Thomas Early Childhood Center. Nestled in the heart of the McKinley Park neighborhood, Velma Thomas, a Reggio Emilia Inspired Preschool, becomes the canvas where Giselle paints a vivid picture of...

In this episode of The Teacher’s Forum , we delve into the profound insights of Dr. Charlotte Jacobs, whose journey from the integrated Cleveland suburb of Shaker Heights, Ohio, shaped her compelling research on the experiences of black girls in educational settings. Dr. Jacobs reflects on her formative years in Shaker Heights, known for its integration, and how this upbringing ignited her curiosi...

Join David for this enlightening episode of The Teacher's Forum as we delve into the rich history and transformative impact of the National Association of Independent Schools' annual People of Color Conference (POCC). Our distinguished guests, Bobby Edwards, Director of Community Inclusion & External Relations at the McLean School in Maryland; Jacqui Pelzer, Executive Director of EAR...

In this compelling episode of The Teacher's Forum Podcast, David is joined by a remarkable former student turned change maker, Alicia Cepeda Maule. Alicia has embarked on an incredible journey from her college graduation to becoming the first Digital Engagement Director at The Innocence Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to exonerating the wrongfully convicted and reforming the crimi...

In this thought-provoking episode of The Teacher’s Forum, David sits down with retired English teacher, Peter Kahn, whose lifelong passion for education has transformed the lives of countless students. Peter takes us on a captivating journey through his educational background and his impactful work at Oak Park River Forest High School (OPRF) in Oak Park, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago At OP...

In this episode, David sits down with Gautam Thapur, a visionary leader at the intersection of education and artificial intelligence. Gautam takes us on a journey through his educational background, his impactful time with Teach for America, and the founding of the Invictus Academy in Richmond, CA. The heart of our conversation centers around Gautam's remarkable journey as the Co-founder and...

Join David for an enlightening and thought-provoking interview with Dr. Liza Talusan, a renowned educator, speaker, leader, writer, and the author of the book, The Identity Conscious Educator. With over 25 years of experience in PreK-graduate education, Dr. Talusan has become a trailblazer in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). In this episode, Dr. Talusan dives into her groundbre...

David is joined by Charlotte, North Carolina math teacher, Brian Li. Brian is a visionary educator on a mission to revolutionize the landscape of financial literacy. He's also the co-founder of Three Coins Consulting , an organization committed to empowering teachers, especially educators of color, with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the complex world of personal finance. In this...