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The Teacher's Forum

By: David Harris
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  • Summary

  • Welcome to "The Teacher's Forum" hosted by David Harris, a veteran educator with 30 years of experience in private, public, and charter schools. This podcast is your platform to hear the voices of educators from the United States and around the world, with a special focus on educators of color, who are often overlooked in crucial education discussions today. Join us twice a month as we dive into important topics, and experiences of K-12 educators, and get a chance to hear from David’s former students, as they share their stories, insights, and experiences. Tune in the first Monday of every month and let's celebrate the dedication and excellence of educators together!
    Follow The Teacher's Forum on X (Twitter) @thefourm1993 or email us at david@theteachersforum.org with your thoughts for future programs or if you would like to be a guest on the show.
    © 2024 The Teacher's Forum
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Episodes
  • Global Classrooms: Teaching, Learning, and Living Abroad with Justin Sheehan & Alyssa Smith

    Global Classrooms: Teaching, Learning, and Living Abroad with Justin Sheehan & Alyssa Smith
    Apr 1 2024
    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 influence of libraries and community spaces. Both Justin and Alyssa explain how they transitioned from teaching in Chicago to teaching abroad, with Justin going to Guadalajara and Alyssa eventually ending up in London. The conversation explores the experiences of teaching in American schools abroad and the unique challenges and opportunities that arise. The importance of making connections and finding support is highlighted, as well as the differences between American schools and local educational systems.

    The discussion also delves into the tuition and access to American schools abroad, as well as the cultural conflicts that can occur in diverse school environments. The challenges of equity, inclusion, and belonging are examined, along with the power dynamics that impact DEI work. The conversation also focuses on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by African American educators in international settings.

    In this conversation, Alyssa and Justin discuss their experiences teaching abroad and the challenges and rewards that come with it. They talk about the importance of making connections and networking, as well as the need to do research and understand the cultural implications of living in a different country. They also discuss the impact of being a teacher of color in international schools and the importance of representation. The conversation challenges the notion of American exceptionalism and highlights the beauty of experiencing different cultures and embracing diversity.

    If you would like to contact our guests to learn more about teaching abroad, you can follow Justin on Instagram @Gamerteach. You can email Alyssa Smith at alsmith112@gmail.com.

    Resources/Articles mentioned in the episode:
    Elite International Schools Have a Racism Problem






    Join the Conversation:
    david@theteachersforum.org
    X (formerly Twitter) @theforum1993
    Please subscribe, share and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Help us amplify the voices and issues of K-12 educators all over the world.
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • On the Frontlines of Change: Transforming the Educational Paradigm with Zakiyyah Ali and Stacey Gibson

    On the Frontlines of Change: Transforming the Educational Paradigm with Zakiyyah Ali and Stacey Gibson
    Mar 4 2024

    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 Talk to Teachers." Together, we explore living up to Baldwin's call to action amidst the backlash against educators today, and how, in this era, educators can stay rooted in teaching the truth. We also examine the burgeoning trend of homeschooling in the African American community and ponder the future of education as a whole.

    Additionally, we tackle other important issues including the plummeting numbers of black educators as a result of Brown v. Board in 1954; the triple pandemic of Covid, mental health, and racial violence; teacher wellness, and the unique challenges black women face in our educational system. Our discussion is both provocative and multifaceted, offering insights into the complexities of modern education not often discussed with such clarity and insight. Don't miss out on this rich and enlightening episode!

    If you would like to contact our guests you can follow Zakiyyah Ali on Instagram @doitgurl or email her directly at     zakiyyahali@icloud.com, and you can email Stacey Gibson at Transformthecollective.com or through her website at www.transformthecollective.com.

    Resources/Articles mentioned in the episode:
    “A Talk to Teachers” by James Baldwin
    "65 Years After ‘Brown v.. Board’ Where are all the Black Teachers"
    PBL World 2022 - Dr. Lisa Delpit's Keynote Address

    Join the Conversation:
    david@theteachersforum.org
    X (formerly Twitter) @theforum1993
    Please subscribe, share and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Help us amplify the voices and issues of K-12 educators all over the world.
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Silent Echoes: Resurrecting an Enslaved Cemetery's Stories from Across the Centuries

    Silent Echoes: Resurrecting an Enslaved Cemetery's Stories from Across the Centuries
    Feb 5 2024

    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 broadens to address the erasure of Black history from curricula and the challenges Hoke faced during the restoration. Together with history teacher Thamar Labron, they unravel the stories of 80-90 souls buried in the cemetery, discussing the unique restoration process and the importance of preserving this history.


    David and Thamar also discuss the curriculum they have meticulously crafted for grades K-12 at Providence Day School. This curriculum serves as a tool to ensure that the stories of the enslaved are not just preserved but integrated into the fabric of education, fostering a deeper understanding and empathy among students.

    Join us for a thought-provoking and impactful discussion that emphasizes the importance of preserving, learning, and embracing the history that shapes our collective identity. This Black History Month, "The Teacher's Forum" invites you to be part of a conversation that challenges erasure, celebrates resilience, and sheds light on the extraordinary journey of reclaiming sacred ground.

    For more information on the Sardis Road Presbyterian enslaved cemetery contact David at the email below.

    Join the Conversation:
    david@theteachersforum.org
    X (formerly Twitter) @theforum1993
    Please subscribe, share and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Help us amplify the voices and issues of K-12 educators all over the world.
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    50 mins
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