2016 Washington State Teacher of the Year and National Teacher of the Year Finalist, Co-Founder of Teachers United, and host of the Nerd Farmer Podcast
An American teacher, writer, and podcaster. In 2019, after thirteen years in the classroom, my wife Hope and I departed the US to teach abroad in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.
Why this space exists
Effective teachers of color face a dilemma: we know, more that anyone, the urgent need for change. We get that the educational status-quo screws out kids. But as the same time we also see a reform movement that “has all the answers” and doesn’t value our voices, experiences, or expertise.
I’d been told that my writing is too black, too nerdy, too many historical references, too many comic book metaphors. I realized if I want to be heard on my terms I must control my own platform.
I don’t have all the answers, but I think my willingness to admit that means I am headed in the right direction.
I proudly ride with #EduColor and #TU253 and host the Nerd Farmer Podcast.