The Teacher's Forum

The Teacher's Forum

Welcome to "The Teacher's Forum" hosted by David Harris, a veteran educator with 32 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 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. Be sure to tune in 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.

Episodes

September 15, 2025 75 mins

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In this episode of The Teacher’s Forum, David sits down with Jonathan Santos Silva and Dr. RoseMary Clairmont to explore the revitalization of Native education. From Dr. Clairmont's journey from the classroom to tribal leadership (04:12) to Jonathan's powerful origin story beginning with a library card (07:31), they reveal the ongoing...

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In this episode of The Teacher’s Forum, David reconnects with his former student, award-winning playwright and screenwriter Ismail Khalidi, to explore identity, art, and Palestine. From growing up Palestinian in America (05:45) to the influence of family and education (11:53) and his journey to playwriting (17:42), Ismail or Sim as he is known,...

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In Part II of this compelling Pride Month conversation, David continues his interview with Dr. Rodney Glasgow, focusing on the recent pause of the NAIS People of Color Conference (POCC) and the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC), and what that means for equity work in independent schools.

Rodney reflects on the decision to pause the ...

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In Part I of this powerful Pride Month conversation, David speaks with Dr. Rodney Glasgow, a prominent educator and advocate for equity and inclusion, about the intersections of race, class, and sexual orientation, and the role of educators in today’s challenging climate.

Rodney reflects on growing up in Baltimore and how it shaped his understan...

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In this episode of The Teacher’s Forum, David speaks with Michael and Lana Manson, founders of the Musical Arts Institute in Chicago, in celebration of African American Music Appreciation Month. They discuss their musical roots, the role of HBCUs in shaping their journeys, and the power of diverse musical training. The conversation explores the...

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In this episode of The Teachers Forum, David interviews David Spellmon, a behavior specialist who integrates hip hop pedagogy into education. Spellmon shares his unique journey into education, emphasizing the importance of cultural relevance and social emotional learning. He discusses the resistance educators may have towards hip hop and how he...

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In this episode of the Teachers Forum, host David Harris speaks with Freda Lin, co-director of the YURI Education Project, about her journey from a conflicted racial identity in a homogenous suburb to becoming an activist for Asian American studies in education. Frieda shares her experiences at Northwestern University, where she fought for the ...

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In this episode of the Teachers Forum, host David Harris interviews former student Michael Lamb, who shares his journey from being a student at the University of Chicago Lab School to becoming a teacher in the South Side of Chicago. Michael discusses the challenges and opportunities he faced while teaching in the Ickes community, emphasizing th...

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In this episode of the Teachers Forum, David Harris interviews Abeer Ramadan- Shinnawi, a Palestinian-American educator and equity advocate. Abeer shares her journey from being a child of Palestinian immigrants to becoming a teacher and advocate for Muslim and Arab students in the Baltimore area. She discusses her early education experiences in...

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In this episode of the Teachers Forum, David sits down with esteemed educator and historian, Dr. Charles Branham to discuss Black History Month 2025. The also discuss the ongoing backlash against African-American advancements, particularly in the context of Black History Month. He explores historical patterns of resistance to African-American p...

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In this episode of the Teachers Forum podcast, host David Harris interviews J. Stacy Utley, a critically acclaimed visual artist and educator from Charlotte, North Carolina. They discuss Stacy's journey into education, his evolution as an artist, and the importance of storytelling in art. Stacy shares his experiences in architecture and pu...

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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 educatio...

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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, a...

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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 bu...

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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...

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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&...

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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 c...

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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 cultu...

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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 c...

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August 24, 2024 1 min

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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...

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