My New Book!

Capitalize on the latest educational research and youth voices to inform your teaching and become more culturally and developmentally responsive

In Who's In My Classroom?, I deliver an inspirational and practical combination of true stories from teens in Youth Communication's award-winning writing program and the most current educational research. The book links theories of adolescent development and identity formation to best practices in real-world classrooms where teachers strive to form supportive relationships with students.

My Approach To Achieving Educational Equity

Be Curious

Being developmentally and culturally responsive begins with being intentional about raising awareness by elevating youth voice

Create Systems

A developmentally and culturally responsive approach also recognizes that Impactful equity work creates sustainable systems

Evaluate Outcomes

Efforts to advance educational equity must positively impact the lives of BIPOC youth so you need to know if you’re meeting your goals.

TRUSTED BY:

 
 

  • A Vital Resource for New and Experienced Teachers

    “Who’s in My Classroom? is a vital resource for new and experienced teachers who truly want to connect to their students by bringing developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive practices to their work. The practical advice at the end of each chapter is precisely what teachers and schools need to bring students’ lives, experiences, strengths, and culture into the center of the educational enterprise.”

    Lisa Delpit
    Best Selling Author of“Teaching When The World is On Fire”

  • This is a Masterpiece.

    “Who’s in My Classroom? is a must read for teachers and more importantly for any professional who is trying to figure out what it means to create equitable, engaging learning environments that allow young people to be their full selves. I’ve read (and contributed to) research-informed practice guides. The book is a "here’s why" guide that skillfully uses young people’s stories to bring home the obvious: learning is social and emotional. The stories show the specific types of power that teachers have (starting with the power to make assumptions). That opens the door for delivering incredibly specific advice for how to make young people feel like they are trusted and valued, and the powerful impact that has on a young person’s ability to be present and enthusiastic about learning. This is a masterpiece.”

    Karen Pittman
    Senior Fellow of The Forum for Youth Investment

  • Important and Timely

    “This is an important and timely book. It’s clear that teachers need to know more than their subject area to be effective educators. Students benefit when their teachers also have a foundation in child and adolescent development and are culturally responsive. This book will help teachers develop in both domains. It makes effective use of the student writing that Youth Communication has published over the years by aligning the students’ stories to a developmental framework. The student writing is compelling. It complements the academic and theoretical learning found in most teacher professional development programs and will help even veteran teachers build the relationships with students that can spur academic motivation.”

    Larry Woodbridge

    Former Senior Executive Director of the New York City Department of Education’s Office of Leadership

  • My Students Loved this Book!

    “I assigned Who's In My Classroom? for my adolescent development class and it’s a game changer. Suddenly my students were talking about the real experiences of students and staying focused on culturally responsive teaching in a way they never had before. Plus it’s well written and the student vignettes are really moving. My students loved this book.”

    Dr. Amanda Crowell
    Professor of Educational Foundations