Teachers on Teaching

Lea talks about what brought her to teaching – in particular at the Mather. She explains how she adjusts her teaching to the remote learning environment, recognizing its challenges as well as unique opportunities. And she describes her advocacy work which takes many forms and fills many hours well beyond a regular school day.

In this episode we meet Kennedy Omolo. He teaches math at the Community Academy of Science and Health in Dorchester. Kennedy talks about rising to meet the challenges of remote schooling: adjusting his teaching methods and routines to the fit the online classroom; responding to the academic and personal needs of his students; keeping up with the best online teaching platforms; and, guiding his students to be independent learners.

Sam TexeiraIn this episode, we meet Sam Texeira.  He teaches history to high school students at the Henderson Inclusion School in Dorchester.  The assistant teacher in the class is Matt Reggianini.  Sam talks about the trips he has taken to explore history firsthand; and how he brings back those experiences to engage students in a process of discovery that makes history meaningful to their lives.  He talks about his motivation to teach and what it means to him to be a teacher in relation to his community and the students in his classroom.  

Dave RussellIn this episode, we meet Dave Russell.  He teaches middle school at the McKinley South End Academy.  The school serves students with special emotional, behavioral and learning needs.  Dave talks about the mutual support of the McKinley faculty; about the daily challenges of proving to his students that, despite tough circumstances, they really can learn, improve, and succeed. Dave also reflects on his steadfast efforts to improve his craft over a 34-year teaching career.

Lindsay ThornquistIn this episode, we meet Lindsay Thornquist.  She teaches sixth grade math and Spanish language arts at the Hurley, a K–8 Spanish-English immersion school located in the South End.  Lindsay talks about teaching Spanish not just as language instruction but as a cultural experience.  She describes how the curriculum focus on immigration and identity allows her to explore themes that are of great personal importance to both her and her students.  She also reflects on how she learned to use her own frustration as motivation to organize teachers and, together, solve pressing issues in bilingual education. 

Alanna Melendez, K2 inclusion teacher at the Patrick J. Kennedy School in East Boston.

In this episode, we meet Alanna Melendez, K2 inclusion teacher at the Patrick J. Kennedy School in East Boston. It’s a cold March day when impending snow and the recent shooting in Parkland, Florida are in everyone’s thoughts. Alanna talks about her mother’s influence on her decision to become a teacher, about her determined efforts to meet students where they are and about fostering those leaps of understanding, she calls light bulb moments!