What New Teachers Need to Succeed with Dr. Towanda Harris
Schoolutions: Curious Educators. Evidence-Based Strategies. Classrooms Where Every Child Thrives.
02/24/25
•38m
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In this powerful episode of Schoolutions, I sit down with Dr. Towanda Harris of the Harris Innovation Consulting Group, an influential educator with over 20 years of experience who's impacted more than 10,000 educators nationwide. Dr. Harris shares her journey from third-grade teacher to university professor, offering invaluable insights about preparing the next generation of teachers. Learn why questioning the status quo should be celebrated, how to redefine success in education beyond traditional metrics, and why developing a teaching philosophy must start with personal reflection. Whether you're a new teacher, veteran educator, or educational leader, this conversation offers fresh perspectives on creating more responsive, student-centered classrooms.
Key Topics Discussed:
➡️Dr. Harris's journey from classroom teacher to university professor
➡️The importance of questioning and unlearning in education
➡️Redefining success beyond traditional metrics
➡️Developing meaningful teaching philosophies
➡️Creating inclusive classroom environments
Research & Resources Mentioned:
💫Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop's work on mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors
💫Dr. Gholnescsar (Gholdy) Muhammad's work on transactional learning
💫Zaretta Hammond's Ready 4 Rigor Framework
💫Dr. Carla España and Dr. Luz Yadira Herrera's work on translanguaging
💫Arlène Elizabeth Casimir's Holding Space Protocol
Dr. Harris’s Recommended Resources:
📚A Love Letter to Teachers by Patrick Harris II
📚3 Ways to Take Charge of Your Personal Growth As an Educator by Dr. Towanda Harris
📚Meaningful Learning Experiences: Teaching the Student and not the Content CCRIA blog by Dr. Towanda Harris
📚Student Agency: Strategies to Build a Strengths-Based Classroom by Dr. Towanda Harris
📚The Right Tools: A Guide to Selecting, Evaluating, and Implementing Classroom Resources and Practices by Dr. Towanda Harris
Timestamps:
- [00:00:00] Episode Introduction
- [00:02:00] Dr. Harris's Educational Journey
- [00:09:00] Changes in Teacher Candidates
- [00:15:00] Redefining Success in Education
- [00:24:00] Developing Teaching Philosophies
- [00:34:00] Inclusive Teaching Practices
- [00:37:00] Closing Thoughts
#DrTowandaHarris #TheRightTools #EdChat #TeacherEducation
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Previous Episode
BONUS: What Happens When You Let Go of CONTROL in the Classroom?
February 21, 2025
•12m
✨ In this S4 E24 bonus episode, discover how student-centered learning and innovative teaching can create meaningful classroom success through collaborative agreements. By focusing on personalized learning and active learning strategies, educators can build stronger connections with their students. This episode explores how cooperative learning transforms traditional classroom dynamics into spaces where every student thrives. 🌱
I explore insights from Kwame Sarfo-Mensah's book Learning to Relearn: Supporting Identity in a Culturally Affirming Classroom. Discover how to shift from traditional classroom control to collaborative agreements empowering students and teachers. Learn practical strategies for letting students take the lead, including student-led teaching opportunities and peer tutoring.
Whether you're an educator struggling with classroom dynamics or a school leader looking to strengthen communities, this episode offers concrete tools for creating spaces where all voices are heard and valued. It also explores how repairing harm through education can strengthen classroom relationships and why vulnerability in teaching matters.
Listen in to understand how you can transform your classroom into a space where both students and teachers thrive through mutual respect, shared responsibility, and authentic community building. Want to learn more about nurturing culturally affirming learning communities? Check out my full interview with Kwame (https://youtu.be/tNg3icwk-bs).
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired, and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
New episodes are released every Monday, with a bonus solo episode on Fridays featuring research-backed coaching and teaching strategies you can apply right away to better serve the children in your care.
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When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Next Episode
BONUS: The RIGHT TOOLS for Effective Teacher Teams | A Collaboration Masterclass
February 28, 2025
•14m
In this bonus episode, I highlight Chapter 5 of Dr. Towanda Harris's book, The Right Tools: A Guide to Selecting, Evaluating, and Implementing Classroom Resources and Practices. Building on my previous conversation with Dr. Harris about nurturing teacher candidates, I explore the essential elements of effective collaboration among education professionals.
Learn why:
- 💡purposeful collaboration requires clear focus and structure,
- 💡how bringing diverse educational perspectives to the planning table strengthens instructional approaches,
- 💡and why individual reflection is a necessary complement to collaborative work.
Discover practical strategies for:
- ✨ identifying the right collaborators,
- ✨ establishing meaningful focus areas for teamwork,
- ✨ and implementing conversation starters that drive productive professional discussions.
Whether you're a classroom teacher navigating boxed curricula, an instructional coach supporting teacher teams, or an administrator building collaborative school culture, this episode offers valuable insights on harnessing the power of intentional collaboration to better serve all students.
00:00 Introduction
01:00 Overview of The Right Tools
02:00 Dr. Harris's journey to valuing collaboration
04:00 Who to invite to the collaborative planning table
06:00 Serving diverse student populations through collaboration
08:00 Focus areas for effective collaboration
10:00 Different planning structures
11:00 Powerful conversation starters
12:00 Putting collaborative practices into action
#DrTowandaHarris #TheRightTools #TeacherCollaboration #EducationalLeadership #ProfessionalLearning #SchoolPlanning #TeacherTeams #EffectiveCollaboration #TeacherReflection #InstructionalCoaching #EducationResources #TeamPlanning #TeacherCandidates #SchoolImprovement #StudentSuccess #CollaborativePlanning #GradeLevelTeams #VerticalPlanning #ProfessionalLearning #ClassroomStrategies #EducatorResources #TeachingStrategies #SchoolSolutions #EducationPodcast #SchoolImprovement #TeacherSupport #InstructionalStrategies #SchoolLeadership #EducationalTeams
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
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