building the black educator pipeline

2016 Minnesota Teacher of the Year Abdul Wright joins the podcast and shares what motivated him to get into education and how the journey has been. Mr. Wright shares how he incorporates Black History into the classroom during Black History Month and all year round and what we can learn from the legacy and foundation of our ancestors. The conversation also touches on how schools and educators can make Black History more engaging for students. 

Host Shayna Terrell (Center for Black Educator Development) and Mr. Wright discuss the need for more Black male teachers and how we can get more of them into the profession.  Mr. Wright discusses how it felt to be named Minnesota Teacher of the Year and what that experience was like.

Why do we continue to not to tell the truth in education? This is the question that guided this throwback episode of BTBEP, originally live-streamed ahead of Thanksgiving in 2021. 

Join us in this classic episode of Building the Black Educator Pipeline where Dr. Greg Carr joined host Shayna Terrell to discuss the importance of always including historical context in the classroom.

In the episode, Shayna and Dr. Carr discuss the tradition of American education lying to students about the history of the nation and the role educators play in making sure our students are presented with the truth.

Listen in to get the real story of Thanksgiving and contrast it with the one often told to young people. Dr. Carr also breaks down the motivation certain educators as well as the system of education as a whole have for perpetuating lies to students about American history. Shayna and Dr. Carr also discuss resources for examining and telling the truth in the classroom.

Finally, the episode touches on how we can honor our Native American family and promote their legaciy and contributions.

What is the purpose of education?

Our resident Baba, Dr. Greg Carr rejoins the show to answer this question and break down how our system of education functions and the purpose it serves.

In this episode, host Shayna Terrell and Dr. Carr discuss how formal education has shifted over time in America and how different cultures see the role of education. Dr. Carr addresses the unique role of a public system of schools in a capitalist society, and the conversation touches on a parent's right to a quality education.

Shayna and Dr. Carr discuss the curriculum in our schools and who and what gets taught to children, as well as the spiritual and cultural violence that Black children often face at school.

Finally, the conversation touches on the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas and what the aftermath will be.