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
47 episodes
Who Is School For? Rethinking Equity in Education | Dr. Meisha Porter
Who is school really for? In this episode of The Teacher’s Forum, David sits down with Dr. Meisha Ross Porter, the first Black woman to serve as Chancellor of New York City Public Schools, to explore what it takes to lead for equity in...
.jpg)
Equity Under Construction | Daniel Harris
In this powerful episode of The Teacher's Forum, David sits down with Daniel Harris, as he shares his 30-year journey from a law student to a pioneer in equity work at John Burroughs School in St. Louis, and founder of The Equity Excha...
.jpg)
When Democracy Fell: The Wilmington Coup of 1898 | Guy Hill
In 1898, a democratically elected government in Wilmington, North Carolina was overthrown in a violent coup, the only successful coup d’état in United States history. For decades, the truth of what happened was buried.In this episode of ...
.jpg)
Teaching Islam in America | Dr. Celene Ibrahim
In this episode of The Teacher’s Forum, David speaks with Dr. Celene Ibrahim, about teaching Islam in America, religious misconceptions, and how educators can approach religion in the classroom. They discuss her personal journey from C...
.jpg)
Black History at 100: Resilience, Resistance, and Responsibility in an Age of Backlash
In this special episode of The Teacher’s Forum, David shares the keynote address he delivered at Providence Day School’s Black History Month celebration, marking one hundred years since Carter G. Woodson founded Negro History Week, the...
AI in Education: Jeffrey Riley on AI Literacy, Teachers, and the Future of Learning
In this episode of the Teachers Forum, David speaks with Jeffrey Riley, former Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, about the intersection of artificial intelligence and education. They discuss the importance of AI ...
.jpg)
Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? Ernest Crim III on Teaching Martin Luther King Jr. Honestly in an Age of American Backlash
In this special episode of the Teachers Forum, David is joined by Emmy-nominated producer and anti-racist educator Ernest Crim III to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on his 97th birthday. Together, they delve into the complexitie...
Gender and the Education Gap: Dr. Charlotte Jacobs and Dr. Roderick Carey on Boys, Girls, and Student Belonging
In this thought-provoking episode of The Teacher’s Forum, David Harris is joined by Charlotte Jacobs and Roderick L. Carey to examine the narratives shaping conversations about gender and education. The episode opens with...
Teaching Through Crisis in Charlotte: Dr. James Ford on Immigration Raids, Student Safety, and Educational Equity
In this episode of The Teacher’s Forum, David Harris speaks with Dr. James Ford about the recent immigration enforcement actions in Charlotte and their impact on students, families, and schools (02:35). Dr. Ford discusses what educator...
From ER Doctor to Middle School Teacher: Dr. Keith Pochick on Trust, Equity, and Education Reform
In this episode of The Teacher’s Forum, David sits down with Dr. Keith Pochick, an ER doctor turned middle school teacher, to explore his remarkable journey from emergency medicine to the classroom at Providence Day School in Charlotte...
Bridging the Wealth Gap: Brian Li on Teaching Financial Literacy
In this episode of The Teacher’s Forum, David welcomes back Brian Li, a pioneering educator in financial literacy whose first appearance remains the podcast’s most-downloaded episode. Brian shares his journey since that conversation (0...
Dr. Latrisha Chattin on Building Trust and Breaking Stigmas in Special Education
In this episode of The Teacher’s Forum, David sits down with Dr. Latrisha Chattin to explore the realities of special education and its impact on students of color. From her personal journey growing up in North Philadelphia (05:09) to ...
Voices of Change: Dr. RoseMary Clairmont and Jonathan Santos Silva on Reclaiming Indigenous Education
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 Jon...
Challenging the Narrative: Ismail Khalidi on Storytelling and the Palestinian Perspective
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 ...
Rooted in Resilience (Part II): Dr. Rodney Glasgow on Reclaiming, Resisting, and Reimagining the Legacy of POCC and SDLC
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), an...
Rooted in Resilience (Part I): Dr. Rodney Glasgow on Pride, Purpose, and the Power of Living Authentically
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 ...
A Legacy in Every Note: How Michael and Lana Manson Are Transforming Lives Through the Musical Arts Institute
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 ro...
Bars, Beats, and Building Futures: David Spellmon on Hip-Hop and Education
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 an...
The Fight for Asian American Studies in Schools: A Conversation with Freda Lin
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 stu...
Politics, Policy, and Public Schools: A Conversation with Michael Lamb
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 dis...
Teaching, Identity, and Justice: Abeer Ramadan-Shinnawi on Equity in Education
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 advocat...
Dr. Charles Branham on Black History: Brilliance, Resistance, and Agency
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 t...
The Power of Art: J. Stacy Utley on Storytelling, Public Spaces, and Representation
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 artis...
A Note to Self: Adrian Gordon’s Journey as a Black Composer in Classical Music
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 mu...
The Post-Pandemic Classroom: Addressing Mental Health, Social Media, and Critical Race Theory in the Digital Age
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 pandemi...