Why do you rise will use the book Why The SUN Rises as the anchor text for a discussion on teacher resilience.
We will Play Why The SUN Rises teacher videos/interviews and share thoughts and experiences as professionals in a profession that is often criticized and undervalued. Play 5 minute video of NYC teacher/ contributor in the book sharing why she teaches. Have participants complete one word reflections: What do you believe people in other professions think about teachers? Why did you become a teacher? What would you like your legacy as a teacher to be? Group shares out one word replies and reflect together. Group will then read silently, the essay written by Anita Sagar on her experience as a first year teacher in DC with a difficult student. Afterwards, the group will share how they remain resilient in a challenging profession. The take away, reflecting on our roles and power as educators while recognizing the ability we have to change the world. Supplemental Readings: http://www.npr.org/2016/09/03/492551196/a-veteran-teacher-quits-under-a-weary-load-and-hes-just-one-of-many
Meredith Chase-Mitchell has worked in the nonprofit sector under the education umbrella for over fifteen years in the capacity of director of programs, charter school advocate, and recruiter. During these years Ms.Chase-Mitchell has implemented the No Child Left Behind Act via innovative programming in New York City with BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life) and TASC (The After School Cooperation). She is currently a middle school special education language arts teacher and has also written a children's book entitled “Mommy and Me” highlighting positive relationships between a mother and her daughter. In 2014, Meredith founded Classroom Culture, an education based startup that provides a platform for professionals in education to collaborate and lead. Learn more about Classroom Culture here. Ms. Chase-Mitchell is currently a Doctoral Candidate at Northeastern University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Adelphi University, a Master of Arts in Urban Policy from The City University of New York, and a Masters of Arts in Special Education from The George Washington University. She has also contributed articles to Impact D.C, Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Africana Studies publication “The Horizons” and the book “Just Be Cause” released in the Fall of 2012. Additional professional commitments for Ms. Chase-Mitchell include being a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc, and serving as a former board member for the organizations The Seven Roses Foundation, and A Son’s Promise. She is the co-founder of www.whythesunrises.com, which is an international initiative to showcase the faces and stories of women in education. She also operates an education based startup, Classroom Culture that creates a platform for professionals in education to collaborate and lead.