Shaped

Before we say goodbye to 2020, we want to highlight the most-read Shaped blogs, written with you in mind as you navigated this most unusual year.

Meet Danielle Riha, a middle school teacher at the Alaska Native Cultural Charter School in Anchorage. She is passionate about equity, indigenous languages, and culturally relevant lessons. She was the Alaska Teacher of the Year and one of four finalists for the National Teacher of the Year Award in 2019.

Meet Karl Grubaugh, a former AP economics teacher and advanced journalism advisor at Granite Bay High School in California. A journalist and editor himself, Karl advised for the award-winning student newspaper The Granite Bay Gazette, and retired in 2020 after almost 40 years as an educator.

Meet Margarita Lezama, an ESL and ESOL teacher at Brownsville Middle School in Miami, Florida. Originally from Nicaragua, Margarita now teaches a large immigrant population and relates with her students on topics like coping with culture shock, learning English, and facing discrimination.

Sharon Biava joins us once again to discuss virtual learning during COVID-19, and how she adapted to her new digital classroom with the help of her students. A 4th grade math teacher at Silver Lakes Elementary in Florida, Sharon is passionate about literacy, civics, and equity for all students.

Meet Sharon Biava, a 4th grade math teacher at Silver Lakes Elementary in Miramar, Florida. A proud single mother of twins, Sharon has been an educator for 18 years and is a coach for both speech and debate and the chess team. She is passionate about literacy, civics, and equity for all students.

Meet Dr. Chris Emdin, an Associate Professor of Science Education at Columbia University in New York, NY. He is the founder of Science Genius and HipHopEd, and the author of of White Folks Who Teach In the Hood and the Rest of Ya’ll Too. Chris works to support diverse students and educators in their STEM learning through an understanding of race and culture.

Priyank Bhatt, a lead math teacher at West Side High School in Newark, New Jersey, joins us for a follow-up episode to discuss his experiences with virtual learning as an urban educator, and the social-emotional learning required in the age of COVID-19.

Listen to our Ready, Set, School! podcast, developed especially for kids, to get tips and advice for starting this school year wherever you do your learning.

Listen to our Ready, Set, School! podcast, developed especially for kids, to get tips and advice for starting this school year wherever you do your learning.

Listen to our Ready, Set, School! podcast, developed especially for kids, to get tips and advice for starting this school year wherever you do your learning.

Listen to our Ready, Set, School! podcast, developed especially for kids, to get tips and advice for starting this school year wherever you do your learning.

Priyank Bhatt, a lead math teacher at West Side High School in Newark, New Jersey, discusses his personal and professional journey, which began in India. From learning English with the help of a dedicated ELA teacher—and American cartoons—to excelling in math class and eventually tutoring his friends, Priyank forged a path rooted in education.

Meet Bianca Cole, a middle school special education and language arts teacher from Washington. From the effects of COVID-19 on Seattle to the Black Lives Matter protests that have taken place across America, 2020 has already presented Bianca with ample teaching moments outside of her classroom.

Meet Debra Liese, who met with Noelle to discuss Homeschooling during COVID-19. Like many parents, Debra has been working remotely full-time while helping to teach her children whose public schools have been shuttered during the COVID-19 crisis.

Meet Chris Dier, a teacher of World History and AP Human Geography at Chalmette High School in St. Bernard’s Parish, Louisiana, who is the 2020 Louisiana Teacher of the Year. Chris’s focus is to provide an equitable and multicultural education for all.

Get to know veteran educator, the original READ 180 teacher, and host of our Teachers in America podcast: Noelle Morris.

Meet Ms. Debra Reynolds, a world history teacher at Wicomico Middle School. She talks about building relationships with her students from day one, and how she finds time for her hobbies (like skydiving and antiquing)!