In this inspiring episode of UTalks, host Dr. Clavon Byrd welcomes 2023–2024 Teacher of the Year, Roxanne Heard, from the Milwaukee Environmental Sciences Academy (MESA). Roxanne shares her unexpected journey into teaching, starting as a para and office assistant and rising to become an award-winning educator. She reflects on the importance of building connections with students, the value of mentorship, and strategies for fostering literacy and growth in the classroom.

Roxanne discusses how her classroom became a haven of learning and structure, leading her students to make remarkable strides in reading proficiency. Discover how she taps into students’ interests to cultivate a love for reading and overcomes challenges like budget constraints and large class sizes through creativity and community support.

The episode concludes with a forward-looking discussion on the future of education, emphasizing the need for equitable funding, smaller class sizes, and personalized learning programs. Dr. Byrd and Roxanne inspire educators and aspiring teachers to see the profound impact they can make, no matter their starting point.

To learn more, go to urban-learning.org.

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