In the second episode of The Stand With Educators Series, Alexis explores the teacher-administrator relationship. She discusses how toxic teacher narratives cause educators to shrink away from advocating for better and how teachers can reframe this paradigm.

Alexis Shepard is an 8th-year teacher who has experience in both the elementary and middle-level setting. Experience with burnout early in her career led to the creation of The AfroEducator, where she arrives to empower teachers to challenge the good teacher narrative. 

In this episode you will:

• Learn about “the principal privilege” (6:30) 
• Understand the role our environment plays in our beliefs. (8:00) 
• Get strategies for how you can shift the paradigm. (14:50) 
• Know what to do if the change you want won’t happen. (19:00)

CALL TO ACTION: THINGS YOU CAN DO TOMORROW 

When approaching situations with an administrator, follow these guidelines: 

• Consider the administrator’s level of experience - Different administrators have had different classroom experiences; some administrators have taught many years in the classroom, while others only taught a few years long ago.  These differences could cause varying levels of unintended disconnect between an administrator and the teachers they serve.  

• Put pen to paper first - Before you talk with your administrator, take the time to plan out what you want to say by writing it out.  
• Always include solutions - When talking with your administrator about concerns that you have, don't just state your concerns, but share possible solutions as well. 

FIND ALEXIS 

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.theafroeducator.com

Instagram, Twitter: @theafroeducator

Facebook: The AfroEducator

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE 

• Past episodes of the Stand with Educators Series: 
• Episode 108: Stand with Educators with Alexis and Kaitlin
• Episode 109: The First Steps to Systemic Change for Educators  
• Happy Teacher Revolution’s website 

THE BAILEY AND WOOD BURNED-IN TEACHER AWARD

Click here to nominate yourself or someone you know for the Bailey and Wood Burned-In Teacher Award.