This week, we have our first ever returning guest on Teachers’ Lounge: Maurice McDavid. He’s been a teacher and administrator in his hometown of DeKalb for about a decade, but, starting next year, he’s going to be an elementary school principal in West Chicago.
Maurice is a black educator. He talked to host Peter Medlin about what he’s been thinking about during this national movement confronting police brutality and systemic racism in America. And Maurice gave his perspective on the racial inequities rooted in the education system.
He also talked about restorative justice and what it’s like to see some of his own students leading those protests.
This nationwide conversation and these protests transcend policing. Peter reported on the intersection of education and policing: the role of police inside schools. More and more school districts are rethinking if they should have officers in their buildings. That segment of the show dives into the police-free schools movement and the role of school-based policing.
In the meantime, we want you to be a part of the show. We want to hear from you: send us an email at teacherslounge@niu.edu and tell us what it’s been like learning or teaching from home. And, if you want, record your thoughts & feelings into your phone with your voice memos app and then send the voice file to teacherslounge@niu.edu and we’ll have it on the show. You can also email us there to nominate teachers to be featured on the show!
SHOW NOTES
Educator(s) in this episode:
Maurice McDavid
Stories Featured in this episode:
Rockford State Rep. Maurice West & Black Caucus Want To Channel Protest Energy To Policy
A Closer Look At The Call To Remove Police From Schools
Music:
Our show's theme music is from the northern Illinois-based band "Kindoves" and their songs "Popn," "Origins" and "Quiche." You can find more of their music on their Soundcloud page. You can also listen to the episode of WNIJ's own Sessions from Studio A where they were featured.
Teachers! People who know teachers! People with stories about teachers! Send us an email and be part of the show! Also, send us your topic recommendations: teacherslounge@niu.edu