Assistant director of elementary and middle school literacy Brent Crouse and host Evelyn Lauer discuss engagement strategies, culturally responsive teaching, and the outlook for the 2021-2022 academic year.
Crouse began his career as a non-traditional Teach For America corps member in 2010, at the age of 32. After acceptance into the program, he moved from Portland, OR to Philadelphia, where he taught for his first four years as an Upper Elementary School ELA teacher at LEAP Academy Charter School in Camden, NJ. Seeking a change, he transitioned to Philadelphia, where he was hired by Mastery Charter Schools, teaching at their Mann Elementary Campus for five years as the 5th and 6th grade writing teacher. He left the classroom in June, 2019, and joined the Mastery Academic Team as an Assistant Director of Elementary and Middle School Literacy. Hoping to use his classroom experience to help teachers better help their students, he has spent the past two years dividing his time between teacher coaching, managing curriculum and resources, and designing and facilitating professional development for 3rd through 8th grade ELA teachers across Philadelphia and Camden.
Follow host Evelyn Lauer on Twitter @evelynalauer.