Zachary Wright 

Zachary Wright is an assistant professor of practice at Relay Graduate School of Education, serving Philadelphia and Camden, and a communications activist at Education Post. Prior, he was the twelfth-grade world literature and Advanced Placement literature teacher at Mastery Charter School's Shoemaker Campus, where he taught students for eight years—including the school's first eight graduating classes. Wright was a national finalist for the 2018 U.S. Department of Education's School Ambassador Fellowship, and he was named Philadelphia's Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 2013. During his more than 10 years in Philadelphia classrooms, Wright created a relationship between Philadelphia's Mastery Schools and the University of Vermont that led to the granting of near-full-ride college scholarships for underrepresented students. And he participated in the fight for equitable education funding by testifying before Philadelphia's Board of Education and in the Pennsylvania State Capitol rotunda. Wright has been recruited by Facebook and Edutopia to speak on digital education. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, he organized demonstrations to close the digital divide. His writing has been published by The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Philadelphia Citizen, Chalkbeat, Education Leadership, and numerous education blogs. Wright lives in Collingswood, New Jersey, with his wife and two sons. Read more about Wright's work and pick up a copy of his new book, " Dismantling A Broken System; Actions to Close the Equity, Justice, and Opportunity Gaps in American Education"—now available for pre-order!

Posts By Zachary Wright 

Teaching

My Mom Just Retired After More Than 30 Years of Teaching. She's One of the Best Teachers I Know.

Teachers are always told that even though students may not say it, the impact a teacher can have on a student can last a lifetime. And while that is lovely, it’s also one of the most infuriating...

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Poverty

I Love College Signing Day But I Hate Seeing My Students Hit With Tuitions They Can't Afford

Today is College Signing Day, the day when high school seniors all across America commit to their choice college or university. Here in Philadelphia, none other than Michelle Obama is set to rally...

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bias

It Doesn't Just Happen at Starbucks. Teachers Need Racial Bias Training Too.

Last week, two Black men were arrested for sitting in a Starbucks here in Philadelphia. They were waiting for a friend who arrived shortly after his friends had been handcuffed. The men were...

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School Discipline

If You're Justifying Higher Suspension Rates for Black Kids Then You're Not Facing Up to Racism in America

Many people of privilege, myself included, have a hard time looking in the mirror and confronting their own racism. They will do anything to justify it. Case in point: conservative thinker Heather...

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Charter Schools

My Students Who Fight for Social Change Hold a Special Place in My Heart

As teachers, there are few things more inspiring and gratifying than seeing the success of students who have left our classrooms and ventured off into the world beyond. In my nearly 10 years of...

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Special Education

I Found the Right School for My Son With Autism and It's Only Because I'm White and Have Money

It’s March, and all over the country, students and their families are waiting anxiously to receive emails and letters about the status of school applications; parents furtively asking one another if...

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