I simply wanted to be part of something bigger than me

Abstract

Megan MacTurk taught fourth graders in an urban public school in Philadelphia. In college, she envisioned a career that would allow her to make a difference in the lives of others. This idea gained momentum as she traveled to some of the most underserved communities in the U.S. and examined educational inequalities while taking her first education course. After she earned a degree in elementary and special education, Megan brought equity perspectives to her classroom. She recalls instilling a positive, caring environment for learning in her classroom, setting high expectations for students’ academic work and behavior, supporting their diverse literacy abilities through guided reading and independent learning centers, and keeping careful track of their progress. Megan also describes how she managed the heavy emphasis on testing and scripted teaching in this school while also inviting her students to read and write about important local and global social issues.