IT’S ALWAYS ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE.
Hi, I’m Teresa Saxton Bunner (TSB).
Every young person who walks into our classroom, school, or through our lives is capable of great things. Each of them has a path they are meant to be on and should be empowered to pursue success in the way they define it.
That success looks different for each individual.
That's why I do the work I do.
30 YEARS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION
I’ve had the privilege in my 30 year public education career to serve in a variety of roles where I’ve honed my skills as a classroom practitioner, coach and education leader. I served for over 20 years as a classroom teacher, teaching almost every grade from 1st-12th. I’ve worked at schools serving diverse student populations, traditional schools, and alternative schools.
SCHOOL AND DISTRICT LEVEL ROLES
In school level and district level roles, I’ve served as a literacy coach, instructional coach, program academic specialist, coordinating teacher for secondary literacy and as Director for Student Engagement in the Office of Equity Affairs in the largest school district in North Carolina. Each of these roles has offered me challenges and a lot of growth.
I’M ALSO A MOM
These two realities - educator and mom - have lived alongside one another in my life for over 25 years. I love being a mom and now that my own kids are grown (or almost grown) I realize how much of my view of what I do is impacted and influenced by these two roles I hold living out together. I’m pretty proud of the four amazing human beings I raised. And you’ll often find me hanging out with them talking books, social issues, and (currently) cheering on my youngest as a college swimmer.
I believe you already have the talent you need in your classroom, school, and district.
growing is a matter of reflecting, refining and refocusing
Each of these experiences has helped me gain expertise in working with students and families to co-create teaching and learning spaces and experiences that center and affirm our students’ and families’ cultural heritages as assets.
FOCUS ON STUDENT ADVOCACY & POWERFUL EQUITY-MINDED LEARNING COMMUNITIES
i focus on student advocacy and creating powerful equity-minded learning communities where our students’ voices can impact our practice and policy. I have done this work through using a learning community development framework to co-create with my students a classroom that empowers all of them and establishes a strong focus on personal and academic growth.
Outside my own classroom, I have…
helped form and facilitate student focus groups to address issues of equity and guide the work of schools and districts
created a summer writing institute that engages student from historically marginalized groups in powerful literacy practices
formed and supported a team of secondary literacy coaches to utilize equity as a lens to impact teacher practice and student achievement
coached schools to revisit learning, teaching and management practices from a more equitable stance to invite student input and voice
facilitated a district wide cross-departmental, collaborative process to develop a PreK-12 literacy plan that embeds cultural responsiveness to ensure every student graduates college- and career-ready.
I focus on student advocacy and creating powerful equity-minded learning communities
As a coach and education partner, I believe you already have the talent you need in your school and district. It’s just a matter of reflecting, refining and refocusing on what the root issue is and then crafting a solid plan of action to move you to your goals.
I’m excited to partner with you on your journey! Let’s work together to create learning spaces that engage and empower our young people to achieve all they are capable of.
