Tolu Noah EdD

I was a classroom teacher for nine years. My teaching career began through Teach for America (TFA), the national corps of recent college graduates who commit two years to teach in urban and rural schools in an effort to close the achievement gap. For three years, I taught 6th grade English and Social Studies at an inner city middle school. Then for six years, I taught 5th and 6th grade at an independent elementary school that mainstreams students who are deaf and hard of hearing. I am currently a university professor who has the privilege of teaching undergraduates who are pursuing teaching as a career.

Rather than being the sole dispensers of knowledge, I believe that teachers guide students in constructing their own knowledge by presenting clear learning goals, giving regular feedback through a variety of assessments, and providing students with opportunities to develop and share their knowledge in new ways. Given that the classroom is a collection of unique individuals, I also believe that it is the teacher’s role to differentiate instruction to meet each learner where he/she is. This may include building background knowledge, providing extension activities, and scaffolding instruction to help every student meet the learning goals. Furthermore, teachers should encourage inquiry, and teach in ways that are motivating, engaging, and related to students’ interests. They should also utilize authentic tasks and assessments that enable students to use their knowledge in a variety of ways and transfer it to new situations. Oh, and I love to have dance parties in class!

-2009-2012 Ed.D. Dean’s List -2006 Urban Education Partnership Teacher Honor Roll -2006 Teacher of the Year -2006 Regional Finalist for the Sue Lehmann Award for Excellence in Teaching -2004 Outstanding Senior Award in Liberal Studies

-Doctor of Education (Focus: Teacher Education in Multicultural Societies) -Master of Arts in Elementary Education -Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies

Check out my fashion blog (creative outlet): http://officehoursblog.tumblr.com/