“‘Those who can’t do, teach.’ Nothing could be further from the truth. This statement implies that teachers are failures in other fields, or unable to capitalize on some skill or expertise we have so we settle for being in the classroom. To me, teaching is the highest expression of knowledge because it requires explaining an idea or model or concept in as many ways as students need, and each year, their needs change. It’s not just giving information, it’s ensuring that students process it and can apply it in different ways. The accountability standards for teachers are sky-high compared to most jobs. Teaching requires deep content knowledge, emotional intelligence, problem solving, charisma, motivational speaking, project management, stakeholder engagement, budgeting - all skills experts in other fields are using and then some. Teachers are some of the most accomplished and multi-faceted professionals out there and if more people knew what we do every day, the overall impression of teachers in society would be much higher.” MƒA Teacher Talk: MƒA Master Teacher Julie Wood teaches Biology at Williamsburg Prep High School in Brooklyn #MfAProud (fb)

As our climate changes, we all feel the increased heat, but how can we visualize and quantify it? In the MƒA single-session, “Analyzing Heat Waves and Environmental Justice Using GIS Tools,” #MfAProud teachers explored Geographic Information System tools to map how heat waves and climate change disproportionately impact NYC neighborhoods. Read how educators are integrating data visualization tools into their classrooms to encourage environmental justice among their students on our website. (fb)