Teaching with Purpose

01/13/2026

✨ DREAM. BUILD. INNOVATE. ✨

Today, Jefferson High School Democrats basketball players brought “WHOOSH! Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions” to life at Woodlawn Elementary! 📚🏀

These student-athletes showed the Woodlawn Wildcats that dreams become reality—just like Dr. Lonnie Johnson, who went from building robots in his childhood home to inventing the Super Soaker and working at NASA.
The excitement in that auditorium? Electric.

These kids GET IT. ⚡
In ONE WEEK, Dr. Lonnie Johnson himself will be in Portland for our Student With Purpose MLK Day STEM Celebration!

📅 Monday, January 19th
📍 PCC Cascade Campus
🎟️ Almost SOLD OUT — only 80 spots left!
Register now before it’s too late 👇

🔗 Link in bio | https://qrco.de/bgWWgM

Thank you Woodlawn Elementary, Principal Porter-Lopez, and Assistant Principal Tyner for welcoming us!
Thank you for donating the books

10/04/2024

🎙️ Exciting News! My first podcast episode is now live on all platforms! 🎉
"Behind the Numbers: The Human Cost of Educational Inequality"
We often see alarming statistics about education:

Only 14.5% of Black students proficient in math
Just 24.1% proficient in reading in PPS

But these aren't just numbers—they're real people with dreams, potential, and futures at stake.
In this powerful first episode of "Teaching with Purpose," we dive deep into the story of Jerome, putting a human face on these statistics and exploring:

The real-life consequences of educational inequality
How systemic issues impact individual students
What we can do to create meaningful change

🔊 Listen now and join the conversation about transforming education for all students: https://rss.com/podcasts/teaching-with-purpose-podcast

10/03/2024

🌟 Join Us for the 15th Annual Teaching With Purpose Conference! 🌟

Oregon has consistently ranked among the lowest in the nation for public school performance, and the latest achievement data further highlights the challenges we face. Today’s statistics reveal that only 42.5% of students are proficient in reading, and just 31% in math. Alarmingly, for Black students, only 14.5% are proficient in math and 24.1% in reading.

As a committed Oregonian, I am driven to see our state do better. We must reflect on the return on our educational investment.

Join us on October 11th during our statewide in-service day to learn about the State's expectations for High-Level Aligned Instruction. We have several community slots available for those ready to make a difference.

👉 Register now and be part of the change!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/15th-annual-teaching-with-purpose-conference-tickets-1012967060747?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

09/17/2024

From my first Teaching With Purpose Conference over 20 years ago in 2001 to my graduation as a teacher, every step has been a testament to the power of education and dedication. 📚✨ These moments remind me of the incredible journey and the impact we can have when we teach with purpose.

As we gear up for the 15th Annual Teaching With Purpose Conference on October 11, 2024, I invite you to join us for a day of inspiration, learning, and growth. Let's continue to build strong, trusting relationships with our students and make a lasting impact together. 🌟 Don't miss out on this opportunity for professional development and connection with fellow educators. Register now and be part of the legacy!

09/13/2024

🌟 Exciting Announcement: Join Us at the 15th Annual Teaching With Purpose Conference! 🌟

We are thrilled to invite educators, administrators, parents, and community members to the 15th Annual Teaching With Purpose Conference! This year, we have an incredible lineup of speakers, including Dr. Charlene Williams and Dr. Dan Farley, who will inspire and equip us with the tools to elevate our educational practices.

A heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsors for their unwavering support and commitment to advancing education. Your contributions make this impactful event possible and help us reach new heights in teaching excellence.

We encourage everyone to share this event with your networks and help us spread the word. Together, we can transform educational experiences and outcomes for all students.

📅 Date: October 11, 2024 🕒 Time: 8:30 am - 1:00 pm 📍 Location: Virtual

Let's come together to inspire and be inspired! Register now and be part of a movement that champions purposeful teaching.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/15th-annual-teaching-with-purpose-conference-tickets-1012967060747?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

08/15/2024

Feeling so grateful to have crossed paths with this inspiring prophet/griot. Your wisdom continues to guide us.

Happy Birthday! May you rest in peace. Together, we honor your legacy through Teaching with Purpose 💖

05/22/2024

"What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore?" - Langston Hughes

The dream of One Stop Plaza has been deferred, as the support from individuals in positions of influence did not materialize. This project presented a significant opportunity to embody Reintrification - A Community's Comeback.

Having grown up in this neighborhood, I carry the weight of what it once was and the disappointment of our deferred dream due to displacement.

Despite not securing the necessary grants or support for the project, I remain committed to seeking investment opportunities. I am currently in need of raising $15,000 to sustain this endeavor. Please consider contributing to my GoFundMe campaign by clicking the link below. Thank you for your support.

"What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore… Karanja Crews needs your support for One Stop Plaza Project

03/25/2024

14th Annual Teaching with Purpose Conference recap

Teaching With Purpose Inc. Provides Inspirational professional development materials and courses for teachers, administrators, parents, students and communit...

02/22/2024

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01/25/2024

From overcoming the challenges of growing up without a father and navigating low-performing schools to resisting the pull of street life and gangs, I've defied the odds to become an innovative educator. I've developed groundbreaking teaching methods, such as Conscious Rap, using socially conscious hip-hop lyrics to foster critical thinking, and created the board game Journey to Freedom to educate students about black resilience. My Teacher Conference provides life-changing professional training. When it comes to empowering our black youth through education, I am the blueprint…