Dismantling a Broken System

About the Author Zachary Wright is an assistant professor of practice at Relay Graduate School of Education, serving Philadelphia and Camden, New Jersey, communications activist at brightbeam, curriculum contributor to the Center for Black Educator Development, and general agitator. After beginning his teaching career in early childhood education classrooms, Wright taught eleventh- and twelfth-grade world literature and Advanced Placement literature at Mastery Charter School’s Shoemaker Campus, where he served for eight years—including the school’s first eight graduating classes.

Wright was a national finalist for the 2018 U.S. Department of Education’s School Ambassador Fellowship, and was named Philadelphia’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 2013. While teaching, Wright created a relationship between Philadelphia’s Mastery Schools and the University of Vermont that led to the granting of nearfull-ride college scholarships for underrepresented students—a relationship that has seen nearly a dozen college graduates and counting. Wright has also participated in the fight for equitable education funding by testifying before Philadelphia’s Board of Education and in the Pennsylvania State Capitol rotunda.

Wright was recruited by Facebook and Edutopia to speak on digital education and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, organized demonstrations to close the digital divide. His writing has been published by The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Philadelphia Citizen, Chalkbeat, Educational Leadership, and numerous education blogs. Wright lives in Collingswood, New Jersey, with his wife and two sons.

Wright earned his bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Vermont, his master of English from Villanova University, and his master of education from Cabrini University.

To book Zachary Wright for professional development, contact pd@SolutionTree.com. ix