Having High Expectations for All Students with Wyatt Oroke

Wyatt Oroke (often “Mr. O”) is a nationally recognized Baltimore educator known for his work in social justice and literacy. He teaches 7th–8th grade English and Honors English at City Springs Elementary/Middle School in Baltimore City. Honors include 2020 Baltimore City Teacher of the Year and 2021 Maryland Teacher of the Year, with additional recognition from Johns Hopkins, the University of Baltimore School of Law, the Maryland State Senate, the Baltimore Orioles, and a “Superhero Award” from Ellen DeGeneres, where he appeared twice. Instagram: @wyattoroke; he’s on Twitter but rarely posts; DMs are the best way to request his email.

In this conversation, Wyatt Oroke makes the case that high expectations are an equity issue: every student ...