Tell us about yourself:
My name is Andratesha Fritzgerald. I have worked as an educator in North East Ohio for over 20 years. Most of my career has been in East Cleveland City Schools as a High School English teacher (9th Grade and 11th Grade were my favorite), curriculum administrator, Director of Teaching Learning and Innovation and Human Resources Director. I have recently accepted a Grant Project Director Position in the Department of Educator Equity at Northeast Ohio Educational Service Center. I am the author of Antiracism and Universal Design for Learning: Building Expressways to Success. (CAST, 2020). My highest calling in life is as a wife and mother to two teenagers.

How do you support students in northeast Ohio?
Most of the support I give comes through professional development to ensure that teachers can build inclusive, welcoming, supportive and challenging environments for all learners – particularly learners of color. I call for organizations to evolve into inclusive, antiracist safe zones for all learners. My passion for Universal Design for Learning, culturally responsive teaching and antiracism has been my impetus to help craft implementation plans, design lab templates, professional development symposia and professional practice cadres to support teachers in implementing with connectivity.

If you have one goal for students or teachers in northeast Ohio, what would it be and why?
My dream is for every learning space and organization to evolve systemically and individually into safe zones. These safe zones will create the optimal environments that awaken, celebrate and activate brilliance by breaking barriers and stereotypes of teachers, leaders and students to actualize achievement wherever it seems impossible. My dream is to see the dreams of learners come true through the teaching that lights a fire in each heart.

What would you consider yourself an expert in and how did you gain your expertise?
Universal Design for Learning, Antiracism, Culturally Responsive Teaching and Curriculum Design. The way that I gained expertise was by listening to learners who taught me how to meet their needs. In listening to their feedback and communicating their changes in my design we built a relationship that was ultimately a roadmap for their success as my own. I also learned from a fierce cadre of excellence expecting teachers who shaped me from the very beginning of my career.

What is a school, teacher, group, organization or learning community in northeast Ohio that holds a special place in your heart?
Shaw High School is where I learned how to be a teacher. It is the place where I saw students break barriers and it is the home base for so many amazing people in northeast ohio. A program that holds a special place in my heart is Facing History and Ourselves. It is professional development that changed my life. I could see the thread that held the past and the future together. I could see how my own decisions and instructional decision making connected that same thread to the next generation of decision makers. Not only did I receive amazing professional development, but resources and support from my consultant, who was Pamela Donaldson at the time. It was an unforgettable step into education as activism for me.

Why are you excited to be part of the #weteachCLE community?
I am excited to be a part of the we teach CLE community because collectively we can accomplish and support each other. The wisdom that I have gained just by being a part of the social media group has been enriching and fullfilling. My calling will always be to teach – whether I am teaching adults or children. I am always a teacher.

What is your favorite space in northeast Ohio?
I love the architechture of the Old Arcade and supporting the businesses there.

Share with us your favorite way to combat the Sunday Scaries.
Scaries. Pause on Friday and make a list of the highlights from the week. Read them back to yourself on Sunday night. Set your intention for the week. One of my favorite things to tell myself is, “I am a detective on the lookout for great things every single day.” That’s my mission. Find the great things. Find the brilliance. Celebrate fully. Celebrate well.