Hi, my name is Mark Isero. Thank you for visiting my website!
I believe in the power of classroom teaching and learning to address the inequities we face in society. And I think that reading is at the core of all learning and should be at the center of every classroom.
This website is where I tell some stories and share some of my thoughts. Don’t be shy: Join the conversation. You’ll be happy you did!
Here’s a little more about what this website is about:
Supporting and Coaching Teachers
After spending 15 years in the classroom, this is my seventh as an instructional coach. I love supporting teachers to build the skill, confidence, and capacity to thrive in the classroom without burning out from exhaustion.
Putting Reading at the Center
Focusing on literacy at the high school level, I’m helping teachers put reading at the front of their practice. By high school, many people think that it’s too late to teach reading. They’re wrong. It can and must happen, or else students who are behind will never catch up. I’m trying to make reading more like writing — to treat it as a craft, to make it more public and less secret, to push teachers and students to get their reading out into the world.
Also, reading shouldn’t be drudgery. It shouldn’t feel like medicine. It should be fun because it is. I’m excited to continue supporting my colleagues to build classroom libraries and to promote independent reading. It’s extremely rewarding.
Reading for Young People: The Kindle Classroom Project
I’m also building the Kindle Classroom Project (with the help of generous supporters!), in which students read books they like on Kindles they get to bring home. There are now more than 2,000 students participating in the project. You might get so excited that you’ll want to donate your used Kindle or make a contribution for books!
Reading for Adults: The Highlighter Newsletter & Podcast
I’m always reading and sharing high-quality articles about race, education, and culture. The Highlighter is a compilation of some of my favorites. Please check out the weekly newsletter and monthly podcast and tell me what you think.
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Contact Me
This year, I’m striving to strengthen my professional relationships and forge new ones. That’s where you come in!
You can reach me on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also subscribe via RSS.
Please use this form to introduce yourself and start up a conversation.
I hope that you have a great school year, and I look forward to hearing from you!
Mark,
I like your website. I share many of your interests and passions. I found your website searching for AoW examples, but I found myself reading a ton of your posts. Nice job.
Mark,
I wasn’t sure where to post this but I thought you would like it. For a class, I had to answer the question, “What is your vision of a lifelong learner?” This is what I wrote.
My friend Mark Isero is a lifelong learner. His blog, iserotope.com, is a constant reflection and inquiry about “teaching, reading and technology.”
One entry about the homework debate included quotes from several articles, parents, and education reformers. It is clear that he is constantly learning, reflecting and leading others by engaging them in critical thinking.
My vision of a lifelong learner is someone does just that. True learning is a process that requires examining critical issues from multiple view points. Then coming to various possible conclusions, solutions and further questions for research. And finally engaging others in a productive discussion that stimulates and moves newly inspired and better informed people to action.
I feel alive and energized when I participate in these activities and that’s why being a lifelong learner is fun.
So kind, Mr. Mercer! You’re not so shabby yourself! I respect and appreciate very much the stance you take as a teacher, ally, friend, and learner.
PS- Have you considered http://www.iseroni.com? (Very SF.)