CJ Reynolds teaches high school literature and the history of hip-hop in West Philadelphia. He is a graduate of Rowan University and has been a classroom teacher for 15 years. He is also the author of the upcoming book Teach Your Class Off and the creator of the Real Rap with Reynolds YouTube channel. CJ's YouTube channel and book are aimed at giving viewers an authentic glimpse into the life of a high school teacher in the inner city while at the same time helping new and veteran educators be the teachers and mentors they always wanted to be for their students. His bare-bones teaching philosophy is simple: In the classroom relationships are king, and the job of a teacher is always and only about the students. Quotables One of the things that I learned early on is becoming a great educator is taking all of the things that make you who you are and using them to be a teacher. It is looking at what you have to teach and then thinking, what lens could I teach this though? If you make it about the kids, it gives you courage, one, and two you are trying to be relevant, not cool. A quite classroom does not equal an effective classroom. Don’t wait for anything. Be the teacher you always wanted to be immediately. I am very mindful at school that I only surround myself with people that I want to be like. It is your attention over your advice that wins with students all the time. Connect with CJ Website: www.realrapwithreynolds.com YouTube Channel: Real Rap with Reynolds iTunes: Real Rap With Reynolds Instagram: real rap with the reynolds Facebook: Real Rap With The Reynolds Facebook Group: Real Rap With Reynolds Teacher Talk Twitter: @realrapreynolds Snapchat: realrapreynolds Soundcloud: Real Rap with the Reynolds Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long lasting effect on our future. How? Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send’