Teresa is founder and CEO of anansi learning where we train teachers to effectively engage students by transforming their understanding of what it means to be a history teacher. Teresa is a former social studies teacher who taught in New York City public and private schools. She's also a coach, curriculum developer and a restorative practices trainer. Her debut young adult novel, "Like A Tree Without Roots" (Ase Publishing, 2012) dissects the interior world of an African American teen whose hatred of her dark skin and kinky hair propels her on a journey of self-love and self-acceptance. Called "...a blueprint for self-discovery" by one teen reviewer, "Like A Tree Without Roots" is an emotionally wrenching yet brilliantly triumphant story of affirmation and healing. The anansi vision: we live in a world where each of us knows the truth of our collective history and works to acknowledge and repair the trauma and the harm done so we can create an equitable, multiracial democracy where we care as much about everyone else's humanity, rights and wellbeing as we do our own.