We were lucky to catch up with Dr. Lois Barker recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Lois, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start big picture – what are some of biggest trends you are seeing in your industry?

In educational consulting, there is room for everyone. We all have our areas of expertise, our niches if you will and there are enough opportunities for all educators going into consulting to be of service to schools and school systems. However, what I am noticing is that there are groups of consultants who are like Edu celebrities who Don’t make room for others. Some of those folx claim to be an expert in whatever educational trend or buzzword is at the moment. They do more harm than good. There is power in networking and passing the mic to others who are more steeped in an area of consulting so that that school or district in need gets the best help available.

Dr. Lois, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My educational consulting business is called Read Tech Write. I got into consulting because I wanted to share my expertise in creating multicultural learning spaces with a larger audience, stretching beyond a classroom or one district. Something that I do a little differently is helping educators leverage technology in creating those spaces. I think oftentimes technology is viewed as an asset because students are lacking in some aspect of academics when in fact we need to take on more of an asset-based approach. Not what technology can do for the student, but how can the student use technology as a platform or an expansion of what they already possess. Now in addition to consulting, last year I published my first children’s book, Ava’s Caribbean abc. Although that project started as a passion project, now it’s becoming a part of my consulting journey as a teaching tool about diversity and hard history. It has worked its way into some of my professional development sessions.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

What’s working for me is presenting at conferences. Although most of those opportunities are expenses for the business, it gives me an opportunity to showcase what I know and can do with curriculum and instructional frameworks. I get face time with teachers and teacher leaders. When they leave a session, they follow me on social media and reach out for extended learning. That is how the business grows.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Stepping outside of educational consulting and thinking about self-publishing Ava’s Caribbean abcs. I wished I researched more grant opportunities for unpublished writers. We Need Diverse Books has a grant that I could have applied for, but once you’re self-published that opportunity is lost. I also wished I considered doing a kick starter. Maybe for my second book I will.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.readtechwrite.com
• Instagram: @readtechwrite
• Twitter: @Lit_bark

Image Credits
Michael Henry, Bayleaf Originals