The Bio
Patrick Lamont Harris II (he/him) is an award-winning educator, bold storyteller, and compelling writer. A Detroit Native, Patrick holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Michigan State University. He is also a passionate writer, activist, social entrepreneur, and horror film enthusiast. He is currently a student at the University of Oklahoma, focusing on digital behavior and strategic communication. He unapologetically identifies as Black + Queer.
Patrick was honored on the International Literacy Association’s 2021 30 under 30 list for innovative approaches to literacy instruction. He is the host of the Common Sense Podcast (over 100k downloads), sharing the real stories of current educators and allies navigating the education system. His thoughts on education can be found in Education Week, ABC, CNN, GQ, Huffington Post, and more. He currently teaches middle school humanities in Metro Detroit.
His debut book, “The First Five: A Love Letter to Teachers” is available wherever you purchase books. He currently serves on the National Council of Teachers of English’s Committee (NCTE) Against Racism and Bias in the Teaching of English. He is the recipient of NCTE’s Early Career Educator of Color Leadership Award.
Patrick has spoken on panels, presented workshops, and delivered keynotes in numerous academic, professional, and community spaces.
