#8 Billy Lieberknecht: History Teacher

In this episode, Spencer talks with high school history teacher Billy Lieberknecht (he/him) about why he initially resisted becoming a teacher, how he brings self-awareness of his identity into his teaching practice, and why COVID-19 disproportionately impacts students like his.

Billy has been working in Bay Area public schools since 2008. He began his teaching career in Oakland Unified School District as a Resource Specialist, as part of the Teach For America program. He then went on to earn his Masters in Education, where he focused on the Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting process as a way to foster self-determination for students.

Prior to his current role, Billy has held a number of roles in schools and education, including coaching new teachers, partnering with teacher training and credentialing programs, and working as a founding teacher at an East Oakland middle school. He joined his current school community in 2015 as a US History and AP US History teacher. He also serves as the Department Lead, Network Course Facilitator, and member of the Instructional Leadership Team. Billy believes in an approach to education that explores authentic inquiry, emphasizes literacy and critical pedagogy, and is built upon co-learning through academic discourse. He loves his school community and is incredibly grateful for the passion, energy, and commitment he sees from all of his students.

Billy grew up as the child of two career public school teachers in San Diego, CA, and earned undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Political Science from UCSD. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his family and his dog, Olive, living in the beautiful city of Richmond, hiking, cooking, woodworking, and tending to a backyard garden full of vegetables, chickens, and flowers.

You can connect with Billy in the Careeriosity LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13924312/.

Episode music by Wataboi. To learn more about Careeriosity, visit https://careeriosity.wixsite.com/podcast.