Barry McRaith

An innovative and devoted urban educator, Barry has taught and led academic programs within a variety of secondary schools: public (charter, magnet, and test-based selective enrollment), Catholic, and Yeshiva. Additionally, he has taught university courses for future educators and community-based writing workshops for adolescents. Barry has been awarded graduate degrees in English (M.A., Northwestern University) and Educational Leadership in Curriculum, Instruction, and Evaluation (M.Ed., University of Illinois – Chicago).

Barry believes that engaged, rigorous teaching and learning manifest most profoundly when each learner is understood as an asset in the process - not a deficit to the process.

Barry is honored to have been a three-time University of Chicago Outstanding Teacher Award recipient; two-time Illinois Math and Science Academy’s Teaching Award of Excellence recipient; Congressional Black Caucus Foundation “Outstanding Teacher Award” recipient; multiple Golden Apple nominee across three school settings; and other educational awards' winner and nominee. He is the creator of the critical and creative thinking paradigm, “Smaller to Bigger Pieces,” that results in individuals excelling through self-directed learning. 

Amazing humans have inspired the vision and reality of The Purple Pen. Students: each student Barry taught has taught him how individualized the process of learning really is, that thought and care about each's learning process matters. Teaching colleagues: teachers across all disciplines, support professionals, counselors, and administrators have taught Barry that the most effective teaching requires authentic human connection and realistically high expectations. Advisors to The Purple Pen: for the generosity of their time and expertise, their insight and challenge, and their relentless belief, Barry thanks countless skilled educators; masterful technology designers, engineers, and developers; and widely accomplished business professionals. Family and friends: Barry treasures his family and friends, whose support through each step of developing The Purple Pen has helped catalyze the confidence to engage the next. Carol, whose belief was the firmament, and their children: they inspire Barry in so many ways, including lessons about hope, courage, and resiliency when things get tough.