I am a Chicago Public Schools high school social studies and poetry teacher that started teaching in 2007. I am National Board Certified and hold my Masters in Urban Education Policy.
My teaching has been featured in Lisa Delpit’s book “Multiplication is for White People”. My writings on education and race have been featured on Huff Post, John Dewey Society Journal of School and Society, Alternet, ChicagoNow, The Chicago Reporter, Gapers Block, the South Side Weekly, The Triibe, and In These Times.
I was featured in The Guardian, Chicago Tribune, and Chicago Sun Times. I was interviewed on TV by Fox32, CANTV, and WTTW. I was interviewed on BBC Radio, Heartland Media, and WGN radio. I was on the We Still Teach TV show discussing Chicago survivors of police torture.
I’ve been on panels speaking about the need for police free schools, why CPS educators went on strike, and the need for racial justice and equity in schools.
With other amazing Chicago educators, I have helped create and lead professional development for educators about Unpacking the Effects of White Supremacy on Teachers, Students, and Us All and the Reparations Won curriculum on Chicago Police torture.
I am also a Louder Than A Bomb spoken word poetry coach.
My partner is also a CPS teacher and we have two children that both attend CPS.
You can also follow me on Twitter
I Teach 
THANK YOU FELLOW TEACHER FOR BEING AN ANGEL IN OUR STRUGGLE! I PRAY ALL GOES WELL FOR OUR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS! POWER 2 THE PEOPLE!!
Thank you for your comment and words!
I was really moved by your piece on Gapers Block today. I have been thinking abut moving to Englewood and would like to ask you a few questions privately. If you have the time can you email me?
In regards to your article, “The Chicago Mercantile Exchange Maintaining the Status Quo in Chicago Public Schools”… Karen Lewis doesn’t quite understand the ramifications of a proposed tax hike per contract on exchange listed products. “Make heroes out of the wealthy people?”. No, actually this is an added expense on thousands of entrepreneurial Chicagoans who are grinding it out every single day in the capital markets. She is essentially asking self-employed traders, who work without a salary (relative to her 6 figure one), to accept a higher transaction cost simply because our politicians and Chicago Public School officials haven’t figured out how to balance a check book. Yes, the CME Group does receive significant tax breaks. Why? Because if Illinois wants to receive a cut of the revenue the CME Group brings in, it has to entice them to stay here. They can easily move operations to another state to escape these ridiculous taxes. There is no denying the Chicago Public School system is in dire need of funding but this isn’t the way to go.
These kids need books and school materials yet $100mln is being spent on air conditioning? They need to get their priorities straight.
I agree with part of what you are saying that CPS needs new leadership starting with the mayor relinquishing mayoral control and our city getting an elected not appointed school board.
Corporations and CEO’s are making never seen before record profits. They like to threaten everyone with moving somewhere better I agree, but this requires us to change some of the laws passed in the 1980s that gave corporations huge power and it requires us as consumers to vote (purchase) from companies that are really interested in making money AND helping our city. It is possible to do both and some companies are starting to do it. It is called Conscious Capitalism.
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I am a senior high school student from NY and I am trying to reach Mr. Stieber. What is best email to contact him?
dave_stieber@yahoo.com
Has anyone done a study of how much it costs to give everyone in the public schools free breakfast and lunch? Is this funded by the federal government or state? I know many public school teachers who live in areas where even children who live in very expensive homes and can clearly afford to buy their children food are receiving free food every single day and they say the amount of food that is not eaten is shameful. Fresh and healthy food is extremely expensive. I certainly appreciate and understand low income families receiving free food, but why not have the others pay for it. It doesn’t seem right. If I do not have the correct facts, please let me know. I couldn’t find much about it on the internet. I understand there is more administrative costs and paperwork if not everyone receives the free food, but I would bet it would still save a considerable amount of money. If there is a report on how much money is spent on breakfast and lunch, and perhaps snacks? , that would be very interesting to read. Thanks for any info you can provide.
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Is there a way for me to contact you about a recent article that you published that would not be shown so publicly? I promise it is not attacking, I would just like to share my thoughts.
I’m getting a lot of hate/threats currently. Message me on Twitter or FB.
Hi Dave. I love your work and align politically with you. I work at Parker in Chicago. As you may know, the Parker school community believes in abolition because we practice it everyday. The same politicians that deny our city’s children police-free and non punitive school environments, know that it is unconscionable. We know this for a fact at Parker because we provide these environments for their own children. I would love to engage my colleagues in joining this struggle. I believe that this moment has the potential to spark people that have been silent in the past. I am not asking you to engage my colleagues because I believe it is my work as a Black educator in an elite school. I would like to speak to you about some ideas I think are worth exploring. Our paths have likely crossed through organizers we know in common. I would like to formally introduce myself and request your time for a brief chat. Please email me if you are interested or have another person you think might be available to think through strategies for solidarity.
Hi Keedra, thanks for the message. Please email me at davidfstieber@gmail.com so we can talk more.
Dave: Please teach us about eliminating CPD in CPS at a Zoom forum. We are Skyline Village Chicago http://www.skylinevillagechicago.org. We are a volunteer group borne out of the national village moment providing educational, social and advocacy programs for older adults in Streeterville. the Gold Coast, River North, and the Loop. We are (fairly) proficient at Zoom and can provide you with an uninterrupted space for a presentation and Q&A afterwards. Our members are well-informed and active. They are familiar with you and will love you! Regan Burke 312 446 4829. reganburke@hotmail.com