New York, New York, United States, 23rd Sep 2026 - Dr. F. Eugene McGee draws on three decades of urban education experience to create Educating the Urban Student: A Teacher’s Quick Guide to Strategies and Tactics for the Classroom, a practical guide for teachers and school leaders.

McGee’s career has included roles as a substitute teacher, paraprofessional, classroom teacher, dean of students, assistant principal, principal, and central administrator, including serving as the Director of Extended Day Programs. The book reflects lessons learned through firsthand experience in classrooms, parent meetings, school hallways, and administrative offices rather than theory alone.

A central theme of the book is understanding the context behind student behavior. McGee encourages educators to maintain clear expectations while also recognizing that academic frustration, family responsibilities, emotional stress, and circumstances outside school may influence how students respond in the classroom.

The book also cautions teachers against making assumptions about students or their families. A parent’s absence from a conference, for example, may be influenced by work schedules, transportation, childcare, or other barriers rather than a lack of interest in a child’s education.

Another major focus is relationship-building. McGee emphasizes the importance of learning students’ names, interests, strengths, and academic needs while establishing structure from the beginning of the school year.

The guide also explores social-emotional learning and data-informed instruction. McGee describes practices such as greeting students at the classroom door, observing changes in behavior, and using assessments, classroom observations, and student work to make more informed instructional decisions.

Organized around the progression of a school year, Educating the Urban Student covers the opening weeks of school, relationship-building, home life, social-emotional learning, data-informed instruction, and professional growth.

McGee has also recently defended his doctoral dissertation, adding another stage to a career shaped by classroom experience, school leadership and continued professional development. He plans to continue the discussion in a second volume focused on practical guidance for administrators.

At its core, the book encourages educators to look beyond immediate behavior, understand the students in front of them, and combine empathy, structure, and informed decision-making in the classroom.

About the Author

Dr. F. Eugene McGee is an educator and school leader with three decades of experience working in urban education. His career has included service as a substitute teacher, paraprofessional, classroom teacher, dean of students, assistant principal, principal, and central administrator, including serving as the Director of Extended Day Programs. His professional experience across multiple levels of the school system has shaped his practical approach to classroom relationships, student support, instructional leadership, and data-informed decision-making.

McGee has also led professional development sessions for educators and recently defended his doctoral dissertation. Through Educating the Urban Student, he brings together lessons from his classroom and leadership experiences to provide educators with practical strategies they can adapt to their own students and school communities.