Identity Talk 4 Educators LIVE
By Kwame Sarfo-Mensah
204) "Balancing Acts: From Gymnastics Coach to Global Leader" (Aldaine Wynter)
In this week's episode, I had the honor of welcoming Aldaine Wynter to the podcast to talk about growing up in the U.K, his early life as a gymnastics coach, transitioning into teaching, climbing the ladder as an international school leader, and so much more! To learn more about Aldaine's work, you can visit the Washington International School website at wis.edu/diversity or follow him on LinkedIn.
BIO:
Aldaine Wynter is the inaugural Director of International-Mindedness, Diversity, and Inclusion (IDI) at Washington International School (WIS), a role he assumed in 2023 as the school's first-ever leader in this domain. With a career-spanning leadership in international education and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy, Aldaine has been instrumental in fostering inclusive school environments across multiple global contexts. Prior to WIS, Aldaine served as Head of Pastoral and Operations at Wetherby Senior School in London, where he also led the school's Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives. Before Wetherby, he was the Global Diversity and Inclusion coordinator at Dwight School London, overseeing DEI initiatives across Dwight campuses in London, New York, Shanghai, Dubai, and Seoul (2020–2022). His work involved developing and executing strategic DEI programs across multiple continents, shaping policies that promoted equity and international-mindedness.
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203) "Relearning Together: The Identity Talk x CEUE Partnership" (Elms College CEUE)
In this episode, I had the honor of welcoming back Dr. Tyra Good, the executive director of Elms College Center for Equity in Urban Education (CEUE), as well as Dominique McDonald, academic coordinator for CEUE, and 2025 graduate Bianca Bonsu. In our conversation, the CEUE team talked about the origin and evolution of the program, reflect on their 5-month partnership with Identity Talk Consulting, share personal reflections about their reading of "Learning to Relearn", and much more! To learn more about Elms College CEUE, you can visit their main website at https://www.elms.edu/ceue/.
BIO:
Dr. Tyra Good is the founding faculty director, Center for Equity in Urban Education (CEUE) at Elms College. Good has more than 10 years of experience teaching education, and, most recently, she was assistant professor of practice in education at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA. Good is the founder and chief academic consultant for GOOD Knowledge Connections and the founder of the Black Educators Network (BEN) of Greater Pittsburgh. The BEN is a strategic team of K-12, Higher Education, and community educators working across school district and community lines to help ensure the academic and personal success of African-American youth from underserved communities.
For her dedication and commitment to diversifying the teaching pipeline and preparing pre-service teachers to work in urban settings, Good has received a myriad of award recognitions. Most recently, she was awarded a 2019 National Deeper Learning Equity Fellowship through Big Picture Learning and Internationals Network for Public Schools. Deeper Learning Equity Fellows are exceptional leaders, education practitioners, policy advocates, and researchers who are committed to expanding Deeper Learning educational practices aimed at improving public education opportunities for underserved communities.Good received her bachelor’s in business management from Howard University, a master of arts in teaching from Chatham University, and a doctorate in educational leadership and evaluation from Duquesne University.
Dominique McDonald, Academic Coordinator for CEUE, is an alum of Western New England University with a B.A. in English and is currently working towards an M.Ed at Elms College. He recruits for the Applied Behavior Analysis, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master in Education, Master in Biomedical Sciences, Master of Biotechnology, Master of Bioethics, and Postbaccalaureate Premedical Studies Certificate programs. He is a lover of animals and the outdoors but also a big fan of reading fiction, playing video games and singing karaoke.
Bianca Bonsu has worked as a paraprofessional for the Springfield Public Schools for 10 years. She will be graduating from Elms College this year with a B.A. in Education and her Massachusetts teaching credential.
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202) "Motherhood, Math & the Move Abroad" (Tekia Timmons)
In this week's episode, I had the honor of interviewing Tekia Timmons in her first ever podcast guest appearance. In our conversation, Tekia opens up about her early upbringing in Flint, Michigan and Atlanta, Georgia, the ups and downs of her international teaching journey, diving into edupreneurship, motherhood, and so much more! To learn more about Tekia's work, you can visit the Exceptional Math Coaching & Consulting website at https://sites.google.com/view/exceptional-math-coaching/home or follow her on LinkedIn.
BIO:
Ms. Kia, also known as Tekia Timmons, has always had a passion for mathematics since her childhood. Her love for this subject led her to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Georgia State University and a Master of Science in Applied Statistics from Kennesaw State University.For over 14 years, Ms. Kia has taught high school math in public and private schools in various parts of the world such as the United States, Vietnam, and Ethiopia. She strongly believes that math is a language that everyone can learn to speak with the right level of challenge and support. Ms. Kia enhances her lessons with technology, making them engaging and interactive for her students.She is thrilled to share her enthusiasm for math with her students and help them develop a strong foundation in the subject. In her free time, Ms. Kia enjoys creating beautiful jewelry, traveling, and discovering new cuisines with her family, which includes her wonderful partner, two teenage daughters, and a baby boy who keeps life exciting and full of joy.
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201) "Empowering Students with a Pedagogy of Voice" (Crystal M. Watson)
In this week's episode, I welcomed back Crystal M. Watson to the podcast for a conversation about her early upbringing in Cincinnati, her transition from the classroom to educational leadership, co-authoring the upcoming book "Pedagogy of Voice: Street Data and the Path to Student Agency", motherhood, and so much more! To learn more about Crystal's work, you can visit her website at https://crystalmwatson.com or follow her on Instagram (@crystalmwatson), or LinkedIn.
BIO:
Crystal M. Watson is an innovative, passionate mathematics educator, leader, and life long learner who you can count on to always ask “What do the students think?”
Crystal obtained a Masters in Educational Leadership and Administration at Teachers College at Columbia University where she further developed her understanding for school and district leadership. Her work is centered around providing space for student voice and identity development in order for all to experience high quality, deep, and personal mathematics. In her district, Crystal serves as a prominent voice on equity and anti-racism teams. She prides herself on her willingness to pass knowledge forward and support colleagues in the work.
As Crystal continues to expand her reach, she has shared and continues to lend her experience and knowledge across multiple platforms including local and national conferences, podcasts, and professional development sessions. Venturing outside of her district, Crystal has worked on multiple teams outside of her geographical location to ensure students see themselves in mathematics. Additionally, Crystal has worked alongside other scholars to develop a culturally responsive curriculum that centers students in every lesson. Crystal has also worked on developing more culturally relevant and responsive math tasks to be used by mathematics educators everywhere.
Crystal is dedicated to continuing her own development, continuing to center her work with student experience in mind. She is most excited about the connections and relationships she builds while engaging in transformational work!
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200) "Unpacking Schooling, Racism, and Resistance" (Tiffany Jewell)
On this special 200th episode of the podcast, I welcomed Tiffany Jewell to the podcast for a conversation about her early life in upstate New York, the one-year anniversary of her newest book, "Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned in School", motherhood, and so much more! To learn more about Tiffany's work, you can visit her website at https://tiffanymjewell.com or follow her on Instagram (@tiffanymjewell), or LinkedIn.
BIO:
Tiffany Jewell is a Black biracial writer, twin sister, first generation American, cisgender mama, anti-bias antiracist (ABAR) educator. She is the author of the #1 New York Times and #1 Indie Best Seller, This Book Is Anti-Racist, a book for young folks [and everyone] to support waking up, taking action, and doing the work of becoming antiracist. Tiffany is currently working on multiple book projects for readers of all ages.She has been working with children and families for nearly two decades and worked as a Montessori educator for fifteen years. She enjoys exploring social justice with young folks, especially the history of racism and resistance, economic justice, and socially and personally constructed identities. Tiffany also likes working with educators and supporting them building strong, authentic communities in which every child can be seen and valued. Tiffany lives on the homeland of the Pocumtuc, Nonotuck, and the Nipmuck with her two young storytellers, husband, a small dog with a big personality, and a turtle she’s had since she was nine years old.
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199) "Unpacking Transformational Leadership" (Dr. Talisa Sullivan)
In this week's episode, I had a great conversation with Dr. Talisa Sullivan, who opened up about her early upbringing in California, navigating educational leadership as a Black woman, the founding of Transformational Leadership Consulting Services (TLCS), the need for servant leadership in this current sociopolitical climate, and so much more! To learn more about Dr. Sullivan's work, you can visit the TLCS website at transformingleaderstlc.com or you can follow her on Linkedin.
BIO:
Dr. Talisa Sullivan is a professional and highly motivated Doctor of Philosophy in Education with a focus on Urban Leadership. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and a Teaching Credential from Cal State Dominguez Hills, a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Cal State San Bernardino, and a PhD. in Education with an emphasis on Urban Leadership from Claremont Graduate University.Dr. Sullivan has served in education for over 20 years as an effective educator and instructional leader throughout San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties. Dr. Sullivan is a collaborative, data-driven educator with a track record for establishing and maintaining an amazing rapport with staff, students, families, and communities in the Greater Los Angeles area in PK-20 environments.In addition to serving as an administrator in K-12 public education, Dr. Sullivan serves as a Professor in the School of Education for the Teacher Education Program, the University Extention Program as an Ethnic Studies Professor, and as an Adjunct Professor in the Doctoral in Education Leadership Program at local Universities. Dr. Sullivan has also served as a featured speaker at conferences and a keynote speaker for several conferences and universities.Dr. Sullivan has a vast knowledge and training in education and is passionate about working with educators who prepare students for 21st Century college, careers, and overall success. Dr. Sullivan has made a positive impact on education by disrupting systemic barriers that impede success. She aims to continue building sustaining bridges that empower others to ensure that our historically and traditionally marginalized students, staff, teachers, and leaders have what they need to be successful in all of their endeavors.
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198) "When Equity Meets Creativity & Innovation" (Dr. Jocelyn Logan-Friend)
In this episode, I had the honor of welcoming Dr. Jocelyn Logan-Friend to the podcast to talk about her early upbringing in Washington, D.C, lessons learned from her basketball career, the origin of Logan & Friends, and the birth of the ECI (Equity, Creativity & Innovation) framework. To learn more about Jocelyn's work, you can visit the Logan & Friends websites at loganandfriends.community or follow her on Instagram (@loganandfriends.community) and LinkedIn.
BIO:
Dr. Jocelyn Logan-Friend is the Founder and CEO of Logan & Friends, an organization dedicated to shaping the future of education through equity, creativity, and innovation. With over 20 years of experience in education, she has held various roles, including teacher, principal, and district administrator. Dr. Logan-Friend earned her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Southern California. She also holds a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership and Administration from California State University, Northridge, and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Her diverse experiences and educational background have significantly influenced her approach to education, emphasizing the importance of equity and innovation.Dr. Logan-Friend spent seven years living and working in South Africa, experiences that have significantly influenced her approach to education.
She is also a poet, sharing her musings on human connection and experiences under the moniker "Writings on the Ceiling." Through Logan & Friends, Dr. Logan-Friend offers services such as education program design and implementation, school improvement and transformation, and motivational speaking engagements. Her work is characterized by a relentless commitment to driving positive outcomes for students and educators alike.
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197) "Rooted in Resistance: Bridging Faith & Educational Activism (Keziah Ridgeway)
In this week's episode, I had the opportunity to catch up with fellow Temple University alum Keziah Ridgeway to learn about her early upbringing in Philly, her journey into Islam and educational activism, overcoming adversity, the legacy of Black educators in Philly, and much more! To learn more about Keziah, you can visit her website at keziahridgeway.com or follow her on Instagram (@teachkizzyteach).
BIO:
Keziah Ridgeway is a Philadelphia area educator, activist, wife, and mother. She’s also a published writer with articles appearing in Sister's Magazine, Common Ground News, and Edweek. She has also made media appearances on CNN, CBS, and local Philadelphia news outlets and has appeared in USA Today and the New York Times.She earned a bachelor’s degree in History, primarily with a focus on Southwest Asia, Africa & Central/South America (Temple University) and a master's in Secondary Education (Saint Joseph's University). Over the last 9 years she has taught World History, African American History and Social & Cultural Anthropology at a public high school in Northeast Philadelphia.As a curriculum developer and facilitator, she co-created an Antiracist training curriculum, helped develop Colored Conventions lessons for a partnership with the University of Delaware and partnered with the School District of Philadelphia to help revamp the history curriculum.Keziah also created a mutual aid program called Groceries For Philly and was featured in the book, “How We Stay Free: Notes on a Black Uprising” in which students she helped mentor in the group Philly Black Students Alliance wrote about her contribution to their political development during the 2020 Uprisings. As the result of offering free, live virtual African American History classes that students joined from around the nation during Covid and other activities performed as an educator, Keziah won the prestigious Lindback Teacher Award for distinguished teachers in 2020.She is also the author of the children’s book, “Black Women Do: Leaders of the African Diaspora." Keziah also curates discussion groups, presentations and panels around Islamophobia, Black Muslim History, African American History, Educators of Color, and Racism that are aimed at creating a safe and equitable environment within education and society.
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196) "Normalizing Black Educator Wellness" (Dr. Asia Lyons)
In this episode, I had the honor of welcoming Dr. Asia Lyons to the podcast to talk about her early childhood in Detroit, her teaching career, transitioning out of the K-12 classroom, racial battle fatigue of Black educators, the need to center wellness of Black educators, and so much more! To learn more about Dr. Asia's work, you can visit her website at lyonseducationalconsulting.com or follow her on Instagram (@hellodrasia) and LinkedIn. You can also subscribe to The Exit Interview podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and all other streaming platforms.
BIO:
Dr. Asia Lyons is the founder and lead consultant for Lyons Educational Consulting LLC, a consulting and coaching firm that supports schools and other non-profits through equity auditing of their programming, co-creation of culturally responsive programming and curriculum, and job-embedded coaching.
Prior to founding Lyons Educational Consulting, Dr. Lyons worked as a K-12 educator for over 10 years. She also served as the Equity in Schools Specialist in a Denver based non-profit, a role in which she worked with schools and non-profit partners across the Denver Metro Area to provide communities with resources to support the closing of the access gap for BIPOC youth.
In addition to her work in coaching and consulting, Dr. Lyons is an adjunct instructor in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Colorado – Denver. She obtained her doctorate in Leadership for Educational Equity, where her research focuses on the ways that racism-related stress crosses over from Black educators to their families.
Finally, Dr. Lyons is the co-host of The Exit Interview, a podcast focusing on the lived experiences of former Black educators.
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195) "From Trauma to Transformation" (Sofia Gonzalez)
In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing Sofia Gonzalez, who opened up about her early upbringing in Chicago, her Mexerican heritage, the inspiration behind her non-profit journey and education advocacy work, working through teacher trauma, and so much more ! To learn more about Sofia's work, you can visit her website at sofiaspeaks.com or follow her on Instagram (@_sofiaspeaks) and LinkedIn.
BIO:
Sofia Gonzalez is a High School AP English teacher, Nonprofit Leader, and Education Activist from Illinois. She has been in the field of education for 15 years and has a deep passion for students & teachers who are disadvantaged. She’s a sought-after keynote speaker & podcast host who is known for her cutting-edge presentations and dynamic illustrations with a message that’s infectious.
She has received national teacher recognitions and nominations such as 2019 Top Educator of the Year with the National Society of High School Scholars, 2021 Golden Apple Nominee for Teaching & Excellence and 2022 Authenticity Award with Latinx Education Collaborative.
She is also a nonprofit Lead Visionary for Project 214 which promotes education in underserved areas for students and teachers on the margins.An alum in various spaces like Fulbright, Latinos for Education, Urban Leaders Fellowship, and the US Department of Education, Sofia's passion and energy towards education equity remains a leading voice for the 21st-century classroom at a national and international level.
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194) "Getting Smarter About Microschools" (Benita Gordon)
In this episode, I had the honor of welcoming my good friend Benita C. Gordon to the podcast to share about her early upbringing in Virginia, her HBCU experience at Hampton, her natural hair journey, entering the world of microschooling, and so much more! To learn more about Benita's work, check out the Education Concierge Podcast and follow her on Instagram (@theeduconcierge) and LinkedIn.
BIO: Benita C. Gordon is an innovative education leader, entrepreneur, and founder of Global Education Concierge. With a deep passion for personalized learning and transformative educational experiences, she spearheads initiatives to empower students and educators alike. As the host of The Education Concierge Podcast and founder of Miami MicroLearn Hub, Benita is a go-to expert in non-traditional education models, education technology integration, and consulting for innovative school design and management. In addition to her work in the U.S., Benita serves on the board of Amie Academy Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educational development in underserved communities. In this role, she supports Amie Academy in Sierra Leone, expanding educational access and fostering sustainable change. Focusing on leveraging technology, personalized learning journeys, and operational excellence, Benita collaborates with educators and leaders to reimagine education globally.
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193) "CRT & The Brain....10 Years Later" (Zaretta Hammond)
In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing Zaretta Hammond, who opened up about her early upbringing in San Francisco, the 10th anniversary of her best-selling book, "Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain", her thoughts on the term 'DEI' and the latest trends in teacher education, her first visit to Africa, and so much more ! To learn more about Zaretta's work, you can visit her website at crtandthebrain.com or follow her on LinkedIn.
BIO:
Zaretta Hammond is a national education consultant and the author of the best-selling book Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students. She holds a Master’s in Education in English Education, with a concentration in Writing from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Zaretta is a former high school and community college expository writing instructor. She has also served as adjunct instructor at St. Mary’s College School of Education in Moraga, California, where she taught The Foundations of Adolescent Literacy. As a consultant, she has advised and provided professional development to school districts and non-profit organizations across the country around issues of equity, literacy, and culturally responsive teaching for the past 25 years.
Zaretta brings a unique focus on neuroscience to the conversation about equity, literacy and culturally responsive pedagogy to make it understandable and practical for educators.
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192) "Exploring EdTech with McKenzie's Adventures" (Yaritza Villalba)
In this episode, I had the honor of welcoming Yaritza Villalba to the podcast to share about her Panamanian heritage, growing up in Brooklyn, discovering her love for teaching, the founding of McKenzie's Adventures, navigating life as a CEO and a mother, and so much more! To learn more about Yaritza's work, you can visit her website at mckenziesadventures.com or follow her on Instagram (@mckenziesadventures), Twitter/X (@McKenzies_Adv), and LinkedIn.
BIO:
Yaritza Villalba is an Education Consultant, currently leading professional learning opportunities, centered on culturally responsive sustaining education (CRSE) and project-based learning, to an international network of educators. With thirteen years of experience in urban education, Yaritza supplies many effective strategies and resources for educating and supporting BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) students and families. After graduating from the State University of New York at Albany, she began her career teaching Social Studies to overaged, under credited high school students in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York. Later, she earned her first master's degree from Long Island University, Brooklyn, where she studied Adolescent Urban Education and expounded her knowledge of inclusive pedagogical practices. Over her career, Yaritza became an Assistant Principal of an Expeditionary Learning School, CEO and Founder of McKenzie’s Adventures LLC, and an Author of culturally relevant children's books. Yaritza’s overall mission is to create opportunities and experiences for students of color to gain fair access to resources that spark critical thinking and meaningful conversations in and out of the classroom.
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191) "A Cameroonian Teacher's Journey to Venezuela" (Ambola Colette Nchindo)
In this episode, I welcomed Ambola Colette Nchindo to the podcast to talk about her early upbringing in Cameroon, navigating the international school ecosystem as an African woman, living and working in Venezuela, and so much more! To learn more about Ambola's work, you can follow her on Instagram (@ambola1990) and LinkedIn. BIO: Ambola Colette Nchindo is a Cameroonian educator who comes with over 10 years of international teaching experience. She is an International Baccalaureate (IB) Examiner and currently serves the IB Economics & Business Teacher at Escuela Campo Alegre in Venezuela.
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190) "Redefining DEI Work & the Black Expat Experience" (Katrina Daniels-Samasa)
In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing Katrina Daniels-Samasa, who opened up about her early upbringing in Detroit, her life as a Black expat and international educator, her perspectives on the term "DEI", motherhood, and so much more! To learn more about Katrina's work, you can follow her on Instagram (@black_americans_living_abroad) and LinkedIn.
BIO: Katrina Daniels-Samasa has over 25 years experience in education and leadership working in suburban and inner city schools in the United States, rural and city areas in the United Arab Emirates, and in Jeju, South Korea. Her most recent overseas stint was in the UK to conduct informal research for a book. Her studies in Education and Sociology as an undergraduate and Curriculum and Instruction as a graduate paired with her life as an expatriate educator has helped to shaped her understanding of creating inclusive environments for students in the classrooms and schools she has worked in globally. Outside of teaching, Katrina is the founder of Black Americans Living Abroad (BALA), a thriving community of more than 11k members who represent over 100 countries across the globe. BALA is the first and oldest expatriate group dedicated to being a resource and experience sharing space for current Black American expats.
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189) "The Black Gaze" (Dr. Kisha Porcher & Dr. Shamaine Bertrand)
In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing the dynamic duo of Dr. Kisha Porcher and Dr. Shamaine Bertrand, hosts of the award-winning Black Gaze Podcast! In our conversation, they opened up about her early childhood, the birth of the Black Gaze podcast, navigating the academic space as Black women, the importance of centering Blackness in teacher education spaces, and so much more! To learn more about their work, you can subscribe to the Black Gaze podcast on YouTube and follow them on Instagram (@blackgazepodcast).
BIO:
Dr. Kisha Porcher is an associate professor of English at the University of Delaware. She is the co-creator/co-host of the Black Gaze Podcast. Her research focuses on three interrelated topics: centering Blackness in English education; best practices for being, learning and teaching focused equity and social justice; and community-engaged teacher education.
Dr. Shamaine Bertrand is an associate professor of elementary education at The College of New Jersey. She is the co-creator/co-host of the Black Gaze Podcast. Dr. Bertrand’s research focuses in three primary areas: Preparing preservice to effectively teach and support Black students; Building school-university partnerships that center equity and antiracism; and Centering Blackness in Elementary Education.
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188) "Prioritizing Student Voice & Teacher Self-Advocacy" (Evalaurene Jean-Charles)
To kick off the new year and the new season of the podcast, I had the honor of bringing Evalaurene Jean-Charles back on the podcast to talk about her evolution of her educator journey, marriage life, the growth of Black on Black Education, the need to center student voices in our schools, and much more! To learn more about Eva's work, you can go to the Black on Black Education website at blackonblackeducation.com or follow her on Instagram (@blackonblacked) and LinkedIn.
BIO:
Evalaurene Jean-Charles is a passionate educator, unapologetic advocate, and CEO & Co-Founder of Black on Black Education. Through her work, she helps schools tap into the power of student voice and student-centered practices to create classrooms that feel alive, joyful, and impactful. She is also a history teacher in the Bronx, where she loves on her students daily, reminding them that they are brilliant, worthy, and capable of changing the world. Her journey to education started at The Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services in Brooklyn, where she worked as a tutor and workshop leader for students navigating alternative sentencing programs. That experience lit a fire in her for educational equity and social justice—she realized how transformational education could be when it centers the voices of those often left out of the conversation. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s in Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies from the CUNY Graduate Center. Then, she leveled up her teaching game with a Master of Arts in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education, earning Distinctions in 2022 (yes, she worked hard, and she's proud of it). Along the way, she has worn many hats, from facilitating public speaking workshops with Vocal Justice to rethinking what K-12 content should truly reflect as part of the reDesign K-12 Content Mapping Design Studio. She has spoken at conferences, sat on panels, and shared stages to challenge educators to center equity, empower students of color, and reimagine what’s possible in our schools. She also earned the "30 Under 30" Award from Ignite Caribbean. Through Black on Black Education, she is on a mission to help educators and schools not just survive but thrive. This work isn’t just her job—it’s her love letter to every student who deserves to walk into a classroom where they feel seen, heard, and valued.
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187) "Maintaining Authenticity as an Educational Leader" (Iyabo Tinubu)
In this week's episode, I had the pleasure of welcoming Iyabo Tinubu for her very first podcast interview. In our conversation, she opens up about embracing her duality as a British-Nigerian, her early years as an international educator, her work as a DEIJ leader, transitioning from the classroom to administration, and much more! To learn more about Iyabo's work, you can follow her on LinkedIn. BIO: Iyabo Tinubu is a British Nigerian educator with extensive experience in international education. Currently at the International School of Beijing (ISB) as the Dean of Students, she has previously taught in London, Beijing, Singapore, and Berlin, where she also served as a DEIJ lead. Passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, Iyabo empowers young learners to become leaders and active contributors to global solutions. She is deeply involved in advocacy work with AIELOC. Outside of education, Iyabo enjoys yoga, music, dance, and traveling.
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186) "Cultivating the Activist Spirit as a DEIJ Leader" (Dr. Darnell Fine)
In this week's episode, I had the chance to chat with Dr. Darnell Fine, who shared about his childhood in Atlanta, his early years as a teacher, and his growth as a DEIJ leader within the international school ecosystem. To learn more about Darnell's work, you can follow him on LinkedIn.
BIO:
Dr. Darnell Fine is the newly appointed High School Principal at Singapore American School (SAS). With academic credentials including a bachelor's degree from Brown University, a master’s from City University of London, and a doctorate from the University of Southern California, his career spans teaching, leadership, and global consultancy. Prior to joining SAS, Dr. Fine spent four years at the American School in London.His deep commitment to high-quality instruction, building strong relationships, and extensive recognition as a global thought leader in education make him a remarkable leader. He has consulted with the International Baccalaureate on curriculum review, developed advisory lessons for Emory University, and supported diverse applicants with the Council of International Schools. Additionally, he has worked with international school leadership teams to enhance systems that benefit all students.
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185) "Cultivating Classroom Culture with Nonviolence Pedagogy" (Mike Tinoco)
In this week's episode, I welcomed Mike Tinoco to the podcast to talk about his early journey, finding his community through beatboxing, his new book "Heart at the Center", the power of nonviolence pedagogy, and much more! To learn more about Mike's work, you can visit his website at miketinoco.com or follow him on Instagram (@mikenotmister).
BIO:
Mike Tinoco (M.Ed.) is a public school teacher, nonviolence practitioner, and author whose work advocates for creating classrooms and schools that center interdependence, shared needs, and liberation from violence. He is a certified Kingian Nonviolence and Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC) trainer who has given dozens of workshops and talks in schools, universities, and educational organizations. His first book, Heart at the Center: An Educator's Guide to Sustaining Love, Hope, and Community Through Nonviolence Pedagogy, explores a holistic approach to nonviolence in the classroom.
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184) "Nurturing the Activist Spirit as an International Educator" (Yasmine Sadri)
This week's episode features Yasmine Sadri, who opens up about her early upbringing, being the daughter of Iranian immigrants in Belgium, transitioning from journalism to the education field, her evolution as an activist for refugees and young people from other marginalized communities, and much more! To learn more about Yasmine's work, you can follow her on Instagram (@yasmineandworld) and LinkedIn.
BIO:
Yasmine Sadri is a builder of bridges, using her background in media, international relations, humanitarian work, and education to promote peace and justice for children and other vulnerable groups worldwide. Currently at the International School of Geneva, Yasmine is an advisor, coach, and facilitator for several international institutions including the United Nations where she trains leadership from all over the world in transformative DEI. She is the daughter of two Iranian parents who left Iran in 1979. Since high school, Yasmine has been advocating for increased understanding of and support for Iranian youth and stories. Her thesis was on the depiction of Iran in United States media, shedding light on the different ways media are used to paint an image of countries and their people, often creating distance between citizens worldwide.
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183) "Incorporating a DEIJ Lens to Mental Health Advocacy" (Khamisa Haugen)
In this week's episode, I had the honor of interviewing my good friend Khamisa Haugen, who opened up about her early life as a refugee from South Sudan, adjusting to life in the United States, the ups and downs of her mental health journey, discovering her voice as an international educator, and so much more! To learn more about Khamisa's work, you can follow her on LinkedIn.
BIO:
Khamisa Haugen holds a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations and Development, with a minor in Sociology, and completed a Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy and Counseling. She also holds a Professional Diploma in Psychotherapy, Hypnotherapy, and Counseling and is pursuing DEIJ Certification through the AIELOC/SUNY program.
As a former refugee from South Sudan, her journey through displacement and resettlement has shaped her deep commitment to mental health advocacy and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ).Throughout her career, Khamisa has worked with vulnerable populations, from adults with disabilities to students in international schools. Her work, including roles at UWCSEA East, focuses on fostering resilience, inclusion, and well-being. Khamisa’s professional goal is to integrate her mental health training with DEIJ work to create environments where everyone can thrive, personally and professionally.
Khamisa provides counselling services focused on addressing thoughts and emotions, helping clients break free from unhealthy patterns, and managing moods and behaviors for both adults and adolescents. Her therapeutic approach is inclusive, structured, and flexible to meet the client's need. She believes building genuine therapeutic relationship and fostering empathy are crucial to achieving desired outcome in therapy. Khamisa is passionate about supporting clients through challenging life events, relationship issues, mental health concerns, self-esteem challenges, anxiety, life transitions, time management, and more. She skillfully integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and in-person Hypnotherapy interventions, tailoring her approach to meet each client's unique needs.
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182) "Modeling Unlearning as an Educator and in Parenthood" (Bennie Kara)
In this week's episode, I had the honor of interviewing Bennie Kara, who shared about growing up with Indian parents who were immigrants in East Africa. She also opens up about her career as a teacher and school leader, her transition into consulting, her growth as a DEIB trainer, and navigating life as an adoptive parent in a multiracial family. To learn more about Bennie's work, you can visit the Adhara Education website at adharaeducation.com and the Diverse Educators website at diverseeducators.co.uk. You can also follow her on Instagram (@_benniekara_), Bluesky (@benniekara.bsky.social), and LinkedIn. BIO: Bennie Kara is a former deputy headteacher in the East Midland. During her years in school leadership, she specialised in curriculum, teaching and learning. She started her career in the inaugural cohort of Teach First in 2003, teaching English in East London. Since then, she has taught in four London boroughs and in South Oxfordshire, before her return to the Midlands to teach in Derby. She co-founded Diverse Educators in 2017. Bennie now speaks, writes and trains on leadership of the curriculum. Alongside supporting schools to develop their curriculum, she is the author of ‘A Little Guide for Teachers: Diversity in Schools’ (Sage Education). She has written on the subject of diversity in the curriculum for publications such as Schools Week and the Chartered College of Teaching’s Education Exchange, as well as contributing to many books by educators. She is a nationally and internationally recognised keynote speaker. Her second book, ‘Diverse Educators: A Manifesto’, a co-edited book with her Diverse Educators co-founder, Hannah Wilson, was published in April 2022. She is also the author of ‘A Little Guide for Teachers: Diversity in Schools’ and the Co-Editor of ‘Diverse Educators: A Manifesto’. Bennie is a qualified coach with RLE accreditation, with a special interest in leadership coaching for middle leaders.
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181) "Unlocking the Power of Family Stories" (Nawal Qarooni)
In this episode, I was honored to have Nawal Qarooni on the podcast to talk about her early upbringing, developing a love for literacy and family storytelling, her book "Nourishing Caregiver Collaborations", her life as a mother, and so much more! To learn more about Nawal's work, you can visit her website at nqcliteracy.org and follow her on Twitter/X (@NQCLiteracy), Instagram (@nqarooni), and LinkedIn. BIO: Nawal Qarooni is an educator, staff developer, and adjunct professor who supports a holistic literacy model of instruction in schools. She and her team of coaches at NQC Literacy work alongside teachers and school leaders to grow a love of reading and composition in ways that exalt the whole child, their cultural capital, and their intrinsic curiosities. She is the author of Nourishing Caregiver Collaborations: Exalting Home Experiences and Classroom Practices for Collective Care (Routledge 2023).
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180) "Modeling Intersectionality as a DEIB Leader" (Hannah Wilson)
In this week's episode, I had the honor of interviewing Hannah Wilson, who is the co-founder of WomenED and Diverse Educators. In our conversation, Hannah opens up about her upbringing in Devon, UK, her interest in studying post-colonial literature, the origins of WomenED and Diverse Educators, and her process for building a diverse team of educational consultants who are committed to DEIB work. To learn more about Hannah's work, you can visit the Diverse Educators website at diverseeducators.co.uk or connect with her on LinkedIn. BIO: Hannah Wilson is a leadership development consultant, coach and trainer. She spent twenty years leading in schools, trusts, teaching hubs and universities. She is the co-founder of #WomenEd and #DiverseEd. Hannah has been coaching and mentoring existing and aspiring leaders in education for the last decade. She came to coaching through her own leadership journey in and out of schools – coaching has helped her make strategic decisions at key milestones. She has supported hundreds of people to navigate their career, negotiate their salary/contract and find values-aligned workplaces where they can flourish and thrive. She has also held roles across trusts and teaching hubs where she has led on trust-wide priorities such as professional development and safeguarding. She has led a large secondary PGCE programme and been commissioned to design and deliver a new MA in Education, Ethics & Leadership. She is a primary school governor and has been a MAT trustee.
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179) "Exploring the Possibilities of AI in Our Schools" (Tricia Friedman)
In this week’s episode, I welcomed Tricia Friedman to the podcast to open up about her early upbringing, exploring her queerness, the role of AI in strengthening our DEIJ efforts in schools, her podcasting journey, the inspiration behind her creativity, and so much more! To learn more about Tricia’s work, you can visit her personal website at triciafriedman.com or the Ally Ed website at allyed.org. You can also follow her on Twitter (@tricia_fried) and LinkedIn.
BIO:
Tricia Friedman is proud to be entering into her 21st year in education. She has a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and has worked globally as a classroom teacher, service-learning coordinator, and as an instructional coach. For the first 15 years of her education career, she lived and taught internationally in six International Baccalaureate (IBO) schools in Europe and Asia, and also served as a volunteer in the Peace Corps in Morocco. She loves exploring and curating conversations between educators that directly lead to change in the classroom, schools, and in the broader ‘culture of learning.’ As a proud queer educator, Tricia authors the Be a Better Ally newsletter and podcast to continue the dialogue about what an LGBTQ+ inclusive school might be. In 2019, she moved to Canada and made a career shift to Consulting, Workshops, and Content Design for K-12 schools in the US and abroad. She now lives in Ontario with her wife and their adorable dog, Tashi, who reminds her that every day is a great day for a walk.
Tricia is the founder of AllyEd.org and the Director of Learning Content and Strategy for Shifting Schools.
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178) "Envisioning Teachers as Professional Learning Leaders" (Jill Harrison Berg)
In this week's episode, I caught up with Dr. Jill Harrison Berg to learn about her early upbringing, her early years as a classroom teacher, the power of teachers as professional learning leaders within their school communities, and her personal experience at that Ghana ASCD International Educators Summit. To learn more about Jill's work, you can follow her on Twitter (@Teachers_Lead) and LinkedIn. BIO: Jill Harrison Berg, Ed.D. is a leadership coach, school improvement consultant, researcher and writer specializing in leadership for instructional equity. Dr. Berg is the author of three books and numerous articles that synthesize lessons from her deep work in schools and school systems. Her regular column, “Leading Together,” in ASCD’s Educational Leadership magazine from 2018-2023, aims to heighten leaders’ attention to the complementary roles that teacher leaders, school leaders and district administrators must play in restructuring and re-culturing schools for equity and excellence.Dr. Berg is principal consultant of Jill Harrison Berg Consulting, LLC.
She has led and partnered on significant projects that advance the quality of teaching for local, state-wide and national institutions including the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Washington’s Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession, Nellie Mae Education Foundation, Educational Development Corporation (EDC), WestEd, the National Research Council and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, as well as several school districts throughout the U.S. She recently served as an inquiry coach and organizational learning consultant for Zaretta Hammond’s Culturally Responsive Education by Design Professional Learning Community. In addition to serving as a leadership coach to several school and district leadership teams, she is currently a senior advisor for the National Educational Leadership Institute, a leadership development program developed by Ghana ASCD for the Ministry of Education in Ghana.
Throughout more than 30 years working in educational practice, research and policy, Dr. Berg has written many articles on the topics of teacher leadership, teaching quality, instructional equity, leadership development and school improvement. Her regular column, “Leading Together,” in ASCD’s Educational Leadership magazine from 2018-2023, aims to heighten leaders’ attention to the complementary roles that teacher leaders and administrators can play as they co-perform leadership to improve their schools.
Dr. Berg is currently the author of three books, Improving the Quality of Teaching through National Board Certification (Christopher Gordon Press, 2003); Leading in Sync: Teacher Leaders and Principals Working Together for Student Learning (ASCD, August 2018); and Uprooting Instructional Inequity: The Power of Inquiry-Based Professional Learning (ASCD, January 2022). Dr. Berg earned her doctorate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education while working as a researcher with the Project on the Next Generation of Teachers. She also holds a B.A. from Harvard University, an M.Ed. from Lesley University, and was one of the first teachers in Massachusetts to become a National Board Certified Teacher (1998).
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177) "Who is Kwame Sarfo-Mensah?" (Dr. MaryAnn DeRosa & Maymouna Sakho)
For the first time in the podcast's history, I will be the interviewee and I've enlisted the help of my friends Dr. MaryAnn DeRosa and Maymouna Sakho to serve as co-hosts for this special episode. In this special episode, I open up about my childhood, my early origins as an educator, the making of my newest book "Learning to Relearn", and my life as a father and family man.
BIO:
MaryAnn DeRosa, Ed.D is a passionate progressive educator with over 20 years of experience working in the classroom as a lead classroom teacher, special educator, and instructional and SEL/Equity coach. As a teacher leader and teacher trainer, she leads rigorous and joyful professional development on topics including Social Emotional Learning, Equity and Inclusion, Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, Exceptional Learners, Multilingual Learners and Cultivating Creativity. With experience and deep knowledge of practice, MaryAnn designs content and curriculum that builds knowledge, fosters creativity and critical thinking skills within justice-centered engaging learning environments. MaryAnn has spent her career teaching in Washington DC public schools and in international schools in China, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and in Italy.
Maymouna Sakho is an educator, advocate, leader, supporter, and connector of people and ideas, who is passionate about serving others - particularly children - to reach their fullest potential. She currently serves as the Head of the Elementary Student Support Department at an international school in Africa. Prior to becoming an educator, Maymouna served as a financial and budget analyst, program director, student advisor, coach, and mentor. She holds a Master of Public Administration with a focus on nonprofit/financial management from New York University and a Master of Education from CUNY City College with a focus on Inclusion/Special Education. Maymouna's passion for working to create equitable and inclusive spaces comes from her experience of growing up betwen two culutres, having to learn a new language and system and find a place and voice for herself. Maymouna is the founder of SLC - dedicated to supporting individuals and organizations to innovate through embracing and implementing equitable and inclusive practices. She also serves as a mentor of the AIELOC Aspiring Leaders of Color Program, co-leads AIELOC's Learning Support Affinity Group, and chairs the SENIA Africa Board. Outside of her professional life, Maymouna is passionate about spending time with her famly and friends, traveling to new countries, cooking and exploring new places to eat and working with individuals with a vision and desire to contribute to the ever changing African landscape through education and advocacy.
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176) "I'm Ambilingual, Guatemalan, and Proud of It!" (Ceci Gomez-Galvez)
This week's episode features Ceci Gomez-Galvez, who shares about her early upbringing in Guatemala City, her parents' influence in her multilingual development, her passion for supporting multilingual learners, and much more! To learn more about Ceci's work, you can visit her website at https://cgomez.mystrikingly.com and follow her on Instagram, Twitter (@cecigomez_g) and LinkedIn.
BIO:
Born and raised in Guatemala City, Ceci Gomez-Galvez grew up in a unique bilingual household nurtured by her family who valued languages equally. Inspired by her own upbringing and her extensive experience in international schools, Ceci now leads a support program for multilingual learners at Saigon South International School in Vietnam, based on practices that ensure culturally responsive teaching and equitable access.
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175) "Born to Disrupt!" (Dr. Anashay Wright)
In this week's episode, I had a great conversation with Dr. Anashay Wright, who is the Chief Executive Disruptor and Visionary of Disruptive Partners Consulting. In our conversation, she opens up about her early upbringing in Atlanta, her mother's lasting influence in her life, finding her disruptive spirit as an educator, the future of AI, and building cross-racial solidarity with white allies. To learn more about Dr. Anashay's work, you can visit her website at https://disruptive.partners or follow her at @anashaydisrupts on Instagram and Twitter.
BIO:
Dr. Anashay Wright, the heart and soul behind Disruptive Partners Consulting, is a passionate advocate for bold, strategic change that benefits everyone in the public education ecosystem. As a mother to two amazing children in metro Atlanta public schools and a fur baby named Porsha, her mission is to serve as a connector, build unity, and re-center humanity at the core of our public education community.
Anashay is a strategist, speaker, coach, and educator who guides educators, parents and education leaders with practical tools and strategies for meaningful change. With her expertise, she creates inclusive programs and learning experiences that positively impact over 50,000 children.
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174) "The Power of Place-Based Learning" (Charity Marcella Moran)
In this week's episode, I welcome Charity Marcella Moran to the podcast to talk about growing up in Louisiana, developing a passion for project-based learning, co-writing her book, "Place-Based Learning: Connecting Inquiry, Community and Culture", her business ventures, and so much more! To learn more about Charity's work, you can visit her company website at iDoSchool.com or follow her on Instagram (@iamgr8n3ss) and LinkedIn. BIO: Charity Marcella Moran is a former high school project-based learning teacher, New Tech Network school development coach, and middle school alternative programs instructional specialist. These experiences, coupled with her work as an elementary school Federal Programs Title I coordinator, provide a sustainability and capacity-building focus to Charity’s work. She believes that place-based learning is a powerful and transforming instructional strategy that, when leveraged appropriately, dispels achievement disparities and empowers all stakeholders to become lifelong learners. Charity’s focus areas include strategic program development, culturally responsive teaching, educating and empowering Black males, STEM, 21st century skills, project-based learning, literacy, language, and equity. Charity currently serves as director of district and school leadership in the state of Kentucky for PBLWorks and is founder and CEO of iDoSchool.com, specializing in international educator training and independent consultation services tailored to address a diverse range of school program development requirements. As the founder of iDoSchool, Charity’s work and research revolves around establishing a safe space for teachers to innovate and develop the skills to decolonize curricula, build culturally responsive learning experiences, and debunk myths around students of color. Together with PBL Path, Charity has facilitated place-based learning projects at Whitney Plantation, with expeditions and experiences crafted for both teachers and students to experience, learn from, and appreciate the place and its history. WIth service opportunities as an adjunct professor, she leads professional development in culturally responsive teaching, curriculum design, and STEM curriculum management, offering a unique perspective for each service she provides. A Gates Millennium Scholar, Charity earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Southern University and A&M College, her master’s degree in secondary mathematics education from Centenary College of Louisiana, and an educational specialist certification in educational leadership from Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge.
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173) "Educatin', Sangin', and Single Mommin' Her Way Through Life" (Dr. Samara Susan Ryce)
In this week's episode, I welcome Dr. Samara Susan Ryce to the podcast to talk about growing up in Trinidad and moving to the United States at a young age, her doctoral journey, raising neurodivergent children as a single parent, and her passion for mentoring early career teachers, and so much more! To learn more about Samara's work, you can follow her on Instagram (@dr_samara_ryce), Twitter (@DrSamaraRyce), and LinkedIn. BIO: Samara Susan Ryce, Ed.D. is an instructional mentor in the Department of Middle and Secondary Education for the CREATE Project. Ryce is an unwavering and passionate educator. Since 2001, she has dedicated her life to the transformative power of education. With a profound love for teaching and an unyielding commitment to nurturing the next generation of educators, Ryce has enriched the lives of countless students and teachers. She finds joy in coaching new teachers, sharing her wealth of experience and instilling values of empathy, curiosity and critical thinking. Ryce believes in education for liberation; striving to create inclusive and equitable learning environments that empower individuals to break free from societal constraints and explore their limitless potential. As a seasoned professional with twenty-plus years of experience, she excels in advancing the professional growth of educators. Ryce is a visionary leader who forges collaborative partnerships, applies profound knowledge of content standards and pedagogy, designs transformative professional learning experiences and empowers residents to set and monitor their professional goals. Her dedication to advancing the teaching profession extends to working with colleagues, administrators and communities, making her a respected and influential leader in the field.
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172) "Unpacking Racial Bias in International School Recruitment: A Black Woman's Story"
To honor the guest's request for her identity to remain anonymous, there will be no video version of this week's episode.
This week's guest, AJ, shares about her journey as an international educator and open up about the challenges she faced in securing an international teaching job in Africa.
BIO:
An international educator with over 17 years of experience in cross-cultural education, AJ has taught in numerous countries across the USA, Asia, and Africa. She is known for implementing innovative teaching techniques that enhance student potential and motivate them to achieve their best.
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171) "Supporting LGBTQ+ Students in International Schools" (Dr. Emily Meadows)
In this week's episode, I welcome Dr. Emily Meadows to the podcast to talk about her educator journey, her commitment to social justice, supporting LGBTQ+ students in international schools, the origins of the Whiteness Accountability Group for international educators, and much more! To learn more about Emily's work, you can visit her website at emilymeadows.org or follow her on LinkedIn and Twitter (@emilymeadowsorg) To join the Whiteness Accountability Group for international educators, you can click on the following link to subscribe to the group's mailing list: https://forms.gle/s4fTmCgvPE154s7s5 To register for their August 29th group session, you can click on the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMudeGgqTwoGtXHu_xx8irrJbCX5NreiLvY BIO: Dr. Emily Meadows (she/her) is an LGBTQ+ consultant and published author specializing in international schools. She also teaches for the George Washington University graduate program in LGBT Health Policy & Practice. Emily creates an environment that is non-judgmental and engaging for her clients, while taking an intersectional approach that addresses both the why and the how of equity & belonging so that school communities can effectively affirm and support LGBTQ+ students, colleagues, and families.
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170) "Supporting Multilingual & Neurodiverse Learners" (Dr. MaryAnn Derosa)
In this week's episode, I had the honor of interviewing Dr. MaryAnn Derosa to learn about her early upbringing overseas, growing up with interracial parents, her educator journey, the neuroscience behind multilingualism, and how international schools can bridge the connection with neurodiversity and DEIJ. To learn more about MaryAnn's work, you can visit her website at maryannderosa.com or follow her on LinkedIn. BIO: MaryAnn DeRosa, Ed.D is a passionate progressive educator with over 20 years of experience working in the classroom as a lead classroom teacher, special educator, and instructional and SEL/Equity coach. As a teacher leader and teacher trainer, she leads rigorous and joyful professional development on topics including Social Emotional Learning, Equity and Inclusion, Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, Exceptional Learners, Multilingual Learners and Cultivating Creativity. With experience and deep knowledge of practice, MaryAnn designs content and curriculum that builds knowledge, fosters creativity and critical thinking skills within justice-centered engaging learning environments. MaryAnn has spent her career teaching in Washington DC public schools and in international schools in China, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and in Italy.
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169) "Prioritizing Wellness for Teachers of Color" (Dr. Heather Michel)
In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing Dr. Heather Michel to learn about her early upbringing, her early years as an educator, her self-care journey, and her mission to support the mental health and wellness of teachers of color through her organization, "Teachers of Color Matter". To learn more about Dr. Michel's work, you can visit her website at teachersofcolormatter.com or follow her on Instagram (@teachersofcolor_matter) and LinkedIn. BIO: Dr. Heather Michel is an Education Consultant, Master Educator, and founder of the organization Teachers of Color Matter. She has worked in the Education field for over 23 years in various capacities. She is currently the Director for the Residency Lab where she manages residency program implementation nationwide. Before moving into her current position, she was a university professor, a curriculum coach at a Spanish dual immersion school and taught first and second grade at a charter school for 13 years. Dr. Michel is passionate about teachers of color, their retention and social justice in schools. She founded Teachers of Color Matter to amplify and address the needs of teachers of color in our public education spaces. Dr. Michel is committed to fighting for educational justice for all students and believes in the power of centering the voices of our most marginalized groups.
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168) "Galvanizing an Antiracist Reading Revolution" (Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul)
In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul to learn about her educator journey, her early foray into the music business, her new book, "Antiracist Reading Revolution", how her perspectives on literacy have shifted throughout her career, life as a mother, and much more! To learn more about Sonja's work, you can visit her website at sonjacherrypaul.com or follow her on Twitter (@sonjacherrypaul) and LinkedIn. BIO: Dr. Sonja Cherry‑Paul is the founder of Red Clay Educators. Her research and work stem from an unyielding commitment to anti-bias and antiracist pedagogy and practices. Sonja leads professional development with educators around the world spotlighting the relationship between teaching, literacy, and equity. She supports educators in developing the capacity and will to continually examine themselves and to critically inquire into their own practices. In the world of professional development, Sonja is unique. As a former middle school classroom teacher for twenty-years, she recognizes the common and local challenges that educators face. She also understands kids, specifically, how to use asset-based pedagogies that honor their identities and support their individual needs. Further, Sonja knows what it takes to forge relationships with caregivers and communities in order to cultivate trusting learning environments where all students thrive. Sonja’s expertise is in using her scholarship to develop curricula that advances the work of antiracism in all aspects of schooling. She spotlights and centers issues related to race and racism, providing faculty and staff with the language and tools to facilitate transformational conversations and instruction with students about race. Sonja leads professional development for classroom teachers, coaches, and administrators and guides the development of culturally responsive and antiracist teaching and curriculum for elementary, middle, and high school students. She is the host of The Black Creators Series, a collaboration with Candlewick Press, where she leads educator-focused discussions and highlights the powerful ways the work of Black authors and illustrators can live in classrooms. Sonja is the co-director of the Institute For Racial Equity in Literacy (IREL), a professional development experience for all educators interested in examining the intersection of literacy and racial equity. She is also the co-director of the Teach Black History All Year Institute that provides educators with content, methods, and a transferable for disrupting oversimplified narratives and teaching about the powerful effects the lives of Black people have had and continue to have in the United States. Sonja has adapted the #1 New York Times Best Seller Stamped (For Kids), published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, which has earned starred reviews by Kirkus and School Library Journal, and was selected as one of the best nonfiction/informational books of 2021 by Parents Magazine, School Library Journal, the New York Public Library, and the Chicago Public Library. Stamped (For Kids) was selected by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) as a 2022 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People. She is the author of Antiracist Reading Revolution: A Framework for Teaching Beyond Representation Toward Liberation (2024), and she is the co-author of four books published by Heinemann: Teaching Interpretation: Using Text-Based Evidence to Construct Meaning (2014), Flip Your Writing Workshop: A Blended Learning Approach (2016), Breathing New Life into Book Clubs: A Practical Guide for Teachers (2019) and Critical Literacy: Unlocking Contemporary Fiction (2020). Sonja is a frequent keynote speaker and presenter at national and international conferences.
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167) "Leading Schools within Inequitable Systems" (Dr. Mary Rice-Boothe)
In this week's episode, I had the honor of welcoming Dr. Mary Rice-Boothe to talk about her educator journey, transitioning from the classroom to school leadership, her latest book, "Leading Within Systems of Inequity in Education", and much more! To learn more about Dr. Rice-Boothe's work, you can visit her website at maryriceboothe.com or follow her on Instagram, Twitter (@mriceboothe), and LinkedIn. BIO: Mary Rice-Boothe, EdD, has more than 25 years of experience in education as a teacher, principal, principal coach, curriculum designer, and equity officer. She currently serves as an executive director of curriculum development and equity at The Leadership Academy. In this role, she oversees the organization's internal and external equity strategy. Rice-Boothe is also the lead designer for the organization's instructional tools and resources. Rice-Boothe began her career in education as a high school English teacher in East Harlem. She holds a BA in Metropolitan Studies from New York University, an MA in English and English Education from the City College of New York, and a doctorate in Leadership and Organizational Change from the University of Southern California.
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166) "Unpacking the Art of Instructional Design" (Ranata Davis)
In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Ranata Davis to learn about her early upbringing in South Carolina, her life as an international educator in Qatar, her transition from teaching in the classroom to working as an instructional designer, and so much more! To learn more about Ranata's work, you can visit her website at www.idbydavis.com or follow her on LinkedIn. BIO: Ranata Davis is a former physical education teacher, athletic director, and assistant principal who hails from a small town in South Carolina, USA. With a passion for physical education, Ranata was committed to inspiring her students to adopt healthy lifestyles and develop crucial life skills like teamwork, communication, and leadership. She was equally enthusiastic about creating safe and inclusive environments where all students could participate in physical activity, regardless of their backgrounds and skill levels. As an athletic director, Ranata oversaw sports programs and competitions, working closely with coaches and athletes to ensure they had everything they needed to excel. Her priority was always the well-being and success of student-athletes.
As an assistant principal, she was dedicated to creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive school community, collaborating with students, parents, and faculty to achieve this. For the past five years, Ranata has been based in Doha, Qatar, where she has transitioned to professional learning design. As a learning designer, she has been instrumental in creating engaging and effective learning experiences for teachers, incorporating adult learning theory and best practices. Ranata's passion for education and physical activity continues to inspire those around her, making a significant impact wherever she goes.
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165) "Using STEM Education to Drive Equity & Justice" (Dr. Leena Bakshi McLean)
In this week's episode, I had the privilege of chatting with Dr. Leena Bakshi McLean to learn about her early educator journey, how she discovered her love for STEM, the founding of STEM4Real, and what people can expect from her upcoming book, "STEM for All". To learn more about Dr. Leena's work, you can visit the STEM4Real website at stem4real.org or you can follow her on Instagram, Twitter (@stem4real), and LinkedIn. BIO: Dr. Leena Bakshi McLean is the founder of STEM4Real, a nonprofit professional learning organization committed to combining standards-based content learning and leadership with principles of justice-centered pedagogy. She also serves as the Director of Multicultural Education for the National Association of Science Teaching, the former Board Secretary for CASE, and the current membership director for the Hawaii Science Teaching Association. Leena currently works with pre-service teachers at Claremont Graduate University teaching STEM methods and Universal Design for Learning. She is a former county and state level administrator and mathematics, science and health teacher. She is also the author of the children’s book, “There’s Something in the Water”, a story that highlights the real life of Dr. Tyrone B. Hayes, an endocrinologist from UC Berkeley. She believes that in order for us to increase our representation in STEM, we must create an identity in STEM. Her doctoral dissertation was on "The Successful Implementation of STEM Initiatives in Lower Income Schools"". Her research interests include Science/STEM education and how we can create access and opportunities for each and every student regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or socioeconomic status. Dr. McLean delivers international keynotes speaking on educational equity, leading 4 justice, and increasing the school to STEM career pipeline.
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164) "The Spiritual Power of Storytelling" (Arlène Elizabeth Casimir)
In this episode, I had a beautiful conversation with Arlène Elizabeth Casimir where I learned about her upbringing in a Haitian household, her evolution as an educator, her business ventures Reveye and Lakay Lune, her new children's book, "Back Home", and much more! To learn more Arlène's work, you can visit the Reveye website at https://www.reveye.io/, the Lakay Lune website at https://www.lakaylune.com/, Twitter (@ArleneCasimir), Instagram (@the.awakened.teacher), and LinkedIn. BIO: Arlène Elizabeth Casimir is a Brooklyn-based activist, educator, herbalist, healer, and writer. Her experience teaching middle school and elementary school in New York City and New Orleans awakened her purpose of drawing on culturally-sustaining and trauma-responsive teaching practices to nurture the inner genius and inner teacher in others. She founded, designed, and implemented a healing-centered curriculum for her students post-Hurricane Katrina. As a first generation Haitian American, Arlène recognizes the power of community, equity, literacy, and spiritual resilience to help others live with personal integrity, transcend their circumstances, and author their own lives. She enjoys working with teachers, families, schools, and community organizations to do the inner work for socially just outer change. She recently graduated from Teachers College, Columbia University with a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology and Education with a concentration in Spirituality Mind Body; and leading her educational consultancy, The Awakened Collaborative, LLC where she works as a staff developer and partner to various institutions that are aligned to her mission, vision, and values as an educator.
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163) "Growing Into My Voice as a BIPOC School Leader" (Juan Jacobs Sheblak)
In this episode, I had the honor of welcoming Juan Jacobs Sheblak to learn about his childhood in South Africa during the Apartheid era, developing a passion for activism and community organizing, his evolution as a leader of color in international schools, and much more! To learn more about Juan's work, you can follow him on Twitter (@Juan_Sheblak) or LinkedIn.
BIO:
Juan Jacobs Sheblak is an experienced Middle School Assistant Principal with a passion for education. With 8 years of experience in administration and 13 years in the classroom, Juan has a unique background that shapes his approach to leadership. He is committed to student-centered learning and upholding the value of personalized, differentiated, authentic, and inspired teaching and learning. As a BIPOC leader in an international school, combining the experience of my anti-apartheid activism can provide a unique perspective on issues related to diversity and inclusion.
Drawing from the struggles and triumphs of the anti-apartheid movement can inspire all to become agents of change in their own communities. It is important to acknowledge that while the contexts are different, the principles of equity and justice remain constant. By embracing this intersectionality, we can create a more inclusive and equitable environment for all members of the school community.
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162) "A North Philly Jawn's Guide to Entrepreneurship in Ghana" (Jahzara Agyemang)
In this episode, I welcomed Jahzara Agyemang to the podcast to talk about her early upbringing in North Philly, navigating life as a teenage mother, and making the bold decision to move to Ghana where she has established herself as a successful educator, fashion designer, and entrepreneur. To learn more about Jahzara's work, you can either visit the Vince Memorial Garden Education Foundation at vmgef.org, her fashion website at jahzarafashionalchemy.com, or any of the following social media handles on Instagram: @jahzaratheeducator @jahzara.fashion.alchemy @vincememorialgef BIO: Jahzara Agyemang is the Founder and Executive Director of Vince Memorial Garden and Education Foundation (VMGEF), serving the Ghanaian community through agriculture, diaspora business guidance, education, STEM, youth and women empowerment programs. Through a partnership with University of Education Winneba, Ghana, on specific STEM programs and mentorship, she provides full university tuitions for girls in rural areas.
Jahzara is also a former college professor with 20+ years in education, and has also serves as both a financial director and development director at major nonprofit organizations in US and Ghana.
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161) "There's Always a Way Through Love" (Lauren Kelley)
In this week's episode, I had the privilege of talking to Lauren Kelley, who shares about her early upbringing, the lasting influence of her late father, her life as an international educator, discovering her passion for DEIB work, and so much more! To learn more about Lauren's work, you can visit the ACS International Schools website or follow her on LinkedIn. BIO: Lauren Kelley is currently the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Lead for ACS International Schools, a group of three schools based in the UK. During her 12 years with ACS, Lauren has focused on social emotional learning, with an explicit focus on positive identity development, celebration of others and social justice as a primary teacher, director of a humanitarian project and now as Chair of the ACS DEIB Council of fifty students and staff from across the organization. Lauren is passionate about the inextricable link between wellbeing and DEIB, and the vital need to include students in all decision-making. Above all, Lauren believes there is always a way through love and that storytelling is the door needed to reach it. Lauren was born and raised in Metro Detroit, USA and holds a Bachelor's in Elementary Education and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Michigan State University. Lauren lives with her husband, Reggie and their two young children in the UK.
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160) "An Educational Leader with No Creative Bounds" (Dr. Mary Ashun)
In this episode, I had the honor of welcoming Dr. Mary Ashun to the podcast to talk about her early childhood, life as a school leader, her thoughts on building a sustainable pipeline for African teachers, the inspiration behind her creative endeavors, embracing her identity as a Ghanaian-Canadian, and so much more! To learn more about Dr. Mary's work, you can visit her website at maryashun.com or follow her on Twitter (@ashundr) and LinkedIn.
BIO: A transformational leader with over 30 years experience in the Education, Scientific Research, Publishing and Non-Profit Sectors, Dr. Mary Ashun's pivot for the last 20 years has been on education design and it’s necessary partnerships with technology and community. Her key projects have involved the design of pan-African and international strategies for increased literacy; effective teaching; targeted training and mentoring of individuals to deliver collaborative projects for educational success. Providing affordable education is a passion of Dr. Mary's. As a result of this, she collaborated with a team of like-minded people to build a school in West Africa (His Majesty's Christian School), that would build upon this vision. Based in Asamankese (so that the literacy development project could be used as a platform), this school is modeling best practice in education delivery in rural sub-saharan Africa. Dr. Mary is currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the OSE (Office Of Strategy Execution) of Ghana International School in Accra, Ghana. In January 2013, Dr. Mary co-organized TEDxSixteenMileCreek under the topic "RE-Imagine; videos are available on YouTube. She conceived the idea for TIME Conference - a gathering of educators in Accra, Ghana, the Visiting International Educator Program - the hosting of international educators at GIS for capacity building in the area of International Mindedness and arTRyx, the multidimensional display of student creativity in the Arts. She has written and had performed, 3 musicals: Prince of Egypt: A GIS Adaptation, Dancing Queen: A tribute to ABBA & Tales From Motown: A tribute to Motown Records. Dr. Mary writes for various audiences and her books are available on Amazon under my official name (Mary Ashun), and two pseudonyms - Asabea Ashun and Abena Apea. She created a book show for Rogers TV Mississauga called Book 'Em TV which was aired from September 2011 - February 2012. Her first serious novel, "Tuesday's Child was a Quarter finalist in the 2010 Amazon/Penguin Writing Contest and her second novel - Mistress Of The Game- was a Quarterfinalist in the 2011 Amazon/Penguin Writing Contest. York University's HUMA1970 uses Tuesday's Child in their 'World's of Childhood' Class. Dr. Mary intends to leave this world a better place for our children...
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159) "Living Unapologetically as a Senegalese-American" (Maymouna Sakho)
In this episode, I welcome Maymouna Sakho to the podcast to learn about her early upbringing in the Bronx, embracing her Senegalese heritage, her journey from classroom teacher to school leader, the current state of inclusion and learning support services in international schools, and much more! To learn more about Maymouna's work, you can either visit her company website at https://sakholearningconsult.my.canva.site/ or you can follow her on Twitter (@AdjaMaySakho) and LinkedIn.
BIO:
Maymouna Sakho is an educator, advocate, leader, supporter, and connector of people and ideas, who is passionate about serving others - particularly children - to reach their fullest potential. She currently serves as the Head of the Elementary Student Support Department at an international school in Africa. Prior to becoming an educator, Maymouna served as a financial and budget analyst, program director, student advisor, coach, and mentor. She holds a Master of Public Administration with a focus on nonprofit/financial management from New York University and a Master of Education from CUNY City College with a focus on Inclusion/Special Education.
Maymouna's passion for working to create equitable and inclusive spaces comes from her experience of growing up betwen two culutres, having to learn a new language and system and find a place and voice for herself.Maymouna is the founder of SLC - dedicated to supporting individuals and organizations to innovate through embracing and implementing equitable and inclusive practices. She also serves as a mentor of the AIELOC Aspiring Leaders of Color Program, co-leads AIELOC's Learning Support Affinity Group, and chairs the SENIA Africa Board.Outside of her professional life, Maymouna is passionate about spending time with her famly and friends, traveling to new countries, cooking and exploring new places to eat and working with individuals with a vision and desire to contribute to the ever changing African landscape through education and advocacy.
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158) "Teaching for the Human in You & Others" (Dr. Shamari K. Reid)
In this week's episode, I had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Shamari K. Reid to learn about his early years in education, what it means to be human, the power of self-regard, his new book "Humans Who Teach", and much more! To learn more about Dr. Reid's work, you can follow him on Twitter (@shamarikreid) and LinkedIn. BIO: Dr. Shamari Reid (he/him/his) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning. Dr. Reid completed his doctoral work in Curriculum and Teaching at Teachers College, Columbia University. In addition, he holds an M.A. in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language and TESOL from New York University, and a B.A. in Spanish and Education from Oklahoma City University. As a scholar, Dr. Reid’s work explores how Black trans and queer youth and their communities sustain themselves amidst oppression, as well as how we can collaborate with these communities to better transform schools into sites of equitable opportunities for Black LGBTQ+ youth. His dissertation, which explores the agency of Black LGBTQ+ youth in NYC’s ballroom culture was awarded the 2022 Dissertation of the Year Award by the Queer Studies SIG of AERA. In addition to working with Black LGBTQ+ communities to reimagine schools, Dr. Reid’s work examines radical love as a moral imperative in social justice education and as a path toward culturally sustaining school communities, which he explores in his recent book, Humans who teach: A guide to centering love, justice, and liberation in schools.
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157) "EduCaring is My Philosophy" (Adika Crémet)
For this week, I had the honor of welcoming Adika Crémet to the podcast to talk about her early upbringing in New Zealand, navigating life as a Third Culture Kid, the ups and downs of her journey as an international educator, and so much more! To learn more about Adika's work, you can follow her on Instagram (@adikakaycremet), Twitter (@CremetAdika), and LinkedIn.
BIO:
Adika Crémet is living in Hanoi, Vietnam and serves as the early years team leader and homeroom teacher at the United Nations International School (UNIS) of Hanoi. She has been teaching for the past 20 years in New Zealand, Scandinavia, Denmark, and China and travelled around the world. Adika is a passionate advocate for TCKs (Third Culture Kid), inquiry-based learning, early childhood education, diversity and inclusion in schools. She hopes for a better understanding on being a global citizen and international education for the community of learners around her as she makes these her goals wherever she goes.
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156) "Showing Pasifika Pride Through Teaching & Podcasting" (Rosa Alo)
In this episode, I had the honor of sharing virtual space with Rosa Alo, who shared about her Samoan heritage, growing up in New Zealand, finding her purpose as an international educator, and discovering a love for podcasting. To learn more about Rosa's work, you can follow her on Instagram & Twitter (@readswithrosa) or subscribe to the "Reads with Rosa" podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. BIO: Rosa Alo is Samoan Aotearoan but currently lives and works in Japan as a teacher at Seisen International School. Her podcast, "Reads With Rosa" is a space to share stories and amplify Pasifika and BIPOC voices, as well as chat about all her favorite things: education, books, and the creative arts.
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155) "Moving Beyond Representation to Center Humanity" (Aisha Thomas)
In this episode, it was an honor to chat with Aisha Thomas to learn about her early upbringing in Bristol, transitioning from a career in law to education, the birth of her organization and book, "Representation Matters", and living life with dyslexia. To learn more about Aisha's work, you can visit the Representation Matters website at repmatters.co.uk or follow her on Instagram & Twitter (@itsaishathomas). BIO: Aisha Thomas is the founder of Representation Matters Ltd and a former assistant principal responsible for diversity, equity and inclusion. Aisha provides training on race in education at the University of Bristol, the University of the West of England and in schools nationwide. In 2018, she presented a documentary for the BBC investigating the low number of Black teachers in Bristol, and in 2019, Aisha delivered a powerful TEDxBristol talk called ‘Why Representation Matters’.
Aisha is currently working on a number of local and national projects, including Beyond the 26, which collects stories and experiences from Black and minority educators in Bristol. She also contributed to a series of videos on allyship for BBC Teach.
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