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Identity Talk 4 Educators LIVE

Identity Talk 4 Educators LIVE

By Kwame Sarfo-Mensah

The "Identity Talk 4 Educators LIVE" Podcast highlights the unspoken and unsung heroes who are changing the education game as we know it! Everyday, we come across the work of so many incredible educators who simply don't get the recognition they deserve! In this podcast, we will provide the viewers with an opportunity to learn the personal stories of these incredible educators and the specific elements that shape who they are as educators.
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49) "The Millennial Educator" (Tyshia Seldon)

Identity Talk 4 Educators LIVE Dec 11, 2020

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01:00:58
152) "Amplify Teacher Practice Through Podcasting" (Chey Cheney & Pav Wander)

152) "Amplify Teacher Practice Through Podcasting" (Chey Cheney & Pav Wander)

In this episode, I chat it up with award-winning podcasting duo of Chey Cheney and Pawan Wander, better known as Chey & Pav to learn about their individual educator journeys, their introduction to podcasting, how podcasting has help to elevate their teaching practice, and the release of their new book, "Amplifying Your Practice". To learn more about Chey & Pav's work, you can visit their website at cheyandpav.com or you can follow them on Instagram & Twitter (@cheyandpav). BIO: Pawan (Pav) Wander is an elementary school teacher with 15 years of experience hailing from Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada. Currently, she is teaching a Grade 6/7 split class, integrated with the Home School Program. Pav gratefully teaches in the same neighbourhood where she grew up and went to school, and has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to be able to work with students in such a familiar community. Pav loves to teach Science and Math, and enjoys combining the two subjects into extracurricular activities that she leads with students. Pav has run programs in Robotics, Engineering and Coding at the schools where she has taught, and has loved watching students, especially females, thrive in areas of STEM. Thriving on listening to books and researching new pedagogies and themes in education, Pav loves learning about new ways of reaching and engaging with students, especially surrounding areas of podcasting, audio and video editing, as these are areas she is new to! Pav has an Honours degree in Kinesiology and Health Science from York University in Toronto, and completed her teaching certification from D’Youville College in Buffalo, New York. Fitness and athletics have always been important to Pav, and she endeavours to include as much physical activity in her day as possible!

Chey Cheney Is a middle school teacher with 20 years of experience, originally from Ottawa, Ontario. He currently teaches Grade 8 in Toronto, Ontario and engages in coaching and leadership work with students in the school beyond instructional time. Passionate about ELA, Chey infuses a teaching philosophy that centres around student agency, student voice and a strong commitment to social justice. Inspired by the works of Kylene Beers, Desmond Cole and Barry Schwartz, Chey is always looking for a way to embed technology in the natural flow of learning. He actively cements a consistent dynamic that ascends from consumer, engager and creator in the learning opportunities he curates. With a vast athletic background, Chey has coached elite level sports to the most fundamental community recreation leagues. He aims to form a physical education and competitive sports culture that centres on a holistic approach dedicated to inclusion and entry points for all students to enjoy and flourish in the physical education experience. In addition to his Teachers degree Chey has a History Honours Degree, a History Teaching specialist and an Adolescent Reading Specialist.


LINKS:

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Mar 28, 202401:05:58
151) "Combating Microaggressions to Create Belonging" (Shwetangna Chakrabarty)

151) "Combating Microaggressions to Create Belonging" (Shwetangna Chakrabarty)

In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing Shwetangna Chakrabarty to learn about her early upbringing in Bhutan and India, navigating the transient lifestyle of the international school ecosystem as an educator and mother, and so much more! To learn more about Shwetangna's work, you can visit the TIE website at tieonline.com or follow her on LinkedIn. BIO: Shwetangna Chakrabarty is an international educator, author, and proud AIELOC (Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color) member currently working in Tanzania. She has 16 years of experience teaching internationally. She has held multiple positions as an international educator; senior leadership team member, curriculum coordinator, university counsellor, capstone/research project manager, CIS/NEASC accreditation coordinator, IB examiner, IBEN programme leader, TIE/IB blogger and classroom teacher.

She is an alumnus of The University of Nottingham and The University of People where she completed PGCE(I) and Master of Education (M. Ed). She holds a Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Education and Computer Application from universities in India. She is also a certified college counselor. She has toured over 60 universities across the world. She has worked in five countries spanning two continents, lived in six countries, and taught three different curricula.


LINKS:

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Mar 21, 202401:05:09
150) "Discovering Purpose as an International Educator" (Rama Ndiaye)
Mar 14, 202436:36
149) "Standing on His Blackness Through Children's Books" (Gary Gray Jr.)

149) "Standing on His Blackness Through Children's Books" (Gary Gray Jr.)

In this episode, I had the honor of chatting with Gary Gray Jr. to learn about his childhood in Preston, Nova Scotia, discovering his love for reading and writing, navigating life as a Black male international educator, and so much more! To learn more about Gary's work, you can visit his website at garygrayjr.com or follow him on Instagram (@garyrgrayjr), Twitter (@GaryRGrayJr), and LinkedIn. BIO: Gary R. Gray Jr. is from Preston, Nova Scotia, Canada. He is an international educator, who has taught in 5 different countries. He currently teaches 3rd Grade at the United Nations International School in Hanoi. He graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University, Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Education/Master's Education from St. Francis Xavier University. His debut picture book, I'M FROM, is illustrated by Caldecott Winner, Oge Mora.


LINKS:

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Mar 07, 202451:04
148) "Making Inclusion a Reality in International Schools" (Angeline Aow)

148) "Making Inclusion a Reality in International Schools" (Angeline Aow)

In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing Angeline Aow, who shared about her early upbringing in Malaysia and Australia, unpacking her identity as an Australian-Chinese migrant, life as a mother and international educator, the process of co-writing her book "Becoming a Totally Inclusive School", and much more! To learn more Angeline's work, you can visit her website at angelineaow.com or follow her on Twitter (@angeaow) and LinkedIn.


BIO:

Angeline Aow is an international educator, learning and development specialist, workshop leader, school evaluator and pedagogical leader. In these roles, she has worked in the Asia-Pacific, European, Middle-East and African regions. Angeline trained and taught as a primary school teacher in Sydney, Australia. She then began her international school career at Nanjing International School, China and is currently working part-time at Berlin International School, Germany, in the role of PYP Coordinator (Upper Elementary).

She also serves as a part-time International Advisor (focused on Inclusion via Diversity, Equity and Anti-racism - I-DEA) with the Council of International Schools. Her experiences as a homeroom teacher, music specialist, accreditation coordinator, curriculum coordinator and professional learning and development coordinator has given her unique insights in multiple areas.A well-respected International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) educator, Angeline has been working with the programme since 2002 and been a qualified member of the International Baccalaureate Educator Network (IBEN) since 2007. With over a decade of experience as a workshop leader she has facilitated multiple workshops on a variety of topics and categories. Her areas of expertise include written curriculum development, concept-based curriculum, promoting international mindedness, multilingual teaching and learning and more.

Angeline is also an experienced school visitor for authorization and evaluation purposes for both the IB PYP and Council of International Schools (CIS). She has led visits for the PYP, and been on team visits for CIS. She has successfully led her school through complex synchronised, accreditation processes towards school improvement. In this field she has ample experience having coordinated her school through successful evaluations. Angeline also served as a school representative on the Inclusion through Diversity, Inclusivity and Antiracism (IDEA) Board Committee for CIS that was established in 2020. In March 2021, Angeline became an Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®) qualified administrator. This tool helps individuals and organisations assess intercultural competence and one's ability to shift cultural perspective and appropriately adapt behaviour to cultural differences and commonalities. She strongly believes that intercultural understanding underlies mindsets and behaviours that drive the development of equitable school structures where every learner matters.

Angeline launched @WomenEdDE on 8 Mar 2019. WomenEdDE is a regional network of #WomenEd that aims to support aspiring and existing women in education on their leadership journeys by organising events that connects and inspires women in education.

When she is not learning about international school education she enjoys cooking, indulging as a foodie, exploring Berlin’s arts and cultural events and spending time with her two boys and husband.


LINKS:

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Feb 29, 202401:03:33
147) "Teaching & Swimming for Liberation" (Marla Hunter Hooper)

147) "Teaching & Swimming for Liberation" (Marla Hunter Hooper)

In this episode, I had a great conversation with my friend Marla Hunter Hooper, who shared about her early upbringing, her love for swimming, life as an international educator, making the shift from teaching in the classroom to the world of academia, and much more! To learn more about Marla's work, you can visit her website at msmarlahunter.com or follow her on Twitter (@liveluvteachllc) and LinkedIn. BIO: Marla Hunter (Hooper) is a first-generation American with Jamaican parentage, hailing from the vibrant South. As a global education consultant specializing in DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and culturally relevant teaching, her life is a blend of passion, purpose, and empowerment. From her rich heritage, I've collaborated with esteemed organizations and visionary leaders to foster inclusivity within educational spaces. Through Live.Love.Teach!, LLC, her education consulting firm, she deliver comprehensive DEI training addressing topics like unconscious bias, cultural competence, inclusive leadership, women's advancement, authentic leadership, and allyship. Together, we strive to create more inclusive and equitable learning environments. Beyond her professional journey, she's an avid swimmer, devoted wife, and proud dog mom. Her love for swimming and coaching empowers individuals to find their inner strength, resilience, and confidence, fostering a culture of inclusivity in the swimming community.


LINKS:

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Feb 22, 202455:40
146) "Teaching about Palestine Is Social Justice" (Abeer Ramadan-Shinnawi)

146) "Teaching about Palestine Is Social Justice" (Abeer Ramadan-Shinnawi)

In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing Abeer Ramadan-Shinnawi, who is the founder of Altair Educational Consulting. In our conversation, Abeer goes into detail about her early upbringing in the South Side of Chicago, her passion for educational activism, the need to teach the full history of Israel's colonial occupation of Palestine in our schools, the rise of Islamophobia within our society, and so much more! To learn more about Abeer's work, you can visit her company website at altairedconsulting.com or you can follow her on Instagram (@altairedconsult) or LinkedIn. BIO: Abeer Ramadan-Shinnawi is a passionate Palestinian-American educator with a career with a strong commitment to bridging cultures and fostering inclusivity, Abeer has made a significant impact in the field of education, both as a teacher and an education consultant. Abeer’s journey began as a veteran middle school social studies teacher, where she leveraged her personal experiences as a child of immigrants to connect with her students, schools, and communities. Through her dedication, she created a dynamic learning environment that inspired her students to thrive. Abeer’s expertise extends to curriculum development, as she previously served as a resource teacher in the Baltimore County Public Schools Office of Social Studies. In this role, she led curriculum development efforts and provided vital support to fellow educators. She also played a pivotal role in fostering equity within the educational landscape. Abeer’s dedication to equity is exemplified through her role as an equity liaison and as the co-facilitator of an affinity group for teachers of color. Additionally, she created and facilitated a student support group that provided a safe haven for Arab and Muslim immigrant female students, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and support. She is a founder of the Arab American Educators’ Network and an active member of numerous teacher advisory groups, including the Smithsonian National Museum of Native Americans, EdLoc Culturally Responsive Social Studies Accelerator, and the National Arab American Women’s Association. Formerly the program director at Reimagining Migration, Abeer is now a full time educational consultant serving districts’ needs for social justice interventions at all levels. As a teacher educator, she has spoken at national conferences including National Council for Teachers of English, National Council for Social Studies, Association for Middle Level Educators, Welcoming America, Center for Black Male Educators, and various professional development events in various states. Her involvement in these organizations reflects her commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity. Throughout her career, Abeer has collaborated with schools, cultural institutions, and publishers to develop curriculum, content, and activities that authentically represent the perspectives of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students and educators. Her work has been instrumental in creating inclusive learning experiences. In 2019, recognizing the need to provide educators with valuable resources and insights about Muslim and Arab youth, Abeer founded Altair Education Consulting. Through this endeavor, she has been offering educational materials, professional development, and engaging speaking sessions aimed at amplifying the voices and histories of Arab and Muslim American communities. Abeer has authored numerous education guides for ABRAMS Books and has shared her insights and experiences through conferences, podcasts, blogs, journals, and newsletter publications. Her goal is to continue working alongside educators to empower students to share their narratives, fostering global equity and justice.


LINKS:

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Feb 15, 202455:32
145) "How Africana Studies Can Save the World" (Ismael Jimenez)

145) "How Africana Studies Can Save the World" (Ismael Jimenez)

In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing with Ismael Jimenez, who currently serves as the Director of Social Studies Curriculum for the School District of Philadelphia. In our conversation, Ismael talked in depth about his early upbringing, what inspired him to become a History teacher, why Africana Studies can save the world, his transition from teaching in the classroom to working as a curriculum director within his school district, and much more! To learn more about Ismael's work, you can follow him on Twitter (@Teacherishx) and LinkedIn. BIO:Ismael Jimenez is a dedicated educator, who for the last thirteen years has worked with students in Philadelphia from preschool age to high school. After working as a secondary social studies teacher at Germantown High School until it was closed in 2013, Ismael then was appointed to Kensington Creative and Performing Arts High School where he teaches primarily African American History. Along with teaching at the high school level, Ismael has facilitated several professional developments with colleagues in the school district and at postsecondary institutions like University of Pennsylvania, Penn State University, and Princeton University on issues ranging from structural racism to bridging the knowledge gap of students between high school and postsecondary institutions. Also, he has taught a graduate educational research course at Villanova University and an undergraduate social studies methods course at LaSalle University. Currently, Ismael serves as the Director of Social Studies Curriculum for the School District of Philadelphia. He is also co-chair of the Caucus of Working Educators, and co-founder of the Philadelphia Black History Collaborative and the Melanated Educators Collective, while being an active participant in several other organizations that seek racial justice in education and across the city of Philadelphia. The philosophical orientation that guides Ismael’s teaching and activism is rooted in the theoretical educational framework developed by Paulo Freire which emphasizes the interconnected nature of education with participating in the transformation of the world.


LINKS:

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Feb 08, 202401:10:49
143) "Unpacking the DNA of a Soul Scholar" (Dr. Melanie Battles)

143) "Unpacking the DNA of a Soul Scholar" (Dr. Melanie Battles)

In this episode, I had a chance to catch up with my good friend Dr. Melanie Battles to share her educator journey, her Christian faith, and the transformative work she's doing through her consultancy, Scholars for the Soul. To learn more about Dr. Battles, I can visit her website at scholarsforthesoul.com or follow her on Instagram (@drmel_soulscholar) and LinkedIn. BIO:

Dr. Melanie Battles is a woman of God, mother, wife, and devoted family member. As an educator in “urban” and “rural” schools and advocate for Black and Brown students for over 10 years, she is a PhD of Reading Education from the University of Arkansas - Little Rock, a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Freed-Hardeman University, a Grad Certificate in African-American Literature and a Bachelors of Arts in English from the University of Memphis. Her passion to serve God through education and exposing students to various opportunities through HBCU college tours, college & career panels, and teen talk sessions has now led her to working to foster equitable teaching practices. Working through a culturally responsive lens, Dr. Battles aims to shift ineffective teaching and disciplinary practices towards a social-emotional foundation that REACHES and TEACHES every student through care, relationships, community, and academic rigor.


LINKS:

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Jan 25, 202431:00
144) "Parents Reclaiming Power as Stakeholders" (Keri Rodrigues Langan)

144) "Parents Reclaiming Power as Stakeholders" (Keri Rodrigues Langan)

In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing Keri Rodrigues Langan, who shared her childhood struggles in schools, what inspired her to become a parent organizer, the formation of the National Parents Union (NPU), and so much more! To learn more about Keri's work, you can visit the NPU website at nationalparentsunion.org or follow her on Twitter & Instagram (@radiokeri). BIO: Keri Rodrigues Langan is Matthew, Miles and David’s mom and was elected President of the National Parents Union in 2020. Called “arguably the most successful parent organizer in education advocacy today,” her outstanding commitment to social, economic and educational equity for children and families spans decades. Her work, impact and perspective have been featured in the New York Times, NBC Nightly News, the Wall Street Journal, CNN, Fox News, the Washington Post, POLITICO and the Boston Globe, among others. Following her own difficult experience surviving the Massachusetts public school system and receiving her GED from Boston Public Schools, Rodrigues was not surprised when she struggled navigating the education system with her own children. Knowing that schools were not adequately meeting the needs of students and parents, she turned her focus to education activism, eventually helping other families across the Commonwealth identify and use their voice and place kids at the center of the education discussion. Rodrigues began her career as an award-winning journalist and continued her career in advocacy as a long-time labor activist, communicator and organizer with the world’s largest local labor union, 1199SEIU, leading major campaigns across the country. Armed with this experience and success, Rodrigues founded Massachusetts Parents United, the largest parent advocacy organization in the Commonwealth in 2016. Keri also serves as an elected member of the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee, the Executive Committee of the Ethnic Council of the Democratic National Committee and the advisory board of Democrats for Education Reform.


LINKS:

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Jan 23, 202401:12:18
142) "The Evolution of a Transformational Principal" (Ashley Moore)

142) "The Evolution of a Transformational Principal" (Ashley Moore)

For the first episode of 2024, I caught up with Ashley Moore to learn about her early teaching career and her long journey from the classroom to the principalship. To learn more about Ashley's work, you can follow her on Instagram (@principal_mo) and Twitter (@Principal_Mo).

BIO:

At Empowerment Academy, students learn while laughing, having fun and trying new things. Principal Moore’s out-of-the-box thinking creates new ways to make learning enjoyable for both students and staff. Her emphasis on arts integration and hands-on creativity in the classroom means that students dance, rhyme and make art to better understand math equations and to build literacy skills. Principal Moore has been known to don a costume and pop into classroom after classroom, bringing joy and laughter to each room. The logic is clear: students learn more effectively when having fun.


LINKS:

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Jan 18, 202452:39
141) "Education for Liberation" (Dr. Laureen Adams)

141) "Education for Liberation" (Dr. Laureen Adams)

In this week's episode, I welcomed Dr. Laureen Adams to the podcast to share about her early upbringing in California, her father's influence on her work as an educator, living and working in Ghana, her views on liberatory education, and much more! To learn more about Laureen's work, you can visit her website at laureenadams.com or you can follow her on Instagram (@laureenadamsphd). BIO: As an education consultant, Laureen Adams has worked with teams of passionate educators who are committed to advancing quality education for all learners. She has over 20 years of experience in various roles in the education sector, from teaching to administration, and she holds a PH.D. in Education from Claremont Graduate University. Her core competencies include project based learning (PBL), culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogy (CRT), teacher and leader coaching, curriculum and learning experience design, and performance assessment. She also serves as a member of the editorial committee at West Africa Review, a peer-reviewed online journal that promotes research and scholarship on Africa. Her mission is to support all things justice and belonging, wellness and sustainability, and love and liberation in education. She is always eager to learn from and collaborate with other educators who share this vision.


LINKS:

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Dec 28, 202354:05
140) "Unpacking Teacher Identity for Student Success" (Dr. Courtney E. Rose)

140) "Unpacking Teacher Identity for Student Success" (Dr. Courtney E. Rose)

In this episode, I welcome back my good friend Dr. Courtney E. Rose to talk about the release of her debut book, "Woven Together", the importance of teacher prioritizing their identity development, her mother's influence in shaping her educator identity, and so much more! To learn more about Dr. Rose, you can visit her website at drcourtneyrose.com or follow her on Instagram (@drcourtneyrose)


BIO:

Dr. Courtney Rose is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Educational Policy Studies department at Florida International University. the Founder of Ivy Rose Consulting. Dr. Rose earned an Ed.D. in Curriculum & Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University, an M.Ed. in Human Development and Psychology from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Florida. Prior to beginning her doctoral studies, Dr. Rose taught Math & Science for three years in the Duval County Public School system in Jacksonville, FL (two years of which were completed during her commitment as a Teach for America corps member). During her years in Jacksonville, she also spent two summers working as a Corps Member Advisor, helping to develop incoming Teach for America Corps members working with a team to prepare and facilitate various professional development experiences.

 

Currently, her research and work interests include the development and implementation of innovative approaches to social justice-oriented, critical and culturally relevant instructional practices and curricular designs with the goal of (re)humanizing education. Dr. Rose emphasizes critical self-reflection in all of her teacher education/development work. Her upcoming book, Woven Together: How Unpacking Your Teacher Identity Creates a Stronger Learning Community, published by Jossey-Bass/Wiley, serves as a guide and resource in engaging in this reflective process. Through the inclusion of teacher narratives (including her own personal experiences) and reflective journal prompts/activities, Woven Together provides teachers and school/district leaders  with the opportunity to reflect on the core experiences and beliefs that served as the threads of their teacher identity and the tools to weave together more humanized learning communities for and with their students.


LINKS:

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Dec 21, 202355:41
139) "Building Anti-Racist Art Classrooms" (The Anti-Racist Art Educators)

139) "Building Anti-Racist Art Classrooms" (The Anti-Racist Art Educators)

In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing the Anti-Racist Art Educators Collective, represented by Paula Liz, Vernon Faines, Dr. Reji Mathew, Dr. Lori Santos, and Anjali Wells. In our conversation, they opened up about their individual educator journeys, how they've each evolved in their instructional practice as antiracist art educators, the power of the founding of Anti-Racist Art Teachers, and much more! To learn more about the Anti-Racist Art Teachers collective, you can visit their website at or follow the collective on Instagram (@antiracistartteachers). INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS ACCOUNTS ON INSTAGRAM: Paula Liz - @paulaliz.art Dr. Reji Mathew - @rejimathewwriter Anjali Wells - @mrs_wellz Dr. Lori Santos - @art4peaceprofessorsantos Khadesia Latimer - @thebusybrushes Tamara Slade - @teach4tamara Abby Birhanu - @ms_b_art_escapades Tara Trinity Villanueva - @tara_trinityyyyy Vernon Faines - @vern_f BIO: The Anti-Racist Art Educators collective consists of full-time working educators of the global majority who believe in the power of collective action and creating a learning community by promoting inclusive thinking, celebrating diversity, and inspiring transformative action through arts education. Collectively, they also believe that art educators have the power to see COLOR, to VALUE all students, to create a brave SPACE, to FORM a more fair and just future, to recognize the TEXTURE of human life, to step beyond the LINE, and learn to SHAPE new perspectives through art education.


LINKS:

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Dec 14, 202301:03:32
138) "Every Connection Matters" (Nita & Mike Creekmore)

138) "Every Connection Matters" (Nita & Mike Creekmore)

In this episode, I had the honor of chatting with one of my favorite educated couples, Nita and Mike Creekmore. In our conversation, they shared about their early upbringings, how they first met in college as friends and reconnected years later, how they navigate the world of education as husband and wife, their new book, "Every Connection Matters", and much more! To learn more about the Creekmores, you can connect with them with the following information: NITA: Instagram & Twitter (@loveteachbless) Website: https://linktr.ee/loveteachbless

MIKE: Instagram (@bearded.school.counselor) FAMILY: Instagram (@creekmoreconvos) BIO: Nita (E'Manita) Creekmore is an instructional coach, presenter, writer, and inclusive literacy advocate. Nita and her husband, Michael, own Creekmore Conversations, where they collaborate with schools to cultivate strategies to build, maintain, and restore relationships. She was in public education for 18 years, teaching elementary grades for 13 years before becoming an elementary school instructional coach. Nita obtained her bachelor's degree in English and master's degree in elementary education from the University of South Carolina. She also received her educational specialist degree in educational leadership from the University of Virginia. She is passionate about being an advocate and thought partner for teachers to help them give students what they need. Michael Creekmore is a licensed professional counselor with more than 15 years of experience and a certified professional counselor supervisor, working as a professional school counselor, freelance writer, public speaker, and voiceover artist. Michael and his wife, Nita, own Creekmore Conversations, where they collaborate with schools to cultivate strategies to build, maintain, and restore relationships. Michael earned his bachelor's degree in experimental psychology from the University of South Carolina and his master's degree in counseling psychology from Clark Atlanta University. He has also served as clinical director and clinical supervisor to community mental health programs and has been an independent consultant for the past 15 years.


LINKS:

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Dec 09, 202351:09
137) "How Clinical Therapy Changed an Educator's Life" (Jess Cleeves)
Nov 23, 202354:52
136) "The Antiracist ELA Classroom" (Keisha Rembert)

136) "The Antiracist ELA Classroom" (Keisha Rembert)

In this episode, I had the honor of welcoming multi-award winning educator and author Keisha Rembert on the podcast to talk about her educator journey, her new book, "The Antiracist ELA Classroom", her transition from teaching in the classroom to entering the world of academia, and so much more! To learn more about Keisha's work, you can follow her on Instagram and Twitter (@klrembert). BIO: Keisha Rembert is a lifelong learner and educator. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Teacher Preparation at National Louis University. Prior to entering teacher education, she spent more than 15 years teaching English and U.S. History in the Chicago area. Her passion for equity, social justice, and youth literature coalesce in her membership and work on the National Council for Teachers of English’s (NCTE) Committee Against Racism and Bias, as a member of the Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of NCTE (ALAN) Committee for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and a member of ALAN’s Board of Directors, an advisory board member for the Gilder Lehrman Institute for American History, as well as in her service on the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center’s Educator Advisory Board.

In 2019, Rembert was named Illinois History Teacher of the Year as well as the 2019 National Council for Teachers of English (NCTE) Outstanding Middle-Level English Educator. Her commitment to advocacy and equity is best reflected in her published works, myriad nationally recognized presentations, consultant work and as a Teach Plus Policy Alum, her work with the Illinois State Board of Education’s Diverse Learner and Teacher Ready Network and as a Master Teacher for the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.


LINKS:

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Nov 16, 202354:51
135) "The Science of Reading vs. Whole Language Learning" (Shannon Moore)
Nov 09, 202353:17
134) "A Teacher Who Turned Her Pain into Power" (Briana Morales)

134) "A Teacher Who Turned Her Pain into Power" (Briana Morales)

In this episode, I had a chance to catch up with my good friend and 2023 Illinois Teacher of the Year Briana Morales. In our conversation, Briana shares about her early childhood, overcoming family trauma, the teacher who inspired her to become a teacher, her work with TeachPlus, and so much more! To learn more about Briana's work, you can follow her on LinkedIn or on Instagram (@queenh0neyb)


BIO:

Briana Morales is a proud Latina and freedom fighter for students in alternative education, where she has spent her career loving and learning alongside students furthest from justice in East St. Louis, IL. She focuses on empowering her students with personalized, competency-based education where their cultural funds of knowledge are honored and students work at their own pace to master content rather than traditional learning that focuses on seat time and completion of work. Briana was honored as a 2021 NCTE Early Career Educator of Color and has shared the journey she and her students have embarked on to turn pain into power through narrative poetry of witness both locally and nationally. Her commitment as a school board member for the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, School District #428 has allowed her to elevate the voices of justice-impacted youth. She is deeply passionate about creating healing-centered spaces where Black and brown students can feel seen, heard, and, one day, be free to be their authentic selves. Her love offering toward this future is her nonprofit, (Sister)Hood of Hope, Inc., dedicated to honoring brighter futures for girls of color everywhere by empowering them through the community of sisterhood. She earned her BA in secondary English education from St. Ambrose University and her MEd in curriculum and instruction from American College of Education. She is currently pursuing an EdD in diversity and equity in education at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Briana is the 2023 Illinois Teacher of the Year.


LINKS:

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Oct 26, 202301:00:31
133) "Breaking Down the Intersection of Sports & DEI" (Dr. Jen Fry)

133) "Breaking Down the Intersection of Sports & DEI" (Dr. Jen Fry)

In this episode, I had the honor of welcoming Dr. Jen Fry to the podcast to learn about her early childhood, how she developed her love for sports, making the transition from college coach to a career in speaking and educating the masses about social justice issues within the sports arena, and so much more! To learn more about Jen's work, you can visit her website at jenfrytalks.com or follow her on Instagram and Twitter (@jenfrytalks).


BIO: Dr. Jen Fry (she/her) is Sports Geographer, 3x founder, and sought-after speaker and educator. She owns JenFryTalks, a social justice education firm that explores the intersection of conflict and DEI. Jen facilitates conversation and skill-building with organizations and teams of all sizes. She is a veteran volleyball coach with over 15 years of experience coaching at the collegiate level. She received her PhD in Sports Geography from Michigan State University (GO GREEN!).

Recently, Jen co-founded Hyreable, a career development company helping BIPOC professionals in the world of sports. She is also moving her group movement platform, Coordle, to market. Coordle is an intuitive, feature-rich app and web platform that serves as a central hub for all your real-time information, communication, logistics, and needs as you move your group.


LINKS:

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Oct 19, 202345:10
132) "Centering Afro-Franco Experiences in the French Classroom" (Ben Tinsley)

132) "Centering Afro-Franco Experiences in the French Classroom" (Ben Tinsley)

In this episode, I welcomed my good friend Ben Tinsley to the podcast to talk about his upbringing in Long Island, NY, how he developed his passion for learning French, his own evolution as an educator, and the importance of incorporating the counterstories and lived experiences of Afro-Franco people into the French curriculum. To learn more about Ben's work, you can visit his website at afrofranco.com or follow him on Instagram and Twitter (@afrofranco2). BIO: Ben Tinsley is a French teacher, curriculum developer, and educational consultant specializing in the centering of Afro-Francophone culture and voices. With undergraduate concentrations in French and African American Studies from Temple University, a Master’s degree in Literacy from Rosemont College, and experiences in both urban charter and independent schools, he continues to pursue and develop equitable content and pedagogy for all language learners.


LINKS: Instagram

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Oct 12, 202301:00:52
131) "The Dancer Teacher" (Alexia Pendleton)

131) "The Dancer Teacher" (Alexia Pendleton)

In this episode, I had the honor of chatting with dancer teacher extraordinaire Alexia Pendleton to learn about how she navigates her life as a Kindergarten teacher by day and a dancer/choreographer by night. She also opens up about prioritizing her mental health to combat her childhood trauma, which has had a significant impact that on both her personal and professional life. To learn more about Alexia, you can visit her website at linktr.ee/thedancerteacher or follow her on Instagram (@thedancerteacher).


BIO:

Alexia Pendleton is a kindergarten teacher in Atlantic City, NJ and 2020 Teacher of the Year. Her philosophy is educating and elevating the whole child. She has been an educator for over 6 years and values community, culture, and creativity. Relationship building and engagement is also the foundation of her classroom.

Alexia started dancing in elementary school and fell in love with hip-hop. After choreographing a senior piece in high school, she knew she wanted to continue teaching hip-hop to others. After graduating, Alexia started teaching at studios throughout South Jersey. 

While in college, she danced for the Stockton All Starz Dance Team and served as one of the teams choreographers. She graduated with degree in Psychology and went alternative route to become a teacher. However, never gave up on my passion for dance!

She has choreographed for weddings, Quince’s and everything in between. She also instruct adults in hip hop fitness. Alexia brings dance everywhere she goes from the classroom to the studio. She is passionate about dance and the joy it brings to herself and others.  


LINKS:

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Oct 05, 202352:44
130) "Teaching Writing as a Tool for Liberation" (Kyley Pulphus)

130) "Teaching Writing as a Tool for Liberation" (Kyley Pulphus)

For this episode, I had the pleasure of welcoming I'm honored to welcome Kyley Pulphus to the podcast to talk about her educator journey, growing up as a child in New Orleans, her love for writing, her mission to support teachers and students to interact with writing as a liberatory practice, and so much more! To learn more about Kyley's work, you can visit the We Scribbin' website at wescribblin.com or follow her on Instagram (@wescribblin). BIO: Kyley Pulphus is the founder and principal of We Scribbin'. Born and raised in New Orleans, Kyley grew up in the Lower 9 ward where she still lives down the street from her mama. She received her BA in Communications from University of New Orleans, and her MFA in Film Making from Florida State University. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with a Literacy Education focus. Kyley is an award-winning children’s film writer/director. After working in children’s television in Los Angeles, she returned to New Orleans to pursue a career in education. She was a skilled classroom teacher and teacher coach. Kyley was also a teacher consultant for the Greater New Orleans Writing Project, and was the founding program director at 826 New Orleans, the youth writing nonprofit. Under her stewardship, Kyley supported thousands of young people in strengthening their writing skills. She oversaw the publishing of 30 books of youth writing, worked with dozens of teachers, and facilitated many professional development workshops. Kyley has received several honors, most recently being awarded the International Literacy Association’s Helen M. Robinson Grant. She was also recognized as one of Gambit's 40 under 40 and a Millennial Educator of the Year Finalist. Outside of work, Kyley enjoys spending time with her loved ones, a good snowball, and dancing, especially to brass band music. LINKS: Instagram Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts

Sep 28, 202357:52
129) "Ph.D = Persistent & Humanly Divine" (Ashley Lipscomb)

129) "Ph.D = Persistent & Humanly Divine" (Ashley Lipscomb)

In this episode, I had the honor of chatting with Ashley Lipscomb to learn about her educator journey, overcoming multiple 'no's and "Ph.D rejection offers, the inspiration behind the Institute of Anti-Racist Education, her faith journey, and so much more! To learn more about Ashley's work, you can visit the Institute of Anti-Racist Education website at antiracisted.org or follow the Institute on Instagram (@antiracistedinstitute) BIO: Ashley Y. Lipscomb has a wealth of experience working with, motivating, and advocating for students and educators. After working as a teacher for five years and serving as a youth minister for eight years, Ashley has developed specialized interventions for her students, contributing to her success as an information literacy and language arts teacher at Frelinghuysen Middle School in Morristown, NJ. During her time in the classroom, Ashley advocated for the expansion of the language arts curriculum, leading to the incorporation of young adult literature that portrayed the Black experience. She also worked closely with school administrators to address pipeline issues contributing to the lack of a representative teaching staff. A graduate of Hampton University (BA English and Master in Teaching), Harvard Divinity School (MDiv) and Montclair State University (Certificate in Supervision), Ashley has participated in and spearheaded several committees focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in both K-12 and higher education settings. She provides DEI consulting to students in the Diversity and Inclusion Management Course at the Harvard Extension School.


LINKS:

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Sep 21, 202357:24
128) "Navigating Motherhood & Edupreneurship" (Deana Forbes)

128) "Navigating Motherhood & Edupreneurship" (Deana Forbes)

In this episode, I had a chance to catch up with Deana Forbes to learn about her newest business venture, Dailey Learning Academy, a home daycare business for children aged 2-5 in the Fredericksburg, VA area. She also opened up about early childhood in Danville, VA, discovering her love for teaching, navigating the rigors of motherhood and edupreneurship, and so much more! To learn more about Deana's work, you can visit her website at socialstudiesscholar.com or follow her on Instagram (@socialstudiesscholar).

BIO: Deana Forbes, also known as "The Social Studies Scholar", is a history teacher, curriculum designer, presenter, full time boy mom and so much more! Teaching Black history, teaching truth, fostering the joy in education and sharing Black stories are all important to her! I enjoy helping other teachers do the same inside and outside of their classrooms! Growing up in a small town called Danville, VA, Deana was involved in all kinds of clubs, sports and teacher cadet programs. A group of her friends and her led at risk middle school girls in a group called Empowered Young Women United. That solidified her desire to teach at the middle and high school level. Fast forward, Deana earned a partial athletic scholarship to Attend James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, VA and be on the women’s track and field team. There, she recieved my B.A in history and Master or Arts in Teaching 6-12 Social Studies. While attending JMU as a student-athlete, Deana developed her passion for sharing Black stories and teaching truth. She even discovered that she enjoyed creating classroom resources from scratch to use in her student teaching experiences. She had the most wonderful experience in the College of Education and learned so much from her professors. Upon graduating from JMU, Deana has served as a high social studies teacher and assistant track and field coach within the Prince William County Public School district, and, most recently, has started her own home daycare business, Dailey Learning Academy, which will serve children aged 2-5 in the Fredericksburg, VA area. Deana has previously collaborated with brands and companies like Quizlet, NPR, In These Times, Play Black Wall Street and Flora Maria Shop to add to her mission of fostering the joy in education and sharing Black stories. LINKS: Instagram Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts

Sep 14, 202349:20
127) "New School Year, New You" (Kayland Lamar)

127) "New School Year, New You" (Kayland Lamar)

To kick off Season 3, I'm honored to welcome Kayland Lamar to the podcast to share her educator journey, the launching of her personal development coaching business, and how she uses her personal self-care journey as a vehicle to support educators and professionals to prioritize their mental health and personal development. To learn more about Kayland's work, you can visit her website at kaylandlamar.com or follow her on Instagram (@kaylandlamar) or Twitter (@KaylandLamar). BIO: Kayland Lamar is a Personal Development Coach who specializes in helping professional women create sustainable self-care systems that push them to show up for themselves consistently both inside and outside of the classroom. As an educator with 10+ years of experience, she has seen it all. Because of her own personal battle with burnout, she has developed a particular skill set that allows her to strategically support highly successful women as they navigate work-life balance. As a Personal Development Coach, her goal has always been to equip high performing women with skills and strategies rooted in intentional self-care and meaningful boundary setting. Working with successful career women is Kayland's absolute passion and she believes that every woman deserves to prioritize their wellbeing unapologetically. LINKS: Instagram Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts

Sep 07, 202351:13
126) "The Sneaker Principal" (Uche L. Njoku)

126) "The Sneaker Principal" (Uche L. Njoku)

In this episode, I had a great conversation with Uche Njoku about his early life in Nigeria, his evolution as an educator, and what ultimately pushed him to resign from his principal role after a long, successful career.  To learn more about Uche's work, you can visit his website at sneakerprincipal.wordpress.com or follow him on Instagram (@snkrprincipal), Twitter (@SNKRPrincipal), and LinkedIn. 


BIO: Hailing from Inglewood, California and a native of the Igbo tribe of southeastern Nigeria, Uche Njoku became a high school special education teacher and dean of students in the Bronx in 2005 through the New York City Teaching Fellows program. Starting in 2016, he served as a principal, first at The School of Mathematics, Science and Technology through the Arts (I.S. 318) in the Bronx’s District 12, and then as the principal of John Jay School for Law in the Brooklyn North High Schools District.   Uche is a member of the inaugural cohort of The Gray Fellowship for Principal Excellence, and a member of the 2021 cohort of The Cahn Fellows Distinguished Principals Program. He is also the first principal to serve as a member of the board of directors of PENCIL, a New York City not-for-profit organization founded with the goal of raising awareness about public education by inviting civic and business leaders into New York City public schools.   Uche holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film and Media, with an allied field in African and African-American studies from the University of Rochester, as well as advanced degrees, including a masters degree in Educational Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University.   Uche is an avid digital content creator, which includes The Sneaker Principal Podcast. A space for educators and allies working on closing the achievement gap in urban communities.

Dec 01, 202201:16:34
125) "The EmanicpatED" (Dr. Crystal Menzies)

125) "The EmanicpatED" (Dr. Crystal Menzies)

In this episode, I'm honored to welcome Dr. Crystal Menzies to the podcast to talk about her personal journey in education, the founding of The EmanicpatED,  her collaborative research work with the Maroon communities, and how teachers can incorporate Black historical counternarratives into the curriculum.  To learn more about Crystal's work, you can visit the EmancipatED website at emancipatededucation.com or you can follow her on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter (@emancipate_ed).   


BIO: Crystal Menzies, PhD (she/her) is an educator of Black and Brown youth, a postdoctoral researcher studying cultural community wealth, and the founder of EmancipatED. A former culturally responsive teacher in urban schools, Crystal aspired to teach her students about ways of being and thinking that did not center whiteness. However, she quickly realized that it would take more than being a “good teacher” to dismantle the systems of oppression that led to the systemic violence she and her students experienced.  

In an effort to tell a more expansive story of the Black experience across the Diaspora that didn’t perpetuate trauma narratives, Crystal traveled the globe to learn about the rich history of resistance and liberation movements that are often made invisible in our collective history books.  Drawing on her Guyanese and African American roots, the legacy of Black educators, educational psychology, liberatory pedagogy, and African-Diasporan history, Crystal founded EmancipatED to uncover our hidden Black history.  

Through research-based educational products that center Black communities, Crystal hopes to create environments in which Black people, as a collective, can find joy, empowerment, and community through multi-generational learning. Her flagship product is an exploration kit that shares the stories of Maroon communities, which offers Black and Brown families a model for how to navigate as liberated beings within oppressive systems.  She lives in the Bay Area (or the Yay area as she affectionately refers to it) and enjoys reading, Marvel movies, and daydreaming of Black Futures.

Nov 17, 202252:39
124) "Counternarratives in the K-12 Classroom" (Estelle Bougna Fomeju & Christopher Clyde-Green)

124) "Counternarratives in the K-12 Classroom" (Estelle Bougna Fomeju & Christopher Clyde-Green)

In this special episode, I got the chance to interview Christopher Clyde Green and Estelle Bougna Fomeju to learn about their personal journeys in education and the power of counternarratives in K-12 education.  To learn more about Christopher and Estelle's work, you can check out their information below:

Christopher Clyde Green - WEBSITE (chrisclydegreen.com); TWITTER (@ccgreen)

Estelle Bougna Fomeju- WEBSITE (tissiconsulting.com); INSTAGRAM (@sallyspoetry)


BIO: Estelle Bougna Fomeju is a pan-African Consultant in Education passionate about history, geopolitics, cultural inclusion, antiracism and indigenous worldviews. She founded Tissi, a consultancy in education for social change based in Mali, that works with schools and organizations worldwide. Her areas of expertise are education project management, culturally-inclusive and antiracist capacity building for educators, decolonial curriculum development and instructional design. Before founding Tissi, Estelle worked as a Senior Project Manager for a network of African international schools, where she managed the creation of IB schools in Mali and Botswana. Estelle was born in Cameroon and grew up in Guinea, Chad, and Mali then moved to France and the US for university. She graduated from Sciences Po Paris with a Masters in International Development in 2015. In 2021 she obtained a MED in Advanced Teaching from the University of People in partnership with the International Baccalaureate. With her work, she hopes to help fulfill the promise of education, that of equipping young people with adequate tools to analyze, question, and transform their environment.

Christopher Clyde Green currently teaches IB Language A: Literature, Language and Literature, as well as TOK at Ecolé International de Genève (International School of Geneva)Institut Le Rosey. Being an advocate for the International Baccalaureate he has been a IB examiner and reader for the past five years. A citizen of both Britain and Jamaica, he has previously taught at Oporto British School in Portugal and Mill Hill School in the United Kingdom. He is an alumnus of the University of London (Royal Holloway) and Cambridge University (Homerton College). 
Besides teaching, he has written professionally for various media outlets on music, education and culture and previously worked professionally in the entertainment industry as a writer and an actor.

Nov 03, 202201:19:49
123) "Disrupter University" (Dr. Erica Glover)

123) "Disrupter University" (Dr. Erica Glover)

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Erica Glover to learn more about her personal journey in education, her love for basketball, the founding of Disrupter University, and so much more!  To learn more about Dr. Glover's work, you can visit the Disrupter University website at disrupteruniversity.com or you can follow her on Instagram, Twitter (@drericaglover), and LinkedIn.  


BIO: Dr. Erica Glover is a servant of education, committed to equity and inclusion. Throughout her career in education, Dr. Glover has worked as an educator, administrator, and also within Human Resources. As a Disrupter, Dr. Glover’s experiences reflect a common thread of one common theme: ensuring access and opportunities for marginalized groups of people.  During her time as an educator, Dr. Glover supported students learning in self-contained units, as a result of behavioral concerns and emotional disabilities. She recognized the inequities faced by students placed in her classroom, and worked to provide her students more equitable learning opportunities, where students were able to experience teaching and learning with peers.  

As Dr. Glover transitioned into her role as an administrator, she remained dedicated to standing for equity and inclusion among students, teachers, and colleagues. She developed programs to support peer-to-peer mentorship, book clubs for educators within the building, alternative to suspension programs, and parent groups to support building initiatives. All the while, Dr. Glover supported colleagues with the process of reflecting on instructional practices and strategies to grow both students and educators.  In 2017, Dr. Glover earned her doctorate degree in Urban Education, from Cleveland State University. 

With an emphasis on Policy and Planning, Dr. Glover has transferred her learning into reimagining the ways in which we socialize future teachers (current students and pre-service teachers), and in-service teachers. Within her more recent role as a Recruitment Manager, Dr. Glover continues to develop innovative systems and processes to recruit and retain underrepresented populations of people in education.  Dr. Glover is also a former Division I athlete, playing semi-professional basketball for several seasons. Her experiences as an athlete led her to coach and train youth for twelve years. During this time, she also began a boys AAU basketball program, to provide youth from urban communities the opportunity to compete without the financial burden to commit. Through AAU programming, Dr. Glover was also able to provide players with educational support needed to advance as a student-athlete in college.

Oct 20, 202201:01:36
122) "Teaching Black History to K-2 Students" (Dawnavyn M. James)
Oct 06, 202238:57
121) "How to Best Prepare for College during the Pandemic" (Sheila Akbar)

121) "How to Best Prepare for College during the Pandemic" (Sheila Akbar)

In this week's episode, I had the honor of interviewing Sheila Akbar to learn about her journey in education, her love for poetry, her transition from being a  Harvard pre-med to an education entrepreneur, and helpful tips for parents and high school students who preparing for college.  To learn more Sheila's work, you can visit the Signet Education website at signeteducation.com or connect with her on LinkedIn.    


BIO: Sheila Akbar joined the Signet team in the summer of 2010, bringing with her a wealth of experience teaching SAT, ACT, GRE, literature, and composition in both one-on-one and classroom settings. Sheila loves both teaching and learning, and finds nothing more rewarding than working closely with students to overcome the challenges they face.  After graduating from Harvard in 2002, Sheila spent two years working in financial services before continuing her academic career, which culminated into two doctorates. She brings her significant business and academic experience to bear on her current role at Signet.  Her skills include speaking to every client to craft a tailored solution for their needs, managing the administrative team, and providing educational thought leadership for the company.  Sheila holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Harvard University and two doctoral degrees from Indiana University.

Sep 22, 202258:34
120) "Changing the Narrative about Antiracism in Schools" (Kathy Lopes)

120) "Changing the Narrative about Antiracism in Schools" (Kathy Lopes)

In this episode, I'm honored to have Kathy Lopes come on the podcast to talk about her journey in education and social work, the release of "Change the Narrative", how school leaders and administrators must engage in antiracist work within their school communities, and so much more!   To learn more about Kathy's work, you can visit her company website at inklusionconsulting.com or follow her on Instagram, Twitter (@kathylopes21), and LinkedIn.   


BIO: Kathy Lopes is a licensed clinical social worker and educator with decades of experience working in education, mental health, non-profit, and government sectors.   She began her career as a school social worker in both Boston, MA and Washington, DC, and is now settled back in her home state of Massachusetts where she has held numerous managerial and administrative roles in the field of social work and education. Throughout her career, equity and inclusion have remained an integral part of her leadership and strategic planning priority.   Currently, she is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Newton Public Schools and holds a longstanding adjunct faculty role at Simmons University School of Social Work, teaching courses on racism, policy and leadership. She is a sought-after guest lecturer and public speaker on topics of cultural humility, equity, anti-racism and social justice.

Sep 08, 202201:04:59
119) "Open Windows, Open Minds" (Afrika Afeni Mills)

119) "Open Windows, Open Minds" (Afrika Afeni Mills)

In this episode, I welcome my good friend Afrika Afeni Mills to the podcast to discuss her new book, "Open Windows, Open Minds", the pros and cons of writing in the white gaze, what it means to be pro-human, and so much more!  To learn more about Afrika's work, you can visit her website at afrikaafenimills.com or follow her at Instagram (@open_windows_open_minds) and Twitter (@AfeniMills).  


BIO: Afrika Afeni Mills is an Education Consultant and the author of Open Windows, Open Minds: Developing Antiracist, Pro-Human Students with Corwin Press. She works with colleagues, teachers, coaches, and administrators to transform instructional practices. Afrika has been featured on podcasts, blogs, delivered keynote addresses, and facilitated sessions at conferences both virtually and across the United States.  Afrika believes that all educators can be motivated, engaged, dynamic practitioners and leaders when provided with the support needed to create student-centered, culturally responsive learning environments that inspire wonder and creativity and nurture diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging from an antibias, antiracist, pro-human mindset.

Aug 25, 202201:03:41
118) "Real Men Teach" (Curtis Valentine)

118) "Real Men Teach" (Curtis Valentine)

In this episode, I welcome Curtis Valentine to the podcast to share his journey in education, his earlier life as a Peace Corps volunteer, the founding of Real Men Teach, and so much more!  To learn more about Real Men Teach, you can visit the organization's website at realmenteach.com or follow them on Twitter (@RealMenTeach2) and Instagram (@realmenteach).  


BIO: Curtis Valentine is Co-Director of the Progressive Policy Institute's Reinventing America's Schools Project. Curtis comes to this position with over 15 years experience in local, state, federal, and international education policy. Curtis currently serves as Adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland, College Park and as At-Large member of the Prince George’s County (MD) Board of Education.   Prior to joining the Progressive Policy Institute, Curtis served as Consultant to the National Council on Teacher Quality. In the past, Curtis served as Executive Director for State Relations with Connections Education, a virtual K-12 public school provider, where he directed state level education policy in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Maryland, and Virginia. Prior to joining Connections Education, Curtis was International Affairs Fellow (IAF) with the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). Curtis was the first IAF posted to the Education Department where he served in Secretary Arne Duncan’s Office of International Affairs.   

As a fellow, Curtis promoted American economic competitiveness by examining the education reform efforts of four developed countries (Finland, Poland, Canada, and South Africa). Curtis is a graduate of Morehouse College and Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. At Harvard Kennedy School’s Commencement, Curtis received the highest student honor: the Robert F. Kennedy award for excellence in public service for his work in post-Katrina New Orleans. After graduating from Morehouse College, Curtis joined the Peace Corps and traveled to South Africa where he led a professional development-training program for primary school educators.   After two years, Curtis returned to the Maryland and became an 8th grade Language Arts Teacher. A former appointee to the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board in Maryland, Curtis is a Contributor to the Huffington Post, the Washington Post, The Atlantic, the National Council on Teacher Quality Blog, and the Council on Foreign Relation’s Renewing America blog. Curtis is married to Dr. Daria Valentine, a Middle School Principal, and father to Curtis and Ivy Valentine, both public school students.

Aug 11, 202201:07:29
117) "The Identity Conscious Educator" (Dr. Liza Talusan)

117) "The Identity Conscious Educator" (Dr. Liza Talusan)

In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Lisa Talusan to learn about her journey in education, growing up as a second-generation Filipino-American, and her book, "The Identity-Conscious Educator".  To learn more about Liza's work, you can visit her website at lizatalusan.com or follow her on Instagram (@ltalusan), Twitter (@ltalusan), and LinkedIn.   


BIO: Dr. Liza (LIE-zuh) Talusan (taLUS-ahn) is an educator, speaker, leader, writer, leadership coach and parent. With over 25 years of experience in PreK-20 education, Liza is an engaging facilitator in conversations about diversity, anti-racism, bias, privilege and power and creates environments that allow for people to discuss these difficult topics openly. Through her direct work with organizational leaders, staff, students, teachers, and communities, Liza empowers individuals to create a more inclusive organization, environment, community and team.   Dr. Talusan has been invited to more than 350 organizations across the country and internationally to deliver keynote addresses and facilitate dialogue groups, training workshops, to develop strategic planning, support change management, and empower leaders. Having achieved her Professional Certified Coaching (PCC) level credentials, Liza helps clients set and achieve goals by tapping into what it means to lead a goal-centered life. Additionally, Liza is certified in the Intercultural Development Inventory, a tested assessment to guide teams in developing greater cross-cultural capacity and determining pre-and-post DEI outcomes.  

Liza is the recipient of numerous awards including "Best 40 Under 40"; NASPA Region I Mid-Level Professional Award; NASPA APIKC VIP Award; Asian Women for Health's Peer Leader Award; Promise in Action Mentoring Nominee; Network for Equity, Excellence in Education Award; the REAPA (AERA) Dissertation of the Year Award; the Harriet Buescher Lawrence Prize from Connecticut College; and a number of institutional grants: Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Child Development from Connecticut College, Masters of Arts in Higher Education Administration from New York University,  Ph.D. in Higher Education from University of Massachusetts Boston, Certificate in Human Resources, Stonehill College, PCC Coaching Credentials, ICF Certified Coach, Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching   

Liza's cumulative research interests include the experiences of historically underrepresented and excluded populations; Asian American and Pacific Islander issues; socialization to graduate programs; navigating academic parenthood; cross-racial solidarity movements; recognizing and reducing unconscious bias; and the impact of federal financial aid policies. Liza's dissertation, "The Formation of Scholars: Critical Narratives of Asian American and Pacific Islander Doctoral Students in Higher Education" is available on ProQuest. Her new book “The Identity Conscious Educator: Building habits and skills for more inclusive schools” is published by Solution Tree Press and available at all bookstores.   Liza's Top 5 StrengthsQuest Themes are Achiever, Maximizer, Discipline, Activator, and Connectedness. She is someone who is driven, results-oriented, effective and organized, engages others to reach their potential, and practices the principles of community and human connection.

Jul 28, 202201:05:49
116) "Fostering Identity & Character Development in Schools" (Rebekah Macden)

116) "Fostering Identity & Character Development in Schools" (Rebekah Macden)

In this episode, I'm honored to have Rebekah Macden come on the podcast to share her journey in education, life as an international educator, the origin of the Maracujá program, and the need to foster identity and character development in our schools.  To learn more about Rebekah's work, you can visit her website at rebekahmacden.com or connect with her on Instagram (@rebekahmacden and @maracujaeducation), Twitter (@rebekahmacden), and LinkedIn.  


BIO: Rebekah Macden is a dynamic international educator, consultant, speaker, and writer. Rebekah is also the co-creator of Maracujá, a character-driven SEL program that continues to have a life-changing impact on thousands of students in several schools around the globe.

Growing up as a first-generation immigrant in a small Midwestern town in the USA played a monumental part in the shaping of Rebekah’s multifaceted identity. Coming from a rich cultural heritage and a loving family of musicians, singers, ministers, educators, and social workers, Rebekah’s passion for impacting others whether in mass numbers or 1-1, has been generations in the making.

A visionary and innovative educator with 18 years of experience, Rebekah has developed and implemented student-centered programs that have had a transformative effect on students' lives and educational journeys. She is a powerful and engaging keynote speaker, thought leader, panelist, and facilitator of virtual and on-site training.

As a fierce advocate for joy, purpose, and identity, Rebekah’s mission is to transform the world of education by empowering others to find their unique voice and walk in true freedom.

Jul 14, 202201:13:37
115) Inclusive Classroom 101 Panel Discussion (Françoise Thenoux, Craig Martin & Destiny Clarke)

115) Inclusive Classroom 101 Panel Discussion (Françoise Thenoux, Craig Martin & Destiny Clarke)

For this special episode, I'm excited to have the following three panelists lead this important discussion about using intersectionality as a tool to humanize diverse student identities and create classroom spaces that are inclusive, equitable, and foster a sense of belonging:  

Craig Martin is an experienced, award-winning school leader and a managing partner for CCM Education Consulting Group.  Through his company, he partners with school leaders and organizations by supporting them in creating inclusive and student-centered learning environments.  

TWITTER - @CraigCMartin12 

WEBSITE - https://www.craigcmartinleads.com 


Françoise Thenoux is an ABAR consultant, as well as an ESL and Spanish educator with almost 20 years of teaching experience. While working as an ESL teacher, she helped Latinx families understand the benefits of bilingualism via workshops and conferences. She is a passionate advocate for equitable, inclusive, social justice-oriented World Language curriculum. Francoise shares her passion and resources with a wide community through social media as "The Woke Spanish Teacher".   

INSTAGRAM - @thewokespanishteacher 

TWITTER - @TWSteacher  


Destiny Clarke is a former middle and high school English teacher who now serves as the Founder & CEO of DiscoverED with Destiny.  Through her company, Destiny helps educators use equitable and LGBTQ+ inclusive strategies to create communities of care for LGBTQ+ youth.  She is also the host of the Closeted History podcast.  

INSTAGRAM - @discoveredwithdestiny 

TWITTER - @discoveredwdes 

WEBSITE - https://www.discoveredwithdestiny.com


Jul 02, 202201:22:06
114) "Textured Teaching & Multicultural Classrooms" (Lorena & Roberto Germán)

114) "Textured Teaching & Multicultural Classrooms" (Lorena & Roberto Germán)

For the first time in our podcast's history, we are featuring our first married educator couple, Lorena & Roberto Germán. In our conversation, they shared about their collective journey in education, the founding of their company Multicultural Classroom, the importance of incorporating culturally sustaining practices into our classrooms, and so much more! To learn more about the Germáns' work, you can visit their website at multiculturalclassroom.com or follow them on Instagram (@multiculturalclassroom) and Twitter (@nenagerman). BIO: LORENA: Lorena is an immigrant from Dominican Republic and raised in the U.S. She attended public schooling from first grade through high school. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English Communication from Emmanuel College and her Master of Arts in English from Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English. She is an advocate for the practice of a culturally sustaining pedagogical approach in education. Lorena has been in the field of education, working in various settings, since 2001. Her extensive experience in myriad of settings ranging from extracurricular youth work to community spaces to the traditional classroom equips her to offer sound advice on strong teaching practices. Specifically, her classroom experience has been as an ELA teacher from grades 6th through 12th. Lorena has held educational leadership positions at the department level, school-wide level, and in the larger district level from designing curriculum to strategizing for improvement. She is the Chair of the National Council of English Teacher’s Committee Against Racism and Bias in the Teaching of English and she’s a co-founder of #DisruptTexts. She’s also Director of Pedagogy at EduColor. ROBERTO: Roberto Germán is a Dominican-American native of Lawrence, Massachusetts. He is a product of Lawrence Public Schools, Central Catholic High School, and the Boys and Girls Club in Lawrence. As Director of the Middle School at Headwaters School, he brought inclusivity and social justice ideas into every aspect of his work there. Before that, he supported the opening of Magnolia Montessori For All, Austin’s First Public Montessori School, serving as Director of Student Affairs and Services. Previously, Roberto served as Assistant Principal at the Guilmette Middle School in Lawrence, MA. Prior to that, he served as Director of Multicultural Affairs and Community Development for seven years at St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers, MA, where he led the school in fostering a culture that promoted social justice and equity. During his tenure at SJP, he was also a basketball coach and Spanish teacher. Mr. Germán is an alumnus of Andover Bread Loaf and an active member of the Bread Loaf Teacher Network. His role within ABL and with the BLTN is at the center of ABL’s educational justice work within the public schools, youth, and community organizations. When he was twenty years old, Roberto introduced and co-led a spoken word movement in the city of Lawrence that took the city by storm from 2001-2003. This movement became the beginning of a writing revolution that inspired young people in the city of Lawrence to find their voices through the arts, particularly spoken word poetry and rap. He accomplished this with his former performing arts group, the Soul Kaliber Movement, and by his ability to collaborate with diverse organizations and individuals. Roberto's teaching experience includes serving as an English teacher at Lawrence High School and as a Spanish teacher at St. John’s Preparatory School. He holds a Master’s Degree from Boston College’s Lynch School of Education in Educational Administration and a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English, from Merrimack College.

Jun 30, 202201:16:20
113) "Controlling Our Narratives as Educators" (Patrick Harris II)

113) "Controlling Our Narratives as Educators" (Patrick Harris II)

For this special episode, I caught up with the one and only Patrick Harris II to learn about his unique journey in education, his new book, "The First Five: A Love Letter to Teachers", and the important of controlling our personal narratives as educators in the midst of this Great Resignation period.  To learn more about Patrick's work, you can visit his website at itspatrickharris.com or follow him on Instagram & Twitter (@PresidentPat).  


BIO: Patrick Harris II is a Black queer writer, storyteller, and middle school humanities teacher. He has won multiple national teaching awards for his leadership and innovation in the classroom, including recognitions from NCTE, ASCD, and ILA. Teaching and creating is only part of who Patrick is. He is a big brother, a cat dad, lover of all things horror, a WWE fanatic, and is obsessed with scenic hikes.

Jun 16, 202201:05:16
112) "Latinas with Masters" (Christina V. Rodriguez)

112) "Latinas with Masters" (Christina V. Rodriguez)

In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing Christina Rodriguez to learn about her journey in education, her Nicaraguan upbringing, life as a Latina in academia, the founding of Latinas with Masters, and so much more!  To learn more about Christina's work, you can visit the Latinas with Masters website at latinaswithmasters.com and/or you can follow her on Instagram (@latinaswithmasters) and Twitter (@latinaswmasters).  


BIO: Christina V. Rodriguez is a first-generation Nicaraguan-American Latina with a multi-cultural and equity-minded mindset with a commitment in creating equitable opportunities for Women of Color in Business, Housing and Academia. Christina received her Bachelor's degree in Latino/a Studies from San Francisco State University and went on to receive her Master's degree (MBA) with an emphasis in Marketing at Notre Dame de Namur University.   She is a currently pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership and provides 15+ years of marketing experience in the San Francisco Bay Area. When Christina is not working on Latinas with Masters or doing research for her dissertation, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and two children, including their family dog Frijol.

Jun 02, 202201:12:11
111) "Culturally Relevant Teaching for Emergent Bilinguals" (Lizette Roman)

111) "Culturally Relevant Teaching for Emergent Bilinguals" (Lizette Roman)

In this episode, I had the pleasure of welcoming my good friend Lizette Roman to the podcast to share her educator journey, as well as engage in a conversation about engaging our emerging bilingual learners in a culturally responsive manner within the classroom.  She also shares how growing up as a first-generation Cuban-American has shaped her development as an educator.  To learn more about Lizette's work, you can follow her on Instagram (@educating_with_love) and Twitter (@lizetteRoman13).   


BIO: Lizette Roman is a certified bilingual educator in one of the most heavily integrated school districts on Long Island, NY. The need for specialized, actionable teaching methodologies that can be implemented into the classroom became a pressing need, in order to effectively teach & connect with her students.  Her classroom environment has been created so all students feel and know they are respected and that their individual needs will be met. Walking into her bilingual classroom, Lizette finds a variety of flexible seating arrangements, evident Sheltered Instruction Operation Protocol strategies & planning, differentiated instruction, flipped classroom & student lead 21st century lessons infused with technology!  In addition to teaching her students the material necessary to progress through their studies, she also works to equip them with life skills that challenge many children of non-English speaking parents. She teaches them how to set goals for themselves, bring in a financial advisor to teach students about financial awareness, teach students how to handle conflict-resolution & to listen like a diplomat!  Lizette also works to help advocate for parents by regularly meeting with them, speaking with them on the phone, to connect them to community resources for things like legal advice, or helping them communicate with medical professionals on behalf of their children. She strives to help them advocate for their children in the classroom which includes making suggestions on how to better help their children meet their individual needs, how to prioritize goals & setting them up for success with proper study skills & organization skills.  Her main focus as a teacher is to build up her students & teach them self-love, providing them with the social & emotional confidence so they can feel confident in their ability in the classroom. It’s from this place that Educating With Love was born.  Lizette believes, with the right tools, teachers can do the same for their students. As both a speaker & consultant she is available to come to your educational facility or education conference to teach others how to implement these practices and strategies into their classroom. The goal of Educating With Love is to empower teachers to reach & teach their students with new confidence.

May 19, 202201:06:12
110) "Building Antiracist Children as Parents" (Britt Hawthorne)

110) "Building Antiracist Children as Parents" (Britt Hawthorne)

In this episode, I had the special honor of interviewing Britt Hawthorne to learn more about her educator journey, life as an antiracist momma, and her new book, "Raising Antiracist Children: A Practical Parenting Guide".  To learn more about Britt's work, you can visit her website at britthawthrone.com or follow her on Facebook & Instagram (@britthawthorne).   

BIO: Britt Hawthorne (she/they) is an antiracist educator, teacher, speaker, visionary, and advocate. She is the current PBS Children’s Media and Education- Educator and Community Engagement: Antiracist and Anti-bias Consultant and Advisor. She also serves on the Association Montessori International/USA Human Rights and Social Justice Committee and works with the Sankofa Learning Center, an African-centered learning ecosystem, in New Haven, Connecticut.  

She is committed to raising a generation of antiracist children by centering families of the global majority and fostering equitable learning environments for students and children of all ages and backgrounds. Britt’s work moves the idea of equity in education from a goal to reality. She partners with action-orientated educators to create classroom environments that are inclusive and equitable for all learners.  Britt was an antiracist educator in the classroom but was pushed out of teaching when her two Black sons experienced educational racism. Now, as an anti-racist facilitator, she creates spaces where the intersection of education and social justice may be explored. Her honest and inspiring journey to create space, documented on Instagram, has since garnered over 100k engaged readers as well as a deeply committed online community.

May 05, 202201:04:46
109) "Fighting Ableism at the K-12 & Higher Education Level" (April Boyce)

109) "Fighting Ableism at the K-12 & Higher Education Level" (April Boyce)

In this episode, I had the honor of welcoming April Boyce to the podcast for a deep dive into the significant impact of ableism at both the K-12 and higher  education level.  To learn more about April's work, you can visit the Beyond Inclusion website at gobeyondinclusion.org or follow her on Instagram (@gobeyondinclusion) and Tiktok (@ms.april_) 

BIO: April Boyce is a doctoral student and researcher based in Seattle, WA.  She has been in the field of education for over ten years,  serving as an early childhood educator, K-5 accessibility specialist, and adjunct professor for racial equity coursework.  After working with students with disabilities, she became increasingly frustrated with the inequities and injustices my students faced within the education system. She began advocating for anti-racist and anti-ableist education through social media but was distracted by the noise of those not yet ready to engage in this work. April sensed the urgency to continue professional learning at a deeper level, so she created Beyond Inclusion to reach educators that are open to the possibilities of a more equitable education system.  

April's goal for Beyond Inclusion is to engage anti-racist/anti-ableist educators through learning opportunities that enable them with the skills to liberate every child. They welcome all teachers, specialists, and administrators at every stage of the journey to become more anti-racist/anti-ableist professionals.  This is a space for educators to build connection, engage in the process of inquiry, and empower one another to reflect and transform our own practice and school communities. Through our collective work, she knows that meaningful change can be made in education.

Apr 21, 202201:03:22
108) "Lead With Truth" (Dr. Qiana O'Leary)

108) "Lead With Truth" (Dr. Qiana O'Leary)

In this episode, I welcomed Dr. Qiana O'Leary to the podcast for a conversation about her personal journey in education, the founding of Minty Educational Services, the impact of Black women in educational leadership, and much more!  To learn more about Dr. O'Leary's work, you can visit the Minty Educational Services website at minty-es.org or follow her on Instagram (@mintyes20).    

BIO: Dr. Qiana O'Leary is an Assistant Professor for the Texas A&M University System and the co-founder of Minty Educational Services, a former administrator for charters and public schools, and a Social Justice educator. She co-created and produced a web series highlighting the success of Black Educators teaching unique and creative lessons for students called BlackademX.  Dr. O’Leary is dedicated to transforming schools by mentoring school leaders as they examine issues of equity, inclusion, and racism in their effort of becoming agents of radical school reform.

Apr 07, 202201:11:35
107) "Faith, Joy & Motherhood" (Camille Joy)

107) "Faith, Joy & Motherhood" (Camille Joy)

In this episode, I had the special honor of being in community with Camille Joy for an in-depth conversation about her story of overcoming adversity, discovering joy through her faith and motherhood, creating harmony in her life as a thriving entrepreneur and a mother to a child with autism, and so much more!  To learn more about Camille's work, you can visit her website at mojpodcast.com and/or follow her on Facebook and Instagram (@momentsofjoypodcast)     BIO: Camille Joy is a wife and a Mom to 5 amazing boys. She wears many hats entrepreneur,  podcaster, survivor, advocate, and a voice of hope to the brokenhearted mommy. Like her name, Camille is a woman of joy who uses her various platforms to encourage  As a form of self-expression and healing, Camille Joy launched her podcast, Moments of Joy in 2018 to encourage, uplift, and motivate people who are rebuilding their lives after experiencing traumatic situations. Through the weekly podcast, she shares her own life experiences and inspiring stories from other moms around the world. On a new audio app called "Clubhouse" She is the founder of an international Moms Club, the largest parenting club on the app called The Real Moms Club. Her hope and mission is to unite moms from all over the world through community. They meet weekly for conversations all about Motherhood.    LINKS:   Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/identitytalk4educatorslive/   Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/identity-talk-4-educators-live/id1509599570  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/23k0HRkXxi1OJSahtqS7xO   Google Podcasts - https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8xMDNjZGQ2Yy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw?sa=X&ved=0CAMQ4aUDahcKEwiA6NSi6rT1AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ&hl=en  Anchor - https://anchor.fm/identitytalk4educators
Mar 24, 202201:01:42
106) "Liven Up Your Library" (Julia E. Torres)

106) "Liven Up Your Library" (Julia E. Torres)

In this episode, I had the honor of chatting with teacher-librarian extraordinaire Julia E. Torres about her personal journey in education, her evolution in librarianship, the current banned books controversy impacting schools during the pandemic, and so much more!  To learn more about Julia's work, you can visit her website at juliaetorres.com and you can also follow her on Instagram & Twitter (@juliaerin80).  


BIO: Julia E. Torres is a veteran language arts teacher and librarian in Denver Public schools.  She is a teacher/activist committed to education as a practice of freedom. Her practice is grounded in the work of empowering students to use Language Arts to fuel transformative resistance and social progress. Julia has been awarded the 2020 NCTE Colorado Affiliate Teacher of Excellence award chosen as a 2020 Library Journal Mover and Shaker, and serves educators as a member of the ALAN (Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of NCTE) Board of Directors, Educolor Collective Steering Committee member, Book Love Foundation Board Member and Co-founder of #DisruptTexts. Through her work with The Educator Collaborative, and other organizations, Julia facilitates workshops and professional conversations about anti-bias/anti-racist education, social justice, and culturally sustaining pedagogies in Language Arts, as well as digital literacy and librarianship. Her work has been featured in several publications including NCTE’s Council Chronicle, NPR, AlJazeera’s The Stream, PBS Education, KQED’s MindShift, NY Times Learning Network, The Chicago Tribune, ASCD’s Education Update, Rethinking Schools, School Library Journal, and many more. Her forthcoming co-authored title Liven Up Your Library will be published by ISTE in 2022.


LINKS:  

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/identitytalk4educatorslive/  

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/identity-talk-4-educators-live/id1509599570

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/23k0HRkXxi1OJSahtqS7xO  

Google Podcasts - https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8xMDNjZGQ2Yy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw?sa=X&ved=0CAMQ4aUDahcKEwiA6NSi6rT1AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ&hl=en

Anchor - https://anchor.fm/identitytalk4educators

Mar 10, 202201:01:23
105) "Abolishing Anti-AAPI Narratives In Our Schools" (Tony DelaRosa)

105) "Abolishing Anti-AAPI Narratives In Our Schools" (Tony DelaRosa)

In this episode, I had the honor of welcoming Tony DelaRosa to the podcast to share his personal journey into education, how schools should combat anti-AAPI racism and xenophobia, the need for AAPI representation in the teaching profession, achieving cross-racial solidarity in the pursuit of collective liberation, and much more!  To learn more about Tony's work, you can visit his website at tonyrosaspeaks.com or follow him on   Instagram and Twitter (@tonyrosaspeaks).    BIO: Tony DelaRosa (he/siya) is an aspiring Anti-Bias & Anti-Racist Educator, Motivational Speaker, DEI Consultant, Poet, and overall Cultural Broker. In 2013, he co-founded Pulse Poetry, a school elective course and after school program which uses spoken word pedagogy and public speaking to empower youth voice in Indianapolis, Boston, Miami, and across the globe. He has a Masters in Teaching at Marian University and a Masters in Education with a focus on Arts Non-Profit Management from Harvard University.  In 2015, because of his work with Pulse Poetry, he was invited by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico to speak on the power and impact of Arts Education and International Exchange. He served as a Board Director of the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) a 501c3 sponsored by the Ayala Foundation and Philippine Embassy to strengthen US to Philippine relations in the field of education. His work has been featured in NPR, Harvard Ed Magazine, the Smithsonian, Columbia University's Hechinger Report,  Hyphen Magazine: Asian American Unabridged and elsewhere. He's currently working on an education series called "#ISANGBAGSAKasVERB" which focuses on cross-racial & cross-ethnic coalition building to help communities practice solidarity in action and has co-founded NYC's first Asian American teacher support, development, and retention initiative called AATEND under NYC Men Teach, the NYC DOE, and Office of the Mayor.  In 2021, he was awarded the INSPIRE Award given by the National Association of Asian American Professionals & United Airlines.
Feb 24, 202201:07:43
104) "Finding Your Purpose as a School Leader" (Dr. Ian Buchanan)

104) "Finding Your Purpose as a School Leader" (Dr. Ian Buchanan)

In this episode, I had the honor of welcoming long-time education leader Dr. Ian Buchanan to the podcast to share his personal journey in education, his process for developing strong leaders through his company The Nia Education Group, his perspective on the current state of educational leadership during COVID-19, and so much more!  To learn more about Dr. Ian's work, you can visit his company's website at niaeducationgroup.org and/or follow him on Twitter (@docianbuchanan).  


BIO: Dr. Ian Buchanan, President/CEO of Nia Education Group, has committed almost three decades in service of students, organizations, families and communities. “Dr. Ian” has an impressively broad range of leadership, coaching, teaching and professional development experiences. His work has primarily been in the sectors below:  - Traditional Public School District Leadership (St. Louis Region) - Public (Portfolio) Charter District Leadership (Achievement School District-Tennessee) - Informal Science Education Leadership (National Science Foundation, St. Louis Science Center) - Education Nonprofit Leadership (Teach For America-St. Louis, Inspire STL) - Higher Education Administration (Harris-Stowe State University) - Adult Basic Education  (The School of University City – Adult Education Program) - Board Leadership (Jamaa Academy, IamESTL Foundation)  Capacity-building is a skill, passion and gift for Dr. Ian. This commitment to capacity-building is driven by two guiding principles. The first guiding principle is “To whom much is given, much is required.” Ian recognizes his level of access, opportunity and capital. He leverages that and decades of experience, technical skills and passion for change to help individuals and organizations reach their fullest potential.  The second principle that undergirds the work at Nia Education Group is the West African concept, ubuntu. Loosely translated, in means, “I am because we are.” Nia Education Group understands that we can only achieve transformative change if we embrace a commitment to a collective responsibility. We do our work with the belief that our commitment to our clients will translate into structural and systemic change.

Feb 10, 202259:59
103) "The International Impact of Anti-AAPI Racism" (Jessica Wei Huang)
Jan 27, 202201:03:23