EWBpod - Educating While Black Podcast
By Supermahrio
Adding diverse voices in storytelling, by focussing on the Black educator experience and providing an unrestricted opportunity to reflect on their experience.
#ewbpod
EWBpod - Educating While Black PodcastFeb 07, 2022
'The learning journey', In conversation with Adrian R
Adrian's familial links to both sports and education give a good window into understanding how he entered both professions and how he has used his identity to push the narrative about expectations and realities wider than sometimes considered. This is further interrogated when looking the relationship between representations (and perceptions) of professional sports, as often given to young Black students, and the importance of the value of education to a successful career.
We explore our experiences of workplace policies that deal with racism by denying its claims in the first place (typically before attempting to removing the complainants as punishment).
Throughout the conversation we delve into moments where community and self determination have been instrumental as supports for Adrian. These highlight moments of his own growth in character and stature, but also give good insight into how to ensure that one's next steps build upon previous experience.
'Disrupting the System', In conversation with Matthew
On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Matthew (@callmemrmorris - twitter // @matthewrmorris - instagram) have an illuminating and reflective conversation about how identity intersects with and shapes experiences - particularly of Black men within the educational landscape.
During the conversation, Matthew provides countless examples of being intentional and contemplative in making decisions, as well as working with the effects of them - In particular, thinking about how those decisions would impact the representation he would be providing for others. Similarly, we trade stories of receiving blatant racial disrespect and the cognitive and emotional taxation involved in having to hold the whole experience together for both parties (and others who bear witness).
The conversation takes us to critiquing the systemic and institutional narratives promoted about those who are appointed to, and serving in roles that influence systems beyond individual classrooms or schools. Our mutual observations serve to show how similar our experience of 'progressive' education has been over the last decade, despite having experiences in two geographically different educational systems.
Throughout, we wrestle with and critique navigating the narrow and often oppositional expectations given to Black people about who they should aspire to be. We consider the role Black educators have in the representation as well as protection of identities, through modelling vulnerability and authenticity as acts of rebellion and freedom from these binaries.
'Stereotypes are limiting', In conversation with Jason Bradshaw
On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Jason Bradshaw (@JBradshaw01) have a brilliant conversation about how the spectrum of Blackness expands far beyond the extremities its often given by both Black and non-Black people alike.
Right from the start, we talk about Jason's love for both science and science fiction in particular. We talk about how these interests led him to study science for his undergrad degree, but that same passion for science fiction has at points been presented as a 'non-stereotypical' thing for Black men to be involved in.
We talk about how reflecting on this is in part what formed his decision to teach in the area that he himself was educated and the demographic changes he's seen from his own time as a student to now. We also talk about how limiting and dangerous stereotypes are, with both Jason and Mahlon sharing stories of students either being streamed out of academic qualifications, with their parents being presented with partial or no information about the direction that would take their child going forward.
In parting, Jason speaks powerfully about how stereotypes damage on both sides...something that cannot be said enough.
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, Anchor and Google Podcasts.
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#ewbpod #blackpodcast #streotypes #blackboyjoy #blackinstem #blackinstemed #blackstudents #blacktober #blackteachersofinstagram #blackontario #blackinscience
'This is Civil Rights work', In conversation with Dr. Melissa Wilson.
On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Dr Melissa Wilson (@Drawn2Intellect) have a blast talking about the ways in which the work of anti-oppression is both beneficial for our immediate selves and is at the same time, bigger than us.
In a different direction from other podcasts that Dr. Wilson has been on - she is a regular guest on the equally awesome 'Anti-Racist Educator Reads' podcast series - the format of EWB allowed for a more personal and reflective conversation that spans the amassed wealth of experience and knowledge to date.
We have a great discussion about how we are the beneficiaries of our ancestors and that we are best when collaborative. The conversation widens to consider the importance of recognising that stepping back isn't stepping away, as whatever was built can always be rebuilt and further expanded upon.
We critique the specifics and the undertaking of the EDI and Justice 'educator' role and the internal and intra-group conflicts that this can bring about. We also reflect on moments where we as Black folk can be mindful of not furthering the marginalisation or harm of other oppressed identities when we ourselves speak up on (typically more than) our behalf.
🎧 Listen to the Anti-Racist Educator Reads Podcast series here: https://voiced.ca/project/anti-racist-educator-reads/
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#ewbpod #blackpodcast #humanresources #pastoral #teachers #blackstudents #blacklives #educator #education #teacherlife #educatorlife #equality #justice #teachersofinstagram #blackculture #blackexcellence #teacher #blackbritish #blackeducators #youngblackeducators #bame #teachercoach #antiracisteducation #antibiaseducation #socialjusticeeducation #blackstudentsmatter #representationmatters #blackPHDs
'Systems and Students’, a conversation with Cleon.
On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Cleon (@inperspectiveuk) have an overdue redo of what would have been EWB's first conversation!
Honing in on Cleon's interest in coaching and development, we talk about how early career exposure to this, (via a HR role in the police service) left him dissatisfied with the focus being on procedural compliance over personal development. The impact of this would influence his work in youth development more broadly.
We consider how undertaking the role of Head of Behaviour in a Black body is a complex navigation of working within the confines of policies while at the same time trying to expand its often narrow confines. We also look back at a number of moments, (including some of shared experience) from different perspectives and reason with the understanding of how institutional non-racist vs anti-racist approaches result in different outcomes for all involved.
'On that journey to being brave’, a conversation with Craig.
On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Craig (@MrCunninghamEDU) have an intersectional conversation about their experiences in the classroom.
We talk about how going into teaching for Craig was a bit of an inevitable career choice, despite the length of time he was able put it off for (according to his family) and the uncertainty of it being a welcoming space based on own school experiences. We also explore the intersection of characteristics that are more and less visible and how being both Black and gay can play out professionally and personally in educative spaces.
A conversation about how data can be used far beyond tracking the academic attainment of students, reveals some of the reasons behind Craig leaving mainstream education to go into leadership of vulnerable learners as part of the 'Difference Leaders Programme'. We consider what it would mean to track data from an equity and inclusion lens and reflect on times where 'going back to the data' and 'asking it different questions' has redistributed the responsibility of actions and consequences for students and teachers.
This episode reminds us that we are all on a journey.
'Black lives still matter’, a conversation with Karl.
On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Karl (@actionheroteacher) have a wide ranging conversation about education.
We talk Karl's reflections that led him to write his book Action Hero Teacher - the angle of which was intentionally written for teachers, 'in a friendly voice that would give them practical, no BS help that would make the difference in their teaching career'. Click here to check out more of about Karl's reflection of that book two years on.
We engage in a conversation about the history and utility of education; the unhelpful flattening of racial groups termed as 'BAME' and 'white'; how Black people are disproportionately on guard in the work place, and; the difference in how anti-Black racism plays out for men vs women. This is rounded off by analysis of how the ground swell movement from many after the deaths of, in particular, George Floyd in 2020 can also be charted in the UK, as well as the predictable ebb and flow of interest, even despite the refrains that, 'this time will be different'.
Get into this really casual, yet very analytical chat with two Black men in education who have a lot to say about both.
Learn more about Karl and his work, here - https://www.actionheroteacher.com
'Taking and passing the baton’, a conversation with Manny.
On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Manny (@Mannyawo) have an EXTENDED conversation about the legacy of the education system inherited by the previous generation as well as the hopes of correcting some of the harmful impacts endured throughout their own.
We talk about how structural racism and discrimination are ever present in the education system and how pattern spotting - being something that all educators are trained to do - can reveal a very different sequence of events when an equity/justice lens is placed over it.
We explore critical moments of our educational experience including a teacher explicitly volunteering a hierarchical view of Black diaspora as a means of endearment after passing a GCSE and where the structural system of racism upholds teachers who are able to lie on students, cause chaos and irreversible trajectories and not be held accountable.
It is a brilliant and blunt episode that explores and explains why more engagement in understanding and recalling experiences of the education system is crucial to the advancement of Black students going forward.
‘Embrace your Blackness’, a conversation with Mekel.
We talk about the impact of being a man, working with infants - who we as a society teach to be wary of strange and unfamiliar men; the use of self to illustrate life examples of similarities and difference to showcase a variety of Black experiences, and; leaning into identity to build and maintain rapport with students in order to influence how they see themselves.
We also discuss how being secure in identities of self help when navigating both in and out-group community expectations, and how students note the integrity of both words and actions even when the assumption is that it is enough to not do or say anything that is explicitly harmful.
Podcast music - Mitsubachi by Smith The Mister smiththemister.bandcamp.com
'Coming out as Black', a conversation with Chantelle
We talk about reflections of working with students throughout their educational career, including encouraging young boys to cry as a means of expression, (as opposed to suppressing it and then sanctioning other associated expressions) and how the experience of simply trying to get through university as a BAME student can cause one not take notice of the surrounding environment.
We discuss how the nature of institutional racism can play out in school setting where its minimised to 'casual exchange' about a wedding, to the more insidious nature of how when educational institutions are treated as businesses it can have pervasive implications for how they deal with their commitments to inclusion, diversity and equity.
Podcast music - Mitsubachi by Smith The Mister smiththemister.bandcamp.com
‘We should just be calling it reparations', a conversation with Jess
We talk about the colonialist confines of being educated in 'Russell Group' universities and the need to really understand what you want to study as much as where; the decision to leave education in the UK to pursue International Development, and; the reflections of being the darkest person in the room despite identifying as Black-Mixed Race and using privilege of position to redress the balance of who gets to make the decisions on who gets educated.
The conversation includes many reflections on the 'same same, but different' experiences of racism in all its forms. Namely how the experience in the international arena (that is often hidden or obscured behind language or 'customary' ways of working), rings familiar for the more localised explanations and distractions or racism that are experienced by educators and professionals in their settings.
Read Jess's recent article on Talking about Race, Power, and Privilege in the Education in Emergencies Sector here
‘Put respect on my name', a conversation with La-Keshia.
On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and La-Keshia (IG - @She_Writes86) have a conversation about the importance of growing one's own personal power of self validation.
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We talk about the 'night and day' impact of being recognised by leadership and the permission it gives others to also 'see you'; the often dumbfounded responses to exceeding or existing outside of the narrow expectations of 'type' and 'fit', and; how triggering experiences for Black educators are dealt with by those who perceive it to be a 'choice' of reaction.
The conversation includes the multiple hat identities that are worn when teaching, whilst also parenting within the very same system. We further unpick an approach to leadership that is all about opening doors and bringing others up to the same level and beyond.
‘You have to be able to live with yourself’, a conversation with Ish
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We talk about formative experiences of picking up on the acute needs of students with learning barriers; the interventionist approaches taken to support students in the face of school policies and navigating conversations with parents about having wider expectations of their children.
The conversation goes into speaking about how setting boundaries for adult friendships is important for preventing harm - especially to one’s own children - and the situations where some students are goaded into behaving in a manner that they are harshly punished for, but at a rate that is inconsistent with others who behave in the same way.
‘We are, just like you are', a conversation with Genna
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We talk about a decision to throw caution to the wind by upping sticks and moving to Qatar and the confirmation of self, skill and conviction to education that the experience gave. We also touch on the decision to only pursue roles that were of interest, leading to a conscious decision to take up non-teaching pastoral roles.
The conversation also gives light to the positive aspect of using identity to educate others as well as the impact of immersing, while forming ones own cultural identity into new and unfamiliar spaces.
‘You’re getting all of it', a conversation with Susan
‘Committed to Who I Am', a conversation with Jess
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We talk about the reflections from two early experiences that involved exposure to new cultural settings both at home and abroad and how these reimagined a 'career' as pursuing a meaningful vocation.
The conversation also looks at the choices and compromises that teachers who have young families are often made to make and the importance of developing your own support network who reinforces your own sense of self to see you through difficult challenges.
‘I’m f-ing clever', a conversation with Steph
‘Watch them, gas them', a conversation with Jo
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We discuss our initial reactions to meeting each other as Black educators in similar positions of leadership, the navigation of being 'the face' of history education for other professionals and parents alike and the political nature of constructing narratives of the past.
Reflections on past experiences are always subject to interpretation and revision. Being able to look back and pull out the lessons learned from them are great reminders of overarching purpose and useful when deciding on which battles to fight and when.
‘Café au Lait', a conversation with Jess
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We discuss what temporary immersion into a host culture looks like, the reflective learning taken from 'third culture' children and the importance of promoting representation while resisting buying into the belief that there is conversation fatigue on racial matters in education.
Navigating spaces identifying as mixed-race/bi-racial makes for a nuanced POV and appreciation of how we see ourselves vs how others see us, it's not always a choice of two-binaries.⠀
‘A Change is as Good as a Rest’, with Yansé
We talk about having integrity in ones own actions and the blatant hypocrisy of a system that creates and upholds a sense of those who deserve empathy in times of misfortune vs those whose misfortune is weaponised against them.
Having access to people who can provide space to both escape to and be vulnerable with, (while maintaining accountability) highlights the importance of seeking community to weather the growing pains associated with finding our optimal environment to thrive.
‘The Audacity of Taking Up Space’, with Shari
We talk about the freedoms - and the underlying sense of self-awareness - associated with choosing a less prescriptive degree level subject of study and how this sense of 'entitled to do anything' influenced the notion of travelling to teach abroad as standard fare.
Using a poignant career moment as a catalyst to re-invest in self, reset and move forward, brings home the idea that solid foundations of self-assuredness allow you to bring your whole self to the task at hand...every time.
The audacity to confidently dream and live, in Black!
'Acting Up', a conversation with Martha
The discussion includes being unapologetically Black, the paradox of simultaneously being graded as 'inadequate' yet consistently achieving the highest grades in the school and what happens when the system doesn’t hold up its end of the bargain. Beyond this, the conversation highlights teaching in Black majority spaces, knowing when to walk away and understating how to 'apprentice yourself' for the role you want.
Stay ready, don’t have to get ready...
'Bashment to Boardroom', a conversation with Chantelle
A long time friend and accomplished teacher in her own right, Chantelle gives a brilliant recount of her educational experience to date.
From talking about being profiled for assumed university education, to having a line manager casually confess after a few months that leadership had a 'secret' question mark on her suitability for the school based on her giving feedback that was deemed 'too honest' (read: taken personally), we chat about the impact of affirming words, intentional deeds and how the job isn't done until you've 'hoovered the whole house'.
It's a great listen...
Pilot
When your teacher training provider sets up a series of networking events called ‘cock-up clubs’ (which were described both as ‘events focus[sed] on individual challenges that leaders have overcome that have informed their development as a successful leader’ and ‘meetings with successful leaders speaking about ‘their own career low points and how failure and despair can be turned around’), you'd think that the invitation to share your own stories of triumph and tribulations was a given... But what happens when the choice to share career low points and near misses is seen as an act of career sabotage? To Black educators, the inability to be vulnerable in professional spaces (like a staffroom) is akin to the butterfly effect. What to make of the consequences of decisions made or not made based on a feeling, an anecdote or an unsupportive workplace environment and we haven't even mentioned the additional tax on the mental health of Black educators. #EducatingWhileBlack is intended to be a starting point to share these (and other stories) in a ‘virtual staff room’ that is set up for Black educators (and run by a Black educator), with an understanding that there is an acute need to include more diverse voices in storytelling and this platform is there to both focus on the Black educator and provide them with an unrestricted opportunity to reflect on their experience. @Supermahrio