“How can I service these children?”

Adrienne King

Middle School Math Teacher

“No matter what, I love myself for who I am.”

As a National Board Certified Teacher with 14 years in the classroom, Adrienne reflects on her open and transparent approach changing school culture and making education more than a checkbox. Although her own elementary school experience in Utah was filled with covert racism and labeling due to dyslexia, she had women who poured into her, making her realize that anything was possible. After an incredibly affirming HBCU experience, Adrienne had the courage to teach in Korea (English and Religion) before beginning her career in middle school math.

“Enjoy the moments that you’re at.”

Adrienne taps into the interests of students to teach math differently, to help kids fall in love with the subject they once hated. As an observer of trends and patterns (#shoutout to the math and science brain!), she challenges her coworkers to be equitable, encourages first year educators to find their person, and wants students to explore EVERY career pathway (“Trades are ok. Hands on work is ok.”).

“It’s time for us to mobilize.”

Keep Pushing

Mashanda Scott

Elementary School Teacher, Head Start Director

“I love the idea of constantly learning.”

With a Political Science major and Educational Psychology minor, Ms. Mashanda Scott surprised her mentors, family and teachers when she pursued a career in the classroom instead of the courtroom. Now, with over 15 years of experience as an early childhood and elementary school teacher, she is reflecting on the educators who influenced her, the eye-opening inequities that exist within the system, and the crucial moments in her life that inspire her to keep pushing.

“Our country is not designed for people of color, let alone the education system being designed for our babies.”

As a 3rd grade teacher, Ms. Scott speaks to the problematic nature of standardized testing, the Classroom to Prison Pipeline, and how she’s had to combat the demand to teach to the test (including a real life Matilda moment!). After unpacking all of the factors involved in education (teachers, money, curriculum…), she raises an important (yet often overlooked question): where are the kids in the conversation? In spite of the challenges that exist, Mashanda is done complaining and wants to focus on action and mobilization as we continue to love the students, and parents, that we serve.

“Social justice led me to being an educator.”

Ami Relf

English Teacher

IG: @TouchingLivesTeaching

Twitter: @AmiElizabeth76

“Every child deserves a Black teacher.”

This week, we are joined by Bellwood, Illinois native Ms. Ami Relf, an educator with over 22 years in the classroom. Due to redlining, she grew up in an environment that was incredibly affirming, before experiencing white flight (including a teacher who didn’t support integration) and segregated classrooms in high school. As an educator, she quickly realized that she needed to continue her mother’s legacy of advocacy and activism.

“Education in this country was not set up for us to succeed.”

In spite of the lack of diversity within her own school buildings, Ami recognized that she was not alone. Over the years, she’s formed The Ebony Club, The African American Leadership Team, and the Justice Group, initiatives that highlight the power of numbers and give a voice to her students and colleagues. She is growing and evolving as an educator (she’s been at least 7 different versions!), and has incredible advice for young educators: “Keep your receipts” and also, find a Black mentor!

“We have a system that funds public education that is inequitable.”

Dr. Patricia A. Frazier

Teacher, Administrator

“You have to be ready.”

No child should ever be left behind. Over the course of her 35 year career, Dr. Patricia Frazier has recognized the power of connecting with each and every student. Thanks to the guidance of her Economic and Calculus teachers, she realized that she had an aptitude for math - which led her to a career in education that she never would have imagined.

“Integration did not seem to serve us well.”

As a student growing up in Alabama, Dr. Pat attended segregated schools for her entire K-12 experience. In spite of this, she notes the incredible sense of diversity and support that existed, including a strong sense of community, especially among the descendants of the Clotilda. Dr. Frazier speaks about having and not-having, the lack of resources in some school districts, and why it’s important to help students pursue their interests, so that no student is ever left by the wayside.

“I’m just doing what I’m supposed to do, and I’m loving it.”

Dr. Wycondia West

West Instructional Services

1st grade teacher (16 years), Reading Intervention

“You don’t know if you don’t know.”

Dr. Wycondia West began as a 1st Grade Teacher, transitioned into tutoring and after building the confidence to bet on herself, launched West Instructional Services. Over the course of her impressive career, she has shifted from early childhood education, to supporting students for ACT and college readiness, and now providing professional development for the teachers, giving them the tools they need to support all students.

“Do what you can with what you have.”

Although she had a great mix of diverse teachers growing up, a young Wycondia didn’t know the history of her community, and the close connection to Africatown. Dr. West speaks on the freedom she felt after launching her company (although, entrepreneurship ain’t for the faint of heart), connecting the dots for students as they face struggles and a message for entrepreneurial educators. Stay with your gift, find your niche… and remember, “If you can solve a problem, you got a business.”

“History and power go hand in hand.”

Dr. ShaDawn Battle

Assistant Professor, Gender and Diversity Studies, Literature, African American Literature, 20th Century, Hip Hop Studies, Critical Race Epistemology

www.drshadawnbattle.com

“What do you do with that privilege?”

Get you an educator who can do both. On today’s episode, we are joined by Dr. ShaDawn Battle, a 14 year educator who brilliantly breaks down nuanced topics about race and education. As a Chicagoian based out of Ohio, ShaDawn reflects on the educational experiences that shaped her, how her environment influenced her, and how her approach to the classroom is inspired by cultural icons (RIP Nipsey Hustle).

“We don’t feast with our oppressors.”

One of the things Dr. Battle is most proud of is the mentorship she provides to her students as they learn how to navigate whiteness, and how to reject becoming an agent of the power structure. She emphasizes the role of student activism in making societal change, and recommends American Skin as a must watch film. Her work with the Stained Glass Initiative, as well as her upcoming project Footwork Saved My Life, demonstrate how her authenticity, potential and genius are unlimited. A final note from Dr. Battle - “Don’t ever count Black academics out.” We won’t.

“Stay true to the teacher in you.”

Kwame Sarfo-Mensa

Math Teacher, Tutor, Mentor, Founder: Identity Talk Consulting

Identitytalk4educators.com

@kwam_the_identity_shaper

“If we’re really going to talk about anti-racism, we need to commit to proactive and continuous capacity building.”

Have you ever thought of education as healing work? As an educator for the last 15 years, Mr. Kwame Sarfo-Mensa utilizes his youthful spirit and commitment to the community to actively bring joy into the lives of the children he serves. This week, we learn about his origin story, how he navigated his childhood in Connecticut and Ghana, and how he utilizes his lived experiences to support educators in developing their practice.

“Read the books, but look in the notes section, that's the gateway to building your knowledge.”

Kwame breaks down the state of education in Black America (and schools us on the Saving American History Act of 2020), calls out the testing companies that capitalize off of the white washing of teacher education, and asks “whose voices are being centered?” He also shares lots of resources and recommendations for educators, including James Baldwin’s “A Talk to Teachers”. He’s trying to dismantle the white supremacist norms which influence the way that educators teach. Once you get informed, that’s when the unlearning starts to happen.

His advice to educators: Rethink pedagogy. Remix teacher education. Learn your teacher identity.

Iesha Malone

ELA Teacher, Mentor, Paraprofessional, Edpreneur

Rose Cafe

https://www.rosecafe.org/

Instagram and Facebook @RoseCafeChi

“My foundation was set with a Black preschool teacher.”

Roseland, stand up! On today’s episode, we are joined by career changer and edpreneur, Ms. Iesha Malone. Ms. Malone reflects on her educational journey, her where she’s been and the ambitions she has for the future. She shares pertinent advice on remaining authentic while following your passion and purpose (you gotta go inside out), why she feels we are losing in education, why she’s hopeful for the future of her community… #Shoutout to the rose that grew from the concrete.

“Give me these kids.”

Initially unable to pass the Illinois teaching exam, Iesha began her career working with the Department of Children and Family Services. The circumstances she witnessed led her to always advocating for the underdog, because she recognizes that there is always so much more to the story. After connecting with her Mentor about her desire to teach, she accepted a role as a special education classroom assistant, eventually graduating with her masters degree in special education. Ms. Malone speaks on the power of modeling the behavior that you want, demanding the respect that you want and setting the standard.

You will always find Ms. Malone with a book. Meet her at The Rose Cafe.

“Black Educators Matter because we have a gift… stay committed to your gift.”

Beverly Glinsey

Speech Language Pathologist

“You have to have a love for research as an educator, and do the research. That knowledge you pass on to the students.”

Beverly Glinsey was born and raised on the south side of Chicago - one of seven girls. Throughout public elementary school she had a mixture of Black and White teachers. However, at her Lutheran high school, she experienced covert racism under the guise of Christianity and there were no Black educators. Combining her creativity and love of acting, she was led to pursue Speech Pathology in college. She worked in the private sector for 10 years but always knew she wanted to be a teacher. She applied as a Speech Assistant, got her Masters and became a Speech Pathologist.

“It’s hard to describe how that child feels when they can do something they weren’t able to do. Their countenance changes. When they see me, they’re ready to go. It’s a game changer. That’s our role. That’s what we do and I love it.”

For the past 16 years Beverly has helped children with communication delays and disorders. The breakthroughs are her highs, when the students are able to make a sound that they couldn’t before. Their self esteem and motivation skyrocket. Many parents are in denial, but for those who do actively participate, their children succeed much faster. Beverly believes the state of Black education is suffering because many Black parents are failing their children, not supporting them and sending them to school ill-equipped from the start. She’s hopeful that increasingly parents will invest in and advocate for their children. She urges new speech pathologists to stay committed to their gift, keep improving, have compassion and have fun.

“How can we make the school a staple in this community?"

Ms. Chivon Ford

Assistant Principal, History Teacher, Dean of Students, Preschool Teacher, Alumni Counselor

“[I] have an educational privilege. How can I check it? How do I use it for good?”

Chivon Ford was born and raised in Chicago. She was privileged to have Black educators throughout elementary school. She enjoyed school along with her “cousin siblings” finding it fun, an escape from home. She ranked number one in her class at Kenmore High School, where she noticed even then the differences in the quality of her IB education from that of her cousins’ regular track within the same building. She planned to go into Law, attending Vanderbilt to be near her cousins at Tennessee State. With little direction and no plan, she majored in Philosophy. From there she started teaching and never turned back.

“ I now understand why you have those teachers - 40 year educators, because the work is hard. There has to be passion and love in it.”

Chivon has experienced dichotomies in the educational system, from schools in the north and south, urban and affluent, and PWI and HBCU. It’s important for Black students to have representation in Black educators and Black administration. A philosopher and self-proclaimed radical, she wonders what can be done to improve the state of Black education and how can we do it on our own.