Educational Equity Emancipation

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In this powerful episode, Dr. Almitra Berry explores the critical challenges facing students with disabilities in the U.S. education system. She examines threats to IDEA and Medicaid funding, discusses potential impacts of Department of Education cuts, and provides actionable strategies for advocates to support students with special needs. Through personal stories and policy analysis, Dr. Berry highlights the urgent need to protect educational rights and services for vulnerable learners.

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Welcome back, Equity Warriors! In this episode of the 3E Podcast, Dr. Almitra Berry explores the importance of March as National Disabilities Awareness Month, Women's History Month, and Ramadan—and how these observances intersect to shape our classrooms and communities.

From the historic Capitol Crawl that fueled the disability rights movement to the ongoing fight for gender equality in education, Dr. Berry unpacks the challenges and triumphs of underrepresented groups. She also shares actionable strategies for fostering inclusivity, ensuring that every child—regardless of ability, gender, or religious background—thrives in school.

Don’t miss this empowering discussion on the role of educators, school leaders, and communities in creating more equitable learning environments. Silence is not an option—let’s work together to make meaningful change!

🎧 Subscribe, share, and take action for educational equity!

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Join Dr. Almitra Berry and educational technology entrepreneur Heather Wiederstein for a timely revisit of their powerful 2023 conversation, newly urgent in today’s climate. This episode unpacks the intersectionality of Black/Brown and queer identities within DEI frameworks, exploring how systemic marginalization manifests in education and society.  

**Key discussions include**:  
- The weaponization of **book bans** against marginalized voices, with analysis of their ties to racial and LGBTQ+ demonization  
- Personal narratives about navigating intersectional identities in hostile environments  
- Psychological roots of self-hatred and its exploitation by power structures  
- The rise of performative censorship tactics like targeting drag queen story hours  

Two years later, these issues remain critical as education battles intensify. Heather and Dr. Berry’s insights now carry added resonance amid ongoing legislative attacks on inclusive curricula and library freedoms.  

**We want YOUR voice**: How have you witnessed intersectional erasure or censorship in your community? Share your stories via the link in our show notes—your experiences shape this movement.  

*Before we part ways, I want to hear from you. Text me your questions, stories, or topic suggestions - you'll find the link in the show notes. Your experiences and insights fuel our movement for educational equity.*  

*This is Dr. Almitra Berry, reminding you that in times of educational crisis, silence is not an option.*  

*And remember! Don't worry about things you cannot change, change the things you can no longer accept.*

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In this episode, Dr. Almitra Berry welcomes Dr. Dana Goodier, an educational powerhouse with 23 years of experience. Dr. Dana Goodier has taught World Languages and English and worked as a middle school administrator. She completed her doctorate degree (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership early 2020, researching reasons parents were opting their students out of high-stakes testing. Dr. Goodier often speaks at conferences, providing educators with techniques to minimize off-task behavior and increase time on task. She is the host of the "Out of the Trenches" podcast and has written the book "Out of the Trenches: Stories of Resilient Educators," which features her own story intertwined with other educators' experiences. They discuss Dr. Goodier's pivotal moment that sparked her interest in world languages, her transition from classroom teaching to school leadership, and the unique challenges women leaders face in education. Dr. Goodier also shares insights on supporting multilingual learners and educator well-being. Follow her on Twitter @danagoodier and visit her website at www.danagoodier.com.

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Join our community. Go to patreon.com/almitraberry and sign up for our weekly newsletter and exclusive content.

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Welcome to a special re-airing of the inaugural episode of the Educational Equity Emancipation Podcast, originally broadcast on October 20, 2022. This episode serves as the perfect introduction to Dr. Almitra Berry and the mission behind this transformative podcast, which has been running for over two years now.
This week, Dr. Berry invites both new and long-time listeners to gather around and get acquainted. She encourages you to block out the world's distractions and immerse yourself in this intimate conversation that laid the foundation for the insightful discussions and actionable strategies that have become hallmarks of the 3E Podcast.
Why Listen to This Episode?
•⁠  ⁠Get to Know Dr. Berry: Discover the passion and expertise of Dr. Almitra Berry, an educator with over 30 years of experience working to help marginalized learners achieve higher academic success.
•⁠  ⁠Understand the Podcast's Mission: Learn about the urgent need to address the crisis in our education system and the importance of creating school systems free of systemic oppression.
•⁠  ⁠Join a Community: Become part of a growing movement of equity warriors dedicated to changing the conversation around education, equity, and intellectual emancipation for culturally and linguistically diverse learners.
What to Expect
In this episode, Dr. Berry sets the stage for meaningful dialogue, asking listeners to reflect on their own experiences and prepare for thought-provoking discussions on educational equity. She introduces her heart-felt message: "We have to do better" when it comes to educating children from diverse cultural and language backgrounds.
As you listen, you'll understand why Dr. Berry believes that silence is not an option in times of educational crisis and how you can become part of the movement for change.
Whether you're a long-time follower or just joining our community, this episode provides essential context for understanding the podcast's purpose and Dr. Berry's unwavering commitment to educational reform.
Don't miss this opportunity to re/connect with Dr. Berry from the very beginning of our journey. Tune in to discover the roots of the 3E Podcast and why it has become a vital resource for educators, parents, and anyone passionate about educational equity.
She wants to hear from you, too! Text your questions, stories, or topic suggestions via the link. Your experiences and insights fuel our movement for educational equity.
In times of educational crisis, silence is not an option.

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Join our community. Go to patreon.com/almitraberry and sign up for our weekly newsletter and exclusive content.

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This episode of the 3E Podcast addresses the urgent issue of racism and anti-DEI efforts in schools. Dr. Almitra Berry discusses the disturbing story of a 10-year-old Black girl with autism who was handcuffed by police, highlighting systemic inequities. The episode delves into data on disciplinary disparities, achievement gaps, and funding inequities impacting marginalized students. Dr. Berry provides strategies for educators to navigate regulations while maintaining equity, and calls on listeners to take action by documenting incidents, sharing the episode, and joining the community.

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In this episode, host Dr. Almitra Berry welcomes author Tonya Duncan Ellis, the brilliant creator of the bestselling Sophie Washington book series and the picture book "They Built Me for Freedom." Tonya shares how her personal experiences and the rich history of Black culture inspired her work, which celebrates identity and engages young readers in meaningful conversations about freedom. The discussion explores the vital role of storytelling in shaping our understanding of America's Black history and the importance of representation for children of color.

Tonya Duncan Ellis is author of the bestselling Sophie Washington children's chapter book series and THEY BUILT ME FOR FREEDOM (Balzer + Bray an imprint of Harper Collins, 2024) She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the Authors Guild, Black Creators in KidLit, and the Brown Bookshelf's Highlights Foundation-sponsored, Amplify Black Stories storyteller cohort. In 2021, she won the Austin SCBWI Cynthia Leitich Smith Writing Mentor Award. She is a 2022 winner of SCBWI's Independently Published Book Launch Marketing Grant. Represented by Sara Megibow of KT Literary, Tonya holds an MBA degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a BA degree in French from Centre College of Kentucky. She lives in Houston, Texas and is married with three children.

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Join our community. Go to patreon.com/almitraberry and sign up for our weekly newsletter and exclusive content.

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In this episode, Dr. Almitra Berry discusses the importance of shifting the focus from Black History Month to Black Futures Month. She highlights inspiring Black achievers in STEM, the arts, and education who are shaping the future, and provides actionable strategies for educators to incorporate Afrofuturism, future-focused projects, and diverse representation into their curriculum - even amidst restrictive laws. Dr. Berry challenges listeners to become "future architects" and share their commitments to advancing Black futures in education.

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In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Almitra Berry welcomes seasoned psychotherapist Phyllis Levitt, author of the book "America in Therapy." Phyllis shares her unique perspective on applying therapeutic principles to address the growing divisions impacting our children and communities. She emphasizes the importance of understanding family dynamics, addressing trauma, and fostering a culture of healing to transform our schools and society.

This insightful conversation explores practical ways to support the mental health and wellbeing of students, parents, and educators. Listeners can learn more about Phyllis Levitt and her work by visiting her website at https://www.phyllisleavitt.com, as well as connecting with her on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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Join our community. Go to patreon.com/almitraberry and sign up for our weekly newsletter and exclusive content.

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In this episode, Dr. Almitra Berry reflects on the journey of the 3E Podcast over the past two and a half years. She expresses deep gratitude to her listeners, guests, and the behind-the-scenes heroes who have contributed to the podcast's success. Dr. Berry also shares her plans for 2025, which include continuing the podcast, and issues a call to action for listeners to start a daily gratitude practice focused on education advocates and educators.

Support the show

Join our community. Go to patreon.com/almitraberry and sign up for our weekly newsletter and exclusive content.