In this inaugural episode of "Inquiry Oasis," host Jeffrey Anthony welcomes Dean Berry, a distinguished researcher and advocate in mathematics education and Dean of the College of Education at the University of Arizona. Dean Berry shares valuable insights from his extensive research, focusing on the experiences and empowerment of black boys in K12 mathematics classrooms. In this context, Berry thoughtfully explains his purposeful use of the term 'boy,' underlining it as a developmentally appropriate descriptor acknowledging their need for mentorship and support, while simultaneously challenging prevailing narratives. The conversation dives deep into the importance of supportive learning environments, the impact of high-leverage teaching practices, and the surprising outcomes from his community-centered program, M-SCAN. Dean Berry also discusses the broader implications of his work, emphasizing the necessity for the STEM fields to genuinely embrace diversity and adapt to the evolving identities that accompany it. This episode underscores the brilliance of black children in mathematics and emphasizes the transformative power of assuming and nurturing this brilliance in educational practices.

Topics Discussed:

• Empowering black boys in mathematics education
• Creating supportive classroom environments
•  High-leverage teaching practices
• Community-centered educational initiatives (M-SCAN)
• Fluid racial identities in biracial students
•  Diversity in the STEM fields
•  Challenges in increasing diversity in STEM
•  Importance of assuming brilliance in black children
•  Role of teachers and administrators in fostering student engagement
•  The impact of mentorship in educational development

Book recommendation:

The Brilliance of Black Children in Mathematics: Beyond the Numbers and Toward New Discourse