The Liberation Lab©️ Podcast

Episode 32: The Power of 2%

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Welcome to The Liberation Lab Podcast, which provides insights and interviews for disruptive educators. I'm your host, Bobby Morgan, a speaker and school improvement consultant.


🔗: Connect with Bobby ⁠⁠⁠and explore how he can support your journey as a disruptive educator here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hopp.bio/liberationlab⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.myliberationlab.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information about my services.

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About This Episode: In this episode, Bobby chops it up with Calvin Nellum, a STEM educator, teacher of the year, and "brotherman trying to educate the world to make the world a better place."


Calvin Nellum emphasizes the importance of authenticity and excellence for educators, particularly for Black male educators who represent just 2% of the teaching workforce. In the podcast, he and Bobby discuss the need for educators to be reflective, culturally competent, and dedicated to continuous improvement.

  1. Humility and Reflection:

    • Reflect on teaching practices and biases. It's crucial for educators to evaluate whom they are calling on in class and why, and to adjust their methods based on this reflection.

    • Challenges of TikTok Culture:

      • Nellum criticizes the oversimplification of teaching by TikTok educators, arguing that genuine teaching requires deeper engagement and cultural responsiveness.

      • Authenticity and Cultural Competence:

        • Educators must strive to be their authentic selves and continuously improve their cultural competence. This means being reflective and adapting lessons to the cultural contexts of their students.

        • The Role of Black Male Educators:

          • Black male educators are seen as role models and are vital in reducing suspension rates and improving academic outcomes. They need to demonstrate excellence, empathy, and emotional openness.

          • Supporting Marginalized Groups:

            • Educators should also advocate for other marginalized groups, ensuring a supportive and inclusive environment for all students.

            • Personal Stories and Lessons:

              • Nellum shares a story about a project on biodiversity where he learned the importance of involving students in the planning process to ensure the project's relevance to their lives.

              • Advice for the 2%:

                • Nellum advises Black male educators to give themselves grace, be humble, and stay authentic. He stresses the importance of being competent and culturally aware, rather than relying solely on visibility as a Black male.

                • Continuous Improvement:

                  • Teaching is a long-term commitment to growth. Educators must constantly strive for excellence and reflect on their practices to serve their students better.

                    • To support Calvin Nellum and his work, he invites listeners to check out his podcast, the Calvin Nellum Podcast. The podcast aims to have authentic conversations and reach listeners' hearts.


                    Click here to subscribe to Calvin's podcast: http://www.youtube.com/@MrNellumkalvin

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                    The Liberation Lab©️ PodcastBy Bobby Morgan