In this thought-provoking episode, I sit down with Nicole Bonnah, journalist, storyteller, and Founder & Director of Tap in Think Tank, to explore how storytelling can be a transformative force in education, identity, and social change.

Drawing from her acclaimed writings such as “The Black Orient: The Emerging Black Presence in China” and “Black China Life” in The Huffington Post, Nicole reflects on her experiences living and reporting abroad as a Black woman navigating cultural identity, belonging, and representation in global contexts.

Together, we discuss how her journalism journey shaped her mission to create Tap in Think Tank, a social impact consultancy dedicated to helping schools and organizations engage in meaningful dialogue about race, equity, and identity.

From the power of informed perspectives to the importance of narrative ownership, Nicole offers rich insights on how educators can use storytelling to humanize learning, build cultural consciousness, and foster truly identity-affirming classrooms.

To learn more about Nicole's work, you can visit the Tap In Think Tank website at tapinthinktank.com or follow her on Instagram (@tapinthinktank) and LinkedIn.

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In this week's episode of Identity Talk 4 Educators LIVE, I chat with Dr. Jaymee Lewis-Flenaugh, the Founder and Principal Consultant of ElevateCore Consulting, to explore what it truly means to lead with humanity, intention, and purpose. Drawing on her rich experiences in academia and organizational development, Jaymee shares how her journey from the university classroom to the consulting space shaped her mission to help leaders build people-centered systems rooted in clarity, culture, and connection.Together, we unpack the critical intersections of identity, equity, and organizational culture and how educators, school leaders, and changemakers alike can reimagine leadership through a lens that honors both people and purpose.To learn more about Jaymee's work, you can visit the ElevateCore Consulting website at elevatecoreconsulting.com or follow her on LinkedIn.

BIO: Dr. Jaymee Lewis-Flenaugh is a People-First leader and the Founder & Principal Consultant with ElevateCore Consulting LLC. She has also worked in student affairs in higher education, enrollment management in higher education, U.S. federal government, and the private sector. Jaymee has navigated multiple industries advancing key skills in strategic direction, cross-organizational collaboration, program planning and execution, team dynamics, effective supervision, and human performance. Dr. Lewis-Flenaugh holds a B.A. in English Literature and Black Diaspora Studies from DePaul University; an M.S. in College Student Personnel from Western Illinois University; and a Ph.D. in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Miami University (in Ohio). She has over 14 years of higher education experience including progressive leadership working with teams; facilitated over 150 national, state, and local presentations; held professional association leadership at the regional and national level; and contributed to the field of higher education administration through various publications. Dr. Lewis-Flenaugh engages often in service at her workplaces and in speaking engagementsDr. Lewis-Flenaugh is a personable and dynamic leader that supports the growth mindset of team members for increased overall performance of the organization.

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this week's episode, I chat with Osa Oyegun, Founder of Taurus Education Consulting, to explore the transformative role of libraries as spaces for identity, liberation, and joy.Drawing from her unique background as both an educator and a librarian, Osa shares how she uses literacy and storytelling as tools to build belonging, disrupt bias, and affirm every student’s lived experience. From curating culturally relevant collections to reimagining the library as a vibrant hub of community and creativity, Osa invites us to see libraries not as quiet archives but as living classrooms that nurture voice, visibility, and validation.Together, we unpack how school leaders and educators can move beyond the bookshelf to design spaces and systems that honor identity, promote critical consciousness, and celebrate the rich cultural tapestries of their learning communities.To learn more about Osa's work, you can visit the Taurus Education Consulting website at tauruseducationconsulting.com or follow her on Instagram (@tauruseducationconsulting) or on LinkedIn.

BIO: Osa Oyegun is an experienced international educator, librarian, and founder of Taurus Education Consulting, a company that provides schools with guidance on culturally responsive curricula, curating user-friendly school libraries, and joyful, learner-centered spaces.Osa has worked as an international educator for over 17 years, and brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experiences as a Third Culture Kid (Nigeria, the Philippines, Germany, Turkiye, N. Cyprus, U.S.), an EAL teacher, classroom teacher, and classical singer.Osa earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maryland (‘02), a Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction from George Mason University (‘09), and a Master’s in Library & Information Sciences from San Jose State University (‘24). Osa is passionate about sharing her love of learning and curiosity about the world with children.

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Google Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this week's episode, I chat with international educator and equity-driven leader Tiwana Merritt to explore how her journey from the track to the classroom has shaped her vision for transformative education.From her record-breaking days as a collegiate athlete to nearly two decades working in schools across Australia, China, and South Africa, Tiwana shares how the lessons of discipline, resilience, and teamwork continue to guide her approach to teaching, learning, and leading. She discusses her groundbreaking work in service-learning and community engagement, her reflections on racial identity and representation abroad, and what it means to be seen as a “cultural ambassador” while living and working globally.

To learn more about Tiwana's work, you can follow her on LinkedIn.

Tiwana Merritt is a globally experienced educator, instructional coach, and equity advocate with nearly two decades of leadership in international schools across Australia, China, and South Africa. She most recently served as a Teaching and Learning Coach and PreK–12 Service Learning and Community Engagement Coordinator at the American International School of Johannesburg (AISJ), where she helps educators design identity-affirming, culturally responsive, and community-centered learning experiences.A proud Southern Oregon University Hall of Fame inductee and former All-American track and field athlete, Tiwana draws on her athletic background to inspire resilience, reflection, and teamwork in the classroom. Her professional work centers on reimagining service-learning through a justice-oriented lens, helping schools move beyond charity-based models to ones rooted in reciprocity, local empowerment, and equity.As a writer, speaker, and curriculum designer, Tiwana has co-authored frameworks that promote harm reduction and anti-bias practices in international school service-learning. Her voice has been featured on the Leading Equity Podcast and in publications highlighting global education, identity, and civic engagement.Passionate about developing globally conscious and socially responsible learners, Tiwana sees education as a lifelong journey of “crossing borders and finish lines”, a continuous pursuit of growth, purpose, and equity in every learning space she enters.

LINKS:

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In this special return episode, I welcome back acclaimed educator, researcher, and author Zaretta Hammond for a powerful conversation about her writing journey and the ideas behind her latest best-selling book, "Rebuilding Students’ Learning Power: Teaching for Instructional Equity and Cognitive Justice".Building on the legacy of her groundbreaking work, "Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain", Zaretta shares the inspiration, challenges, and reflections that shaped her newest release. Together, we explore what it truly means to help students reclaim their sovereignty as learners, the evolving role of educators in nurturing learning partnerships, and how schools can create environments that foster cognitive growth and independence.

BIO: Zaretta Hammond is a national education consultant and the author of the best-selling book ⁠Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students⁠. She holds a Master’s in Education in English Education, with a concentration in Writing from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Zaretta is a former high school and community college expository writing instructor. She has also served as adjunct instructor at St. Mary’s College School of Education in Moraga, California, where she taught The Foundations of Adolescent Literacy. As a consultant, she has advised and provided professional development to school districts and non-profit organizations across the country around issues of equity, literacy, and culturally responsive teaching for the past 25 years. Zaretta brings a unique focus on neuroscience to the conversation about equity, literacy and culturally responsive pedagogy to make it understandable and practical for educators.

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In this week's episode, I chat with Safirah Ibenana, founder and CEO of Breaking Grounds Group, to explore her remarkable journey from the classroom to the boardroom.Safirah shares how her early academic experiences and years teaching in international schools around the world shaped her vision for more equitable, student-centered education. From navigating cultural differences in global classrooms to identifying the systemic gaps that led her to launch Breaking Grounds Group, Safirah offers powerful insights into what it means to break barriers and redefine educational success.Listeners will gain a behind-the-scenes look at the formation of Breaking Grounds Group, learn about the transformative work her organization is doing to support students, educators, and institutions, and hear her reflections on leadership, identity, and purpose in education.To learn more about Safirah's work, you can visit the Breaking Grounds Group website at breakinggroundsgroup.com or follow her on LinkedIn.

BIO: As an experienced educational consultant, Safirah Ibenana specializes in college counseling, tutoring, and corporate/teacher training to empower students, educators, and professionals to reach their full potential.With a background in Educational Management, her degree in English has helped several students through the US college admissions process find the right-fit schools and craft compelling applications. Her tutoring approach is personalized and results-driven, ensuring students build strong academic foundations while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.Beyond student support, she provides corporate and teacher training to foster inclusive, innovative, and effective learning environments. Whether working with educators to decolonize curricula or equipping professionals with educational technology skills, her goal is to create meaningful change in education and beyond.She believes that every individual has a unique tale to tell, and she's here to ease your storytelling journey to positively impact your success.

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In this week's episode, I chat with Aylin Erengul Gregg, international educator, consultant, and developer of the LEAVES Approach, a framework designed to affirm multilingual learners’ cultural and linguistic identities while supporting their second language acquisition.Aylin shares her journey from growing up in Turkey as a non-native English learner to teaching in international schools across the globe. She reflects on the challenges and triumphs of navigating language and culture, and how those experiences led to the creation of the LEAVES Approach.The conversation also explores the intersections of teaching, identity, and motherhood, highlighting how raising multilingual children has further shaped Aylin’s vision for inclusive and affirming classrooms. To learn more about Aylin's work, you can visit the LEAVES website at leaveseal.com or follow her on LinkedIn.

BIO: Aylin Erengul Gregg is an educator, consultant, and developer of the LEAVES Approach, a framework that affirms multilingual learners’ cultural and linguistic roots while supporting their second‐language acquisition. Raised as a non-native English learner, Aylin experienced firsthand the challenges of navigating different accents and accessing academic content in a language that was not her own. Those early experiences deeply shaped her commitment to crafting learning environments in which multilingual students don’t just survive but they thrive. Aylin holds a Master’s degree in TESOL and has taught across multiple international settings. Her professional roles have included teaching English as an Additional Language (EAL) and English Language Acquisition (ELA) in diverse school systems. Previously, she taught at TAKEV High School, served as Head of Department and Grade 5 English teacher in primary and middle schools, and then moved to international schools—most notably Western International School of Shanghai and Frankfurt International School. Most recently, she serves as MYP English Language Acquisition and ESOL teacher at IGB International School. Driven by her conviction that the dominant paradigm of assimilation often silences students’ identities, Aylin launched LEAVES to equip teachers with practical, research-informed strategies that help multilingual learners engage academically without losing their sense of self. Under her leadership, LEAVES advocates for inclusive, language-rich classrooms where affirmation, scaffolding, and identity-support are central. When she is not working with students or training teachers, Aylin writes, shares reflections, and promotes the mission of multilingual affirmation through social media and professional networks.

LINKS:

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this week's episode, I sit down with Lori Boll, Executive Director of the Special Education Network & Inclusion Association (SENIA), to explore her journey as both an educator and a parent advocate. Lori shares how her son Braden’s diagnoses reshaped her purpose in education and fueled her commitment to inclusion in international schools.We discuss the founding and global impact of SENIA, her new book, Navigating Special Education Relationships, and the importance of building collaborative partnerships between families, teachers, and schools. Lori also reflects on the state of inclusive education in international schools today, the impact of funding cuts from the Office of Overseas Schools, and the insights gained from SENIA’s recent Expanding and Enhancing Student Support Programs Summer Institute.Through both personal stories and professional expertise, Lori highlights the urgent need for equitable, identity-affirming education for all learners, while offering practical advice for educators seeking to create truly inclusive classrooms.To learn more about Lori's work, you can visit the SENIA website at seniainternational.org or follow her on LinkedIn.

BIO: Lori Boll brings a wealth of experience and a deep personal connection to the field of Inclusive Education. Her journey began in 2003 when her son Braden was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and an Intellectual Developmental Disorder (IDD), a pivotal moment that ignited her passion for advocating for creating more inclusive schools.With two Masters degrees in Reading Education and Special Education, Lori has amassed over twenty-five years of teaching experience in both international and domestic settings. Her career has taken her to the American International School Riyadh, Jakarta Intercultural School, Concordia International School, Shanghai, International School Bangkok, as well as schools in Saipan, California and Colorado. Notably, she has spearheaded the creation of higher support needs programs in China and Thailand. Lori is the co-author of Navigating Special Education Relationships: Building Collective Efficacy for a Collaborative Team fostering collaborative and effective working teams of families, teachers, and practitioners. Currently serving as the Executive Director of SENIA International, Lori channels her passion into supporting the professional development of educators worldwide.

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this week's episode, I chat with Andrea Mwalula, founder and CEO of Twende Education for All (TEFA), to explore her remarkable journey from her early childhood in Slovenia to becoming a trailblazing educator and social entrepreneur in Zambia.Andrea reflects on her international career as an IB educator, the personal and professional experiences that led her to reimagine education for children facing long-term hospitalization, and the founding of TEFA, creativity, and hope to children battling cancer and other critical illnesses.Together, we dive into her passion for service learning, her vision for redefining it on the African continent, and the powerful ways TEFA is transforming not only the lives of children and families but also entire communities. Listeners will be challenged to rethink what service, equity, and empowerment look like in education.To learn more about Andrea's work, you can visit the Twende Education for All and Pamoja Children's Learning Hub pages on Facebook. You can also follow Andrea on LinkedIn.

BIO: Andrea Mwalula is a dedicated education leader committed to transforming the lives of vulnerable women and children through quality learning. She founded Twende Education For All (TEFA) in 2016, pioneering initiatives such as the Learning Never Stops project, which provides education and play therapy to hospitalised children, and the Girls In School Programme, which tackles barriers to education for rural girls. Her work has impacted over 150 young lives, equipping them with essential knowledge and skills.Beyond Zambia, Andrea consults for the International Baccalaureate Organisation, training educators across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. She also contributes to the Association of International Schools in Africa’s Service Learning Design Team and chairs the Phenomenal Women’s Multipurpose Cooperative Society. An advocate for dignity, equality, and sustainable development, she is a member of AIELOC and the Ubuntu Leadership Hub.Guided by her belief in Ubuntu, the philosophy of shared humanity and interconnectedness, Andrea continues to drive meaningful change in education, empowering individuals and communities both in Zambia and internationally.

LINKS:

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In this inspiring episode, I had the honor of interviewing Loretta Fernando-Smith, international school leader, leadership coach, writer, and TedX speaker, for a powerful conversation on identity, belonging, and courageous leadership.Drawing from her viral TedX talk on the power of names, and her CIS blog on dismantling imposter syndrome, Loretta shares her journey of self-discovery and the lessons she’s learned about authenticity in leadership. We discuss how names and identity shape belonging, why imposter syndrome is more about systemic inequities than personal shortcomings, and what it means to lead with vulnerability and cultural consciousness in international schools.Loretta also opens up about how motherhood has reshaped her perspective on leadership and self-worth, offering wisdom for educators balancing multiple identities. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, aspiring leader, or school head, this episode will challenge you to reflect on your own story and remind you of the courage it takes to show up fully as yourself.To learn more about Loretta's work, you can visit her website at lorettafernandosmith.com or follow her on LinkedIn⁠.

BIO: Loretta Fernando-Smith is a fourth generation educator with over 20 years of experience in international schools. Raised across cultures and continents, her childhood was shaped by frequent relocations. These experiences of straddling several cultures as a child, adult, parent and educator have made her aware of how people negotiate belonging in different spaces. This tension drives her curiosity, inquiry and research into belonging. Currently, she has the joy of serving as the Associate Principal and PYP Curriculum Coordinator at Frankfurt International School in Wiesbaden, Germany.From mentoring teachers as they support student agency to facilitating international DEIJ leadership cohorts, her leadership focuses on cultivating inclusive cultures, advancing equity-driven curriculum design, and co-creating environments where every child and adult can feel seen, heard and is able to flourish.At the heart of her philosophy is the belief that education is a deeply relational practice. Relationships built on trust, reciprocity, and joy are the foundation for meaningful learning and it is often in our small, shared moments that the deepest transformations begin.

LINKS:

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