Identity Talk 4 Educators LIVE

In the final episode of 2021, I bring on my good friend Dr. Melanie Dillett-Dukes for a timely conversation about the importance the radical self-love and liberation as educators.  We also discuss her life abroad as a United Nations baby, how she navigated her multiple identities as a Black woman,  the release of her debut book, "My Freedom Journey"', and so much more!  To learn more about Dr. Dukes' work, you can visit the BeyondFree website at beyondfreellc.com or you can follow her on LinkedIn and Instagram (@maddukes).  

BIO: Dr. Melanie Dillett-Dukes is passionate about creating brave spaces for diverse groups of people to engage in discussions, empower action, and create change.  Growing up outside of the United States for 15 years of her life, as a United Nations baby, gave her great insight into the intricacies of varying perspectives and their connection to practices and ideologies of people.    With 20 plus years in the educational arena, Melanie has taught school-aged children from preschool to high school, founded her non-profit Creative Community to ignite student voices, coached teachers on culturally relevant pedagogy, designed curriculum, analyzed statewide data systems, and facilitated diversity, inclusion & equity workshops for adult professionals.  

To deepen her contemplative practices, she has completed intense training on Cognitive Based Compassion Training (CBCT) through Emory University. Her experience as an Equity Facilitator Fellow through CREATE, deepened her skills to facilitate conversations and create actionable items around identity, systemic oppression, and anti-racist work. In her current role, she is leading equity work with over 110 teachers and staff members and the parent/guardian community.  Melanie’s ability to listen for understanding, empathize, and to connect with others translates easily into developing organic and holistic coaching strategies that fosters growth mindsets and stimulates environments for people to thrive.  ​ 

Over the many years of working in traditional education and facilitating sessions in equity, social justice, and anti-racist work in corporate and educational arenas, has revealed the deep need for healing and reconciliation.  Motherhood and the deep desire to restore hope to people has led her on this journey of liberating the minds of people and creating platforms to create viable solutions to breaking systems that bind our true selves.    

Dr. Dillett-Dukes graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in education from Spelman College.  She fostered her skills in curriculum development when she earned her Masters of Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.  Melanie remained at Columbia to complete her Education Doctorate in International and Transcultural Studies with a specialization in Family and Community as Educator.  She has inherited her mother’s green thumb at a later stage in life, enjoys cooking her father’s Belizean dishes, and watches her children embark on their unique journey of life in pure amazement.

In this episode, I had the honor of welcoming Dr. Stephanie Boyce to the podcast to share her personal journey in education, the founding of The FRESH Classroom, the release of her new book, "The FRESH Classroom: Why Culturally Responsive Education Can't Wait", the evolution of scholarship around culturally responsive teaching, and so much more!  To learn more about Dr. Boyce's work, you can visit The FRESH Classroom website at thefreshclassroom.com or follow her on Instagram (@freshclassroom and @dr.srboyce) and Twitter (@Fresh_Classroom). 

BIO:  Dr. Stephanie R. Boyce is an edupreneur driven by her passion to reshape the educational landscape by making culturally responsive teaching a way of life. For the last decade, Boyce has focused her studies and work on matters of racial justice and equity for historically marginalized people with a focus on educational spaces. She currently serves as the Chief Education Officer of Stephanie Boyce & Associates, LLC., the parent company of The FRESH Classroom, Professor & Director of the Writing Program at Paul Quinn College, and Lecturer of African American Studies at the University of Houston.

Dr. Stephanie Boyce’s ironic journey along the path of academia was anything but typical, having taken her from being a rebellious student in at-risk schools to teaching and leading in at-risk schools, and eventually serving as a researcher and advocate in the same schools. By the time her journey is half complete, she will be added to a list of phenomenal innovators who advocate tirelessly for the millions of students who may otherwise be left voiceless in classrooms across America.

In addition to her work within educational institutions, Dr. Boyce works as an educational advocate partnering with allies in the fight for equitable policies and legislative priorities for ALL. In a world where the complicated processes and verbose industrious jargon cause many citizens, especially those in marginalized groups, to disengage with the legislative entities that govern them, Dr. Boyce’s goal is to demystify complicated systems and show ALL people entry points into engaging with the political processes and collaborating with elected officials to ensure equitable outcomes for students and distribution of resources and opportunities.n addition to her work within educational institutions, Dr. Boyce works as an educational advocate partnering with allies in the fight for equitable policies and legislative priorities for ALL. In a world where the complicated processes and verbose industrious jargon cause many citizens, especially those in marginalized groups, to disengage with the legislative entities that govern them, Dr. Boyce’s goal is to demystify complicated systems and show ALL people entry points into engaging with the political processes and collaborating with elected officials to ensure equitable outcomes for students and distribution of resources and opportunities.

In this week's episode, I welcomed hip-hop educator Vernon Thompson Jr. to the podcast to share his personal journey in education,  the making of "The Joe Clark Tape", the emergence of hip-hop pedagogy in education, and so much more!   To learn more about Vernon's work, you can follow him on Instagram & Twitter (@vernonsthompson).  You can also purchase "The Joe Clark Tape" right now on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Joe-Clark-Tape-Explicit/dp/B08V53DZ77) and Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-joe-clark-tape/1550842836).  

BIO: Vernon Thompson graduated from Quinnipiac University with a BA in Marketing.  He was the school’s first Division 1 walk-on to receive a scholarship. He also served as the Assistant Basketball Coach at Albertus Magnus College leading the school to its first ever NCAA Tournament appearance.  He received his Masters in Special Education with a concentration in Learning Disabilities from Southern Connecticut State University.  He completed his 092 Educational Administrators certification at the University of Bridgeport. He has taught in the Bridgeport Public school district for 14 years.  In the 2018-2019 school year he served as Assistant Principal at Hartford Public High School, he is currently the Assistant Principal at Warren Harding High School. As a teacher he utilized community organizing and community relationships to advocate for Bassick students and families. He has made himself known as a Hip Hop Educator, utilizing Hip Hop Visual Arts to send positive messages to the urban community.  His videos have received over 120,000 views. His most recent project titled "The Joe Clark Tape" has received nearly 10,000 streams in the last two months.

In this episode, I had the honor of welcoming award-winning principal Fatihah Abdur-Rahman to the podcast to share her inspirational journey into education, overcoming homelessness as a teenage mother, navigating the waters of educational leadership as a Black woman, and so much more!  To learn more about Principal Rahman's work, you can follow her on Instagram (@principal_rahman) and subscribe to the Born to Win in Education podcast. 

BIO: Fatihah Abdur-Rahman is a passionate and dedicated educational leader who is committed to academic excellence. She views education as a way to defy societal challenges that impact urban communities. Rahman’s desire in urban education was ignited while working as an assistant teacher at a Camden Head Start over twenty years ago. There she interacted with elementary students who were performing below their grade level, which prompted her to pursue a BS in Elementary Education.  Rahman is a servant leader called to serve those who experienced many of the challenges she faced and overcame. After graduating from Oakwood University in Alabama, she returned to Camden ready to serve as a teacher in Camden City Public Schools. In her first year as a teacher, she made tremendous gains with her students, and was selected by her colleagues as Parkside Elementary School’s teacher of the year.

Some of her accomplishments include: being selected in 2008 by the Camden City BOE to pursue an MPA in Educational Leadership at Rutgers University. She also was the first educator from Camden, NJ to travel to South Africa with the Rutgers South Africa Initiative.  Fatihah has served as an educator, School administrator, PLC facilitator, NJ trained mentor, and Camden PLUS resident. Rahman is currently completing the coursework for her Doctorates degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment at Walden University, and plans to graduate in the near future. Fatihah attributes her professional achievement to education.

As a visionary, Fatihah Abdur-Rahman sees beyond the here and now and recognize the potential in everyone she is called to serve. Rahman holds a high bar, and yet believes in providing high level of support for teachers and students. Through her implementation of social emotional learning programs, culturally relevant curriculum, and community driven approach, Ms. Abdur-Rahman envision a school where all of her students are valued, challenged, and prepared to break cycles and close gaps.  Ms. Abdur-Rahman is also a transformational leader who sees herself as an agent of change. One of her goals is to re-envision the culture of parent and community engagement for the development of the whole child. It is her belief that education equality and equity can and will be achieved for all students.

Fatihah Abdur-Rahman is change the narrative for many of her scholars. Not only is she changing the narrative, Fatihah is doing it in a short amount a time. In her tenured as principal at Forest Hill, Ms. Abdur-Rahman ran a Reader Are Leader Pop Up story time in the park to combat the summer reading slide. She engage families with her book giveaways at her Water Ice Wednesdays. During the school year, she opened her doors to the community with her Leaders are Readers series, Pearl to Wisdom Tea, and "Knot" for Me boy program that shared with young men those things that are "not for me" (drugs, gangs, bullying, etc.). She and her school community faithfully give and serve food at various shelters for women and families on what she calls Thankful Thursday. In years to come, she plan to have a greater impact through her various partnership and mindset that her scholars are born winners. They will win!!!!

This week's episode is dedicated to all the music educators who are making a positive impact in schools all over the world!  I had the honor of interviewing award-winning music teacher Franklin Willis to learn about his journey in education, how Music came into his life, the importance of culturally relevant teaching in the music classroom, and so much more!   To learn more about Franklin's work, you can visit his website at fwillismusic.com or follow him on Instagram (@fwillismusic and @princerhythmcompany).   

BIO: For more than a decade, educator, and leader, Franklin Willis has served the students and families of the Metro Nashville Public Schools community. Through music, Willis has educated, mentored, and developed young minds to be forward thinking contributors to society. A servant leader specializing in authentic culturally relevant teaching, empowering student contributions, and developing teachers to reach their full capacity, Willis finds true joy when at the service of others.  As Elementary Music Coach for MNPS, he equips teachers with instructional support and necessary resources to strengthen their professional acumen and enhance their classrooms. This includes shepherding colleagues and teachers through the reality’s students are faced with around equity, inclusion and racism. 

Through his work, he has developed a passion in the cultivation of musicianship for young minds as every child has musical potential and deserves a music teacher who will see the best in them. Willis believes that music education is a vital tool to teach students about other cultures, create community, and inspire a love for learning. Willis consistently uses his network to provide opportunities for students to utilize their passion for music for all to see. This includes producing music videos and stadium performances at CMA Fest, a four-day music festival in Nashville, TN.  Willis has created and facilitated professional development sessions for music teachers of all grade levels sharing his unique and relevant teaching practices. He consistently collaborates with colleagues, community organizations, local businesses, colleges, and universities to advocate for the importance of music education in our schools as well as developing curriculum that will lead to higher engagement from students. 

Through his work Willis has received national recognition for his commitment to student learning, his passion for the profession and his innovative teaching practices. He is a three-time recipient of the CMA Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence Award. ('16, '18, '19).  Willis is a children’s book author and graduate of the University of Memphis with a Bachelor of Music Education with an emphasis in Choral Music in 2009. In 2012, he earned the Master of Education Degree in Nonprofit Leadership from Belmont University. Most recently Willis completed the Education Specialist Degree with an emphasis in Instructional Leadership from Tennessee Technological University.

In this episode, I had an awesome conversation with veteran international education leader Kevin Simpson about his personal journey in education, life as an international educator, the need to diversify the international teaching force, and so much more! To learn more about Kevin's work, you can visit the Association of International Educators & Leaders of Color website at aieloc.org and/or you can follow him on Instagram (@kdslglobal) or Twitter (@GlobalKdsl).    

BIO: KDSL Global is an education consulting company launched by Kevin Simpson in 2016 in the USA and in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Simpson and his team have served thousands of schools, organizations, educators, and leaders worldwide in over 25 countries. The majority of this work in education has centered on American curriculum schools.  Since 2008, Simpson has been focused on education in the MENA region, assisted numerous schools with accreditation, training, development, and served as a thought partner to investors on school start-up projects. Simpson is co-founder of the UAE Learning Network and leads the GCC ASCD Connected Community. In addition, he has co-authored papers on American curriculum in the MENA region with a focus on Common Core State Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards, social studies, the arts, and the history of American Education in the UAE.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Teaching from Michigan State University (USA).

In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing bestselling author and critical race sociologist Dr. Crystal Marie Fleming.  In our conversation, she shares about her childhood and humble beginnings, her time at Wellesley College, her new book, "Rise Up!: How You Can Join in the Fight Against White Supremacy", her evolution as a scholar in academia, and so much more!  To learn more about Dr. Fleming's work, you can visit her website at crystalfleming.com and follow her on Twitter (@alwaystheself).

BIO: Crystal Marie Fleming is a critical race sociologist, the author of three books and an internationally recognized expert on racism and antiracism. Her work empowers people of all backgrounds to become change agents and dismantle white supremacy. She is Professor of Sociology and Africana Studies at SUNY Stony Brook where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on racism and ethnic relations, sociological theory and qualitative methods. Dr. Fleming’s passion for speaking truth to power and promoting social transformation infuses her scholarship, writing and pedagogy. She earned a Ph.D. and a master’s degree in Sociology from Harvard University and graduated with honors in Sociology and French from Wellesley College. Her research appears in leading journals such as Social Problems, The Sociology of Race and Ethnicity, Ethnic and Racial Studies, Poetics, Du Bois Review: Social Science Research on Race and Mindfulness.

Her first book Resurrecting Slavery: Racial Legacies and White Supremacy in France (Temple University Press, 2017) uses critical race theory and qualitative research to significantly advance scholarship on racism in France and Europe. The book marshals ethnographic data, archival research and in-depth interviews with French activists and Afro-Caribbean descendants of slaves to consider how commemorations of enslavement and abolition both challenge and reproduce the racial order.   Her critically acclaimed primer, How to Be Less Stupid About Race: On Racism, White Supremacy and the Racial Divide (Beacon Press, 2018), combines memoir, critical race theory, social commentary and satire to debunk common misconceptions about racism. The book earned a starred Kirkus review and has been widely praised as essential anti-racist reading by everyone from Publisher’s Weekly to Bustle, ESPN/The Undefeated to the Los Angeles Lakers, Buzzfeed, Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and MarketWatch. Dr. Fleming's latest book, RISE UP! How You Can Join the Fight Against White Supremacy, is a YA nonfiction work that explores the roots of racism and its modern day legacies while empowering young people with actionable ways to create a more just and equitable world. It will be published in October of 2021 by Henry Holt for Young Readers. She is currently co-editing a fourth book, Beyond White Mindfulness: Critical Perspectives on Racism, Health and Wellbeing, forthcoming with Routledge and completing a fifth project, Words to Remake the World: A People's Dictionary for Social Change, under contract with Beacon Press.

A public intellectual known for her frank talk and insouciant humor, Crystal's provocative writing, lectures and workshops engage a wide array of scholarly and social topics, from racism and white supremacy to pop culture, spirituality, feminism, sexuality and philosophy. Her work and commentary are regularly featured in a range of national and international media, including Courrier International, The Sunday Times, France24, Agency France Presse, Newsweek, Vox, Black Agenda Report, The CBS Sunday Morning Show, The Root, NPR, and the New York Times among others.  She is represented by literary agent Michael Bourret and Outspoken Agency for keynotes and speaking engagements.

In this episode, I had the honor of speaking with fellow Math educator and Pan-African scholar Akil Parker.  In our conversation, we touched on his personal journey in education, how attending HBCUs shaped his development as an educator, the founding of his company All This Math, the role that mathematics can play in the Pan-Africanism movement, and so much more!  To learn more about Akil's work, you can visit the All This Math website at allthismath.com or you can follow him on Instagram and Twitter (@allthismath)

BIO: Akil Parker retired from the School District of Philadelphia in 2018 to grow and develop his math tutoring and educational consulting company, All This Math, LLC. He works diligently to empower youth through mathematics education.  He worked in Philadelphia Public School classrooms as a math teacher for over 15 years, teaching courses ranging from pre-algebra to calculus, including state-standardized test prep and SAT/ACT prep. He has transitioned from working on the front line in the classroom to working behind the scenes as a math tutor, preparing students to perform well in their classrooms. Even in a different capacity, his goal has remained to empower youth to understand mathematics as a viable tool for student benefit. His own children have inspired him to expand his mathematics teaching and tutoring beyond the classroom.

In this episode, I had the honor of welcoming 2021 Oregon Teacher of the Year Nicole Butler-Hooton as my special guest.  In our conversation, Nicole shares her personal journey in education, how she centers her identity as an Indigenous educator in the classroom, her educational advocacy work throughout her home state of Oregon, transitioning from the classroom into her new role as a Teacher mentor for this new school year, and so much more!  To learn more about Nicole's work, you can visit the CCSSO website at https://ntoy.ccsso.org/2021-state-teacher-of-the-year-oklahoma-jena-nelson/ or follow her on Instagram (@nbutlertoy2021) and Twitter (@ButlerHooton). 

BIO: “Be the Change you wish to see in the world,” by Mahatma Ghandi, is the quote that best describes 2021 Oregon Teacher of the Year Nicole Butler-Hooton. She is a thoughtful, connected, loyal Native American woman who believes in the value of family, friendships, community, and growth. She exemplifies living each day to its fullest. Born into a minority family where neither parent graduated high school and raised in a small coastal town, Butler-Hooton’s personal drive to excel at the highest level resulted in her success in high school academics, sports, college, and in her personal and professional life. Butler-Hooton earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Oregon (UO) in sociology with a minor in ethnic studies, and she was a recipient of the Sapsik’ʷałá grant, provided to high-performing Native American students striving to earn their Master’s degree in education. Upon receiving her Master’s, she secured a job in the Bethel school district teaching second grade at Irving Elementary in Eugene, Oregon, where she has taught for 15 years. Irving Elementary boasts a supportive community, which has empowered and affirmed Butler-Hooton’s vibrant, inclusive, and culturally competent teaching style. Her colleagues, families, and students respect her well established classroom culture. Each day she teaches and transforms the lives of her students and families. Butler-Hooton’s primary professional goal is to build rapport and make a positive difference. Butler-Hooton is involved in the Oregon Indian Education Association, Eugene Education Association, Northwest Christian University consortium, UO elementary education, and the Bethel School District professional learning community for culturally sustaining practices.

In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing Transformative Justice practioner and educator Neha Sobti.  In our conversation, Neha shares about her personal journey in education, the need to decolonize restorative justice practice in our schools, life as a queer South Asian woman while engage in antiracist education work, and so much more!  To learn more about Neha's work, you can follow her on Instagram and Twitter (@nehajoya).

BIO: Neha Sobti is a Transformative Justice practitioner, anti-racist school leader, scholar and poet. She supports educators in creating school communities grounded in relationships, healing, care, and culturally sustaining practices. She dreams and leads conversations about dismantling systems of racism in schools while supporting you on your journey to adopt anti-racist and transformative practices. Neha is currently a Doctoral Student at New York University in the Department of Administration, Leadership and Technology. She writes on topics of school discipline and transformative/restorative justice in education.