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Identity Talk 4 Educators LIVE
By Kwame Sarfo-MensahEducation
Identity Talk 4 Educators LIVE episodes
- 182) "Modeling Unlearning as an Educator and in Parenthood" (Bennie Kara)
In this week's episode, I had the honor of interviewing Bennie Kara, who shared about growing up with Indian parents who were immigrants in East Africa. She also opens up about her career as a teacher and school leader, her transition into consulting, her growth as a DEIB trainer, and navigating life as an adoptive parent in a multiracial family. To learn more about Bennie's work, you can visit the Adhara Education website at adharaeducation.com and the Diverse Educators website at diverseeducators.co.uk. You can also follow her on Instagram (@_benniekara_), Bluesky (@benniekara.bsky.social), and LinkedIn.
BIO:Bennie Kara is a former deputy headteacher in the East Midland. During her years in school leadership, she specialised in curriculum, teaching and learning. She started her career in the inaugural cohort of Teach First in 2003, teaching English in East London. Since then, she has taught in four London boroughs and in South Oxfordshire, before her return to the Midlands to teach in Derby. She co-founded Diverse Educators in 2017.Bennie now speaks, writes and trains on leadership of the curriculum. Alongside supporting schools to develop their curriculum, she is the author of ‘A Little Guide for Teachers: Diversity in Schools’ (Sage Education). She has written on the subject of diversity in the curriculum for publications such as Schools Week and the Chartered College of Teaching’s Education Exchange, as well as contributing to many books by educators.She is a nationally and internationally recognised keynote speaker. Her second book, ‘Diverse Educators: A Manifesto’, a co-edited book with her Diverse Educators co-founder, Hannah Wilson, was published in April 2022. She is also the author of ‘A Little Guide for Teachers: Diversity in Schools’ and the Co-Editor of ‘Diverse Educators: A Manifesto’.Bennie is a qualified coach with RLE accreditation, with a special interest in leadership coaching for middle leaders.LINKS:
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Apple PodcastsGoogle Podcasts49 min - 181) "Unlocking the Power of Family Stories" (Nawal Qarooni)
In this episode, I was honored to have Nawal Qarooni on the podcast to talk about her early upbringing, developing a love for literacy and family storytelling, her book "Nourishing Caregiver Collaborations", her life as a mother, and so much more! To learn more about Nawal's work, you can visit her website at nqcliteracy.org and follow her on Twitter/X (@NQCLiteracy), Instagram (@nqarooni), and LinkedIn.
BIO:Nawal Qarooni is an educator, staff developer, and adjunct professor who supports a holistic literacy model of instruction in schools. She and her team of coaches at NQC Literacy work alongside teachers and school leaders to grow a love of reading and composition in ways that exalt the whole child, their cultural capital, and their intrinsic curiosities. She is the author of Nourishing Caregiver Collaborations: Exalting Home Experiences and Classroom Practices for Collective Care (Routledge 2023).LINKS:
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Apple PodcastsGoogle Podcasts49 min - 180) "Modeling Intersectionality as a DEIB Leader" (Hannah Wilson)
In this week's episode, I had the honor of interviewing Hannah Wilson, who is the co-founder of WomenED and Diverse Educators. In our conversation, Hannah opens up about her upbringing in Devon, UK, her interest in studying post-colonial literature, the origins of WomenED and Diverse Educators, and her process for building a diverse team of educational consultants who are committed to DEIB work. To learn more about Hannah's work, you can visit the Diverse Educators website at diverseeducators.co.uk or connect with her on LinkedIn.
BIO:Hannah Wilson is a leadership development consultant, coach and trainer. She spent twenty years leading in schools, trusts, teaching hubs and universities. She is the co-founder of #WomenEd and #DiverseEd. Hannah has been coaching and mentoring existing and aspiring leaders in education for the last decade. She came to coaching through her own leadership journey in and out of schools – coaching has helped her make strategic decisions at key milestones. She has supported hundreds of people to navigate their career, negotiate their salary/contract and find values-aligned workplaces where they can flourish and thrive. She has also held roles across trusts and teaching hubs where she has led on trust-wide priorities such as professional development and safeguarding. She has led a large secondary PGCE programme and been commissioned to design and deliver a new MA in Education, Ethics & Leadership. She is a primary school governor and has been a MAT trustee.LINKS:
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Apple PodcastsGoogle Podcasts57 min - 179) "Exploring the Possibilities of AI in Our Schools" (Tricia Friedman)
In this week’s episode, I welcomed Tricia Friedman to the podcast to open up about her early upbringing, exploring her queerness, the role of AI in strengthening our DEIJ efforts in schools, her podcasting journey, the inspiration behind her creativity, and so much more! To learn more about Tricia’s work, you can visit her personal website at triciafriedman.com or the Ally Ed website at allyed.org. You can also follow her on Twitter (@tricia_fried) and LinkedIn.
BIO:
Tricia Friedman is proud to be entering into her 21st year in education. She has a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and has worked globally as a classroom teacher, service-learning coordinator, and as an instructional coach. For the first 15 years of her education career, she lived and taught internationally in six International Baccalaureate (IBO) schools in Europe and Asia, and also served as a volunteer in the Peace Corps in Morocco. She loves exploring and curating conversations between educators that directly lead to change in the classroom, schools, and in the broader ‘culture of learning.’ As a proud queer educator, Tricia authors the Be a Better Ally newsletter and podcast to continue the dialogue about what an LGBTQ+ inclusive school might be. In 2019, she moved to Canada and made a career shift to Consulting, Workshops, and Content Design for K-12 schools in the US and abroad. She now lives in Ontario with her wife and their adorable dog, Tashi, who reminds her that every day is a great day for a walk.
Tricia is the founder of AllyEd.org and the Director of Learning Content and Strategy for Shifting Schools.
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Apple PodcastsGoogle Podcasts55 min - 178) "Envisioning Teachers as Professional Learning Leaders" (Jill Harrison Berg)
In this week's episode, I caught up with Dr. Jill Harrison Berg to learn about her early upbringing, her early years as a classroom teacher, the power of teachers as professional learning leaders within their school communities, and her personal experience at that Ghana ASCD International Educators Summit. To learn more about Jill's work, you can follow her on Twitter (@Teachers_Lead) and LinkedIn.
BIO:Jill Harrison Berg, Ed.D. is a leadership coach, school improvement consultant, researcher and writer specializing in leadership for instructional equity. Dr. Berg is the author of three books and numerous articles that synthesize lessons from her deep work in schools and school systems. Her regular column, “Leading Together,” in ASCD’s Educational Leadership magazine from 2018-2023, aims to heighten leaders’ attention to the complementary roles that teacher leaders, school leaders and district administrators must play in restructuring and re-culturing schools for equity and excellence.Dr. Berg is principal consultant of Jill Harrison Berg Consulting, LLC.She has led and partnered on significant projects that advance the quality of teaching for local, state-wide and national institutions including the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Washington’s Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession, Nellie Mae Education Foundation, Educational Development Corporation (EDC), WestEd, the National Research Council and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, as well as several school districts throughout the U.S. She recently served as an inquiry coach and organizational learning consultant for Zaretta Hammond’s Culturally Responsive Education by Design Professional Learning Community. In addition to serving as a leadership coach to several school and district leadership teams, she is currently a senior advisor for the National Educational Leadership Institute, a leadership development program developed by Ghana ASCD for the Ministry of Education in Ghana.
Throughout more than 30 years working in educational practice, research and policy, Dr. Berg has written many articles on the topics of teacher leadership, teaching quality, instructional equity, leadership development and school improvement. Her regular column, “Leading Together,” in ASCD’s Educational Leadership magazine from 2018-2023, aims to heighten leaders’ attention to the complementary roles that teacher leaders and administrators can play as they co-perform leadership to improve their schools.
Dr. Berg is currently the author of three books, Improving the Quality of Teaching through National Board Certification (Christopher Gordon Press, 2003); Leading in Sync: Teacher Leaders and Principals Working Together for Student Learning (ASCD, August 2018); and Uprooting Instructional Inequity: The Power of Inquiry-Based Professional Learning (ASCD, January 2022). Dr. Berg earned her doctorate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education while working as a researcher with the Project on the Next Generation of Teachers. She also holds a B.A. from Harvard University, an M.Ed. from Lesley University, and was one of the first teachers in Massachusetts to become a National Board Certified Teacher (1998).
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Apple PodcastsGoogle Podcasts47 min - 177) "Who is Kwame Sarfo-Mensah?" (Dr. MaryAnn DeRosa & Maymouna Sakho)
For the first time in the podcast's history, I will be the interviewee and I've enlisted the help of my friends Dr. MaryAnn DeRosa and Maymouna Sakho to serve as co-hosts for this special episode. In this special episode, I open up about my childhood, my early origins as an educator, the making of my newest book "Learning to Relearn", and my life as a father and family man.
BIO:
MaryAnn DeRosa, Ed.D is a passionate progressive educator with over 20 years of experience working in the classroom as a lead classroom teacher, special educator, and instructional and SEL/Equity coach. As a teacher leader and teacher trainer, she leads rigorous and joyful professional development on topics including Social Emotional Learning, Equity and Inclusion, Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, Exceptional Learners, Multilingual Learners and Cultivating Creativity. With experience and deep knowledge of practice, MaryAnn designs content and curriculum that builds knowledge, fosters creativity and critical thinking skills within justice-centered engaging learning environments. MaryAnn has spent her career teaching in Washington DC public schools and in international schools in China, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and in Italy.
Maymouna Sakho is an educator, advocate, leader, supporter, and connector of people and ideas, who is passionate about serving others - particularly children - to reach their fullest potential. She currently serves as the Head of the Elementary Student Support Department at an international school in Africa. Prior to becoming an educator, Maymouna served as a financial and budget analyst, program director, student advisor, coach, and mentor. She holds a Master of Public Administration with a focus on nonprofit/financial management from New York University and a Master of Education from CUNY City College with a focus on Inclusion/Special Education. Maymouna's passion for working to create equitable and inclusive spaces comes from her experience of growing up betwen two culutres, having to learn a new language and system and find a place and voice for herself. Maymouna is the founder of SLC - dedicated to supporting individuals and organizations to innovate through embracing and implementing equitable and inclusive practices. She also serves as a mentor of the AIELOC Aspiring Leaders of Color Program, co-leads AIELOC's Learning Support Affinity Group, and chairs the SENIA Africa Board. Outside of her professional life, Maymouna is passionate about spending time with her famly and friends, traveling to new countries, cooking and exploring new places to eat and working with individuals with a vision and desire to contribute to the ever changing African landscape through education and advocacy.
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Apple PodcastsGoogle Podcasts1 hr 3 min - 176) "I'm Ambilingual, Guatemalan, and Proud of It!" (Ceci Gomez-Galvez)
This week's episode features Ceci Gomez-Galvez, who shares about her early upbringing in Guatemala City, her parents' influence in her multilingual development, her passion for supporting multilingual learners, and much more! To learn more about Ceci's work, you can visit her website at https://cgomez.mystrikingly.com and follow her on Instagram, Twitter (@cecigomez_g) and LinkedIn.
BIO:Born and raised in Guatemala City, Ceci Gomez-Galvez grew up in a unique bilingual household nurtured by her family who valued languages equally. Inspired by her own upbringing and her extensive experience in international schools, Ceci now leads a support program for multilingual learners at Saigon South International School in Vietnam, based on practices that ensure culturally responsive teaching and equitable access.
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Apple PodcastsGoogle Podcasts48 min - 175) "Born to Disrupt!" (Dr. Anashay Wright)
In this week's episode, I had a great conversation with Dr. Anashay Wright, who is the Chief Executive Disruptor and Visionary of Disruptive Partners Consulting. In our conversation, she opens up about her early upbringing in Atlanta, her mother's lasting influence in her life, finding her disruptive spirit as an educator, the future of AI, and building cross-racial solidarity with white allies. To learn more about Dr. Anashay's work, you can visit her website at https://disruptive.partners or follow her at @anashaydisrupts on Instagram and Twitter.
BIO:Dr. Anashay Wright, the heart and soul behind Disruptive Partners Consulting, is a passionate advocate for bold, strategic change that benefits everyone in the public education ecosystem. As a mother to two amazing children in metro Atlanta public schools and a fur baby named Porsha, her mission is to serve as a connector, build unity, and re-center humanity at the core of our public education community.Anashay is a strategist, speaker, coach, and educator who guides educators, parents and education leaders with practical tools and strategies for meaningful change. With her expertise, she creates inclusive programs and learning experiences that positively impact over 50,000 children.LINKS:
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Apple PodcastsGoogle Podcasts53 min - 174) "The Power of Place-Based Learning" (Charity Marcella Moran)
In this week's episode, I welcome Charity Marcella Moran to the podcast to talk about growing up in Louisiana, developing a passion for project-based learning, co-writing her book, "Place-Based Learning: Connecting Inquiry, Community and Culture", her business ventures, and so much more! To learn more about Charity's work, you can visit her company website at iDoSchool.com or follow her on Instagram (@iamgr8n3ss) and LinkedIn.
BIO: Charity Marcella Moran is a former high school project-based learning teacher, New Tech Network school development coach, and middle school alternative programs instructional specialist. These experiences, coupled with her work as an elementary school Federal Programs Title I coordinator, provide a sustainability and capacity-building focus to Charity’s work. She believes that place-based learning is a powerful and transforming instructional strategy that, when leveraged appropriately, dispels achievement disparities and empowers all stakeholders to become lifelong learners. Charity’s focus areas include strategic program development, culturally responsive teaching, educating and empowering Black males, STEM, 21st century skills, project-based learning, literacy, language, and equity.Charity currently serves as director of district and school leadership in the state of Kentucky for PBLWorks and is founder and CEO of iDoSchool.com, specializing in international educator training and independent consultation services tailored to address a diverse range of school program development requirements. As the founder of iDoSchool, Charity’s work and research revolves around establishing a safe space for teachers to innovate and develop the skills to decolonize curricula, build culturally responsive learning experiences, and debunk myths around students of color. Together with PBL Path, Charity has facilitated place-based learning projects at Whitney Plantation, with expeditions and experiences crafted for both teachers and students to experience, learn from, and appreciate the place and its history. WIth service opportunities as an adjunct professor, she leads professional development in culturally responsive teaching, curriculum design, and STEM curriculum management, offering a unique perspective for each service she provides.A Gates Millennium Scholar, Charity earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Southern University and A&M College, her master’s degree in secondary mathematics education from Centenary College of Louisiana, and an educational specialist certification in educational leadership from Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge.LINKS:
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Apple PodcastsGoogle Podcasts51 min - 173) "Educatin', Sangin', and Single Mommin' Her Way Through Life" (Dr. Samara Susan Ryce)
In this week's episode, I welcome Dr. Samara Susan Ryce to the podcast to talk about growing up in Trinidad and moving to the United States at a young age, her doctoral journey, raising neurodivergent children as a single parent, and her passion for mentoring early career teachers, and so much more! To learn more about Samara's work, you can follow her on Instagram (@dr_samara_ryce), Twitter (@DrSamaraRyce), and LinkedIn.
BIO:Samara Susan Ryce, Ed.D. is an instructional mentor in the Department of Middle and Secondary Education for the CREATE Project.Ryce is an unwavering and passionate educator. Since 2001, she has dedicated her life to the transformative power of education. With a profound love for teaching and an unyielding commitment to nurturing the next generation of educators, Ryce has enriched the lives of countless students and teachers. She finds joy in coaching new teachers, sharing her wealth of experience and instilling values of empathy, curiosity and critical thinking.Ryce believes in education for liberation; striving to create inclusive and equitable learning environments that empower individuals to break free from societal constraints and explore their limitless potential. As a seasoned professional with twenty-plus years of experience, she excels in advancing the professional growth of educators.Ryce is a visionary leader who forges collaborative partnerships, applies profound knowledge of content standards and pedagogy, designs transformative professional learning experiences and empowers residents to set and monitor their professional goals. Her dedication to advancing the teaching profession extends to working with colleagues, administrators and communities, making her a respected and influential leader in the field.LINKS:
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Apple PodcastsGoogle Podcasts59 min
About Identity Talk 4 Educators LIVE
From the publisher's feed
The "Identity Talk 4 Educators LIVE" Podcast highlights the unspoken and unsung heroes who are changing the education game as we know it! Everyday, we come across the work of so many incredible…
educators who simply don't get the recognition they deserve! In this podcast, we will provide the viewers with an opportunity to learn the personal stories of these incredible educators and the specific elements that shape who they are as educators.