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IEPs, Bias & Braids: What Schools Need to Understand About Our Kids
What does advocacy look like when you’re juggling survival, culture, and a complicated system?
Sometimes, it looks like showing up. And sometimes, it looks like sending someone in your place—because your child still deserves to be seen.
This week on Divine Konversations, I sat down with Jebeh Edmunds—a powerhouse voice in education and cultural consulting, and someone I deeply admire. Jebeh spent 18 years as a classroom teacher and now leads Jebeh Cultural Consulting, where she helps bridge the gap between schools and the BIPOC families they serve.
This conversation isn’t just about education—it’s about dignity, advocacy, and the power of showing up for our kids even when the system feels like it wasn’t built for us. Whether you’re a parent navigating IEP meetings, chronic health concerns, CPS involvement, or just trying to decode school communication—it’s all here. Jebeh brings clarity, compassion, and truth.
🌿 Key Themes + Takeaways
How to stay involved in your child’s education, even when life makes it hard
What an IEP really is—and how the process is supposed to work
The importance of parent communication and how to make your presence known (even if you can’t physically be in the room)
How unconscious bias shows up in classrooms—and how to challenge it
The red flags families should never ignore in school communication
Why protective styles, cultural assumptions, and lived experiences matter in education
How immigrant and first-gen families can find community and advocacy support
Memorable Quotes
“I may not be there physically, but I have a voice. And I have a right to advocate for my child.”
“We’re not just raising students—we’re raising humans navigating systems that weren’t always designed for them.”
“You need to see my face. That’s how you’ll know I’m here.”
“Teachers talk. But every child deserves to walk into a room as a clean slate.”
“Even if it’s just a bruise from the park or a bad night’s sleep—tell your teacher. It’s all part of the story.”
⏱️ Chapter Markers
02:00 Meet Jebeh: Faith, family, and founding Jebeh Cultural Consulting
04:28 What is an IEP—and how should that process unfold?
08:50 What to look for when evaluating schools
11:11 Navigating school meetings when you’re involved with CPS
14:00 How to protect yourself from neglect accusations if your child is chronically ill
17:00 Red flags in school communication that parents overlook
21:00 Why cultural context—like protective hairstyles—matters
24:30 How unconscious bias shows up in the classroom
26:45 Pushing for change without burning bridges
28:30 How immigrant families can find support and community
✨ Your Turn: This Week’s Reflection
What’s one small way you can show your face—literally or symbolically—at your child’s school this month?
Whether it’s a quick check-in email, asking a question, or letting someone know what’s going on at home, your voice matters.
📌 Stay Connected
Jebeh’s Website: www.jbaedmunds.com
Jebeh’s Podcast: Cultural Curriculum Chat
*Jebeh’s Book (coming Fall 2025): Orange Blossom
Sign up for her newsletter to follow the journey.
🙌 Stay Connected + Keep the Conversation Going
Website: https://www.divinekonnections.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divinekonnectionsinc/
Follow Deyona on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divine_konnections_inc/
💬 Love what you heard?
Share this episode with a friend, and leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify to help this show reach more hearts and homes.
✨ This is more than a podcast—it’s a movement. Thank you for being part of it.
View all episodes
By Divine KonnectionsWhat does advocacy look like when you’re juggling survival, culture, and a complicated system?
Sometimes, it looks like showing up. And sometimes, it looks like sending someone in your place—because your child still deserves to be seen.
This week on Divine Konversations, I sat down with Jebeh Edmunds—a powerhouse voice in education and cultural consulting, and someone I deeply admire. Jebeh spent 18 years as a classroom teacher and now leads Jebeh Cultural Consulting, where she helps bridge the gap between schools and the BIPOC families they serve.
This conversation isn’t just about education—it’s about dignity, advocacy, and the power of showing up for our kids even when the system feels like it wasn’t built for us. Whether you’re a parent navigating IEP meetings, chronic health concerns, CPS involvement, or just trying to decode school communication—it’s all here. Jebeh brings clarity, compassion, and truth.
🌿 Key Themes + Takeaways
How to stay involved in your child’s education, even when life makes it hard
What an IEP really is—and how the process is supposed to work
The importance of parent communication and how to make your presence known (even if you can’t physically be in the room)
How unconscious bias shows up in classrooms—and how to challenge it
The red flags families should never ignore in school communication
Why protective styles, cultural assumptions, and lived experiences matter in education
How immigrant and first-gen families can find community and advocacy support
Memorable Quotes
“I may not be there physically, but I have a voice. And I have a right to advocate for my child.”
“We’re not just raising students—we’re raising humans navigating systems that weren’t always designed for them.”
“You need to see my face. That’s how you’ll know I’m here.”
“Teachers talk. But every child deserves to walk into a room as a clean slate.”
“Even if it’s just a bruise from the park or a bad night’s sleep—tell your teacher. It’s all part of the story.”
⏱️ Chapter Markers
02:00 Meet Jebeh: Faith, family, and founding Jebeh Cultural Consulting
04:28 What is an IEP—and how should that process unfold?
08:50 What to look for when evaluating schools
11:11 Navigating school meetings when you’re involved with CPS
14:00 How to protect yourself from neglect accusations if your child is chronically ill
17:00 Red flags in school communication that parents overlook
21:00 Why cultural context—like protective hairstyles—matters
24:30 How unconscious bias shows up in the classroom
26:45 Pushing for change without burning bridges
28:30 How immigrant families can find support and community
✨ Your Turn: This Week’s Reflection
What’s one small way you can show your face—literally or symbolically—at your child’s school this month?
Whether it’s a quick check-in email, asking a question, or letting someone know what’s going on at home, your voice matters.
📌 Stay Connected
Jebeh’s Website: www.jbaedmunds.com
Jebeh’s Podcast: Cultural Curriculum Chat
*Jebeh’s Book (coming Fall 2025): Orange Blossom
Sign up for her newsletter to follow the journey.
🙌 Stay Connected + Keep the Conversation Going
Website: https://www.divinekonnections.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divinekonnectionsinc/
Follow Deyona on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divine_konnections_inc/
💬 Love what you heard?
Share this episode with a friend, and leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify to help this show reach more hearts and homes.
✨ This is more than a podcast—it’s a movement. Thank you for being part of it.