This year, we invited participants in our CLR Deep Dive Institutes to be guests on the podcast for an "open mic" series. In other words, say what you want, get some things off your chest, or just let loose. Our first taker is an educator from Las Cruces, NM. Meet Micaela Altamirano, a multi-talented and multi-faceted educator. She may be new to CLR but she is not new to the needs of underserved students. Over the years, she has used her many skills to be validating and affirming for students in special education and currently with equity in technology. As always, listen in for Dr. Hollie's two cents where he just asks the questions, but rarely gives the answers.

Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

Episode 61!!! We are celebrating 6 years of Outrageous Love and 6 years of honoring journeys to responsiveness. From all walks of life, we have interviewed over 50 educators who have inspired us with their personal histories, equity walks, and keen insights on equity and cultural responsiveness. Per tradition, we start the new season with Dr. Hollie's personal episode, which supposedly provides a peek inside his personal space. To kick off the 6th season, Dr. Hollie focuses on the importance of family and introduces us to his cousin, Carrie Palmer. Carrie is a true renaissance woman - multi-talented and multi-faceted. She brings a lens that is varied, leveled, and nuanced. VABBulous life story. Hear Dr. Hollie's two cents, which provides some history and background on the podcast and why we must advocate for outrageous love now more than ever.

Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

We culminate the special series celebrating special education educators with two powerhouse educators. First up is Kiechelle Russell, 20 year veteran educator in special education and the origin of CLR and Special Education for Dr. Hollie in terms of a model classroom example. Dr. Hollie first saw Kiechelle's classroom over 20 years ago and 20 years later she is still representing for special education students, now as an administrator. You are going to be intrigued by her journey and how connected her journey has been to CLR and Dr. H from day one. Second up is Cindy Krumplitsch, another seasoned SPED educator. Based on a recent classroom observation, Cindy's classroom inspired this series, as she has begun to take a deep dive into cultural and linguistic practices. Cindy's journey to responsiveness is fascinating in so many ways, demonstrating that there is no one path to VABB. Dr. Hollie will culminate the series with his two cents.

Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

We culminate the special series celebrating special education educators with two powerhouse educators. First up is Kiechelle Russell, 20 year veteran educator in special education and the origin of CLR and Special Education for Dr. Hollie in terms of a model classroom example. Dr. Hollie first saw Kiechelle's classroom over 20 years ago and 20 years later she is still representing for special education students, now as an administrator. You are going to be intrigued by her journey and how connected her journey has been to CLR and Dr. H from day one. Second up is Cindy Krumplitsch, another seasoned SPED educator. Based on a recent classroom observation, Cindy's classroom inspired this series, as she has begun to take a deep dive into cultural and linguistic practices. Cindy's journey to responsiveness is fascinating in so many ways, demonstrating that there is no one path to VABB. Dr. Hollie will culminate the series with his two cents.

Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

Our world has been turned upside down or at least it feels like it and yet we remained focused. Our eyes are still on the prize. We are going to beat meanness with kindness. We continue our celebration of CLR educators in special education. We go back to Ithaca, one of our CLR superstar districts, where we meet Christine Barley, a self-professed white anti-racist educator. Here this outstanding educator's fascinating journey to responsiveness. Born and raised in the Central New York, Chris provides a unique perspective and one that we wish were far more common. Dr. Hollie's "two cents" is a finger wag about one of his key teachings - we don't fix one generalization with the solution of another generalization. 

Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

Happy 2025! With our thoughts and prayers on the devasting wildfires in Southern California and the pending historic Presidential Inauguration (not to mention the birthday of Martin Luther King), we begin a celebration of CLR Special Education Educators. I have been inspired so many times by the dedication, commitment, and compassion that these educators demonstrate everyday. I have personally witnessed the moving validation and affirmation of students with various challenges. In so many ways, special education teachers are culturally and linguistically responsive inherently. We start the 3 part series with an educator from Southern California who is new to special education but not new to teaching. And as a bonus, Shawnee Muhammad shares her journey to responsiveness that started with Dr. Hollie 35 years ago, when they taught at the same school. A true full circle moment. 

Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

The last episode of 2024. End the year with outrageous love and listen two the journey of Quincy Davis, independent school educator. Traditionally in December, OTLP goes traditional public school adjacent with the guest. Mr. Quincy, as the students call him, fits the bill. He goes back over 15 years in the work of CLR and is a friend, colleague, and mentee of Dr. Hollie's. For the past 10 years or so, Quincy has been directly engaged with private/independent schools so he brings knowledge and experience for what validation and affirmation means in that context. You will be surprised and not so surprised by what he has learned. Les we forget Dr. Hollie's two cents, which is a summation of the latest series focusing on Directors of Equity and a celebration of OTLP making the top 25% of all podcasts in 2024.

Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

The final episode in the 3 part series culminates with a double episode. We have two dynamite educators who currently serve as directors of equity and inclusion. Both are from California, one in the Bay area and the other in Southern California. Shamar Edwards is in the Alameda Schools (Oakland) and Dr. Ayanna Balogun works in the Rialto Schools (San Bernardino). Check out their similarities and differences in their journeys as CLR educators and also as African American women in high pressure positions. Decide for yourself. Have they been able to lead equity in their respective districts or are they managing inequity? Don't forget Dr. Hollie's two cents where he gives some post election commentary. We shall overcome.

Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

We continue our focus on the ups and downs of being a coordinator or director of equity in the past 4 years. This episode we got to upstate New York to experience the journey of Alyssa Haymore. Alyssa brings it on so many levels - personally and professionally. With keen insight, wisdom, and life experience, she captures the essentials of the rise and fall of the administration or managing of diversity, equity, or inclusion. Whatever you want to call it. You will learn something from this episode. Dr. Hollie's two cents acknowledges the historical importance of the upcoming presidential election regardless of the outcome. 

Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

Do you have a Director of Equity or a DEI Coordinator or an Inclusion Ambassador? Or should we ask did you previously have one? This 3-part series will focus on the successes and struggles of Equity Directors from the across the country. The main question is what have the past 3-4 years been like for them? What is the difference between 2020 when DEI was the hottest ticket in town and now when DEI is on the back burner (again) or put out the house period. Our first director is Marisa Tersy from Washington DC. Here Marisa's experience in DEI as a director and her unique journey to responsiveness. Dr. Hollie's two cents will provide the context for why we are doing this series. 

Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm