Can one teacher really change a life?

For so many of us, the answer is yes.

Long after we've forgotten the lessons, worksheets, and tests, we remember the teacher who believed in us, challenged us, and made us feel like we belonged.

In this episode of Teaching in Color, Brandon Jenkins sits down with educator and Middlesex County Teacher of the Year Pamela Eng to explore the power of relationships in education. From building classroom communities to helping students feel seen, this conversation reminds us that the heart of great teaching isn't found in a curriculum—it's found in connection.

Whether you're an educator, parent, or someone who can still remember the teacher who changed your life, this episode is a reminder of the lasting impact one person can have.

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ABOUT PAMELA ENG

Pamela Eng is a third-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in Edison, New Jersey, and the 2025–2026 Middlesex County Teacher of the Year. A finalist for New Jersey State Teacher of the Year, Pamela is known for her relationship-centered approach to teaching, blending meaningful community service, STEM learning, and student leadership to create classrooms where every child feels valued and empowered.

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IN THIS EPISODE

• Why relationships matter more than lesson plans

• The teacher who inspired Pamela to become an educator

• What students remember long after they leave your classroom

• Building a classroom culture where every child feels seen

• Why community service belongs in education

• The qualities that make a teacher unforgettable

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🎙️ ABOUT TEACHING IN COLOR

Teaching in Color is a conversation podcast exploring the intersection of education, culture, and community. Hosted by Brandon Jenkins, each episode brings together educators, authors, creators, researchers, and changemakers to explore one meaningful question through authentic conversations.

New episodes every Thursday.

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CONNECT WITH BRANDON

Instagram: @allabout.brandon

TikTok: @allabout.brandon

YouTube: @allabout.brandon

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FOLLOW TEACHING IN COLOR

Instagram: @teachingincolor.podcast

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💬 Join the conversation:

Who was the teacher that changed your life, and what made them unforgettable?

#TeachingInColor #Education #Teachers #TeacherOfTheYear #EducationPodcast #Community #Leadership #Teaching

What if some of the practices we consider "normal" in schools were never designed with every student in mind?

From classroom expectations to curriculum and teacher preparation, many aspects of our education system have deep historical roots that continue to shape student experiences today. But how often do we stop to ask why?

In this episode of Teaching in Color, Brandon Jenkins sits down with educator, researcher, and keynote speaker De'Ana Forbes to explore the history behind our education system and challenge some of the assumptions we've accepted without question.

Together, they discuss culturally responsive teaching, Black history education, teacher preparation, educational equity, and what it really means to create classrooms where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered to succeed.

This conversation isn't about assigning blame—it's about understanding our history so we can build a better future for every learner.

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De'Ana Forbes is a master social studies teacher, educational consultant, and keynote speaker from Gwinnett County, Georgia. She is a graduate fellow with the University at Buffalo's Center for K–12 Black History and Racial Literacy, where she has co-taught the Teaching Black History Microcredential. Her work focuses on culturally responsive education, Black history, and helping educators create meaningful learning experiences for all students.

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📚 The hidden history behind today's school system

🏫 Why teacher preparation doesn't always match the realities of the classroom

✊🏾 What culturally responsive teaching actually looks like

📖 Why Black history should be integrated throughout the school year

💭 The questions every educator should be asking about their classroom

🌎 How understanding history helps us create better schools for every student

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Teaching in Color is a conversation podcast exploring the intersection of education, culture, and community.

Hosted by Brandon Jenkins, each episode features authentic conversations with educators, authors, creators, researchers, advocates, and changemakers who are shaping the future of education.

🎙️ New episodes every Thursday.

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📸 Instagram:
https://instagram.com/allabout.brandon

🎵 TikTok:
https://tiktok.com/@allabout.brandon

▶️ YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@allabout.brandon

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📸 Instagram:
https://instagram.com/teachingincolor.podcast

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💬 QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What's one thing you think schools should rethink or do differently for today's students?

Let's continue the conversation in the comments.

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and Share this conversation with someone who is passionate about the future of education.

#TeachingInColor #Education #BlackHistory #Teaching #Teachers #EducationPodcast #Community #BrandonJenkins

In this episode of Teaching in Color, host Brandon J engages in a deep conversation with educator Tevin King about the intersection of identity, advocacy, and education. Tevin shares his experiences as a Black educator in a predominantly Hispanic community in El Paso, Texas, discussing the cultural differences he navigates in the classroom and the challenges faced by bilingual students. The conversation also touches on the emotional labor of teaching, the importance of sustaining passion in education, and Tevin's aspirations for a future in education policy.

In the latest episode of Teaching in Color, host Brandon Jenkins engages in a thought-provoking dialogue with Askeia Brown, a passionate advocate for Black students and communities. Together, they explore the importance of purpose and accountability in education, shedding light on how these principles can transform the learning experience for marginalized students.

We’re officially back 🎙️

Teaching in Color kicks off the new year with an intentional conversation featuring Davon Clarke—a tenured NYC public school educator, NYU adjunct instructor, and education leader.

In this episode, Davon shares his journey in education, the importance of teacher leadership, and why those student “ah-ha” moments still matter most. We talk growth, purpose, and what it means to start a new year grounded in impact.

✨ New year. New episode. Same mission.

Ashley Brajaé Jackson is more than a teacher — she’s a storyteller.
A Bay Area native now teaching 5th grade in a Los Angeles music magnet program, Ashley brings her experience as a two-time award-winning filmmaker, writer, director, and producer into the classroom to inspire and empower predominantly Black and Brown students in the Crenshaw/Baldwin Hills community.

In this episode, Ashley unpacks the systemic racism she’s witnessed in Black and Brown schools, the power of arts education, and how her creative background fuels her mission to dismantle inequities in education. From behind the camera to the front of the classroom, Ashley shows us that storytelling is a radical act — and education is one of the most powerful stories we can tell.

In this powerful episode of Teaching in Color, we sit down with Wesley — a first-year Black, queer educator navigating his first year of teaching in Los Angeles after graduating from UC Berkeley and pursuing his M.A. at Loyola Marymount. Wesley opens up about the challenges and growth that come with living in a new city, teaching at a Title I bilingual school, and managing the balancing act of grad school, identity, and classroom life.

We explore the realities vs. expectations of teaching, the importance of teacher diversity, and what it means to show up authentically for students who reflect the very same systems he’s working to transform. Whether you're a new educator or a seasoned one, this conversation is a reminder of the power of education to uplift and disrupt — and what it means to teach in color for Generation Alpha.

📘 Episode Description:

In this episode of Teaching in Color, we travel to Honolulu, Hawai‘i to sit down with Michael Ida, the 2023 Hawai‘i State Teacher of the Year. With 27 years of experience in math and computer science education, Michael shares how his journey as an Asian American educator has shaped his leadership style, his teaching philosophy, and his mission to challenge stereotypes around who gets to lead in education.

We talk about his commitment to servant leadership, building inclusive learning spaces, and empowering students as 21st-century thinkers and innovators. Michael also unpacks the cultural nuances of working in a diverse community and what it means to lead with both humility and purpose.

💬 A powerful conversation on identity, leadership, and representation in schools you don’t want to miss.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

In this episode of Teaching in Color, we sit down with Anaia Lachelle Hawkins—also known as Ms. H—a 24-year-old second-year teacher from Kalamazoo, Michigan, whose path into education was anything but traditional. After earning her degree in Criminal Justice/Legal Studies, Anaia found herself stepping into the classroom just one week after graduation. Now teaching 5th grade in a self-contained classroom, she reflects on the challenges of new-age parenting, the overwhelming responsibilities of educators, and how schools often fall short in supporting their teachers.

Anaia opens up about:

• Her journey from parapro to teacher

• What “new school” teaching really feels like

• The link between parenting shifts and student growth

• The silence around teacher compensation and burnout

This is an honest, heartfelt, and deeply insightful conversation about what it really means to show up for kids every single day.

In this powerful episode of Teaching In Color, we sit down with Jonathan Vazquez, a Puerto Rican and Crucian educator whose life story defies the odds. From growing up in Brooklyn and navigating street life to dropping out of high school, Jonathan's path to education was anything but traditional. But at 26, on a dare, he went back to school—and earned three degrees in five years.

Jonathan opens up about the challenges of imposter syndrome, the tension between creative freedom and curriculum constraints, and his struggle with job hunting in a system that often values credentials over real experience. He also speaks candidly about the emotional weight of leaving the classroom and the lack of community many teachers of color face.

This is more than a story of survival—it's a reflection on purpose, identity, and the power of rewriting your narrative.

Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.