Welcome to another episode of the Teaching STEM #4Real podcast! In this powerful conversation, we speak with Kwame Sarfo-Mensah, founder of Identity Talk Consulting and author of "Learning to Relearn: Supporting Identity in a Culturally Affirming Classroom."

Kwame brings 17 years of experience in education, including 9 years as a middle school math teacher in Philadelphia and Boston. He has earned numerous accolades, including being honored as the 2019 National Member of the Year by Black Educators Rock Incorporated and recognition as a Top Education Influencer by BrightBeam in 2021 and 2022.

In this episode, Kwame shares insights on creating identity-affirming spaces in STEM education:

- His personal experience with educational bias when returning from Ghana to the US education system

- The importance of representation in STEM and connecting students with diverse STEM professionals

- How the world itself can be curriculum beyond textbooks and worksheets

- The historical contributions of ancient Kemet (Egypt) to mathematics and their erasure from modern education

- Building coalitions and expanding networks to create meaningful change in education

- The importance of self-care and sustainable activism in educational justice work**

- Understanding different levels of community engagement from classroom to international scale

- The value of giving yourself grace while working towards educational transformation

This conversation provides a powerful vision for how STEM education can be reimagined to be more culturally affirming and empowering for all students. Kwame shares personal stories and practical wisdom that will inspire educators to rethink their approach to identity and representation in the classroom while providing concrete steps for meaningful change.

Rate, Review, & Follow on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

“This is a great show for educators in STEM! Love Leena’s perspective on creating equitable classroom environments for STEM and the guests are always spot on!” <– If that sounds like you,please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people — just like you — move toward creating access and equity in STEM, #4Real.Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! You can also rate the show on Spotify here:https://open.spotify.com/show/7CsBVUpmzwgvNsSYkWcJ4C 

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here:Follow now!

Teaching STEM #4Real is a podcast dedicated to #4Real conversations on educational equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education hosted by Dr. Leena Bakshi McLean. If you’re interested in exploring what anti-racism and socially just instruction looks like in our classrooms, schools, and beyond, you are in the right place. Dr. Bakshi is also the founder of the non-profit, STEM4Real. Please visit our website for information on how to partner with us. Thank you for helping us make STEM, #4Real.

Welcome to another episode of the Teaching STEM #4Real podcast! In this powerful conversation, we speak with Dr. Okhee Lee, a professor at NYU Steinhardt School and a national leader in advancing STEM and language learning for multilingual learners.

Dr. Lee has been instrumental in shaping the future of STEM education as a member of the NGSS writing team and leader of its diversity and equity team. Her current work focuses on justice-centered STEM education, integrating subjects like data science and computer science to tackle real-world challenges.

In this episode, Dr. Lee shares insights on supporting multilingual learners in STEM education:**

- The evolution of terminology from "limited English proficient" to "multilingual learners" and its impact on student identity

- How WIDA 2020 standards align with NGSS to support language development through science learning

- The importance of giving students agency in their learning and communication

- A case study of the "garbage unit" curriculum that integrates multiple science concepts

- Shifting from equity-based to justice-centered approaches in STEM education

- The role of identity and positionality in shaping science education reform

- Developing consensus across research, policy, and practice to drive meaningful change

This conversation provides a powerful vision for how STEM education can be reimagined to be more inclusive and empowering for multilingual learners. Dr. Lee shares personal stories and wisdom that will inspire educators to rethink their approach to language and content integration in the classroom.

Rate, Review, & Follow on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

“This is a great show for educators in STEM! Love Leena’s perspective on creating equitable classroom environments for STEM and the guests are always spot on!” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people — just like you — move toward creating access and equity in STEM, #4Real. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! You can also rate the show on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CsBVUpmzwgvNsSYkWcJ4C 

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here: Follow now!

Teaching STEM #4Real is a podcast dedicated to #4Real conversations on educational equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education hosted by Dr. Leena Bakshi McLean. If you’re interested in exploring what anti-racism and socially just instruction looks like in our classrooms, schools, and beyond, you are in the right place. Dr. Bakshi is also the founder of the non-profit, STEM4Real. Please visit our website for information on how to partner with us. Thank you for helping us make STEM, #4Real.

Welcome to another episode of the Teaching STEM #4Real podcast! In this powerful conversation, we speak with Andratesha Fritzgerald, author of "Anti-Racism and Universal Design for Learning: Building Expressways to Success."

Andratesha is the co-founder of Building Blocks of Brilliance Educational Consulting Firm and has served in education as a teacher, curriculum specialist, administrator, and director. Her work calls organizations to evolve into inclusive, anti-racist safe zones for all learners.

In this episode, she shares insights on interweaving anti-racism with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework:

- Her journey writing the book after the murder of George Floyd, to provide an anti-racist lens to UDL

- How UDL is a powerful tool for liberation, especially for marginalized students  

- The 3 steps of UDL: defining goals, naming barriers, and redesigning learning experiences

- The need to name racism explicitly as a barrier to be addressed through UDL  

- Moving beyond just UDL strategies to redesigning systems like master schedules 

- Building "UDL evangelists" - teams of teachers empowered to redesign learning 

- Using UDL to create "on-ramps" that tap into student interests and backgrounds

This conversation provides a powerful vision for how the UDL framework, combined with an anti-racist mindset, can reimagine education to be liberating for all students. Tisha shares personal stories and wisdom that will stick with you long after listening.

Rate, Review, & Follow on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

“This is a great show for educators in STEM! Love Leena’s perspective on creating equitable classroom environments for STEM and the guests are always spot on!” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people — just like you — move toward creating access and equity in STEM, #4Real. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! You can also rate the show on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CsBVUpmzwgvNsSYkWcJ4C 

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here: Follow now!
Teaching STEM #4Real is a podcast dedicated to #4Real conversations on educational equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education hosted by Dr. Leena Bakshi McLean. If you’re interested in exploring what anti-racism and socially just instruction looks like in our classrooms, schools, and beyond, you are in the right place. Dr. Bakshi is also the founder of the non-profit, STEM4Real. Please visit our website for information on how to partner with us. Thank you for helping us make STEM, #4Real.

Welcome to another episode of the Teaching STEM #4Real podcast! In this episode, we are excited to speak with Beth Lakretz, Executive Director and Founder of Lakretz Creative Support Services. 

Beth has over 30 years of experience supporting the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education settings. She started her career as a special education teacher and consultant before founding her own organization focused on inclusive education.

In this conversation, Beth unpacks key issues around inclusion and special education:

- The difference between inclusion and co-teaching models

- Barriers to full inclusion of students with more significant disabilities 

- The problem with the "continuum of services" approach

- Overrepresentation of students of color in special education

- The need for teachers AND administrators to shift mindsets around disability and belonging

Some key insights from Beth:

- Inclusion is a philosophy that all students belong and can learn together in general ed classrooms. Co-teaching is just one service delivery model.

- The "least restrictive environment" clause actually prohibits full inclusion by offering more segregated options when teams struggle.

- Implicit biases about disability lead to lower expectations and removal of students to separate classrooms.  

- Preservice teacher training lacks depth in special ed and inclusive instructional approaches.

- Systems change requires both philosophical shifts AND practical coaching around inclusive instruction.

This conversation brings so much richness and nuance around moving toward more inclusive models. Beth shares touching stories of students from her 30+ years in the field.

To learn more about Beth's organization, visit www.lakretz.com.

Rate, Review, & Follow on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

“This is a great show for educators in STEM! Love Leena’s perspective on creating equitable classroom environments for STEM and the guests are always spot on!” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people — just like you — move toward creating access and equity in STEM, #4Real. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! You can also rate the show on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CsBVUpmzwgvNsSYkWcJ4C 

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here: Follow now!
Teaching STEM #4Real is a podcast dedicated to #4Real conversations on educational equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education hosted by Dr. Leena Bakshi McLean. If you’re interested in exploring what anti-racism and socially just instruction looks like in our classrooms, schools, and beyond, you are in the right place. Dr. Bakshi is also the founder of the non-profit, STEM4Real. Please visit our website for information on how to partner with us. Thank you for helping us make STEM, #4Real.

Welcome to the first episode of season three of Teaching STEM #4Real! We are thrilled to be kicking off a new season with Dr. Mark Windschitl.

Dr. Mark Windschitl is a professor of Science Teaching and Learning at the University of Washington. His research interests deal with the early career development of science teachers—in particular, their trajectories toward ambitious and equitable pedagogy. He is the lead author of Ambitious Science Teaching (Harvard Ed Press), along with Jessica Thompson and Melissa Braaten.I personally use this text as the framework for my pre-service teaching classes. His new book on teaching climate change will be coming out in the spring of 2023, and is titled A Primer on Climate Change: Teaching for Understanding, Resilience, and Justice. 

Dr. Windschitl is a recipient of the AERA Presidential Award for Best Review of Research and has recently worked with Urban Advantage in New York City, supporting efforts to use Ambitious Science Teaching in places like The American Museum of Natural History, The Bronx Zoo, Brooklyn Botanical Garden, New York Hall of Science, and The Staten Island Zoo. 

In this episode, Mark will talk to us about how his journey as an educator, what sparked the creation of Ambitious Science Teaching, and why it’s framework is so impactful in any classroom. We are about to hear straight from science education royalty! Let’s go! 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-windschitl-45a93711 

Twitter: MarkWindschitl

Rate, Review, & Follow on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

“This is a great show for educators in STEM! Love Leena’s perspective on creating equitable classroom environments for STEM and the guests are always spot on!” <– If that sounds like you, ⁠⁠please consider rating and reviewing our show⁠⁠! This helps us support more people — just like you — move toward creating access and equity in STEM, #4Real. ⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! You can also rate the show on Spotify here: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/7CsBVUpmzwgvNsSYkWcJ4C⁠⁠ 

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here: ⁠⁠Follow now⁠⁠!

Teaching STEM #4Real is a podcast dedicated to #4Real conversations on educational equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education hosted by Dr. Leena Bakshi McLean. If you’re interested in exploring what anti-racism and socially just instruction looks like in our classrooms, schools, and beyond, you are in the right place. Dr. Bakshi is also the founder of the non-profit,⁠⁠ STEM4Real⁠⁠. Please visit our⁠⁠ website⁠⁠ for information on how to partner with us. Thank you for helping us make STEM, #4Real.

Welcome back to the season two finale of Teaching STEM #4Real! Today, we are thrilled to be joined by Resego Mooki!

Resego is a former middle school teacher in Los Angeles, where she taught and shared her love for science. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health-Global Health from the University of Washington and holds a Masters in Education from Loyola Marymount University. Currently, she works at TeachFX where she continues to make a tangible impact on expanding educational equity by empowering teachers to foster deeper learning through meaningful, equitable, conversational classrooms using AI technology.

In this episode, Resego will talk to us about how she got into teaching, identity and belonging in STEM, and what TeachFX is working toward. We’ll also discuss how vulnerable it is for teachers to open up their classroom to critique but also how important it is to do so in order to increase student speaking. Last but not least, Resego will chat with us about the steps TeachFX helps teachers take to improve student participation, other uses of TeachFX, and how she would navigate some of the systems blocking change. Keep listening to hear more!

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/resegomooki/

Twitter: MookiResego

Rate, Review, & Follow on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

“This is a great show for educators in STEM! Love Leena’s perspective on creating equitable classroom environments for STEM and the guests are always spot on!” <– If that sounds like you, ⁠⁠please consider rating and reviewing our show⁠⁠! This helps us support more people — just like you — move toward creating access and equity in STEM, #4Real. ⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! You can also rate the show on Spotify here: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/7CsBVUpmzwgvNsSYkWcJ4C⁠⁠ 

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here: ⁠⁠Follow now⁠⁠!

Teaching STEM #4Real is a podcast dedicated to #4Real conversations on educational equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education hosted by Dr. Leena Bakshi McLean. If you’re interested in exploring what anti-racism and socially just instruction looks like in our classrooms, schools, and beyond, you are in the right place. Dr. Bakshi is also the founder of the non-profit,⁠⁠ STEM4Real⁠⁠. Please visit our⁠⁠ website⁠⁠ for information on how to partner with us. Thank you for helping us make STEM, #4Real.

Welcome back for another exciting episode of Teaching STEM #4Real! Today we are thrilled to be joined by Dr. Neil Gupta, superintendent of Oakwood School District in Oakwood, Ohio.

Dr. Gupta has over 25 years of experience in education, starting as a high school math teacher and later serving as an assistant principal, curriculum director, and superintendent. He is passionate about educational leadership, coaching administrators, developing improvement systems, and supporting the whole child.

In this episode, Dr. Gupta shares insights from his unique bird's eye view of the education system. We discuss challenges around creating interdisciplinary learning opportunities, equity and access in STEM, the school-to-STEM career pipeline, and much more.

A few key takeaways:

Get ready for an insightful discussion on the state of STEM education!

Rate, Review, & Follow on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

“This is a great show for educators in STEM! Love Leena’s perspective on creating equitable classroom environments for STEM and the guests are always spot on!” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people — just like you — move toward creating access and equity in STEM, #4Real. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! You can also rate the show on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CsBVUpmzwgvNsSYkWcJ4C 

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here: Follow now!

Teaching STEM #4Real is a podcast dedicated to #4Real conversations on educational equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education hosted by Dr. Leena Bakshi McLean. If you’re interested in exploring what anti-racism and socially just instruction looks like in our classrooms, schools, and beyond, you are in the right place. Dr. Bakshi is also the founder of the non-profit, STEM4Real. Please visit our website for information on how to partner with us. Thank you for helping us make STEM, #4Real.

Welcome back to season three of Teaching STEM #4Real! Today, we are pleased to introduce Samantha Stickley and Nicky Scott to the podcast!

Samantha Stickley is an accomplished seventh grade science teacher within the San Marcos Unified School District, where she plays a pivotal role not only in the classroom but also as a department chair and mentor teacher. Samantha is particularly dedicated to promoting equitable size, education and grading practices. She strives to create a classroom environment that fosters inclusivity, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to excel in the fields of science. Samantha is a recognized leader in science ed and and a finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching.

Nicky Scott is the principal we all wish we had as a teacher. She is supportive, genuine, and willing to learn alongside you. As a woman of color, she grew up in an educational system that was not always understanding or forgiving. As a child, she knew that the rules were unfair, but from a child's perspective, her frustrations and words remained unheard. It wasn't until she became part of a system that she began to witness the immediate urgency for systemic change.

In this episode we will listen in on how these two forces come together for transformative change in science and education. Keep listening to learn more from this dynamic duo!

Rate, Review, & Follow on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

“This is a great show for educators in STEM! Love Leena’s perspective on creating equitable classroom environments for STEM and the guests are always spot on!” <– If that sounds like you, ⁠⁠please consider rating and reviewing our show⁠⁠! This helps us support more people — just like you — move toward creating access and equity in STEM, #4Real. ⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! You can also rate the show on Spotify here: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/7CsBVUpmzwgvNsSYkWcJ4C⁠⁠ 

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here: ⁠⁠Follow now⁠⁠!

Teaching STEM #4Real is a podcast dedicated to #4Real conversations on educational equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education hosted by Dr. Leena Bakshi McLean. If you’re interested in exploring what anti-racism and socially just instruction looks like in our classrooms, schools, and beyond, you are in the right place. Dr. Bakshi is also the founder of the non-profit,⁠⁠ STEM4Real⁠⁠. Please visit our⁠⁠ website⁠⁠ for information on how to partner with us. Thank you for helping us make STEM, #4Real.

Welcome back to season two of Teaching STEM #4Real! Today, we are pleased to introduce Lindsay Lyons to the podcast!

Lindsay Lyons is an educational justice coach who helps schools and districts co-create feminist, antiracist curricula that challenges, affirms, and inspires all students. A former New York City public school teacher, she holds a PhD in Leadership and Change, and is the founder of the blog and podcast, Time for Teachership. She believes the secret sauce of educational equity is student voice. Let’s embrace this Teachership! 

In this episode, Dr. Lindsay will share her journey to education, how she came to co-create and teach a feminism course, and how we can continue co-creating curricula with students. We’ll also discuss how Dr. Lindsay’s students performed in this co-created class, the idea of getting rid of the traditional, and how teachers can realistically do so in their classrooms. Last but not least, Dr. Lindsay will talk about her forms of assessment, her thoughts on how often teachers should implement civic action assignments, and whether a student’s age plays a factor in participating in these civic action assignments. Keep listening to learn more from Dr. Lindsay!

Link to Episode Freebies: https://extras.lindsaybethlyons.com/stem4real

Rate, Review, & Follow on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

“This is a great show for educators in STEM! Love Leena’s perspective on creating equitable classroom environments for STEM and the guests are always spot on!” <– If that sounds like you, ⁠⁠please consider rating and reviewing our show⁠⁠! This helps us support more people — just like you — move toward creating access and equity in STEM, #4Real. ⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! You can also rate the show on Spotify here: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/7CsBVUpmzwgvNsSYkWcJ4C⁠⁠ 

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here: ⁠⁠Follow now⁠⁠!

Teaching STEM #4Real is a podcast dedicated to #4Real conversations on educational equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education hosted by Dr. Leena Bakshi McLean. If you’re interested in exploring what anti-racism and socially just instruction looks like in our classrooms, schools, and beyond, you are in the right place. Dr. Bakshi is also the founder of the non-profit,⁠⁠ STEM4Real⁠⁠. Please visit our⁠⁠ website⁠⁠ for information on how to partner with us. Thank you for helping us make STEM, #4Real.

Welcome back to season two of Teaching STEM #4Real! Today, we are excited to be joined by Whitney Aragaki!

Whitney Aragaki (she/they) is an educator, parent, and learner from Hilo, Hawaiʻi.  She supports students to learn through a lens of abundance that honors place, people and cultures. Her teaching focuses around conversations, practices and systems that sustain the intimate inter-relationship of public education, community and environment. Whitney is the 2022 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year and National Teacher of the Year Finalist. She is a National Board Certified Teacher in Adolescence and Young Adulthood Mathematics, and a two-time state finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

In this episode, we’ll discuss how Whitney became the teacher she is today, the feeling of being othered in STEM, and how Whitney creates an inclusive classroom. Besides this, we’ll also talk about how Whitney brings Aina into the classroom, the way her teaching goes beyond the curriculum, and what teachers can do to create a culturally responsive classroom. Last but not least, Whitney will share her thoughts on what the system needs for teachers to be able to become more adaptable, teaching in colonized spaces, and more! Let’s talk all things science and culture! 

Learn more: 

Rate, Review, & Follow on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

“This is a great show for educators in STEM! Love Leena’s perspective on creating equitable classroom environments for STEM and the guests are always spot on!” <– If that sounds like you, ⁠⁠please consider rating and reviewing our show⁠⁠! This helps us support more people — just like you — move toward creating access and equity in STEM, #4Real. ⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! You can also rate the show on Spotify here: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/7CsBVUpmzwgvNsSYkWcJ4C⁠⁠ 

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here: ⁠⁠Follow now⁠⁠!

Teaching STEM #4Real is a podcast dedicated to #4Real conversations on educational equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education hosted by Dr. Leena Bakshi McLean. If you’re interested in exploring what anti-racism and socially just instruction looks like in our classrooms, schools, and beyond, you are in the right place. Dr. Bakshi is also the founder of the non-profit,⁠⁠ STEM4Real⁠⁠. Please visit our⁠⁠ website⁠⁠ for information on how to partner with us. Thank you for helping us make STEM, #4Real.