Identity Talk 4 Educators LIVE

In this second-to-last episode of Identity Talk 4 Educators LIVE, I sit down with two powerful voices in inclusive and student-centered education, Sally Ratemo and Donica Merhazion , learning support educators from the International School of Kenya (ISK) . Together, we explore how they are redefining inclusion, belonging, and identity-affirming practice in international school settings. Drawing fr...

In this week's episode, I sit down with global inclusion consultant Lauren Jones , a leading voice in international education whose work spans continents, cultures, and communities. With experience supporting schools across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and beyond, Lauren specializes in building inclusive ecosystems that affirm every learner, particularly those who have been historically ma...

In this thought-provoking episode, I sit down with Nicole Bonnah , journalist, storyteller, and Founder & Director of Tap in Think Tank , to explore how storytelling can be a transformative force in education, identity, and social change. Drawing from her acclaimed writings such as “The Black Orient: The Emerging Black Presence in China” and “Black China Life” in The Huffington Post, Nicole re...

In this week's episode of Identity Talk 4 Educators LIVE, I chat with Dr. Jaymee Lewis-Flenaugh , the Founder and Principal Consultant of ElevateCore Consulting , to explore what it truly means to lead with humanity, intention, and purpose. Drawing on her rich experiences in academia and organizational development, Jaymee shares how her journey from the university classroom to the consulting s...

In this week's episode, I chat with Osa Oyegun , Founder of Taurus Education Consulting , to explore the transformative role of libraries as spaces for identity, liberation, and joy. Drawing from her unique background as both an educator and a librarian, Osa shares how she uses literacy and storytelling as tools to build belonging, disrupt bias, and affirm every student’s lived experience. Fro...

In this week's episode, I chat with international educator and equity-driven leader Tiwana Merritt to explore how her journey from the track to the classroom has shaped her vision for transformative education. From her record-breaking days as a collegiate athlete to nearly two decades working in schools across Australia, China, and South Africa, Tiwana shares how the lessons of discipline, res...

In this special return episode, I welcome back acclaimed educator, researcher, and author Zaretta Hammond for a powerful conversation about her writing journey and the ideas behind her latest best-selling book, " Rebuilding Students’ Learning Power: Teaching for Instructional Equity and Cognitive Justice ".Building on the legacy of her groundbreaking work, " Culturally Responsive Te...

In this week's episode, I chat with Safirah Ibenana , founder and CEO of Breaking Grounds Group , to explore her remarkable journey from the classroom to the boardroom. Safirah shares how her early academic experiences and years teaching in international schools around the world shaped her vision for more equitable, student-centered education. From navigating cultural differences in global cla...

In this week's episode, I chat with Aylin Erengul Gregg , international educator, consultant, and developer of the LEAVES Approach , a framework designed to affirm multilingual learners’ cultural and linguistic identities while supporting their second language acquisition. Aylin shares her journey from growing up in Turkey as a non-native English learner to teaching in international schools across...

In this week's episode, I sit down with Lori Boll , Executive Director of the Special Education Network & Inclusion Association (SENIA) , to explore her journey as both an educator and a parent advocate. Lori shares how her son Braden’s diagnoses reshaped her purpose in education and fueled her commitment to inclusion in international schools. We discuss the founding and global impact of SENIA...

In this week's episode, I chat with Andrea Mwalula , founder and CEO of Twende Education for All (TEFA) , to explore her remarkable journey from her early childhood in Slovenia to becoming a trailblazing educator and social entrepreneur in Zambia. Andrea reflects on her international career as an IB educator, the personal and professional experiences that led her to reimagine education for chi...

In this inspiring episode, I had the honor of interviewing Loretta Fernando-Smith , international school leader, leadership coach, writer, and TedX speaker, for a powerful conversation on identity, belonging, and courageous leadership. Drawing from her viral TedX talk on the power of names, and her CIS blog on dismantling imposter syndrome, Loretta shares her journey of self-discovery and the less...

In this week's episode, I had the honor of interviewing Dr. Andrea Terrero Gabbadon , educator, leadership coach, and author of the book, " Support and Retain Educators of Color: Six Principles for Culturally Affirming Leadership " .Andrea shares her journey from the classroom to school leadership, and how her identity as the daughter of Dominican immigrants and a mother has shaped h...

What does it truly mean for every student and educator to feel like they belong? In this week's episode, I had the honor of interviewing Rachael Thrash , co-founder of Belong Hub , to explore how schools can move beyond surface-level inclusion and create authentic, identity-affirming spaces. Drawing from her work with international schools around the world, Rachael shares powerful insights on...

In this week's episode, I sit down with educator, author, and equity leader Shane Safir and and street data practitioner Marlo Bagsik to explore how their bestselling book, " Pedagogies of Voice: Street Data and the Path to Student Agency ", can radically transform our classrooms and schools. Drawing from their groundbreaking work, Shane and Marlo unpack what it truly means to center student voice...

How do schools often unintentionally  create  race? In this week's episode, we speak with  Dr. Laura Chávez-Moreno , scholar, educator, and author of  How Schools Make Race: Teaching Latinx Racialization in America , to unpack the ways that everyday policies, labels, and interactions shape racial identities and perpetuate inequities for Latinx and multilingual students. Drawing from years of e...

In this week's episode, I sit down with Dr. Sheldon Eakins , founder of Purposeful Teaching Academy and host of the Leading Equity Podcast, to unpack his educator journey, the urgent need for equity-centered leadership, and his forthcoming book “What Are You Bringing to the Potluck?: How School Leaders Set the Table for a Community of Belonging?” We also discuss what it means to bring your ful...

In this week's conversation, I sit down with Dr.  Tanji Reed Marshall , CEO of  Liaison Educational Partners  and author of  Understanding Your Instructional Power , to explore what it truly means for educators to recognize, reclaim, and responsibly use their influence—especially in today’s politically charged climate. We talk about her journey from classroom teacher to national thought leader...

In this nostalgic episode, I catch up with my favorite principal, Dr. Salome Thomas-EL , to talk about his legendary career in education, which has spanned five decades! Dr. EL will also share his thoughts about the recurring issue of Black male educator recruitment & retention, how he personally measures success as a school leader, balancing life as an edupreneur, and the process of writing h...

In this courageous and timely episode, I sit down with Dr. Sawsan Jaber , founder of Education Unfiltered , for an unflinching conversation about identity, justice, and the role of education in confronting global oppression. Drawing from her lived experiences as a Palestinian-American and her decades of work in culturally responsive education, Dr. Jaber explores what it means to center student voi...

In this week's episode, I catch up with my good friend Shira Woolf Cohen , co-founder of Innovageous , seasoned educator, and author of the new book, "Leading Future-Focused Schools" . Drawing from her extensive experience as a teacher and principal, Shira shares powerful insights on why student engagement and career readiness can’t wait, how school leaders can spark meaningful change, and practic...

In this powerful episode, I sit down with educator, leader, and global change agent Constance Darshea Collins to explore her remarkable journey—from growing up in Atlanta, GA to graduating from Yale University, to leading strategic initiatives in international schools across the globe. Constance opens up about navigating elite academic spaces as a Black woman, adapting to new cultures abroad, and...

In this crossover conversation, I join Tim Logan , host of the Future Learning Design Podcast , to explore how we can radically reimagine education by centering identity, equity, and innovation. Together, they examine the urgent need to move beyond outdated institutional models and uplift community-driven, learner-centered ecosystems. From the role of culturally affirming practices and student age...

In this week's episode, we sit down with renowned educator, writer, and wellness advocate Jamilah Pitts to explore her deeply personal and professional journey. Jamilah shares her formative upbringing in Columbus, Ohio, and how attending Spelman College profoundly shaped her identity and purpose as a liberatory educator. She reflects on the challenges and triumphs of her first year of teaching in...

In this week's episode, we sit down with Jamila Sams —educator, speaker, and founder of We Do It 4 The Culture ™—to explore what it means to reclaim education through hip-hop. Drawing from her experiences as a Black woman navigating institutional spaces, Jamila unpacks how hip-hop serves not just as a genre, but as a pedagogical tool for healing, identity affirmation, and social-emotional lear...