Our Classroom

In this follow-up to “ The Difference Between Harmful Books and Harm-Exposing Books ,” host Roberto Germán responds to a public comment on Lorena Germán’s recent post — a comment that reflects a common misunderstanding about book banning and access. In this episode, Roberto unpacks the language used in conversations about “restricted” versus “banned” books, revealing how the distinction is often u...

In this episode of Our Classroom, host Roberto Germán expands on Lorena Escoto Germán’s blog post “ Harmful Books vs. Harm-Exposing Books .” Roberto breaks down the crucial difference between books that perpetuate harm and those that reveal it to inspire empathy and justice. Through this lens, he explores how silence, stereotypes, and unchecked bias shape what students read — and how banning books...

In this episode of Our Classroom, New York Times bestselling author Abigail Hing Wen joins to explore how storytelling can be a dynamic tool for teaching students about artificial intelligence. Diving into her new middle-grade novel, " The Vale ," Abigail shares her vision of a hopeful, creative, and ethical approach to technology—one where young people are empowered, not intimidated, by AI. We&nb...

In this episode of Our Classroom, titled "Shaping the World," Lorena Germán invites us to a vibrant conversation with renowned author and illustrator Yuyi Morales. Recorded as part of the Latinx Kid Lit Book Festival, this episode dives into the transformative power of children's literature and how stories can spark imagination, resilience, and hope—especially in challenging times. Yuyi Morales sh...

In this episode, Eric Royo, founder of Hip Hop Building Blocks , joins to explore the intersection of hip hop culture and social emotional learning (SEL). Eric, a lifelong hip hop artist and seasoned educator from New York, shares the transformative impact hip hop has had on his life and how it inspired him to create an innovative, culturally relevant educational platform. From stories of internat...

In this episode, Roberto sits down with Edgar Palacios, a dynamic advocate for Latino representation in education and the founder of both the Latinx Education Collaborative and Revolución Educativa . Edgar shares his journey from growing up in a vibrant Latino community in Miami to feeling isolated in less diverse environments, and how these experiences fueled his passion for educational equity. T...

AI isn’t here to replace teachers—it’s here to support them. In this episode, Roberto Germán explores how educators can shift their mindset and classroom practice to embrace AI as a powerful partner, not a threat. From grading hacks to real-world projects that outsmart AI misuse, you’ll discover actionable ways to save time, boost engagement, and protect the integrity of student learning. You’ll l...

In this episode of Our Classroom, Roberto sits down with Jackson Garcia , the dynamic Dean of Students at Renaissance Charter School at Coral Springs . Known for his commitment to equity-driven leadership and culturally responsive teaching, Jackson shares his journey from aspiring political science major to visionary educational leader. Together, they explore what it takes to foster a truly inclus...

Is your school committed to equity but still seeing gaps in student experience, staff retention, or instructional impact? In this episode, Roberto Germán explores why so many well-intentioned school initiatives stall—and what real transformation looks like when equity is embedded across culture, instruction, and leadership. You’ll walk away with: ✅ 3 common mistakes schools make ✅ A vision for s...

In this episode of Our Classroom , we dive deep into what education truly means—beyond just what happens in schools. In this engaging conversation, host Wade Kelly is joined by Lorena Germán, co-founder and academic director of Multicultural Classroom , and author of Textured Teaching: A Framework for Culturally Sustaining Practices . Lorena brings her lived experience as an immigrant and a d...

In this episode of Our Classroom, Roberto had the honor of joining Penny Kittle  for a powerful, heartfelt conversation about his poetry collection,   Blue Ink Tears . In this episode, they dig deep into the long journey that brought this book to life—over 20 years in the making—and discuss how his experiences as an educator, school leader, and Dominican-American have shaped his writing...

On today’s episode of Our Classroom, we invite you into an intimate and profound conversation about the realities of the immigrant experience in the United States. Lorena Germán shares her personal immigration journey—from her childhood in the Dominican Republic to growing up bicultural in the U.S.—and exposes the invisible and often painful challenges so many immigrants face. Lorena offers a powe...

In latest episode of Our Classroom, we delve into the complexities of forced exile and authoritarianism with our special guest, Amanda Quintero Aguerrevere . Amanda, a Venezuelan national living in exile, shares her profound insights and personal experiences, highlighting the human impact of political upheaval. As an economist, writer, and international business strategist, Amanda channels her exp...

In this episode of Our Classroom, the talented authors and educators Rebecca Bellingham and Veronica Scott join to dive into the transformative power of art in the classroom as they explore how creativity serves as a pathway to identity and belonging. Their new book, " The Artful Approach to Exploring Identity and Fostering Belonging ," acts as a guiding light for educators eager to integrate art...

In this episode, we're joined by distinguished guests Dr. Jacquelynne Boivin and Dr. Kevin McGowan , both esteemed educators from Bridgewater State University. Together, we'll explore the nuanced subject of privilege and how it intersects with race and equity in predominantly white classrooms. We'll address the discomfort and resistance often encountered when discussing race, and how to navigate t...

Today's episode of Our Classroom dives into the ever-evolving intersection of technology and mindfulness with a special focus on the digital age. We welcome Michael Davis , founder of Mindfulbytes IO , to shed light on how mindfulness strategies can transform digital education.     Michael, a seasoned cybersecurity expert and TEDx speaker, emphasizes the importance of developing healthy,...

In today's episode of Our Classroom, we're delving into the poignant and necessary conversation about sustaining cultural and disability identities in literacy with esteemed guests Dr. Amy Tondreau, an assistant professor of literacy at the University of Maryland, and Dr. Laurie Rabinowitz, an assistant professor of education studies at Skidmore College. Dr. Tondreau and Dr. Rabinowitz bring a wea...

In this episode of Our Classroom, we are joined by Jerry Kolber , an Emmy-nominated co-creator of National Geographic's hit series Brain Games. Known for his exceptional contributions to the edutainment realm, Jerry's journey showcases a unique blend of entertainment and education. With ventures like Brainchild on Netflix and the globally popular podcast Who Smarted, accumulating over 15 million d...

In this episode of Our Classroom, we are joined by Brian Jordan . Known for his remarkable career as a two-sport professional athlete with the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Falcons, Brian has since transitioned into a passionate advocate for youth literacy. His journey from the sports field to the world of children's literature is deeply rooted in his own experiences with reading challenges and the i...

In today's episode, we are joined by a special guest, Niurka Ozuna, a proud Dominican author from the Bronx, New York. Niurka is passionate about using literature to share her culture and initiate discussions that build awareness and literacy. She joins us to talk about her impactful children's book, "What's Wrong with Grandma? Que Le Pasa Abuela?" This book serves as a conversation starter about...

In this episode of Our Classroom, we're diving into a topic of utmost importance: safeguarding our children in today's digital age. In this episode, we're joined by Erin Williamson, the Chief Program and Strategy Officer at Love146, an organization dedicated to preventing child trafficking and exploitation. With over two decades of experience in child protection and social services, Erin brings a...

In our latest episode, Roberto sits down with Noam Gerstein, CEO and founder of Bina , a global accredited virtual school pioneering precision education. Noam shares her visionary insights on online education, discussing the practicalities and wonders of teaching digitally, including the benefits of small class sizes, highly trained educators, real-time feedback, and a unique thematic approach to...

Today we dive into the evolution of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) with the insightful Dr. Maggie Broderick . With over 20 years of experience in curriculum development and SEL, Dr. Broderick offers invaluable perspectives on how SEL has shifted from so-called "soft skills" to a critical, structured framework that enhances empathy, communication, self-regulation, and personal growth. In this epis...

Today, our host Roberto Germán sits down with graphic novelist Julio Anta and Lowell High School senior Junior Han for a compelling discussion that takes us deep into the world of storytelling, activism, and identity. Julio Anta, known for his impactful works like "Frontera," "Home," and "This Land is Our Land," shares his journey from childhood influences like Archie comics to creating graphic no...

Today’s episode, titled "Rethinking Weapon Play in Classrooms: Balancing Safety, Learning, and Playful Exploration," takes us on a journey through personal experiences, societal implications, and educational strategies around the often controversial topic of weapon play in early childhood settings. Host Roberto Germán is joined by two distinguished guests: Kisa Marx, an author and anti-racist curr...