Our Classroom

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...

Today, we are honored to have Dr. Amira Rose Davis as our special guest. Dr. Davis, an assistant professor specializing in 20th-century American history with a focus on race, gender, sports, and politics, will be joining us to delve into the intricate histories of Black athletes, especially Black women in sports. In this episode, Dr. Davis sheds light on the dualities Black athletes face, the role...

In this episode, we'll explore the foundational principles of NVC, including the profound understanding that all behaviors are attempts to meet needs. Mike Tinoco shares powerful real-life examples from his teaching career and personal journey, shedding light on how recognizing and addressing unmet needs can reshape interactions and build stronger, more empathetic communities. We'll also discuss t...

In this episode of Our Classroom, Chris Lehman, the visionary Founding Director of the Educator Collaborative, joins to explore the critical importance of partnership in educational leadership, balancing autonomy and rigidity, and the power of co-creation tailored to the needs of schools and districts. Chris sheds light on the significant work the Educator Collaborative is doing to offer accessibl...

In this episode of Our Classroom, we're thrilled to present an eye-opening conversation with Kwame Sarfo-Mensah , a former 7th and 8th grade math teacher from Boston Public Schools and now a passionate education advocate. This episode dives deep into Kwame's journey from classroom challenges to global experiences in Sierra Leone. Kwame shares his frustrations and realizations about the varyin...

In today's episode, Roberto reconnects with Tony DelaRosa , a multifaceted educator, poet, and PhD student at UW Madison. It's been nearly three years since their collaborative poetry session, and now they dive deep into the complex impacts of affirmative action bans on education and racial dynamics. Tony, the author of " Teaching the Invisible Race ," shares insights from his extensive research o...

In today's episode, we're thrilled to dive into the inspiring world of language education with our special guest, Gretchen Melo. Gretchen is the visionary founder of El Puente Bilingüe , a Spanish language curriculum infused with Montessori principles. Roberto and Gretchen explore the development and impact of this innovative curriculum, which not only fills gaps in traditional Spanish teaching bu...

Today we're celebrating the vibrancy of Dominican culture and the power of family through literature. Joining us is the inspiring author and poet, Lissette Norman , known for her evocative books like "Plátanos Go With Everything" and "My Feet Are Laughing." In this episode, Lissette shares her unique writing styles and the journey behind her works, emphasizing the impact of Afro-Latino representat...

Today we’re delving into a transformative approach to grading and assessment in education with our special guest, Sarah M. Zerwin . Sarah is a high school English teacher at Fairview High School in Boulder, Colorado, with three decades of experience, and the author of the eye-opening book "Pointless, an English Teacher's Guide to More Meaningful Grading." In this episode, we explore radical yet pr...

Welcome to Our Classroom! In this episode, we are thrilled to have Dr. JPB Gerald, an inspiring adult educator and theorist, join us to discuss his groundbreaking work and upcoming book, " Embracing the Exceptions: Supporting Neurodivergent Students of Color in Education ." 🎓 Join us as we delve into Dr. Gerald's personal journey with ADHD, his commitment to justice for racially, linguistically,...

Welcome to Our Classroom! Stay tuned as we delve into the transformative power of illustration with the incredibly talented Bea Jackson , New York Times best-selling illustrator. In this episode, we explore the captivating world of Bea's vibrant illustrations, which bring to life the enchanting book "Summer is Here" by Renee Watson.   Join us as we: Discover practical ways to capture childhoo...

Today, we are going to listen to a reflection by Lorena Germán as she dives deep into the intersection of education and the current political climate. With the upcoming school year coinciding with another intense election cycle, Lorena calls on educators and caregivers alike to prepare for the emotional and social challenges that lie ahead. Drawing from her rich experience, she outlines a three-st...