The Culture-Centered Classroom

This episode, "From Insight to Action: Reimagining Learning for Heartfelt, Equity-Centered Education," is all about transforming the insights we gain from student stories into meaningful actions that create a more integrated, supportive, and equitable classroom. In this episode, we cover: Developing cultural competence by deeply understanding your students’ diverse backgrounds. Centering...

I’m excited to share a special episode where we combine three powerful themes into one impactful discussion. In this episode, "How Can Leveraging Student Stories Help you Center Equity?," we explore: Leveraging Student’s Stories to Center Equity : How recognizing and integrating diverse student experiences can create a more inclusive classroom. Creating safe spaces for sharing : Techniqu...

The third episode of our back-to-school series is here, and it’s all about creating a classroom where students feel safe and valued enough to share their stories. We'll explore techniques for setting up storytelling activities, establishing trust with students, and building a classroom culture of openness and respect. If you want to create an environment where your students feel comfortable ex...

In this episode, "Elevate Your Teaching Game: Recognizing and Managing Your Capacity Like a Pro," we tackle an important topic—understanding and acknowledging when you’ve reached your personal and professional limits. As educators, it’s crucial to recognize when we’re at capacity so we can ask for help, reassign our time, energy, and effort, and help our students understand the concept o...

It's BACK TO SCHOOL season! During this first episode in the BTS series we explore how storytelling can bridge the gap between teachers and students. By sharing and listening to personal stories, we can foster empathy, create stronger connections, and build a more inclusive classroom environment. Tune in to discover practical ways to incorporate storytelling into your teaching practice and mak...

February is a month dedicated to the celebration of Black history, not the highlighting of American history during the time when enslavement and segregation were legal. Reenacting events connected to these time periods has continued to happen again and again. It is a problem and here's why... In this episode I mention : ⁠ ⁠ Charlotte Mecklenburg School - "celebrating" BHM Florida day...

It is tradition to sing "The Star Spangled banner", the United States national anthem during the Super Bowl re-game show. In recent years the singing of the Black national anthem, "Lift Ev'ry Voice & Sing" has been added. Some people ask, "Why are two anthems being performed if we are one country?"  Listen in for an answer to this question! In this episode I m...

Black History month is right around the corner I wanted to help you get prepped and ready. In this episode I will share three questions I frequently get asked regarding teaching and celebrating Black history as well as my responses. Let me know if this was helpful by sending me a message on Instagram, LinkedIn or FB. If you have a question, you can let me know that as well. 🙂 In this episode I me...

Are you familiar with the phrase "the sandwich generation"? I wasn't either until a few years ago. In this episode I share how understanding this phrase is connected to developing cultural competency personally and professionally. In this episode I mention : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/iteachcustom/ Grade Level Book Recommendations - visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bookshop.org/...

What does it even mean when you say "Your child is so well behaved." to a caregiver? Let's chat about the importance of reframing and elaborating on this statement in a way that supports growth for the student and clarity for caregivers. Let's expand and deepen our understanding around the concept of "well-behaved". What is the purpose of education and how is a student...

Getting students back on track after break can be challenging. I invite you to think outside the box as I share a couple strategies for reengagement. In this episode I mention : ⁠ ⁠⁠The Equity Focused Teacher Cohort & Community⁠⁠ ⁠One Word Focus Activity - Teacher Edition⁠ ⁠One Word Focus Activity - Student Edition⁠ ⁠S1.E5 - New Year - Choosing Your One Powerful Focus Word⁠ ⁠S1.E4 - The Power...

Creating a welcoming and culturally inclusive classroom requires a teacher who is aware of the power of words. A teacher who is aware of the impact certain words have and the weight certain words carry in varying contexts. A teacher who is intentional about developing awareness about the difference between the intention behind words and the impact they have. In this episode I mention : ⁠ ⁠The Equi...

As a culturally responsive educator that prioritizes equity, there are two keys you need to ensure success on your journey. In this episode I mention : ⁠ The Equity Focused Teacher Cohort & Community S3.E8 - Show Your Students You Love them by using the Universal Love Language Grade Level Book Recommendations - visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bookshop.org/shop/CustomTeachingSolutions⁠⁠⁠⁠  . ⁠⁠⁠⁠Activities⁠⁠...

Do students read in your class? If you answered yes to that question, then this episode is for you. To ensure you are selecting reading material that will allow for critical curiosity, questioning, and robust discussion amongst ALL your students, I am sharing three dynamic questions. Grade Level Book Recommendations - visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bookshop.org/shop/CustomTeachingSolutions⁠⁠⁠⁠  . ⁠⁠⁠⁠Activitie...

There are two types of books that should be in every classroom library, home library, and school library. I will share about both types and provide examples of each in this episode. In this episode I mention : A Lady has the Floor: Belva Lockwood Speaks Out for Women's Rights by Kate Hannigan ⁠ The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson Our Family's Doing Yoga by Sonj...

'Tis the season for winter and holiday themed celebrations. If you are planning this type of fun learning at your school, check out this episode for a few best practices to consider as you plan for maximum impact. In this episode I mention : Sparkles of Joy by Aditi Wardhan Singh Picture Books to learn about different winter holidays Grade Level Book Recommendations - visit ⁠⁠https://bookshop....

Join me in welcoming Dr. Gholdy Muhammad-Jackson to the podcast for an inspiring conversation about the intersection of joy, justice, equity, and liberation. Dr. Gholdy Muhammad-Jackson (she/her) is the author of the books " Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally & Historically Responsive Literacy " and " Unearthing Joy: A Guide to Culturally & Historically R...

A joyful classroom environment and learning experience is not out of your reach. Listen in for some mindset shifts and practical suggestions for creating the joyful classroom your desire and your students deserve. Use this ⁠ ⁠⁠FREE Joy Reflection Sheet⁠⁠⁠ to map out your thoughts. In the episode I mention: United American Indians of New England ⁠⁠FREE Joy Reflection Sheet⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Complete Joy Study⁠⁠...

This second episode just for students is filled with ideas for celebrating student joy all year long. Grab the FREE joy worksheets and let's get started! In the episode I mention: ⁠⁠FREE Joy Reflection Sheet⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Complete Joy Study⁠⁠ Grade Level Book Recommendations - visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bookshop.org/shop/CustomTeachingSolutions⁠⁠⁠⁠  . ⁠⁠⁠⁠Activities⁠⁠⁠⁠ for creating a welcoming and inclusive class -...

This episode is just for students! Let's talk about what brings you joy in life and at school. Connecting your joy to the classroom is going to make your learning experience so much better! Grab the FREE joy worksheets and let's get started! In the episode I mention: ⁠⁠FREE Joy Reflection Sheet⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Complete Joy Study⁠⁠ Grade Level Book Recommendations - visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bookshop.org/shop/...

Equity is joy. In this episode I will share about the importance and components of creating an equity statement that will allow for the joyful pursuit of academic and personal growth in the classroom.  Use this ⁠ ⁠FREE Joy Reflection Sheet⁠⁠ to map out your thoughts. In the episode I mention: ⁠FREE Joy Reflection Sheet⁠ ⁠Complete Joy Study⁠ Grade Level Book Recommendations - visit ⁠⁠⁠https://books...

One of the essential elements of creating a welcoming and culturally inclusive learning environment is JOY. We will begin this season with a joy study for you and your students. No matter where you are in the school year, you can add a joy study into the mix. This joy study will take place over the next few episodes and will culminate with an interview with Dr. Gholdy Muhammad about joy and justic...

Mahatma Ghandi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” What change do you want to see in the world of education? Are you being the person who represents that change currently? What does that look like, sound like, move like? How will being this person impact change? Use this FREE Reflection Sheet to map out your thoughts. In the episode I mention: Mahatma Ghandi FREE Reflection Guide G...

Having practical strategies for sustainable implementation is SO important. This episode is quick, but packed with gems! Do you agree? Send me a message and let me know. In this episode I mention: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Wednesday, August 16th, 2023 - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Back to School Success Workshop: Create a Welcoming, Joyful, and Culturally Inclusive Learning Space⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Letter to share with your administrator...

This episode is all about lesson panning through an equity lens. It's time to turn gaps into gateways. Use my three anchor questions to do it! Do you agree? Send me a message and let me know. In this episode I mention: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Wednesday, August 16th, 2023 - ⁠⁠⁠⁠Back to School Success Workshop: Create a Welcoming, Joyful, and Culturally Inclusive Learning Space⁠⁠⁠⁠ Letter to share wit...