The Culture-Centered Classroom

In this bonus episode I share 1) what a classroom norm is, 2) why it is important to co-create norms with your students, and 3) Four reasons co-creation is so beneficial for you and your students. 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 Inc...

In this bonus episode I answer the #2 most frequently asked question by teachers and instructional coaches. Tune in and let me know your thoughts. 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 ⁠ Penelope Lively Quote⁠ Letter...

In this bonus episode I will share how reflecting on and prioritizing joy in your classroom will allow you to get to know your students more deeply and gain better understanding of what they need to thrive. 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 Inc...

In this bonus episode I will share the first thing you should prioritize as you think about going back to school. Do you agree? Send me a message and let me know. In this episode I mention: ⁠ New Year, Focus Activities for Teachers ⁠"Cultural Reflection Workshop & Journal"⁠ - ⁠https://customteachingsolutions.com/culturalreflection⁠ Wednesday, August 16th, 2023 - Back to School Succes...

Creating equitable learning spaces requires you to not only see a person's unique gifts, talents and circumstances, but it requires you to evaluate your possible bias around them in order to work past it and provide the individual students what is needed for their success. In order to truly see people completely and respect them enough to identify and honor their unique gifts, geniuses, circum...

The equity journey begins with you, your decision. That might seem wild because most people who talk about equity start with the students. The students matter 100%, but so do you, and honestly your journey impacts theirs because it influences how you show up as a n educator. So, as you are charting your course and mapping out the next brave steps you have to begin with you. Jump into this episode...

Join me in welcoming  Brittany Roberts  to the podcast as she shares her experience as a non-native teaching on a Native American reservation, how you can become a teacher on a Native American reservation, an key components of active allyship. Before leaving the classroom in 2022, Brittany lived and taught on a reservation for 5 years. Now, she’s sharing what she’s learned with other non-native te...

Most people share about the beginning and the end of their journey, but it is the middle that is often most challenging to navigate. Today I share three lessons I have learned to help you thrive in the messy, but magical middle of your equity journey. Mentioned in the Episode: Brene' Brown quote - https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-on-day-2/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Activities⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for creating a welcomin...

Join me in welcoming Rachel Nye to the podcast for an incredible conversation about how to use a trauma supportive lens to ensure all of your students are welcomed and fully supported in your classroom. Rachel is a certified special education and elementary teacher and certified child trauma professional. With a masters in curriculum & instruction, she strives to create meaningful educational...

The beginning of most journeys is a mix of excitement and nerves and humility and bravery. My equity journey began much the same way. Join me today as I share a new piece of my story and some encouragement for your journey. In this episode I mention: Tiers of Intervention & Support - https://www.understood.org/en/articles/3-tiers-of-rti-support Teacher Reflection ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Activities⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for c...

Join me in welcoming Nneka McGee, J.D.to the podcast for an informative and empowering conversation about Artificial Intelligence and Chat GPT in education. Nneka McGee (she/her) is the Chief Academic Officer for San Benito School District and an artificial intelligence researcher. If you are interested in connecting with Nneka, you can find her: Twitter - @nnekamcgee LinkedIN - Nneka McGee, J.D....

Summer 2023 is upon us! Cheers! In this episode I encourage you to rest, reflect, and then strategically and intentionally plan for next school year. Tune in to learn about the variety of ways I will be supporting you this summer! In this episode I mention: 1:1 - 60 minute Equity Strategy Session - https://customteachingsolutions.com/strategysession IMPACT Summer Summit for School Counselors (June...

Between Teacher Instagram and Pinterest and maybe even this podcast, I can see how it can seem like educators are just waking up all culturally responsive and equity focused. The reality is however, that we are all on a journey toward unlocking our full genius, joy, and potential as well as discovering the combination of practice and pedagogy to unlock that genius and joy and potential inside our...

Join me in welcoming Ashley Cuthbertson to the podcast for an inspiring conversation about the powerful connections and deep learning students can experience in a culturally responsive, equity centered music classroom. Ashley Cuthbertson (she/her) is the founder, CEO, and principal consultant of A.Cuthbertson Consulting, LLC, and educational consulting firm that partners with schools, districts, a...

With all the tips and strategies out there, it can be difficult to know where to start. It can be overwhelming. In this episode I share three simple, yet effective ways to kick overwhelm to the curb and start creating the classroom you desire and your students deserve. If you listen to the end there is a bonus tip! In this episode I mention: The CASEL 5 - Competencies Box Breathing Transformationa...

John Maxwell said, “People change in four different seasons; they hurt enough that they have to, they see enough that they are inspired to, they learn enough that they want to, or they receive enough that they are able to.” There are going to be seasons that we are hurt enough that we have to, but do we want to wait for those seasons to change. I sure hope not. Where are you on this journey of cha...

When you are creating a culturally responsive learning space and designing culturally relevant lessons, leveraging restorative and trauma-informed practices as well as social and emotional learning strategies is one way to ensure that you are teaching through an equity lens. In this episode I will share a high level definition of each of those practices as well as the number one challenge you didn...

Join me in welcoming Carlo L'Chelle Dawson to the podcast for an inspiring conversation about why it is important to identify the missing voices and stories in your curriculum and classroom. Carlo has 21 years of experience in education as a high school teacher. She is also the founder of The Power of PROGENY Project, an author, singer, and motivational speaker. Her one woman show, "The M...

Perspective is a superpower you can harness to positively impact the culture of your classroom. Being aware of multiple perspectives is necessary as an educator. It is a foundational element in developing authentic relationships with students and structuring effective classroom management systems. It is essential for differentiating instruction and fostering a learning environment where students a...

Tune in to this episode to learn about the two different types of complex conversations that occur in the class room and FIVE effective strategies for navigating them with students. In this episode I mention: FREE Guide - " Six Top Tips for Navigating Complex Conversations in the Classroom " - Get it HERE Lesson Plan Coaching Call - Click ⁠⁠ HERE ⁠⁠ to schedule ⁠⁠Activities⁠⁠ for creatin...

How many times have you said, "I teach because I love my students"? Have you also broken down what that actually means or how you show this to your students? Jump into today's episode to learn about the universal love language that will help you create a welcoming and inclusive learning space all your students need to thrive academically and socially. In this episode I mention: &quot...

How do you increase your capacity to be more equity minded? How do you understand more deeply what it means to celebrate diversity? Where can you go for research based information about developing cultural competency? In this episode I will share about six scholars who continue to inspire my passion around this work in education. In this episode I mention: "Crossing Over to Canaan: The Journey of...

The two power questions in the title of this episode invite deep reflection and the creation of plans for action. Change and action can be challenging and scary, but they are most certainly worth it, especially when considering the positive impact the changes will have on the educational landscape. Are you ready for it? In this episode I mention: Unearthing Joy: A Guide to Culturally & Histori...

In this episode I am inviting you to fall in love with teaching again. I am inviting you to help your students fall in love with learning by centering joy and allowing for liberation that comes through discovery. In this episode I mention: Unearthing Joy: A Guide to Culturally & Historically Responsive Teaching and Learning" by Dr. Gholdy Muhammad Pharrell Williams Lesson Plan Coaching Call -...

Join me in welcoming De'Ana Forbes to the podcast for an inspiring conversation about centering Black joy while teaching hard history honestly. De'Ana is a history teacher, creator of "Black History Month with Joy", a presenter, resource creator, and mother. De'Ana was inspired by the questions her students as her about Enslaved people and decided to write an e-book to answer these questions and s...