Too Dope Teachers and a Mic

In this episode of Two Dope Teachers and a Mic, Gerardo sits down with Alix Guerrier, CEO of DonorsChoose, to talk about how classrooms become engines of justice when teachers are trusted with resources—and when young people are trusted with big ideas. From robotics programs serving new immigrant students, to youth-led racial justice campaigns sparked by classroom reading groups, to hydroponic gar...

In this in-depth conversation, Washington Monthly editor-in-chief Paul Glastris joins Gerardo to unpack how America’s obsession with elite college rankings distorts our sense of what higher education is for. From his days inside U.S. News & World Report to his years building an alternative ranking system rooted in upward mobility, research, and civic service, Glastris offers a powerful critiqu...

In this powerful conversation from the archives, recorded live at the NEA Racial and Social Justice Conference in Houston, Two Dope Teachers and a Mic sit down with the legendary Boots Riley — writer, director of Sorry to Bother You, frontman of The Coup, and lifelong revolutionary artist. Six years later, Boots’ words still feel urgent. He reminds us that art isn’t a luxury — it’s a tool for libe...

Back in the wake of COVID quarantine, we were graced with the wisdom of Dr. Gholdy Muhammad! ????️ Episode 102 (Throwback): “Artist in the Industry” with Dr. Gholdy Muhammad Originally aired in 2021 — Revisited in 2025 In this powerful conversation, Gerardo Muñoz and Kevin Adams sit down with Dr. Gholdy Muhammad, author of Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Res...

 Award-winning educator and author Bryan Christopher joins Gerardo Muñoz to share the incredible story behind his new book Stopping the Deportation Machine. From Durham, NC classrooms to the halls of Congress, students mobilized to defend a classmate from deportation — proving that student voice can stop even the biggest machine. 0:00 – Welcome 2:40 – Immigration and Identity 7:36 – Meet Bryan Chr...

In this solo episode, Gerardo processes the shooting death of right wing influencer Charlie Kirk by exploring the hidden dangers of teaching debate the traditional way. Drawing on previously published writing that draws a line between traditional debate and the "own-the-libs" take-no-prisoners style of Kirk, Ben Shapiro, Jordan Peterson and others, as well as personal experience as a debate coach,...

In this episode of Too Dope Teachers and a Mic, Gerardo is joined by Sahba Rohani, Executive Director of Roots Connected, to dive into what it means to center belonging in schools. From her TED Talk on the power of names to her decades of work in intentionally diverse communities, Sahba shares how small shifts in mindset and practice can transform classrooms, staff culture, and whole school commun...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Jamila Sams—educator, visionary, and founder of We Do It 4 the Culture—to talk about the movement that’s transforming school culture through hip hop, empowerment, and equity. From classrooms to district offices, Jamila’s work helps educators center student voice, cultural relevance, and joy in learning. We dive into her journey as the founder of this uniq...

One of my favorite quotes about problem-solving on a systems and institutional level is that "the answer is in the room." This means that when there are problems that need to be solved, even big ones, the person, perspective, or idea that will solve it doesn't need to be sought outside of those who know the work best. As teacher recruitment, training, and retention remain persistent challenges to...

One of my favorite quotes about problem-solving on a systems and institutional level is that “the answer is in the room.” This means that when there are problems that need to be solved, even big ones, the person, perspective, or idea that will solve it doesn’t need to be sought outside of those who know the work best. As teacher recruitment, training, and retention remain persistent challenges to...

One of my favorite quotes about problem-solving on a systems and institutional level is that "the answer is in the room." This means that when there are problems that need to be solved, even big ones, the person, perspective, or idea that will solve it doesn't need to be sought outside of those who know the work best. As teacher recruitment, training, and retention remain persistent challenges to...

Back in October, Sofia González, teacher, thinker, writer, speaker and activist and Gerardo finally found time for this interview. This was prior to the 2024 election and all that followed. What ensued was a great conversation–provocative, humorous, and energetic. As we brace ourselves to face another four years of anxiety, frustration, fear, and state-encouraged violence, this conversation remain...

Sofia Gonzalez is 2019 teacher of the year with the National Society of High School Scholars, nonprofit leader for organization Project 214, and education activist from the Chicagoland area. She is a sought-after public speaker regarding the state of education who is known for her cutting-edge presentations and dynamic illustrations with a passion that’s infectious. A High School teacher, 15-year...

About two years ago, Kevin and Gerardo’s paths diverged. Facing burnout, Gerardo left the classroom to manage aspiring and new educator programs at the central office level, and Kevin became an assistant principal. The last two years have been challenging for us both. Questions arose as to whether the podcast would last. What would happen now that Too Dope Teachers were no longer in the classroom?...

Citing declining enrollment, demographic shifts, and building under-use as primary factors, Denver Public Schools superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero announced his proposal to close or consolidate a number of schools. On school that is proposed for consolidation is the Denver Center for International Studies at Baker, where we met. It is a school that we feel profound affection for and belief in. In t...

When Fatimah Basir reached out to the podcast to promote her book, I’m a Big Fish, Not a Guppy, we had to know more. Not only is this energetic and motivating educator imaginative, creative, and joyful, she also sets a powerful example for how to take on important work for youth and communities. Miss B knows her purpose, knows what she is up against, but more importantly, she draws strength from h...

John "Sunshine" Arthur is really like this. Always smiling, always joyful, this passionate and dedicated teacher has continued to push forward for students and communities from which they come. A veteran teacher, John has always sought ways to elevate educational opportunities and equity in his community and beyond. Even as he runs for the Utah state board of education, John humanizes his opponent...

Vouchers are violence. Privatization is violence. Failure to see that school privatization is a tool of Christian Nationalism and White Supremacy is deadly. To the future prospects of the students they exploit for flash-in-the-pan snake oil pedagogies. To the very possibility  of civil society. Dr. Josh Cowen joins me for episode 132 of Too Dope Teachers and a Mic to discuss the peril of school vo...

This week, Gerardo is joined by the eminent and brilliant Elena Aguilar, scholar of professional development and leadership! In this, Elena’s second visit to the show, she discusses her most recent coaching book Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching . Elena shares her purpose, identities, and processes of writing, shedding a bright light on both the art of coaching, but also the art of writi...

This week, Gerardo is joined by the eminent and brilliant Elena Aguilar, scholar of professional development and leadership! In this, Elena’s second visit to the show, she discusses her most recent coaching book Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching . Elena shares her purpose, identities, and processes of writing, shedding a bright light on both the art of coaching, but also the art of writi...

As the 2024-25 school year kicks off across the nation, math teachers, students, and parents of the students face a familiar foe: self-confidence in mathematics. According to a Gallup poll before the COVID-19 pandemic, over 40% of students aged 13-17 reported that they were "struggling" or "not proficient" in math. But no one knows this reality more than math teachers themselves. Cole Nussbaumer K...

Dr. Richard Charles has probably forgotten more about mathematics and technology than most of us will ever know. This brilliant scholar and change-maker of Trinidadian and Venezuelan heritage joined Gerardo for a conversation that is only the tip of the iceberg. An authentically intellectual and curious learner, Dr. Charles represents most what what we dream of being in school district leadership....

The state of public education is...tough right now. But it isn't because of teachers or students. It's because our systems have spent too much time overthinking the challenges we face, when in reality, it's all about respect, resources, and professionalism. Colorado Education Association present Amie Baca-Oehlert joins Gerardo and Kev to discuss the state of education. She names the harsh realitie...

Zandra Jo Galván joins me for a fun and inspirational conversation on this week's Chicanologues! Celebrated by the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS), Zandra Jo now leads the school district that raised her, Greenfield Union in the Central Coast region of California. Growing up the youngest child of Mexican immigrants, Zandra Jo was inspired to become a teacher by her...

Gerardo is joined this week with a brilliant and passionate storyteller. Leticia Ordaz is a Publisher, Award-Winning Bilingual Children’s Book Author, Literacy Advocate, and Television News Anchor/Reporter. Leticia is the founder of the bilingual publishing house Cielito Lindo Books and a ten-time award-winning children’s book author at the International Latino Book Awards, the largest Latino Book...