Too Dope Teachers and a Mic

I discovered Maribel González's terrific @decolonizeinstruction account on Instagram, and was absolutely inspired by the ideas she shares there. A Native Xicana educator and Unschool Mama, she authored the books Social Justice and You, Be Your True Self, Build Strong Communities, Be a Changemaker and Choose Justice, she has also served as Director at the Center for Intergenerational Learning and N...

It's been a season of change in #TooDope Nation! With Gerardo firmly entrenched in the dark side, and Kev still holdin down the block, it was past time to catch up. In this episode, we catch up on the work we're doing, talk about these education streets, and make some resolutions for 23. Support the podcast on Patreon . Want great abolitionist PD for your community, school, or district? Check out...

It’s been a season of change in #TooDope Nation! With Gerardo firmly entrenched in the dark side, and Kev still holdin down the block, it was past time to catch up. In this episode, we catch up on the work we’re doing, talk about these education streets, and make some resolutions for 23. Support the podcast on Patreon . Want great abolitionist PD for your community, school, or district? Check out...

Jacci tells us her story of coming full circle. With her love for whom we in education consider as "littles," she tells her journey as a childcare center owner who, with a heart for doing more for her community, begins her work as a Diversity Equity and Inclusion Director in a Denver Metro Area organization. Listen in as Jacci describes her story and advice for Black folks in the early learning sp...

Jacci tells us her story of coming full circle. With her love for whom we in education consider as “littles,” she tells her journey as a childcare center owner who, with a heart for doing more for her community, begins her work as a Diversity Equity and Inclusion Director in a Denver Metro Area organization. Listen in as Jacci describes her story and advice for Black folks in the early learning sp...

Anthony Swann is probably the kindest, gentlest person I have ever met, especially relative to his childhood. Taken from his mother for his own safety, he landed in the foster care system. When he was feeling that the world had turned its back on him, and that violence, fear, and abuse awaited him at every corner, his teacher reached out to him to assure him that he would be okay. In 2021, he was...

Anthony Swann is probably the kindest, gentlest person I have ever met, especially relative to his childhood. Taken from his mother for his own safety, he landed in the foster care system. When he was feeling that the world had turned its back on him, and that violence, fear, and abuse awaited him at every corner, his teacher reached out to him to assure him that he would be okay. In 2021, he was...

Arvian Harper is a “Denver Public Schools lifer.” A graduate of the hallowed halls of East High School, she received a full ride engineering scholarship, later changing to pre-med. Like so many of us, she heard the call to the classroom, and she heeded, teaching Early Childhood Education, becoming a Team Lead and eventually moving into leadership. After a series of difficult challenges–a violent i...

Arvian Harper is a "Denver Public Schools lifer." A graduate of the hallowed halls of East High School, she received a full ride engineering scholarship, later changing to pre-med. Like so many of us, she heard the call to the classroom, and she heeded, teaching Early Childhood Education, becoming a Team Lead and eventually moving into leadership. After a series of difficult challenges--a violent...

I first discovered the work of Gwendolyn Oxenham when one of my middle school soccer players told me of a film screening he had attended the night before. The film was called Pelada, and "it's about soccer," was the only synopsis he offered (6th graders, waddaya gonna do?). I decided to check it out, purchased it on iTunes, and it changed my life. Two division-1 soccer players, having finished the...

I first discovered the work of Gwendolyn Oxenham when one of my middle school soccer players told me of a film screening he had attended the night before. The film was called Pelada, and “it’s about soccer,” was the only synopsis he offered (6th graders, waddaya gonna do?). I decided to check it out, purchased it on iTunes, and it changed my life. Two division-1 soccer players, having finished the...

After a summer of anticipation rumors, and conjecture, the BOYZ are BACK. Gerardo and Kevin, merely two EDUCATORS in the city of Denver! No, Gerardo hasn’t been replaced, and no his move to the proverbial “dark side” has not reduced his dopeness. And no, Kevin has not died without Gerardo in the building. What we hope you find in season 7 of Too Dope Teachers and a Mic is spirited banter and multi...

After a summer of anticipation rumors, and conjecture, the BOYZ are BACK. Gerardo and Kevin, merely two EDUCATORS in the city of Denver! No, Gerardo hasn't been replaced, and no his move to the proverbial "dark side" has not reduced his dopeness. And no, Kevin has not died without Gerardo in the building. What we hope you find in season 7 of Too Dope Teachers and a Mic is spirited banter and multi...

In the summer of 2020, as COVID-19 tore through communities, and law enforcement faced a racial reckoning, Minnesota named it’s 2020-21 state teacher of the year. In the state that saw the killings of George Floyd and Philando Castile by law enforcement, Qorsho’s recognition as the first Somali-American to be named teacher of the year remains significant. But what never stopped was the racist, mis...

In the summer of 2020, as COVID-19 tore through communities, and law enforcement faced a racial reckoning, Minnesota named it's 2020-21 state teacher of the year. In the state that saw the killings of George Floyd and Philando Castile by law enforcement, Qorsho's recognition as the first Somali-American to be named teacher of the year remains significant. But what never stopped was the racist, mis...

Summer has drawn to a close, if not officially, then in practice. Welcome to the conclusion of Summer Revolution Mixtape 2022! Fittingly, we will end with our new friend, our TrueDope Sister Afrika Afenni Mills. Afrika Afeni Mills is an Education Consultant and the author of Open Windows, Open Minds: Developing Antiracist, Pro-Human Students. She works with teachers, instructional coaches, and adm...

Summer has drawn to a close, if not officially, then in practice. Welcome to the conclusion of Summer Revolution Mixtape 2022! Fittingly, we will end with our new friend, our TrueDope Sister Afrika Afenni Mills. Afrika Afeni Mills is an Education Consultant and the author of Open Windows, Open Minds: Developing Antiracist, Pro-Human Students. She works with teachers, instructional coaches, and adm...

After a turbulent year locally and nationally, Dr. Asia Lyons and Kevin Adams are back with your Back to School shopping list. They break down issues facing educators of color and the communities they serve as super-producer Gerardo Muñoz sits in the virtual producer’s chair! Asia discusses life after PhD matriculation, Kevin shares the trials and tribulations of the now-completed Master Agreement...

After a turbulent year locally and nationally, Dr. Asia Lyons and Kevin Adams are back with your Back to School shopping list. They break down issues facing educators of color and the communities they serve as super-producer Gerardo Muñoz sits in the virtual producer's chair! Asia discusses life after PhD matriculation, Kevin shares the trials and tribulations of the now-completed Master Agreement...

So, first things first. Kevin is out on important business. He did call a sub, but of course left no lesson plans. No problem, though, because his sub is none other than the amazing Juliana Urtubey, the 2021 National Teacher of the Year! In this inspiring, authentic, and powerful conversation, @kurtsenior_, representing America’s teachers in 2022, we learn what has motivated him for his twenty-fiv...

So, first things first. Kevin is out on important business. He did call a sub, but of course left no lesson plans. No problem, though, because his sub is none other than the amazing Juliana Urtubey, the 2021 National Teacher of the Year! In this inspiring, authentic, and powerful conversation, @kurtsenior_, representing America's teachers in 2022, we learn what has motivated him for his twenty-fiv...

What happens the year after a person is named CCSSO National Teacher of the Year? Find out when we catch up with 2021 National Teacher of the Year Juliana Urtubey! In her FIRST interview since her term ended, La Juli talks to us about her year representing America’s teachers, Joy and Justice, even today, and what she has learned about being in community with us. She also shares with us what is nex...

What happens the year after a person is named CCSSO National Teacher of the Year? Find out when we catch up with 2021 National Teacher of the Year Juliana Urtubey! In her FIRST interview since her term ended, La Juli talks to us about her year representing America's teachers, Joy and Justice, even today, and what she has learned about being in community with us. She also shares with us what is nex...

Man, we had no idea there were Chicano teachers in Nebraska, and we sure didn’t know they were as fire as Lee Perez, who represents that state for 2022. On a passionate and animated episode, Lee shares his path, his story, his commitment to justice for multi-language learners and the critical issue of teacher pay and working conditions. His top 5 is fire, and you cannot help but love this dedicate...

“Oh sure, they’re gonna pick the big gay Appalachian” was Willie Carver’s first thought when he learned he had been nominated as 2022 Kentucky Teacher of the Year. It was a crowning achievement after fifteen years. Guided by the credo “fear has armor, love has none,” Willie supported students, especially LGBTQIA+ students, in being themselves and building a deeper understanding of their identities...