Teaching In Color

Teachers spend their days caring for others—but who takes care of them? Returning guest Stephanie Wan joins Brandon Jenkins for a deeply personal conversation about mental health, creativity, community, and finding balance beyond the classroom. Together, they explore the importance of protecting your well-being, building meaningful relationships, and embracing the parts of yourself that exist outs...

What comes to mind when you hear the words special education ? For many people, it's a misunderstood part of our education system—filled with assumptions, stereotypes, and misconceptions. But behind every IEP, accommodation, and support plan are students with incredible potential and educators working tirelessly to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed. In this episode of Teaching...

Can one book change the trajectory of a child's life? For Julius B. Anthony, the answer is yes. In this episode of Teaching in Color , Brandon Jenkins sits down with literacy advocate, children's author, and founder of The Believe Projects to explore the connection between literacy, identity, and opportunity. Together, they discuss third-grade reading proficiency, why representation in children's...

Why are so many Asian American stories missing from our classrooms? In this episode, Brandon sits down with author and researcher Tony DelaRosa to explore ethnic studies, representation, Afro-Asian solidarity, and why the stories we teach shape the way we understand one another.

What if the reason so many people struggle with math has nothing to do with ability... and everything to do with how it's taught? For generations, students have been told to memorize formulas, follow steps, and get the right answer. But what if math could be something entirely different—something rooted in curiosity, culture, and real life? In this episode of Teaching in Color , Brandon Jenkin...

Can one teacher really change a life? For so many of us, the answer is yes. Long after we've forgotten the lessons, worksheets, and tests, we remember the teacher who believed in us, challenged us, and made us feel like we belonged. In this episode of Teaching in Color , Brandon Jenkins sits down with educator and Middlesex County Teacher of the Year Pamela Eng to explore the power of relationship...

What if some of the practices we consider "normal" in schools were never designed with every student in mind? From classroom expectations to curriculum and teacher preparation, many aspects of our education system have deep historical roots that continue to shape student experiences today. But how often do we stop to ask why ? In this episode of Teaching in Color , Brandon Jenkins sits d...

In this episode of Teaching in Color, host Brandon J engages in a deep conversation with educator Tevin King about the intersection of identity, advocacy, and education. Tevin shares his experiences as a Black educator in a predominantly Hispanic community in El Paso, Texas, discussing the cultural differences he navigates in the classroom and the challenges faced by bilingual students. The conver...

In the latest episode of Teaching in Color, host Brandon Jenkins engages in a thought-provoking dialogue with Askeia Brown, a passionate advocate for Black students and communities. Together, they explore the importance of purpose and accountability in education, shedding light on how these principles can transform the learning experience for marginalized students.

We’re officially back 🎙️ Teaching in Color kicks off the new year with an intentional conversation featuring Davon Clarke—a tenured NYC public school educator, NYU adjunct instructor, and education leader. In this episode, Davon shares his journey in education, the importance of teacher leadership, and why those student “ah-ha” moments still matter most. We talk growth, purpose, and what it means...

Ashley Brajaé Jackson is more than a teacher — she’s a storyteller. A Bay Area native now teaching 5th grade in a Los Angeles music magnet program, Ashley brings her experience as a two-time award-winning filmmaker, writer, director, and producer into the classroom to inspire and empower predominantly Black and Brown students in the Crenshaw/Baldwin Hills community. In this episode, Ashley unpacks...

In this powerful episode of  Teaching in Color , we sit down with Wesley — a first-year Black, queer educator navigating his first year of teaching in Los Angeles after graduating from UC Berkeley and pursuing his M.A. at Loyola Marymount. Wesley opens up about the challenges and growth that come with living in a new city, teaching at a Title I bilingual school, and managing the balancing act of g...

📘  Episode Description: In this episode of  Teaching in Color , we travel to Honolulu, Hawai‘i to sit down with  Michael Ida , the 2023 Hawai‘i State Teacher of the Year. With 27 years of experience in math and computer science education, Michael shares how his journey as an  Asian American educator  has shaped his leadership style, his teaching philosophy, and his mission to  challenge stereotyp...

In this episode of  Teaching in Color , we sit down with Anaia Lachelle Hawkins—also known as Ms. H—a 24-year-old second-year teacher from Kalamazoo, Michigan, whose path into education was anything but traditional. After earning her degree in Criminal Justice/Legal Studies, Anaia found herself stepping into the classroom just one week after graduation. Now teaching 5th grade in a self-contained c...

In this powerful episode of  Teaching In Color , we sit down with Jonathan Vazquez, a Puerto Rican and Crucian educator whose life story defies the odds. From growing up in Brooklyn and navigating street life to dropping out of high school, Jonathan's path to education was anything but traditional. But at 26, on a dare, he went back to school—and earned three degrees in five years. Jonathan opens...

In this episode of  Teaching in Color , we sit down with Kavya Nadella, a dedicated school-based pediatric speech therapist working with elementary students, many of whom are bilingual Spanish speakers. Kavya shares insights into the intersection of language development, academic success, and the unique challenges bilingual students face in speech therapy. We discuss the importance of cultural res...

On this episode of  Teaching in Color , we welcome Johnnie D. Moultrie—educator, author, and assistant principal—who is passionate about inspiring young minds through culturally rich storytelling and transformative education. Johnnie shares insights into his  Adventures of Alex & Gabbie  book series, his innovative SEL curriculum, and the importance of representation in literature and leadersh...

In this episode of  Teaching in Color , we explore the intersection of music education, representation, and diversity with Kyle Berkley, a passionate music educator. Kyle shares how music can be a powerful tool for cultural expression and student engagement, the importance of diverse representation in music curriculum, and the ways educators can create more inclusive spaces through the arts. Tune...

In this episode of  Teaching in Color , we sit down with Stephanie Wan, an inspiring educator dedicated to equity, representation, and student empowerment. With a passion for breaking barriers in education, Stephanie shares her journey as an Asian American teacher, the challenges and triumphs of fostering an inclusive classroom, and the importance of culturally responsive teaching. Join us as we e...

In this episode of  Teaching in Color , we sit down with Evalaurene Jean-Charles, a middle school history teacher in the Bronx and the co-founder and CEO of Black on Black Education. Evalaurene shares her journey as an educator and her mission to create happy and healthy learning environments for students of color through student-centered practices. We discuss the goals of Black on Black Education...

Join us on Teaching in Color as we sit down with Natalia Leija, a dedicated educator passionate about creating equitable opportunities for students. In this episode, Natalia shares her journey into education, the challenges and triumphs of being a woman of color in the classroom, and how she uses her voice to advocate for students and teachers alike. Together, we explore the power of authenticity,...

In this episode, we sit down with Garrison Thomas, an educator, public speaker, and professional basketball player based in Canada. Garrison shares his journey of navigating two powerful worlds—the classroom and the court—and how he’s found his authentic self by pursuing passion in every aspect of his life. We explore the importance of representation as a Black male educator, the lessons he brings...

In this episode of  Teaching in Color , we sit down with Megan Read, a dedicated 9th-grade English teacher from Minnesota who is passionate about unlocking the potential of every student. Megan shares her insights on student engagement, fostering meaningful discussions, and why she believes the world is underestimating Gen Z. As an Asian American educator with a rich cultural and educational backg...

In this episode of Teaching in Color , we welcome Bernadette Booker, a literacy specialist with a remarkable career that spans continents and grade levels. Originally a writer/editor, Bernadette found herself unexpectedly immersed in the world of education—16 years later, she’s still inspiring students and educators alike. From her beginnings as a kindergarten teacher in Austin ISD to her internat...

In this episode of Teaching in Color , we’re joined by Nick Cordray, a passionate science educator who’s transitioned from teaching middle school science to high school physics, with aspirations of becoming a principal. Nick shares his inspiring journey—from nearly entering the oil and gas industry to following his calling into education. We dive into his experiences in both small towns and urban...