How do schools often unintentionally create race? In this week's episode, we speak with Dr. Laura Chávez-Moreno, scholar, educator, and author of the multi-award-winning book, "How Schools Make Race: Teaching Latinx Racialization in America", to unpack the ways that everyday policies, labels, and interactions shape racial identities and perpetuate inequities for Latinx and multilingual students. Drawing from years of ethnographic research in elementary schools, Dr. Chávez-Moreno reveals how language classification, “neutral” school practices, and deficit-based narratives contribute to the racialization of students. The conversation also delves into the intersection of race, language, and immigration, exploring the impact of anti-Blackness, policy rollbacks, and immigration enforcement on school communities and what educators can do to resist these harmful systems. To learn more about Dr. Chávez-Moreno's work, you can visit her website at laurachavezmoreno.com or follow her on LinkedIn. To learn more about Identity Talk Consulting and the professional development services that we offer, visit our website at https://identitytalk4educators.com. STAY CONNECTED WITH KWAME: 👉🏾 Instagram: / https://instagram.com/kwam_the_identity_shaper 👉🏾 YouTube: / @kwamesarfo-mensah5785 👉🏾 LinkedIn: / https://linkedin.com/in/kwame-sarfo-mensah LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: 👉🏾 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/identity-talk-4-educators-live/id1509599570 👉🏾 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/23k0HRkXxi1OJSahtqS7xO SIGN UP FOR AN E-COURSE WITH KWAME! 👉🏾 https://eduspark.world/profile/9312b128-7573-440d-8d78-fb24cc4fa066/creator SUBSCRIBE TO THE IDENTITY TALK NEWSLETTER! 👉🏾 https://identitytalk.kit.com/9e744003e9 READ MY BOOKS! 👉🏾 “Learning to Relearn” - https://www.routledge.com/Learning-to-Relearn-Supporting-Identity-in-a-Culturally-Affirming-Classroom/Sarfo-Mensah/p/book/9781625316226 👉🏾 “Shaping the Teacher Identity” - https://www.amazon.com/Shaping-Teacher-Identity-Lessons-Define/dp/1723480835 VISIT THE IDENTITY TALK APPAREL SHOP! 👉🏾 https://the-identity-talk-apparel-shop.creator-spring.com/ JOIN THE FORUM TODAY! 👉🏾 https://identitytalk4educators.com/pricing-plans/list TO SEND A DONATION: 👉🏾 CashApp - https://cash.app/$idtalk4ed 👉🏾 Venmo - https://venmo.com/u/kwamesm 👉🏾 PayPal - https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kwamesm ________________________________________________________________________________________ Timestamps: 0:00-1:03 - Welcome to IDTALK4ED LIVE 1:04-3:43 - Podcast Subscription Reminders & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:44-6:06 - Introducing Dr. Laura Chávez-Moreno 6:07-12:45 - Dr. Chávez-Moreno's K-12 Schooling Journey 12:46-15:37 - Dr. Chávez-Moreno's Early Years as a Spanish Teacher 15:38-17:33 - How Schools Make Race 17:34-18:33 - The Forum Promo 18:34-23:03 - How Schools Make Race (cont.) 23:04-27:47 - Unpacking Anti-Blackness & Parents' Reaction to Research Behind "How Schools Make Race" 27:48-33:56 - Evaluating Teacher Prep Programs in the Context of ABAR Work 33:57-34:54 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 34:55-38:20 - The Impact of Anti-Immigrant Sentiment on Racialization Practices 38:21-45:43 - Action Steps for Dismantling Racialization Practices 45:44-46:32 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 46:33-47:43 - How to connect with Dr. Chávez-Moreno 47:44-48:27 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Laura C. Chávez-Moreno is an award-winning researcher, qualitative social scientist, and assistant professor at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) in the Departments of Chicana/o & Central American Studies and Education. She received her PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education in Curriculum & Instruction. Dr. Chávez-Moreno’s research has been published in top-tier journals such as Review of Educational Research, Educational Researcher, American Educational Research Journal, Research in the Teaching of English, and Journal of Teacher Education. She has earned multiple awards, including from the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Division G Social Contexts in Education; AERA Latinx Research Issues Special Interest Group (SIG); AERA Bilingual Education Research SIG; American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education; and National Association of Bilingual Education. Notably, she was awarded a 2022 National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship. The National Council for Teachers of English awarded the 2023 Alan C. Purves Award to her article in Research in the Teaching of English, “The continuum of racial literacies: Teacher practices countering whitestream bilingual education.” She served as a high school teacher of Spanish in the School District of Philadelphia for five years, wrote district curriculum, and served on boards of community organizations. She grew up in Douglas, Arizona, and Agua Prieta, Sonora, México.

In this week's episode, I sit down with Dr. Sheldon Eakins, founder of Purposeful Teaching Academy and host of the Leading Equity Podcast, to unpack his educator journey, the urgent need for equity-centered leadership, and his forthcoming book “What Are You Bringing to the Potluck?: How School Leaders Set the Table for a Community of Belonging?” We also discuss what it means to bring your full, authentic self to the educational table, the current attacks on culturally responsive teaching, and how school leaders can navigate today’s political tensions without compromising their values. To learn more about Dr. Eakins' work, you can visit the Purposeful Teaching Academy website at purposeful247.com or follow him on Instagram (@sheldoneakins) and LinkedIn. To learn more about Identity Talk Consulting and the professional development services that we offer, visit our website at https://identitytalk4educators.com. STAY CONNECTED WITH KWAME: 👉🏾 Instagram: / https://instagram.com/kwam_the_identity_shaper 👉🏾 YouTube: / @kwamesarfo-mensah5785 👉🏾 LinkedIn: / https://linkedin.com/in/kwame-sarfo-mensah LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: 👉🏾 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/identity-talk-4-educators-live/id1509599570 👉🏾 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/23k0HRkXxi1OJSahtqS7xO SIGN UP FOR AN E-COURSE WITH KWAME! 👉🏾 https://eduspark.world/profile/9312b128-7573-440d-8d78-fb24cc4fa066/creator SUBSCRIBE TO THE IDENTITY TALK NEWSLETTER! 👉🏾 https://identitytalk.kit.com/9e744003e9 READ MY BOOKS! 👉🏾 “Learning to Relearn” - https://www.routledge.com/Learning-to-Relearn-Supporting-Identity-in-a-Culturally-Affirming-Classroom/Sarfo-Mensah/p/book/9781625316226 👉🏾 “Shaping the Teacher Identity” - https://www.amazon.com/Shaping-Teacher-Identity-Lessons-Define/dp/1723480835 VISIT THE IDENTITY TALK APPAREL SHOP! 👉🏾 https://the-identity-talk-apparel-shop.creator-spring.com/ JOIN THE FORUM TODAY! 👉🏾 https://identitytalk4educators.com/pricing-plans/list TO SEND A DONATION: 👉🏾 CashApp - https://cash.app/$idtalk4ed 👉🏾 Venmo - https://venmo.com/u/kwamesm 👉🏾 PayPal - https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kwamesm ________________________________________________________________________________________ Timestamps: 0:00-1:03 - Welcome to IDTALK4ED LIVE 1:04-3:55 - Podcast Subscription Reminders & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:56-11:08 - Introducing Dr. Sheldon Eakins 11:09-20:41 - Dr. Eakins' Start in Education & K-12 Schooling Journey 20:42-21:41 - The Forum Promo 21:42-29:42 - The Making of "What Are You Bringing to the Potluck?" 29:43-34:08 - "Dishes" That School Leaders Forget to Bring to the Potluck 34:09-40:21 - "Condiments" That School Leaders Forget to Bring to the Potluck 40:22-41:00 - Thaddeus' Nature Notebook Promo 41:01-43:20 - School Leaders' Role in Activating Student Voice 43:21-53:23 - Fears That School Leaders Have about Engaging in Equity Work 53:24-56:28 - Purposeful Teaching Academy 56:29-57:47 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 57:48-58:43 - How to connect with Dr. Eakins 58:44-59:18 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Sheldon L. Eakins, Ph.D., is the Founder of the Purposeful Teaching Academy. Dr. Eakins is also the host of The Art of Advocacy Livestream and the Leading Equity Podcast. Furthermore, Dr. Eakins is the author of "Leading Equity: Becoming an Advocate for All Students" and his upcoming book, "What Are You Bringing to the Potluck?: How School Leaders Set the Table for a Community of Belonging?". With over 15 years in education, he has served as a teacher, school principal, adjunct professor, and Director of Special Education. Dr. Eakins is passionate about helping educators accomplish equitable practices in their schools. He has earned a B.S. degree in Social Science Education, an M.S. degree in Educational Leadership, and a Ph.D. in K-12 Education.

In this week's conversation, I sit down with Dr. Tanji Reed Marshall, CEO of Liaison Educational Partners and author of Understanding Your Instructional Power, to explore what it truly means for educators to recognize, reclaim, and responsibly use their influence—especially in today’s politically charged climate. We talk about her journey from classroom teacher to national thought leader, the importance of teachers reclaiming their instructional agency and creating meaningful change in the classroom, and how educators can stay grounded in their values amidst policy rollbacks, book bans, and systemic inequities. To learn more about Dr. Tanjis work, you can visit her company's website at liaisoneducationalpartners.org or follow her on Instagram (⁠@liaisedpart) and ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠. To learn more about Identity Talk Consulting and the professional development services that we offer, visit our website at https://identitytalk4educators.com. STAY CONNECTED WITH KWAME: 👉🏾 Instagram: / https://instagram.com/kwamtheidentityshaper 👉🏾 YouTube: / @kwamesarfo-mensah5785 👉🏾 LinkedIn: / https://linkedin.com/in/kwamesarfomensah LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: 👉🏾 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/identity-talk-4-educators-live/id1509599570 👉🏾 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/23k0HRkXxi1OJSahtqS7xO SIGN UP FOR AN E-COURSE WITH KWAME! 👉🏾 https://eduspark.world/profile/9312b128-7573-440d-8d78-fb24cc4fa066/creator SUBSCRIBE TO THE IDENTITY TALK NEWSLETTER! 👉🏾 https://identitytalk.kit.com/9e744003e9 READ MY BOOKS! 👉🏾 “Learning to Relearn” - https://www.routledge.com/Learning-to-Relearn-Supporting-Identity-in-a-Culturally-Affirming-Classroom/Sarfo-Mensah/p/book/9781625316226 👉🏾 “Shaping the Teacher Identity” - https://www.amazon.com/Shaping-Teacher-Identity-Lessons-Define/dp/1723480835 VISIT THE IDENTITY TALK APPAREL SHOP! 👉🏾 https://the-identity-talk-apparel-shop.creator-spring.com/ JOIN THE FORUM TODAY! 👉🏾 https://identitytalk4educators.com/pricing-plans/list TO SEND A DONATION: 👉🏾 CashApp - https://cash.app/$idtalk4ed 👉🏾 Venmo - https://venmo.com/u/kwamesm 👉🏾 PayPal - https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kwamesm ________________________________________________________________________________________ Timestamps: 0:00-1:04- Welcome to IDTALK4ED LIVE 1:05-3:56 - Podcast Subscription Reminders & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:57-6:39 - Introducing Dr. Tanji Reed Marshall 6:40-17:08 - Dr. Tanji's Start in Education 17:09-22:18 - Group Work vs. Collaborative Work 22:19-23:17 - The Forum Promo 23:18-27:15 - Dr. Tanji's K-12 Schooling Journey 27:16-34:37 - Dr. Tanji's Evolution as an Educator 34:38-45:56 - Unpacking Teacher Autonomy 45:57-46:34 - Thaddeus' Nature Notebook Promo 46:35-52:46 - Understanding Instructional Power 52:47-56:05 - Barriers to Teachers Recognizing Their Instructional Power 56:06-59:48 - Dr. Tanji's Introspection on Life & Career 59:49-1:00:20 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 1:00:21-1:04:30 - How to connect with Dr. Tanji 1:04:31-1:05:03 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Tanji Reed Marshall, PhD, has dedicated her career to advancing educational equity and improving instructional practices across the United States. Dr. Marshall’s academic foundation has been a critical driver of her success. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy in curriculum and instruction from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, equipping her with advanced educational systems and policy knowledge. She also holds a Master of Arts in English education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she graduated magna cum laude, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Boston College. Dr. Marshall’s career spans more than three decades and includes a wide range of roles that have deepened her expertise in education. She began as a classroom teacher in Hackensack Public Schools before transitioning to McClintock Middle School in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. As a teacher, she achieved remarkable results, including the highest growth rate in her district and state in North Carolina, with her students making one to two years of progress annually. After her teaching roles, Dr. Marshall took on leadership positions within Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, serving as a Title I literacy coach and literacy specialist. In these roles, she focused on enhancing instructional practices among educators, demonstrating her capacity to influence systemic change. Dr. Marshall’s publication, “Understanding Your Instructional Power: Curriculum and Language Decisions to Support Each Student,” published by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), exemplifies her dedication to addressing inequities in education. The book challenges educators to reconsider how their decisions impact students and offers strategies to create more inclusive and effective teaching environments.