In this week's episode, I sit down with Lori Boll, Executive Director of the Special Education Network & Inclusion Association (SENIA), to explore her journey as both an educator and a parent advocate. Lori shares how her son Braden’s diagnoses reshaped her purpose in education and fueled her commitment to inclusion in international schools. We discuss the founding and global impact of SENIA, her new book Navigating Special Education Relationships, and the importance of building collaborative partnerships between families, teachers, and schools. Lori also reflects on the state of inclusive education in international schools today, and the insights gained from SENIA’s recent Expanding and Enhancing Student Support Programs Summer Institute, in partnership with the Office of Overseas Schools. Through both personal stories and professional expertise, Lori highlights the urgent need for equitable, identity-affirming education for all learners, while offering practical advice for educators seeking to create truly inclusive classrooms. To learn more about Lori's work, you can visit the SENIA website at seniainternational.org 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: 0:00-1:08 - Welcome to IDTALK4ED LIVE 1:09-3:34 - Podcast Subscription Reminders & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:35-6:15 - Introducing Lori Boll 6:16-8:05 - Who or what inspired you to be an educator? 8:06-15:01 - Balancing Emotional Demands of Parenting a Child w/ Complex Multiple Needs 15:02-17:57 - Lori's International School Teaching Journey 17:58-19:56 - Complex Challenges That Intl Schools Face w/ Integrating Inclusive Education 19:57-20:35 - The Forum Promo 20:36-22:57 - Complex Challenges That Intl Schools Face w/ Integrating Inclusive Education (cont.) 22:58-29:29 - SENIA's Services & Programmatic Offerings 29:30-37:04 - Summer Institute 37:05-40:42 - What Educators Can Learn from Families of Students w/ Complex Needs 40:43-41:41 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 41:42-44:24 - What Educators Can Learn from Families of Students w/ Complex Needs 44:25-47:21 - SENIA Unplugged 47:22-51:11 - Navigating Special Education Relationships 51:12-53:26 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 53:27-54:16 - How to connect with Lori 54:17-54:56 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Lori Boll brings a wealth of experience and a deep personal connection to the field of Inclusive Education. Her journey began in 2003 when her son Braden was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and an Intellectual Developmental Disorder (IDD), a pivotal moment that ignited her passion for advocating for creating more inclusive schools. With two Masters degrees in Reading Education and Special Education, Lori has amassed over twenty-five years of teaching experience in both international and domestic settings. Her career has taken her to the American International School Riyadh, Jakarta Intercultural School, Concordia International School, Shanghai, International School Bangkok, as well as schools in Saipan, California and Colorado. Notably, she has spearheaded the creation of higher support needs programs in China and Thailand. Lori is the co-author of Navigating Special Education Relationships: Building Collective Efficacy for a Collaborative Team fostering collaborative and effective working teams of families, teachers, and practitioners. Currently serving as the Executive Director of SENIA International, Lori channels her passion into supporting the professional development of educators worldwide.

In this week's episode, I chat with Andrea Mwalula, founder and CEO of Twende Education for All (TEFA), to explore her remarkable journey from her early childhood in Slovenia to becoming a trailblazing educator and social entrepreneur in Zambia. Andrea reflects on her international career as an IB educator, the personal and professional experiences that led her to reimagine education for children facing long-term hospitalization, and the founding of TEFA, creativity, and hope to children battling cancer and other critical illnesses. Together, we dive into her passion for service learning, her vision for redefining it on the African continent, and the powerful ways TEFA is transforming not only the lives of children and families but also entire communities. Listeners will be challenged to rethink what service, equity, and empowerment look like in education. To learn more about Andrea's work, you can visit the Twende Education for All and Pamoja Children's Learning Hub pages on Facebook. You can also follow Andrea 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: 0:00-1:02 - Welcome to IDTALK4ED LIVE 1:03-3:31 - Podcast Subscription Reminders & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:32-5:05 - Introducing Andrea Mwalula 5:06-13:58 - Andrea's K-12 Schooling Journey 13:59-14:57 - The Forum Promo 14:58-29:23 - Andrea's International Teaching Journey 29:24-31:50 - Twende Education for All 31:51-32:49 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 32:50-37:48 - Twende Education for All (cont.) 37:49-44:33 - The State of Service Learning in Africa 44:34-48:10 - Andrea's Hopes for Twende's Legacy in Education 48:10-50:12 How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 50:13-52:00 - How to connect with Andrea 52:01-52:47 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Andrea Mwalula is a dedicated education leader committed to transforming the lives of vulnerable women and children through quality learning. She founded Twende Education For All (TEFA) in 2016, pioneering initiatives such as the Learning Never Stops project, which provides education and play therapy to hospitalised children, and the Girls In School Programme, which tackles barriers to education for rural girls. Her work has impacted over 150 young lives, equipping them with essential knowledge and skills. Beyond Zambia, Andrea consults for the International Baccalaureate Organisation, training educators across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. She also contributes to the Association of International Schools in Africa’s Service Learning Design Team and chairs the Phenomenal Women’s Multipurpose Cooperative Society. An advocate for dignity, equality, and sustainable development, she is a member of AIELOC and the Ubuntu Leadership Hub. Guided by her belief in Ubuntu, the philosophy of shared humanity and interconnectedness, Andrea continues to drive meaningful change in education, empowering individuals and communities both in Zambia and internationally.

In this inspiring episode, I had the honor of interviewing Loretta Fernando-Smith, international school leader, leadership coach, writer, and TedX speaker, for a powerful conversation on identity, belonging, and courageous leadership. Drawing from her viral TedX talk on the power of names, and her CIS blog on dismantling imposter syndrome, Loretta shares her journey of self-discovery and the lessons she’s learned about authenticity in leadership. We discuss how names and identity shape belonging, why imposter syndrome is more about systemic inequities than personal shortcomings, and what it means to lead with vulnerability and cultural consciousness in international schools. Loretta also opens up about how motherhood has reshaped her perspective on leadership and self-worth, offering wisdom for educators balancing multiple identities. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, aspiring leader, or school head, this episode will challenge you to reflect on your own story and remind you of the courage it takes to show up fully as yourself. To learn more about Loretta's work, you can visit her website at lorettafernandosmith.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: 0:00-1:01 - Welcome to IDTALK4ED LIVE 1:02-4:20 - Podcast Subscription Reminders & Learning to Relearn Promo 4:21-7:20 - Introducing Loretta Fernando-Smith 7:21-21:58 - Loretta's K-12 Schooling Journey & Start in Education 21:59-22:57 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 22:58-28:45 - Loretta Unpacking the Challenges & Benefits of Her Name 28:46-33:09 - Loretta's Early Teaching Years & Leadership Journey 33:10-39:56 - Lessons Learned in Leadership Journey 39:57-40:55 - The Forum Promo 40:56-50:25 - Sustaining Self-Worth & Courage as a Leader 50:26-51:57 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 51:58-55:28 - How to connect with Loretta 55:29-56:07 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Loretta Fernando-Smith is a fourth generation educator with over 20 years of experience in international schools. Raised across cultures and continents, her childhood was shaped by frequent relocations. These experiences of straddling several cultures as a child, adult, parent and educator have made her aware of how people negotiate belonging in different spaces. This tension drives her curiosity, inquiry and research into belonging. Currently, she has the joy of serving as the Associate Principal and PYP Curriculum Coordinator at Frankfurt International School in Wiesbaden, Germany. From mentoring teachers as they support student agency to facilitating international DEIJ leadership cohorts, her leadership focuses on cultivating inclusive cultures, advancing equity-driven curriculum design, and co-creating environments where every child and adult can feel seen, heard and is able to flourish. At the heart of her philosophy is the belief that education is a deeply relational practice. Relationships built on trust, reciprocity, and joy are the foundation for meaningful learning and it is often in our small, shared moments that the deepest transformations begin.