In this episode, I had the honor of welcoming my good friend Benita Gordon to the podcast to share about her early upbringing in Virginia, her HBCU experience at Hampton, her natural hair journey, entering the world of microschooling, and so much more! To learn more about Benita's work, check out the Education Concierge Podcast and follow her on Instagram (@theeduconcierge) 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 A 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/ 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 1:02-3:33 - Subscription Reminder & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:34-5:36 - Introducing Benita Gordon 5:37-13:10 - Inspiration for becoming an educator 13:11-16:20 - HBCU Experience at Hampton University 16:21-20:44 - Early years as a teacher in Virginia 20:45-26:00 - Natural Hair Journey 26:01-30:38 - Making the shift to microschooling 30:39-31:16 - Thaddeus' Nature Notebook Promo 31:17- 35:17 - Treating students as our customers 35:18-41:15 - The role of microschooling in current sociopolitical climate 41:15-47:18 - Accreditation process for microschools 47:19-48:19 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 48:20-57:13 - Unpacking Ghana ASCD International Education Summit Experience 57:14-59:27 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 59:28-1:01:31 - How to connect with Benita 1:01:32-1:02:07 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Benita Gordon is an innovative education leader, entrepreneur, and founder of Global Education Concierge. With a deep passion for personalized learning and transformative educational experiences, she spearheads initiatives to empower students and educators alike. As the host of The Education Concierge Podcast and founder of Miami MicroLearn Hub, Benita is a go-to expert in non-traditional education models, education technology integration, and consulting for innovative school design and management. In addition to her work in the U.S., Benita serves on the board of Amie Academy Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educational development in underserved communities. In this role, she supports Amie Academy in Sierra Leone, expanding educational access and fostering sustainable change. Focusing on leveraging technology, personalized learning journeys, and operational excellence, Benita collaborates with educators and leaders to reimagine education globally.

In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing Zaretta Hammond, who opened up about her early upbringing in San Francisco, the 10th anniversary of her best-sellingTo 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 A 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/ TO SEND A DONATION: 👉🏾 CashApp - https://cash.app/$idtalk4ed 👉🏾 Venmo - https://venmo.com/u/kwamesm 👉🏾 PayPal - https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kwamesm book, "Culturally Responsive Teaching & the Brain", her thoughts on the term 'DEI' and the latest trends in teacher education, her first visit to Africa, and so much more! To learn more about Zaretta's work, you can visit her website at crtandthebrain.com or follow her on LinkedIn. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Timestamps: 0:00-1:01 - Welcome to IDTALK4ED LIVE 1:02-3:01 - Podcast Subscription Reminders & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:02-5:22 - Introducing Zaretta Hammond 5:23-11:08 - Early childhood & Inspiration for becoming an educator 11:07-21:45 - Zaretta's K-12 Schooling Journey 21:46-22:45 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 22:46-36:13 - Perspective on the term "DEI" and its impact on education consulting 36:14-42:02 - The Lasting Legacy of CRT & The Brain; 10-year anniversary 42:03-42:40 - Thaddeus' Nature Notebook Promo 42:41-55:01 - Latest trends and issues in Teacher Education Programs; Teacher Coaching/Consulting in schools 55:02-59:21 - Zaretta's experience at Ghana ASCD IES, 1st visit to Africa 59:22-1:05:50 - Remembering William Hanson 🙏🏿 1:05:51-1:07:23 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 1:07:24-1:09:50 - How to connect with Sofia 1:09:51-1:10:35 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Zaretta Hammond is a national education consultant and the author of the best-selling book ⁠Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students⁠. She holds a Master’s in Education in English Education, with a concentration in Writing from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Zaretta is a former high school and community college expository writing instructor. She has also served as adjunct instructor at St. Mary’s College School of Education in Moraga, California, where she taught The Foundations of Adolescent Literacy.  As a consultant, she has advised and provided professional development to school districts and non-profit organizations across the country around issues of equity, literacy, and culturally responsive teaching for the past 25 years. Zaretta brings a unique focus on neuroscience to the conversation about equity, literacy and culturally responsive pedagogy to make it understandable and practical for educators.

In this episode, I had the honor of welcoming Yaritza Villalba to the podcast to share about her Panamanian heritage, growing up in Brooklyn, discovering her love for teaching, the founding of McKenzie's Adventures, navigating life as a CEO and a mother, and so much more! To learn more about Yaritza's work, you can visit her website at mckenziesadventures.com or follow her on Instagram (@mckenziesadventures), Twitter/X (@McKenzies_Adv), 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 A 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/ 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 1:05-3:33 - Subscription Reminder & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:34-5:23 - Introducing Yaritza Villalba 5:24-9:56 - Inspiration for becoming an educator 9:57-13:55 - Yaritza's K-12 Schooling Journey 13:56-16:41 - Incorporating counterstories in history curriculum 16:42-17:42 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 17:43-28:38 - How McKenzie's Adventures got started & diving into the Ed Tech space 28:39-29:15 - Thaddeus' Nature Notebook Promo 29:16-37:02 - Transitioning into full-time entrepreneurship with Mckenzie's Adventures 37:03- 44:11 - Marrying EdTech tools with project-based learning and CRSE principles 44:12-49:12 - Motherhood 49:13-50:34 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 50:35-51:37 - How to connect with Yaritza 51:38-52:17 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Yaritza Villalba is an Education Consultant, currently leading professional learning opportunities, centered on culturally responsive sustaining education (CRSE) and project-based learning, to an international network of educators. With thirteen years of experience in urban education, Yaritza supplies many effective strategies and resources for educating and supporting BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) students and families. After graduating from the State University of New York at Albany, she began her career teaching Social Studies to overaged, under credited high school students in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York. Later, she earned her first master's degree from Long Island University, Brooklyn, where she studied Adolescent Urban Education and expounded her knowledge of inclusive pedagogical practices. Over her career, Yaritza became an Assistant Principal of an Expeditionary Learning School, CEO and Founder of McKenzie’s Adventures LLC, and an Author of culturally relevant children's books. Yaritza’s overall mission is to create opportunities and experiences for students of color to gain fair access to resources that spark critical thinking and meaningful conversations in and out of the classroom.