In this week's episode, I welcomed back Crystal M. Watson to the podcast for a conversation about her early upbringing in Cincinnati, her transition from the classroom to educational leadership, co-authoring the upcoming book "Pedagogy of Voice: Street Data and the Path to Student Agency", motherhood, and so much more! To learn more about Crystal's work, you can visit her website at https://crystalmwatson.com or follow her on Instagram (@crystalmwatson), or 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/ 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 1:03-3:49 - Podcast Subscription Reminders & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:50-6:39 - Introducing Crystal M. Watson 6:40-9:30 - Crystal's Early Upbringing & Start in Education 9:31-14:28 - Crystal's K-12 Schooling Journey 14:29-19:20 - Recognizing Student Voice 19:21-19:59 - Thaddeus' Nature Notebook Promo 20:00-32:11 - Transitioning into Educational Leadership 32:12-40:43 - Trump Administration's Impact on K-12 Education System 40:44-41:43 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 41:44-53:11 - Unpacking "Pedagogy of Voice" 53:12-59:46 - Motherhood 59:47-1:02:15 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 1:02:16-1:04:48 - How to connect with Crystal 1:04:49-1:05:16- Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Crystal Watson is an innovative, passionate mathematics educator, leader, and life long learner who you can count on to always ask “What do the students think?” Crystal obtained a Masters in Educational Leadership and Administration at Teachers College at Columbia University where she further developed her understanding for school and district leadership. Her work is centered around providing space for student voice and identity development in order for all to experience high quality, deep, and personal mathematics. In her district, Crystal serves as a prominent voice on equity and anti-racism teams. She prides herself on her willingness to pass knowledge forward and support colleagues in the work. As Crystal continues to expand her reach, she has shared and continues to lend her experience and knowledge across multiple platforms including local and national conferences, podcasts, and professional development sessions. Venturing outside of her district, Crystal has worked on multiple teams outside of her geographical location to ensure students see themselves in mathematics. Additionally, Crystal has worked alongside other scholars to develop a culturally responsive curriculum that centers students in every lesson. Crystal has also worked on developing more culturally relevant and responsive math tasks to be used by mathematics educators everywhere. Crystal is dedicated to continuing her own development, continuing to center her work with student experience in mind. She is most excited about the connections and relationships she builds while engaging in transformational work!

On this special 200th episode of the podcast, I welcomed Tiffany Jewell to the podcast for a conversation about her early life in upstate New York, the one-year anniversary of her newest book, "Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned in School", motherhood, and so much more! To learn more about Tiffany's work, you can visit her website at https://tiffanymjewell.com or follow her on Instagram (@tiffanymjewell), or 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/ 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 1:03-3:43 - Podcast Subscription Reminders & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:44-8:26 - Introducing Tiffany Jewell 8:27-16:26- Tiffany's Early Upbringing & Start in Education 16:27-21:00 - Navigating the 3 P's during K-12 Journey 21:01-21:38 - Thaddeus' Nature Notebook Promo 21:39-28:51 - Thoughts on censorship & embodiment of identity-affirming language 28:52-37:55 - Influence of "Everything I Learned About Racism........" on Tiffany's children 37:56-38:54 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 38:55-44:53 - Navigating Fear 44:54-46:34 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 46:35-54:21 - How to connect with Tiffany 54:22-54:51- Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Tiffany Jewell is a Black biracial writer, twin sister, first generation American, cisgender mama, anti-bias antiracist (ABAR) educator. She is the author of the #1 New York Times and #1 Indie Best Seller, This Book Is Anti-Racist, a book for young folks [and everyone] to support waking up, taking action, and doing the work of becoming antiracist. Tiffany is currently working on multiple book projects for readers of all ages. She has been working with children and families for nearly two decades and worked as a Montessori educator for fifteen years. She enjoys exploring social justice with young folks, especially the history of racism and resistance, economic justice, and socially and personally constructed identities. Tiffany also likes working with educators and supporting them building strong, authentic communities in which every child can be seen and valued. Tiffany lives on the homeland of the Pocumtuc, Nonotuck, and the Nipmuck with her two young storytellers, husband, a small dog with a big personality, and a turtle she’s had since she was nine years old.

In this week's episode, I had a great conversation with Dr. Talisa Sullivan, who opened up about her early upbringing in California, navigating educational leadership as a Black woman, the founding of Transformational Leadership Consulting Services (TLCS), the need for servant leadership in this current sociopolitical climate, and so much more! To learn more about Dr. Sullivan's work, you can visit the TLCS website at https://transformingleaderstlc.com or you can 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/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/ TO SEND A DONATION: 👉🏾 CashApp - https://cash.app/$idtalk4ed 👉🏾 Venmo - https://venmo.com/u/kwamesm 👉🏾 PayPal - https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kwamesm _________________________________________________________________________________________ Timestamps: 0:00-0:56 - Welcome to IDTALK4ED LIVE 0:57-3:20 - Podcast Subscription Reminders & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:21-4:56 - Introducing Dr. Talisa Sullivan 4:57-6:03- Dr. Sullivan's Early Upbringing & Start in Education 6:04-9:21 - Dr. Sullivan's K-12 Schooling Journey 9:22-14:05 - Dr. Sullivan's Natural Hair Journey 14:06-16:27 - Dr. Sullivan's Early Years in the Classroom (Part 1) 16:28-17:06 - Thaddeus' Nature Notebook Promo 17-07-19:21 - Dr. Sullivan's Early Years in the Classroom (Part 2) 19:22-27:08 - Unpacking Servant Leadership Within the Current Sociopolitical Climate 27:09-30:02 - Advice to School Leaders on Transformational Leadership 30:03-33:47 -Transformational Leadership Consulting Services (TLCS) 33:48-34:47 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 34:48-37:03 - Q10 International Education Conference 37:04-41:38 - When Dr. Sullivan realized that she was a leader 41:39-47:28 - Is Dr. Sullivan at peace with herself? 47:29-48:53 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 48:54-51:00 - How to connect with Dr. Sullivan 51:01-51:31 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Dr. Talisa Sullivan is a professional and highly motivated Doctor of Philosophy in Education with a focus on Urban Leadership. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and a Teaching Credential from Cal State Dominguez Hills, a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Cal State San Bernardino, and a PhD. in Education with an emphasis on Urban Leadership from Claremont Graduate University. Dr. Sullivan has served in education for over 20 years as an effective educator and instructional leader throughout San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties. Dr. Sullivan is a collaborative, data-driven educator with a track record for establishing and maintaining an amazing rapport with staff, students, families, and communities in the Greater Los Angeles area in PK-20 environments. In addition to serving as an administrator in K-12 public education, Dr. Sullivan serves as a Professor in the School of Education for the Teacher Education Program, the University Extention Program as an Ethnic Studies Professor, and as an Adjunct Professor in the Doctoral in Education Leadership Program at local Universities. Dr. Sullivan has also served as a featured speaker at conferences and a keynote speaker for several conferences and universities. Dr. Sullivan has a vast knowledge and training in education and is passionate about working with educators who prepare students for 21st Century college, careers, and overall success. Dr. Sullivan has made a positive impact on education by disrupting systemic barriers that impede success. She aims to continue building sustaining bridges that empower others to ensure that our historically and traditionally marginalized students, staff, teachers, and leaders have what they need to be successful in all of their endeavors.