As a teacher, school leader, leadership coach, and community organizer, Michael DeSousa brings a wealth of educational experience to the table. In this episode of Head, Heart and Habits, he discusses his journey as a white-presenting individual navigating predominantly Black and brown educational environments, delving into the critical need for those identifying as white to cultivate a positive racial identity. This, he argues, is not just important but essential for meaningful participation in conversations about race and equity. Join us as DeSousa unravels the layers of understanding one's identity and historical context, emphasizing their vital role in shaping a society that is both just and equitable. This episode promises to be an insightful exploration into the complexities of identity in educational leadership.

In this captivating episode of the Head, Heart, Habits & Equity podcast, Angela Prince delves beyond the surface of educational leadership, illustrating that it's more than just management. It's the crafting of an ecosystem where every individual, from educators to learners, thrives.Angela discusses:The transformative power of leadership based on love, humility, and joy.How to turn the limiting phrase "I can't" into a celebration of every student's boundless potential.Building genuine relationships in education, especially amidst cultural and racial differences.Join us as Angela, the visionary behind Ed Life Consulting Services and author of "Education Transformation: Four Pillars to Help Leaders Bring Urban Schools Back to Life", unpacks her compelling journey. From being an unseen student to ensuring every learner feels recognized, her resilience is truly motivating.Discover her 'L.I.F.E.' blueprint:Lead with Love: Emphasizing joy, fostering growth, and creating a positive educational space.Inspire Educators: Championing ongoing professional growth and creating a robust support system.Fuel with Resources: Actively sourcing resources that match a school's unique needs and championing best practices.Empower Relationships: Prioritizing understanding, compassion, and a restorative approach.Angela's rich insights promise a transformative listen, reimagining urban education to prioritize every student's value and potential.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Antoinette Pearson, an esteemed educator and change agent in the field of education. Driven by her desire to provide fair and equitable opportunities for learning, she believes that empowering young scholars is just the beginning. Her vision extends to empowering parents and the community as lifelong contributors to a supportive and enriching environment. Education, she asserts, cannot exist in isolation; it requires a collaborative effort that involves the entire community. Join us as we delve into the challenges of first-year school leadership and explore Dr. Pearson's book, "Truth Transforms Education: A Framework For New School Leaders"Dr. Pearson's work highlights the profound significance of teaching and the critical role that leaders play in supporting educators. She emphasizes that effective leadership cannot be accomplished without the dedicated efforts of teachers. By understanding and bridging the gap between the realities of teachers and leaders, we can create a harmonious environment where all stakeholders thrive.Dr. Pearson also provides concrete strategies to bridge the gap between teachers and leaders, ensuring support for teachers' holistic well-being and fostering an environment that benefits the entire school community. Transparency, humility, and trust are key components of this transformative approach. By promoting transparency, leaders can foster open communication and foster a culture of trust within the school. Humility allows leaders to recognize and value the expertise of their teachers, encouraging collaboration and shared decision-making.We encourage you to listen to this episode featuring this remarkable conversation, because together, we can transform our schools into spaces of empowerment, collaboration, and lifelong learning. 

As we celebrate Indigenous Peoples during National Native American Heritage Month 2022 here at Teaching Lab, we are excited to share the hopeful conversation we were privileged to have with two leaders in the national movement toward Native educational sovereignty and indigenized schooling. This movement is focused on cultural and language reclamation — and on the intentional school design and curricular work necessary for Native kids and communities in the U.S. to heal from the historical legacy of assimilation and cultural genocide. The painful history of Native education in America is reflected in the educational outcomes of our Native students. According to the National Center for Education Statistics in 2015, in the 2013-14 school year only 70% of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) students graduated high school in four years, while 82% of the total US Population. This graduation rate was lower than all other races/ethnicities as well as that of economically disadvantaged youth.In this episode of Head, Heart, Habits & Equity, we build awareness of Native issues in American education and learn about the ways the Native American Community Academy (NACA) and its NACA Inspired Schools Network are supporting visionary Native leaders across the country to realize indigenized educational models. Among those leaders are Nathaniel Taylor and Sylvia Fred, co-founders of Endazhi-Nitaawiging Charter School in Red Lake Minnesota:Nathaniel Taylor who is a Red Lake Band member from the Ponemah and Red Lake communities and co-founder/board of directors chairman at Endazhi-Nitaawiging Charter School.Sylvia Fred who is a member of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California and from the Yokayo and Guidiville Pomo Indians of California, and Co-Founder at Endazhi-Nitaawiging Charter School.

In this episode of Head, Heart, Habits & Equity — a podcast by Teaching Lab — host Rod Naquin talks about the history of monolingual and bilingualism in schools and its ramifications, especially as it relates to long standing inequities. He is joined by Dr. Francesca A. López and Dr. Anissa Rodriguez Dickerman as they all discuss the current reality of linguistic diversity in schools and what bilingual instruction should look like. Dr. Francesca A. López is the Waterbury Chair in equity pedagogy and professor of education at Penn State, College of Education. Dr. Anissa Rodriguez Dickerman is the Chief Program Officer at Teaching Lab and a former elementary teacher, school administrator, and executive coach. The podcast will reference reports like “Latino Student Success: Advancing U.S. Educational Progress for All” by Unidos US; an article found at The Century Foundation, entitled “A New Federal Equity Agenda for Dual Language Learners and English Learners”; and other vital resources that sorts through the implications of multilingual literacy in public schools for teacher professional learning and literacy training.