Too Dope Teachers and a Mic

This has been hard. Gerardo is at his breaking point. Hard week, and Kevin noticed that it's starting to boil over a little. He's a lil snippy in department meets, scowls in front of his camera during staff meetings and is running his mouth without thinking first. Kevin is concerned. We have a little therapy session, the fellas blow off some steam, discuss all kinds of stress-inducing events from an attempted takeover of Congress to return to school which is just days away for us. We close out by commemorating Dr. King and his lessons for us today. Mind the volume on this episode, it's a loud one.

We hope 2021 welcomes you with optimism, resolve and human connection! By the time you're hearing this, you might have tasks to assess and grade. Don't grade anything until you've listened to this! Gerardo sat down with Natalie Vardabasso of the #Educrush podcast a while back to discuss an important challenge faced by all teachers: feedback, grading, and antiracism. In it, we explore the intersections of those important aspects of effective classroom practice as we prepare for a new semester. Natalie's work and this episode are essential for teachers who hope to remix their grading and feedback practices for student success and empowerment. Natalie shares her insights on feedback, grading, and growth rooted in relationships. This episode is a crucial listen if you are a teacher who is weary of the grading rat-race. Enjoy!

What better way to kick off the most uncertain semester in the history of public education than with educator, author, revolutionary, superhero and trickster Cornelius Minor? He sits with us for a fun, energetic, optimistic and wide-spanning conversation that covers such eclectic topics as race in education, a pedagogy centered in Black and African spirituality, community and intellectualism, basketball, comic books, movies, and the Dr. Xavier of BIPOC educator-superhero-tricksters. We laugh, we become serious, and he has a special offer for the first 5 TooDope Patrons to join us this month! Also, fun fact: this is our 80th regular episode but our 100th overall episode (including mixtapes and emergency episodes)! Thank you for helping make this possible!

We've really tried to avoid thinking about work these last couple of weeks. However, we agree that in these few days before we see students, some planning is in order. Lauren Piraro is a brilliant early-service teacher in the Bay Area. She teaches high school history, and like so many of us, is dedicated to doing the best she can for ALL students, especially her students from communities of color and LGBTQ communities. We found her on instagram under the handle @TeachtoBlossom, where she shares a wide range of professional experiences. From her exemplary planning and leveraging of digital platforms to her own work as a graduate student in History, her field of passion, Lauren works hard to connect to others and build community. Planning is at the center of equitable praxis. The more energy we dedicate to planning and responsiveness, the more we reach all students, especially students from traditionally oppressed and marginalized communities. Her Instagram account reflects these realities in a powerful way. In addition to, and more importantly, Lauren makes her content relevant and accessible to students. Her students complete a local history project, even in her Advanced Placement History class. We mention the AP class because she has taught us and so many others that there is ALWAYS a call to make content and skills applicable to students' lived experiences, and curricular demands, especially high-stakes assessments must NEVER throw us off that focus. Gerardo has a fun conversation with Lauren. Follow her at @TeachtoBlossom on Instagram where, in the interest of community and collective learning, she unselfishly shares her wisdom and resources.

This past summer, Kevin and I had the privilege, the blessing, the amazing opportunity to be a part of the National Education Association’s Justice Summer Camp. Our partnership with NEA on the issue of educational justice has been a thrilling two-year experience, and we must thank the amazing Shilpa and Stephanie for coordinating for us and connecting us to dope educators, thinkers, and artists who are out here doing this work. When we learned that we had been selected to interview Dr. Bettina Love, author of We Want to do More than Just Survive and Hip Hop’s Lil Sistas Speak: Negotiating Hip Hop Identities, we about lost our minds. Her revolutionary work around Abolitionist Pedagogy has represented a tipping point for us in the last year, especially with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and her work has guided us in this turbulent school year. When Dr. Love addressed the topic of schools’ role in the spirit murder of Black children, Kevin responded with a call for us as teachers to be spirit HEALERS, eliciting a cheer from Dr. Love. That has remained our call as we have navigated this year, and we are so grateful to Dr. Love for her work and spiritual guidance. ALSO we are so grateful for her top five!

We have arrived at the most anticipated winter break in the history of public education! We have a lot on our minds, and a lot to decompress; thankfully, we have our nation of toodope therapists to listen and not judge us! In this episode, the final episode of 2020, we discuss lessons we have learned, both school-related and otherwise, during this year, we discuss the importance of healing, and make some resolutions for the new school year. In fact, this year has taken such a toll that Kevin even tries to convince Gerardo to freestyle and, well, you're just gonna have to listen to the show to hear what happened. We love you all, and are so appreciative of your support this year. We have made major strides in this of all years because of you!

Gerardo flies solo this week, as Kevin attends to family business, as Emily Santiago of the Center for Cognitive Diversity breaks down the urgency of trauma informed practice and antiracism in schools. After beginning her career as a Montessori teacher, Emily discovered that providing true social/emotional support was her true calling. As the executive director of the Center, she and her team have provided important programming for whole school communities, including adult staff, who also deserve the lens of trauma informed praxis. This episode is a must-listen in these anxious and stress-inducing times.

December is nearing the halfway point, and we get together to talk about our continuing (unending?) COVID-19 experience. Despite all that has changed in school and system accountability practice, teachers in many states will still be evaluated this semester, and this year. Evaluations are a loaded and emotional experience for all teachers, but the biases and assumptions that BIPOC teachers, especially Black teachers, have even more dire consequences. We sit down and discuss a number of studies regarding the evaluations and teachers of color, and call upon administrators, coaches, and other teacher evaluators to recognize the fraught situation that is the yearly appraisal. It comes down to the lyrics of DMX's "Who We Be," because for many teachers of color, their leaders don't know...who we be. Take heed: this disruptive episode will ask you to re-think how you coach your teachers in general, but especially your teachers of color. A special thank you to our Hella Dope Patrons, Jackie Parkins, Bram Hubbell, Ryan Sullivan, Matt Busch, Asia Lyons, Natalie Shaffer, and Jill Boyd Meyers, as well as Kelsey Gray, whose donations alone make each episode possible. Thank you.

This week we revisit our memorable session with the incredible and real Boots Riley, who breaks down artistic expression, social justice, community organizing, hip hop, and education from the 2019 Revolutionary Summer Mixtape!

The most anticipated break in the history of public education is finally upon us. In the most chaotic moment that either of can remember, with a future that is hazy at best, Kevin and Gerardo take some needed "us" time for their relationship. No guest this week means that we chop it up like we used to. We discuss what teaching, learning, and evaluation should look like in this moment, share an less toxic approach to our work as teachers, and conversate about the news of the day, especially the sudden resignation of Superintendent Susana Cordova days ago. We close off by expressing what great and terrible building leadership has looked like during our long and storied careers before demanding that our BIPOC people bum-rush the NCTE call for proposals. Please follow us @TooDopeTeachers on IG and Twitter, like us on Facebook, and email us [email protected]. See our Twitter and Facebook profiles to support this important work.

On this historic weekend, we talk to Olivia Meikle, have of the dynamic duo that hosts the incredible "What's Her Name?" podcast. On this historic day, Olivia shares with us what motivates her and Dr. Katie Nelson to publish a true labor of love and scholarship which aims to tell amazing stories of women you never heard of. Moving deeper than the traditional list of important women in history, What's Her Name highlights amazing women from every time period and every continent. Fun, entertaining, and engrossing, Olivia is all of the above. Join us for this very celebratory moment of firsts, smiles, and cupcakes--but only for the winners!

Not too long ago, Asia Lyons found herself at a career crossroads. By introducing social justice curriculum, she landed in hot water with her school leadership. Now, having been away from the classroom and running her own consulting business, Lyons Educational Consulting, Asia has started her doctoral research on Racial Battle Fatigue. Teachers of color, and Black teachers in particular, face institutional racism at work, and the fatigue and frustration doesn't end at 3:00. When they come home, they must find ways to engage with friends, family, and loved ones. This is exhausting, and Asia shares her insights on an issue that has not been researched nearly enough.

Kevin and Gerardo are LIVE at the Teachers of Color and Allies summit at the University of Colorado! Following the incredible act of Dr. Eve Ewing, author of Ghosts in the Schoolyard, the fellas unpack #teacherlife in November. With an energetic audience and teachers of many backgrounds and experience levels, we try to make sense of our lives in trying times. Be strong, check us out!

Kevin and Gerardo are LIVE at the Teachers of Color and Allies summit at the University of Colorado! Following the incredible act of Dr. Eve Ewing, author of Ghosts in the Schoolyard, the fellas unpack #teacherlife in November. With an energetic audience and teachers of many backgrounds and experience levels, we try to make sense of our lives in trying times. Be strong, check us out!

The block is hot! In difficult times, when performance ratings, electoral tension locally and globally, and a high level of professional and institutional anxiety threaten our very spiritual happiness, it is critical that we circle back to why we started. Young Kev and Young Gera are back, full of code-switching idealistic fervor, to remind the old fellas why they continue to do this work. Who are we? Who are we becoming? And how do we weather the storm and remain standing. The block is hot, lots of danger and fear, but we are out here to hold it down.

The block is hot! In difficult times, when performance ratings, electoral tension locally and globally, and a high level of professional and institutional anxiety threaten our very spiritual happiness, it is critical that we circle back to why we started. Young Kev and Young Gera are back, full of code-switching idealistic fervor, to remind the old fellas why they continue to do this work. Who are we? Who are we becoming? And how do we weather the storm and remain standing. The block is hot, lots of danger and fear, but we are out here to hold it down.

IT IS OUR 50TH EPISODE, Y'ALL. FITTY! The boyz are back, checking in after a hard few weeks. We discuss the new bad weather policy in the district, the impending school ratings, and adopting a mindset of solidarity with our students as we navigate accountability measures within a political climate that has no doubt elevaned stress, anxiety, and trauma for our most vulnerable families and communities. Maybe we're a little short on substance today, but maybe enthusiasm and positivity is what we need right now.

IT IS OUR 50TH EPISODE, Y'ALL. FITTY! The boyz are back, checking in after a hard few weeks. We discuss the new bad weather policy in the district, the impending school ratings, and adopting a mindset of solidarity with our students as we navigate accountability measures within a political climate that has no doubt elevaned stress, anxiety, and trauma for our most vulnerable families and communities. Maybe we're a little short on substance today, but maybe enthusiasm and positivity is what we need right now.

It's Back to School night for the fellas, and before we meet parents and members of our larger community, we reflect on the first month of the 2019-2020 school year. What are we discovering? What are we as a community not yet good at? Also, get a sneak preview of the stuff we're gettin into, including a presentation at the Colorado Thespian Educators conference, as well as our upcoming hosting of the amazing Taina Asili. Plus contribute to an ongoing discussion by following the hashtag #ImDiscoveringThat. Subscribe and listen today!

It's Back to School night for the fellas, and before we meet parents and members of our larger community, we reflect on the first month of the 2019-2020 school year. What are we discovering? What are we as a community not yet good at? Also, get a sneak preview of the stuff we're gettin into, including a presentation at the Colorado Thespian Educators conference, as well as our upcoming hosting of the amazing Taina Asili. Plus contribute to an ongoing discussion by following the hashtag #ImDiscoveringThat. Subscribe and listen today!

The boyz are back, can you believe it? Neither can they. The summer is over, and the new school year has hit us like a freight train! But through the mayhem of understanding the school focus, making sense of a post- (and maybe pre-) strike world, and a teaching world that calls upon us to do even more in the name of justice, we can say emphatically that WE OUT HERE. We chop it up about out focus, hopes, and dreams for the new school year, and do our best to make you feel excited. Subscribe, download, and listen NOW! Or you'll get a detention. For real. No Restorative Practices here...

The boyz are back, can you believe it? Neither can they. The summer is over, and the new school year has hit us like a freight train! But through the mayhem of understanding the school focus, making sense of a post- (and maybe pre-) strike world, and a teaching world that calls upon us to do even more in the name of justice, we can say emphatically that WE OUT HERE. We chop it up about out focus, hopes, and dreams for the new school year, and do our best to make you feel excited. Subscribe, download, and listen NOW! Or you'll get a detention. For real. No Restorative Practices here...

A very special guest, on the heels of a rousing and inspirational performance at the end of the NEA Conference on Racial and Social Justice, Recording artist and advocateTaina Asili has been refining her music and her community activism for decades. The child of artist-educator-activists, she embodies the life well-lived: advocacy for your community, solidarity with communities in struggle, crisis, or oppression, using your gifts to do so. Gerardo has been listening to her music for years, thanks to a friend’s recommendation, and this conversation is a seamless and exciting view into the life of an advocate, activist, educator, revolutionary.

A very special guest, on the heels of a rousing and inspirational performance at the end of the NEA Conference on Racial and Social Justice, Recording artist and advocateTaina Asili has been refining her music and her community activism for decades. The child of artist-educator-activists, she embodies the life well-lived: advocacy for your community, solidarity with communities in struggle, crisis, or oppression, using your gifts to do so. Gerardo has been listening to her music for years, thanks to a friend’s recommendation, and this conversation is a seamless and exciting view into the life of an advocate, activist, educator, revolutionary.

When the system fails to meet the needs of our young people, we have a choice to make. But sometimes their needs are so invisible to people in power that we need to go it alone. Meet the courageous Freedom Educators of the MAPSO Freedom School, in the joint South Orange-Maplewood School District, serving two municipalities in Essex County, New Jersey. In the tradition of the Freedom Schools during the struggle against Segregation, these fearless teachers established a program designed to support students working their way through modern-day struggles for educational and social justice. They were alone at first, but when the MapSO district learned how effective the Freedom School’s work was, they accepted them. The only guests on this mixtape that Kevin climbed over tables and chairs before the keynote to recruit.

When the system fails to meet the needs of our young people, we have a choice to make. But sometimes their needs are so invisible to people in power that we need to go it alone. Meet the courageous Freedom Educators of the MAPSO Freedom School, in the joint South Orange-Maplewood School District, serving two municipalities in Essex County, New Jersey. In the tradition of the Freedom Schools during the struggle against Segregation, these fearless teachers established a program designed to support students working their way through modern-day struggles for educational and social justice. They were alone at first, but when the MapSO district learned how effective the Freedom School’s work was, they accepted them. The only guests on this mixtape that Kevin climbed over tables and chairs before the keynote to recruit.

Sometimes the struggle finds us and we have a decision to make. Meet Jesyca Mathews, Language Arts teacher out of Flint, Michigan, who has not only engaged in the fight for clean water, a basic human need, but has also helped her students to raise their voices and power to fight. Though things have improved somewhat, the water crisis in Flint is far from resolved. After 1,912 days without clean water (counting--at the time of this post), the people of Flint are still subjected to unclean tap water, and still need bottled water and filters for basic needs. This energetic, fun, and fierce conversation is just what is possible when we listen to students and help them access tools they need to transform their lives and communities. We cannot let them feel the way her students felt when she began this adventure: “They forgot about us.” Never again. Listen today, and hang to the end for ways to support the people in Flint.

Sometimes the struggle finds us and we have a decision to make. Meet Jesyca Mathews, Language Arts teacher out of Flint, Michigan, who has not only engaged in the fight for clean water, a basic human need, but has also helped her students to raise their voices and power to fight. Though things have improved somewhat, the water crisis in Flint is far from resolved. After 1,912 days without clean water (counting--at the time of this post), the people of Flint are still subjected to unclean tap water, and still need bottled water and filters for basic needs. This energetic, fun, and fierce conversation is just what is possible when we listen to students and help them access tools they need to transform their lives and communities. We cannot let them feel the way her students felt when she began this adventure: “They forgot about us.” Never again. Listen today, and hang to the end for ways to support the people in Flint.

During Track 3 of our summer #Revolutionaries #Mixtape series, we chop it up with Karen Reyes-Lozano, DACA teacher from Austin, Texas. She speaks openly and honestly about the importance of sharing our narratives and advocating for systemic and ideological change in the treatment and opportunities we expose our undocumented youth to. This is an episode of laughter and tears as the courageous Karen shares her inspiring path to outspoken, loud and proud activism and advocacy. A symbol of a new era in which undocumented individuals have emerged from the shadows, rejecting anonymity and invisibility, she is at the forefront of the fight which will likely define our society for the next generation. Recorded live at the NEA Racial and Social Justice Conference on July 1, 2019 in Houston, TX.

During Track 3 of our summer #Revolutionaries #Mixtape series, we chop it up with Karen Reyes-Lozano, DACA teacher from Austin, Texas. She speaks openly and honestly about the importance of sharing our narratives and advocating for systemic and ideological change in the treatment and opportunities we expose our undocumented youth to. This is an episode of laughter and tears as the courageous Karen shares her inspiring path to outspoken, loud and proud activism and advocacy. A symbol of a new era in which undocumented individuals have emerged from the shadows, rejecting anonymity and invisibility, she is at the forefront of the fight which will likely define our society for the next generation. Recorded live at the NEA Racial and Social Justice Conference on July 1, 2019 in Houston, TX.

The fellas take a breather after a morning of incredible conversations with revolutionary educators, whose work is redefining what it means to be an engaged educator, public intellectual, and public servant. You will hear previews from some conversations, reviews of others, and we attempt to synthesize what it all means for us in our work and in our lives as members of our communities. This one might set a record for our shortest episode, but if you are needing encouragement and perspective in these difficult times, give this a listen.

The fellas take a breather after a morning of incredible conversations with revolutionary educators, whose work is redefining what it means to be an engaged educator, public intellectual, and public servant. You will hear previews from some conversations, reviews of others, and we attempt to synthesize what it all means for us in our work and in our lives as members of our communities. This one might set a record for our shortest episode, but if you are needing encouragement and perspective in these difficult times, give this a listen.

Our summer #Revolutionaries #Mixtape rolls on with our conversation with Terry Jess and Micah Kruser, who will discuss effective and disruptive white allyship, as well as the roll that white educators may play in supporting students of color. We all aspire to the level of collaboration and partnership modeled by Terry and Micah, don't miss this one. Recorded live in Houston at the National Education Association's Conference on Racial and Social Justice in Houston, TX on July 1, 2019. To white educators, their message is no excuses, they, along with Luke Michener, have begun the work. Check out their youtube channel for some #RealPD!

Our summer #Revolutionaries #Mixtape rolls on with our conversation with Terry Jess and Micah Kruser, who will discuss effective and disruptive white allyship, as well as the roll that white educators may play in supporting students of color. We all aspire to the level of collaboration and partnership modeled by Terry and Micah, don't miss this one. Recorded live in Houston at the National Education Association's Conference on Racial and Social Justice in Houston, TX on July 1, 2019. To white educators, their message is no excuses, they, along with Luke Michener, have begun the work. Check out their youtube channel for some #RealPD!

Sorry to Bother You, but our summer mixtape rolls on! This track features the incredible revolutionary artist Boots Riley! Best known for the landmark film Sorry to Bother You, Boots has been a mainstay in grassroots movements all over the world. Raised by community-minded revolutionaries, Boots eventually became identified with the rebel hip hop collective The Coup, and has amplified people's movements all over the world. As keynote speaker, Boots graciously agreed to spend 40 minutes with us to discuss the intersections of schooling, art, activism, and community organizing. We discuss the state of community organizing, schooling, and hip hop. This interview was made possible by the National Education Association's Shilpa Reddy and Stephanie Luongo, during the NEA Conference on Racial and Social Justice, as part of our live show in the NEA Organizing Studio. Six tracks remain on our #Revolutionary #Intersectional #Mixtape. Keep it locked right here. No texting. (listen to the episode for that joke)

Sorry to Bother You, but our summer mixtape rolls on! This track features the incredible revolutionary artist Boots Riley! Best known for the landmark film Sorry to Bother You, Boots has been a mainstay in grassroots movements all over the world. Raised by community-minded revolutionaries, Boots eventually became identified with the rebel hip hop collective The Coup, and has amplified people's movements all over the world. As keynote speaker, Boots graciously agreed to spend 40 minutes with us to discuss the intersections of schooling, art, activism, and community organizing. We discuss the state of community organizing, schooling, and hip hop. This interview was made possible by the National Education Association's Shilpa Reddy and Stephanie Luongo, during the NEA Conference on Racial and Social Justice, as part of our live show in the NEA Organizing Studio. Six tracks remain on our #Revolutionary #Intersectional #Mixtape. Keep it locked right here. No texting. (listen to the episode for that joke)

Kevin and Gerardo sit down for an energizing and inspiring discussion with Priya Vulchi and Winona Guo, co-Founders of Choose and co-authors of two books, most recently Tell Me Who You Are, and exploration of identity in the United States. As fifteen-year-old sophomores, these two young scholars were introduced to conversations about racial conflict following the death of Eric Garner at the hands of police. They were hit hard by the fact that racial identity and conflict had not been introduced to them previously, though they had both experienced discrimination. Their shock quickly evolved into determination to improve the quality of racial conversations in classrooms, and to develop a model for racial literacy, enabling all Americans to engage in deeper, more meaningful and progressive conversations around race. They did all this while still enrolled in high school. Now college students, they have a thriving non-profit organization, two books they have co-authored, and two TED talks, all of which may be found here https://www.chooseorg.org/. Tell Me Who You are has found its way into classrooms in 40 states, and they remain traveling, committed, and energized in their fight for racial literacy. Listen to this one, and see how the torch of social justice continues to be passed.

Kevin and Gerardo sit down for an energizing and inspiring discussion with Priya Vulchi and Winona Guo, co-Founders of Choose and co-authors of two books, most recently Tell Me Who You Are, and exploration of identity in the United States. As fifteen-year-old sophomores, these two young scholars were introduced to conversations about racial conflict following the death of Eric Garner at the hands of police. They were hit hard by the fact that racial identity and conflict had not been introduced to them previously, though they had both experienced discrimination. Their shock quickly evolved into determination to improve the quality of racial conversations in classrooms, and to develop a model for racial literacy, enabling all Americans to engage in deeper, more meaningful and progressive conversations around race. They did all this while still enrolled in high school. Now college students, they have a thriving non-profit organization, two books they have co-authored, and two TED talks, all of which may be found here https://www.chooseorg.org/. Tell Me Who You are has found its way into classrooms in 40 states, and they remain traveling, committed, and energized in their fight for racial literacy. Listen to this one, and see how the torch of social justice continues to be passed.

The fellas are finally back after a long layoff! Summer is here, and is a time for reflection, recharging, and anxiety dreams about the first day of school, all while trying to complete long-overdue projects in the house, to say nothing of restoring relationships to our significant others and families which may have been broken during the turbulent 2018-2019 school year...but we digress. This episode is the first track from our #Revolutionaries #Mixtape, our live shows from the NEA's Racial and Social Justice Conference in Houston, Texas on July 1 and 2. We have the incredible honor of sitting with Jesse Hagopian, co-editor of Rethinking Schools' Teaching for Black Lives, Kaitlin Kamalei, and Bruce Jackson, all public school teachers in the great state of Washington, and who were instrumental in a number of successful initiatives in the Seattle area, including the statewide optout of testing, the creation of an Ethnic Studies graduation requirement, and the establishment of an Ethnic Studies support office in administration. They discuss what they have learned from participating in community action, and offer insights and lessons on would-be educator-activists in a fun and inspirational conversation. The #revolutionaries #mixtape will include five hours of tracks, and will feature our conversations on educational justice with revolutionaries from all over our educational landscape. Amazing people doing amazing work from coast to coast will share their ideas. Enjoy!

The fellas are finally back after a long layoff! Summer is here, and is a time for reflection, recharging, and anxiety dreams about the first day of school, all while trying to complete long-overdue projects in the house, to say nothing of restoring relationships to our significant others and families which may have been broken during the turbulent 2018-2019 school year...but we digress. This episode is the first track from our #Revolutionaries #Mixtape, our live shows from the NEA's Racial and Social Justice Conference in Houston, Texas on July 1 and 2. We have the incredible honor of sitting with Jesse Hagopian, co-editor of Rethinking Schools' Teaching for Black Lives, Kaitlin Kamalei, and Bruce Jackson, all public school teachers in the great state of Washington, and who were instrumental in a number of successful initiatives in the Seattle area, including the statewide optout of testing, the creation of an Ethnic Studies graduation requirement, and the establishment of an Ethnic Studies support office in administration. They discuss what they have learned from participating in community action, and offer insights and lessons on would-be educator-activists in a fun and inspirational conversation. The #revolutionaries #mixtape will include five hours of tracks, and will feature our conversations on educational justice with revolutionaries from all over our educational landscape. Amazing people doing amazing work from coast to coast will share their ideas. Enjoy!

The fellas are back from Spring Break, and we sit down with Henry Roman, incumbent president of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association. It has been a turbulent and tense 2019, and he shares his thoughts on the 2019 strike, his decision to run for re-election, and his vision for the Denver Teachers' union.

The fellas are back from Spring Break, and we sit down with Henry Roman, incumbent president of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association. It has been a turbulent and tense 2019, and he shares his thoughts on the 2019 strike, his decision to run for re-election, and his vision for the Denver Teachers' union.

The fellas are back this week to introduce Phillip and Omar, co-hosts of the BHOOF Hip Hop podcast, and 11th graders at the Denver Center for International Studies. These young fellas have a voice and a set of opinions, and discuss Hip Hop's Drill movement. We discuss podcasting, violence in hip-hop, Chicago, and the Boxer Rebellion. Yes, you read that correctly. Listen today!

The fellas are back this week to introduce Phillip and Omar, co-hosts of the BHOOF Hip Hop podcast, and 11th graders at the Denver Center for International Studies. These young fellas have a voice and a set of opinions, and discuss Hip Hop's Drill movement. We discuss podcasting, violence in hip-hop, Chicago, and the Boxer Rebellion. Yes, you read that correctly. Listen today!

Despite the SnowPocalypse, the fellas are back to have a conversation with Tiffany Choi, teacher at Denver East High School who is running for President of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association. As part of the Caucus of Today's Teachers within DCTA, she has advocated for a more democratic and more justice-focused union for Denver Teachers. She describes her experiences that led her to this candidacy, including her account of a school closure, and offers a vision for a union that is focused on support and development of community schools. Subscribe and listen today!

Despite the SnowPocalypse, the fellas are back to have a conversation with Tiffany Choi, teacher at Denver East High School who is running for President of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association. As part of the Caucus of Today's Teachers within DCTA, she has advocated for a more democratic and more justice-focused union for Denver Teachers. She describes her experiences that led her to this candidacy, including her account of a school closure, and offers a vision for a union that is focused on support and development of community schools. Subscribe and listen today!

In this week's episode, Gerardo and Allison discuss the importance of Women's History Month and all that comes with it, or should. Allison shares her experiences in the classroom, and Gerardo discusses the implications of a feminist framework of teaching. Both teacher and student discuss the importance of representation and intersectional feminism, even drawing upon the importance of Men's History Day to strength resistance to patriarchy. Subscribe and listen today!

In this week's episode, Gerardo and Allison discuss the importance of Women's History Month and all that comes with it, or should. Allison shares her experiences in the classroom, and Gerardo discusses the implications of a feminist framework of teaching. Both teacher and student discuss the importance of representation and intersectional feminism, even drawing upon the importance of Men's History Day to strength resistance to patriarchy. Subscribe and listen today!

Carmen, Allison, and Gerardo are back for their second episode of the Speak Freedom! Podcast. In this episode, posted waaaay after it was recorded, the trio discusses a return from winter break, and the demands on students and teachers. We discuss access to academic support and college readiness, and the long way we all still need to go to allow all students the opportunity for success.

Carmen, Allison, and Gerardo are back for their second episode of the Speak Freedom! Podcast. In this episode, posted waaaay after it was recorded, the trio discusses a return from winter break, and the demands on students and teachers. We discuss access to academic support and college readiness, and the long way we all still need to go to allow all students the opportunity for success.