The Complexion of Teaching and Learning - Episode Eight: Reform or Transform?

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Episode eight, the final destination of The Complexion of Teaching and Learning series, explores the power currently being harnessed by educators of color to provide an equitable and just education despite encountering unique challenges.

It attends two of UnboundEd’s Five Charges by talking about race systematically and examining bias and its role in our work and learning.

This episode’s B-side features an interview with one educator activist of color, Jason Epting, who gives us insight into his world: exploring his educational lineage and discussing the frictions he experienced as a result of being in a westernized education system. Jason is the Director of Facilitator Engagement at UnboundEd and is co-author of the recently released book Fighting the Good Fight: Narratives of the African American Principalship.

Download this episode's syllabus

Episode Contributors:

  • Elena Aguila, Instructional coaching guru and former Oakland school teacher and coach
  • Wayne Au, Professor of Educational Studies, University of Washington Bothell
  • Shariff El-Mekki, CEO of the Center for Black Educator Development
  • Chris Emdin, Associate professor of science education at the Teachers College, Columbia University and author of “For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood And The Rest of Y’all Too,” and “Ratchetdemics"
  • Jeremy Garcia and Valerie Shirley, Indigenous scholars and University of Arizona teacher prep experts
  • Sonya Douglass Horsford, Professor of Education Leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University
  • Gini Pupo-Walker, State Director for Tennessee at The Education Trust
  • Heather Andrea Williams, Presidential Professor and Professor of Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania

“The Complexion of Teaching and Learning" is a docu-series exploring the historical, political, and professional insights and experiences of educators of color. The series is hosted by Brandon White (Twitter: @ClassroomB), an ELA Specialist for UnboundEd and former middle school ELA teacher and Restorative Practices educator for the Rochester City School District. To get the most out of this series, we recommend you start from episode one.