Episode 6, “Invisible Taxes,” brings us post-Brown v. Board, where we begin to see the foundations of a “new” system quickly revert to the regeneration of discriminatory practices that Black, Latino, and Indigenous educators continue to navigate today. It takes us through the roots of inequitable recruitment and professional development through a series of conversations between educators and researchers. The b-side features a candid conversation between White and Dr. Alfred Tatum, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Metropolitan State University of Denver, as they discuss the lack of diversity in today’s teaching population.

The following scholars and texts are featured in Episode 6:
Dr. Wayne Au, professor of educational studies at University of Washington Bothell
Sharif El-Mekki, founder of the Center for Black Educator Development
Dr. Christopher 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”
John B. King, CEO of The Education Trust and former Secretary of Education
Dr. Tiffany King, assistant professor of women's, gender, and sexuality studies at Georgia State University
Dr. Alfred Tatum, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Metropolitan State University of Denver
Dana Goldstein, reporter for the New York Times and the author of “The Teacher Wars”
“Does the Negro Need Separate Schools?” by WEB Dubois 
“If You Listen, We Will Stay: Why Teachers of Color Leave and How to Disrupt Teacher Turnover” by The Education Trust
“Latino Education in the United States: A Narrated History from 1513–2000” by Victoria Maria-MacDonald
“Learning in a Burning House:  Educational Inequality, Ideology, and (Dis)Integration” by Sonya Douglass Horsford
“Our Stories, Our Struggles, Our Strengths: Perspectives and Reflections From Latino Teachers” by The Education Trust
“Silent Covenants: Brown v. Board of Education and the Unfulfilled Hopes for Racial Reform” by Derrick Bell
“The Lost Education of Horace Tate” by Vanessa Siddle Walker
“We Want to Do More Than Survive” by Bettina Love

Original music by Brandon White

The Complexion of The Teaching and Learning - Episode 6 - “Invisible Taxes” (Part 1)

This episode features candid conversations with education leaders about the push for excellence and equity and what role standards play in providing instruction that is grade-level, engaging, affirming, and meaningful. Side B features a conversation with Bradley Powless of the Onondaga Nation who discusses the importance of identity in education.

Episode notes:

The following scholars and texts are featured in Episode Seven:

Shariff El-Mekki, founder of the Center For Black Educator Development
Paul Gorski, Equity Literacy Institute, Avoiding Racial Equity Detours
Dr. Kofi Lomotey, author, professor of educational leadership at Western Carolina University
Jeremy Garcia and Valerie Shirley, Indigenous scholars and University of Arizona teacher prep experts
Dr. Christopher 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.”
Dr. Alfred Tatum, professor, literacy specialist, and author of the books “Reading For Their Life: Rebuilding the Textual Lineages of African American Adolescent Males” and “Teaching Black Boys in the Elementary Grades.” 
Dr. Tiffany King, Georgia State University professor and author of the book, “The Black Shoals: Offshore Formations of Black and Native Studies.” 
Dr. Tanji Reed Marshall, director of P-12 Practice at The Education Trust
Dr. John B. King, CEO of The Education Trust and former Secretary of Education
Corey Carter, Baltimore County Public School System Teacher of the Year 
“Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students” by Zaretta Hammond
“If You Listen, We Will Stay: Why Teachers of Color Leave and How to Disrupt Teacher Turnover” by The Education Trust
“Our Stories, Our Struggles, Our Strengths: Perspectives and Reflections From Latino Teachers” by The Education Trust
“Common Core State Standards: Structuring and Protecting Equitable Pathways for African American Boys” by Alfred W. Tatum
“Culture, Literacy, and Learning: Taking Bloom in the Midst of the Whirlwind” by Carol D. Lee
“Ratchetdemic: Reimagining Academic Success” by Chris Emdin
“Other People’s Children: Cultural Conflict in the Classroom” by Lisa Delpit
“The Dreamkeepers: Successful Teachers of African American Children” by Gloria Ladson-Billings
“Culturally Responsive Teaching: Theory, Research, and Practice” by Geneva Gay

The Complexion of Teaching and Learning - Episode 7 -  Fusion and Friction with Standards

Episode 8 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, explores his educational lineage and discusses the frictions he experiences 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.

The Complexion Teaching and Learning - Episode 8 - Reform or Transform?

What happens when classroom instruction is focused on building academic skills, while at the same time, teaching social justice? What's to gain when students are exposed to teaching that is student-driven and community-centered, but is also flexible, connected to other subjects, and deeply interactive? That's the work of author Lorena Escoto Germán who joins this episode to discuss her book Textured Teaching: A Framework for Culturally Sustaining Practices.

UnboundEd's goal is to instill the GLEAM™ (Grade-Level, Engaging, Affirming, and Meaningful) instructional framework into classrooms across the nation with professional development, curated programs, and now with a brand new podcast series, The LP: Literature in Practice. Join host Brandon White as he interviews the authors of today’s thought-provoking educational literature, and connects the text to GLEAM.

Culturally Responsive to Culturally Sustaining, and Beyond with Lorena Escoto Germán  | The LP: EP 1

To many, the numbers, procedures, and concepts covered in the average mathematics course are completely neutral and require no cultural considerations. But if you ask somebody like Dr. Pamela Seda, she would say that that conclusion just doesn't add up. Dr. Seda takes some time to discuss her book Choosing to See: A Framework For Equity in the Math Classroom, and we cover the best practice, worst myths, and the urgent need to deepen mathematical strengths through leveraging assets that students already have.

UnboundEd's goal is to instill the GLEAM™ (Grade-Level, Engaging, Affirming, and Meaningful) instructional framework into classrooms across the nation with professional development, curated programs, and now with a brand new podcast series, The LP: Literature in Practice. Host Brandon White interviews the authors of today’s thought-provoking educational literature and connects the text to GLEAM.

Why Equitable Math Instruction Matters with Pamela Seda | The LP: EP 4

The term "teachers of color" refers to educators who do not identify as white, encompassing diverse racial and ethnic groups. Despite their unique backgrounds, teachers of color share the experience of underrepresentation. With only 20% of teachers being teachers of color, they face challenges like invisibility and pressure to conform to racist education norms. Join us as we explore Professor Rita Kohli's book, "Teachers of Color: Resisting Racism and Reclaiming Education," highlighting their stories, promoting self-care, resistance, and innovative teaching. Discover the collective experiences of teachers of color and their journey towards equitable education.

Promoting Self-Care and Resistance in Education with Rita Kohli | The LP: EP 8

Everyday choices and systems, both obvious and covert, hold truths about how we educate our children. Recognizing these truths allows us to course-correct and expand opportunities for students to receive grade-level, engaging, affirming, and meaningful instruction.  Author, speaker, and leader Lacey Robinson is a walking, talking testimony of this process. Her experience as a student, teacher, principal, and organization leader is woven together in her book Justice Seekers: Pursuing Equity in the Details of Teaching and Learning. Join me as Lacey, and I discuss the book and its purpose to help people see the power of our decisions in education and how they lend to the arc of justice or injustice in this country.

Justice Seekers: Pursuing Equity in Teaching and Learning with Lacey Robinson | The LP: EP 10

If a table won't stand without well-distributed legs, a bridge won't hold weight without well-distributed force, and a car can't run without a well-distributed frame, what makes us think that we can accomplish goals in our school buildings without well-distributed leadership? Even in most dysfunctional school systems, distributive leadership can produce better collaboration and insight that can lead to better cultural and instructional outcomes. I got a chance to talk with Dr. Shaun Nelms about his book Leading With Purpose: Empowering Others to Create Lasting Change. Join us as we discuss the personal and professional journeys that are empowered when we see and recognize the power in others.

Transforming Schools and Empowering Educators with Shaun Nelms | The LP: EP 17

Too often, the bridges of grade-level, engaging, affirming, and meaningful instruction are limited and the barriers of misconceptions arise. These misconceptions about English Language Learners often hold educators back from properly serving these students. I got a chance to talk with educator Barbara Gottschalk to discuss her book, Dispelling Misconceptions About English Language Learners: Research-Based Ways to Improve Instruction. Join us as we discuss practical ways to overcome psychological barriers, shift away from assumptions, tap into student strengths through home languages, and involve immigrant families more authentically.

Dispelling Myths and Serving English Learners Better with Barbara Gottschalk | The LP: EP 19

How do we create a process were humanizing education leaders works in harmony with humanizing the students they serve? It's hard for an educator to tend to the intellectual and emotional development of students if they don't see how it's inevitably connected to their own intellectual and emotional development. Join the discussion with Carlos Moreno, author of Finding Your Leadership Soul: What Our Students Can Teach Us About Love, Care, and Vulnerability and discover how the journey through this profession, if grounded correctly, can cause both educators and students to flourish.

Love, Care, and Vulnerability in Education with Carlos Moreno | The LP: EP 20

How do we navigate the challenges of turning the science of reading into the reality of daily instruction? Educators across the country are committed to research-backed literacy nstruction, but sometimes the process can lead to more questions, or misconceptions. I got a chance to talk with Melissa Loftus and Lori Sappington to discuss their book, The Literacy 50–A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night. Join us as we tackle some these questions, as well as some of my own.

Important Answers About the Science of Reading with Melissa Loftus and Lori Sappington |  EP 21

How do we keep students' voices in the center of our instruction? Even when educators know how to, they often operate in environments that discourage this practice. I got a chance to talk with Ann Marie Baines to discuss her book, Amplify Student Voices: Equitable Practices to Build Confidence in the Classroom. Join us as we discuss what it means to deliver engaging instruction while affirming identity.

Strategies to Elevate Student Perspectives with AnnMarie Baines |  EP 22

How do we keep math class a reflection of human realities and desires? So often, it can be hard to visualize math instruction that is evenly grade-level, engaging, affirming, and meaningful, and it is costing our students interests and potential. Fortunately, I got a chance to talk with Kristopher Childs and John Staley to discuss their book, Teaching Mathematics for Social Justice: A Guide for Moving From Mindset to Action. Join us as we discuss what it means to take math out of the textbook, and into the personalities and pursuits of the future generations.

Committing to Math with a Purpose With Kristopher Childs and John Staley | EP 23

Making Professional Development an Issue of Equity With Jill Harrison Berg | EP 24

How does one define, refine, and redefine themselves in a crazy profession like classroom teaching? The intellectual and emotional health of teachers and students alike greatly depend on this process, and often times our schooing systems make this process harder that it should be. Fortunately, I got a chance to talk with Jennifer Felton to discuss her book, Teaching in the Now: Classroom Momentum Begins With You. Join us as we discuss what it means to go on this unique personal and professional journey, while remainin intact and impactful at the same time.

Recovering and Discovering Classroom Rhythms With Jennifer Felton | EP 25

To what degree can students manage their own assessment process? The culture of our classrooms can reflect a fear of finding nuanced answers to this question. Fortunately, I got to talk with Starr Sackstein about her book, Student-Led Assessment: Promoting Agency and Achievement Through Portfolios and Conferences. Join us as we discuss what it means for students to truly own their development and the mindset and heartset required from teachers to make it happen. This is The LP.

Students Owning the Learning With Starr Sackstein | EP 26

It has long been said in the world of literacy education that reading and writing float on a sea of talk. What should we do when navigating students through those seas isn’t always easy? At times, it can be challenging to ensure that the academic discussions you have with students about a text avoid confusion and coddling. Fortunately, I got to talk with Tricia Zucker about her book, Strive for Five Conversations: A Framework That Gets Kids Talking to Accelerate Their Language Comprehension and Literacy. Join us as we discuss practical and powerful ways to use conversation to help all students become better thinkers, readers, listeners, and speakers. This is The LP.

Conversations that Build Literacy Skills For All Students with Tricia Zucker | EP 27

How often is our classroom teachers' potential power as researchers neglected? Before them is a wealth of information about teaching and learning. Yet they often aren't encouraged or permitted to fully digest the information, and as a result, miss opportunities to transform the mindsets and skillsets of everyone in their classroom. Fortunately, I got to talk with Angela Stockman about her book, The Writing Teacher’s Guide to Pedagogical Documentation. Join us as we discuss how the process of thoughtful documentation can lead to learning transformation for students and teachers alike. This is The LP.

Documenting, Discovering, and Developing Our Instruction with Anglea Stockman | EP 28

UnboundEd presents Lindsay Tomlinson and Chris Hayes, veteran educators in Nevada Schools.  Lindsay and Chris discuss the impact of the Common Core State Standards on administrative and instructional decisions, respectively, and the progressive role the standards have played in elevating teacher expectations, advancing student knowledge, and shifting the cognitive lift to students in the early elementary grades.

Shifting The Cognitive Lift To Students At The Elementary Level - Lindsay Tomlinson and Chris Hayes

UnboundEd presents a conversation with Judson Odell, CEO of Odell Education, and Diana Leddy, Co-founder of the Vermont Writing Collaborative.  In this discussion, Judson and Diana explore the vital role of research from Kindergarten through grade 12 and the skills students build and take away through the inquiry process.

The Impact Of Writing, Research And Argumentation On Students - Judson Odell and Diana Leddy

UnboundEd presents David Liben, one of the lead authors of the Common Core State Standards Appendix A, as well as a former teacher and administrator. David discusses the ways in which new standards are succeeding in advancing knowledge, changes in students’ comprehension of pivotal moments in a text since implementation of CCSS, and several different programs offering alternatives to current trends in curricula.  He addresses close reading and topic-based study, as well as the value of reading several texts in series on a single subject.

Advancing Student Knowledge With The CCSS Through Close Reading And Volumes Of Reading - David Liben

UnboundEd presents Judson Odell, Chief Executive Officer of Odell Education. Judson discusses the unique place of argumentation in the Common Core State Standards, the demand for critical thinking in our world and workplace, and the challenges that accompany implementing rigorous curriculum that pushes students’ thinking in the new era of education.

The Place Of Argumentation In Curriculum - Judson Odell

UnboundEd presents Dr. Dan Willingham.  Dan discusses the practical application of the latest scientific research in cognitive psychology to the field of education, including the importance of phonics instruction and read alouds to the development of reading skills and vocabulary,  the importance of contextualization in reading comprehension, and the benefits of repetition and vocabulary reinforcement on knowledge retention.

Cognitive Psychology And Reading - Dr. Dan Willingham

Unbounded presents Bill McCallum, professor of mathematics and lead author of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. Bill discusses in detail what some selected Standards for Mathematical Practice look like across elementary, middle, and high school grades, in addition to a few of the more interesting clusters and domains from the Standards.

The Standards for Mathematical Practice - Dr. Bill McCallum

UnboundEd presents Cheryl Dobbertin, Director of Learning and School Improvement at Monroe #1 BOCES. Cheryl explores the role of reading and writing, giving voice to all kids in the classroom, reading levels, and pushing the boundaries with rigorous and diverse reading and writing experiences post Common Core.

Paradigm Shift: Introducing Rigor - Cheryl Dobbertin

UnboundEd presents Judith Hochman, Founder and Chief Academic Officer of the Writing Revolution. Judith talks about writing instruction in schools, including common misconceptions about writing and how it fits into an integrated model of literacy instruction.

Writing Instruction in the Era of Higher Standards - Dr. Judith Hochman

With the adoption of the standards, the focus on supporting students who are behind grade level is more critical than ever. Yet, even with a clear roadmap of learning from grade to grade, students are still struggling and research shows us that there are huge, glaring inequities in the education system. On February 13, 2017, Kate Gerson, managing partner at UnboundEd gave a keynote presentation to over 800 educators in Orlando, FL at the Standards Institute. The Institute is a twice yearly training with learning pathways in ELA, math and leadership. Her keynote was focused on showing educators that there is a clear path to fighting the status quo through research that will challenge us to change mindsets and practices in order to support all students.

Winter 2017 Standards Institute Keynote Speech - Kate Gerson

David Abel talks with Dr. Timothy Shanahan about the state of literacy in US schools, and what the research is telling us to do differently. Dr. Timothy Shanahan  is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and former director of reading for the Chicago Public Schools. He is author/editor of more than 200 publications, and served on the author team of the Common Core State Standards. Professor Shanahan is past president of the International Literacy Association. He was inducted to the Reading Hall of Fame in 2007, and is a former first-grade teacher. For more information, visit his blog: www.shanahanonliteracy.com

Research Backed Literacy, Higher Standards, and Their Impact - Dr. Timothy Shanahan

Sierah Tyson of EducationNomad talks with Mariama Sesay-St Paul on literacy education, teaching challenging texts to students, facilitating reading proficiency in the classroom, and more.

Is it in the best interest of you or the student? - Mariama Sesay-St. Paul

“The Complexion of Teaching and Learning” is a podcast docu-series in which we explore 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. Episode 1 highlights the connections between Brandon’s experiences as an educator of color and the experience of black Educators before, during, and right after slavery.

The following scholars and texts are featured in this episode:
"Self Taught: African American Education and Freedom" by Heather Andrea Williams
"Hidden Provocateurs: Black Educators in a Century of Secret Struggle" by Vanessa Siddle Walker
"The Lost Education of Horace Tate" by Vanessa Siddle Walker
"Schooling Citizens: The Struggle For African American Education in Antebellum America" by Hilary J. Moss
"The Egyptian Philosophers: Ancient African Voices from Imhotep to Akhenaten" by Molefi Asante (Twitter: @Molefiasante)


Editor's note: Heather Andrea Williams' novel is titled 'Self-Taught," as opposed to "Self-Care" referenced in the podcast.

The Complexion Of Teaching And Learning - Episode 1 - "From Roots to Reconstruction"

In part one of this episode, host Brandon White (Twitter: @ClassroomB) takes us through the early to mid 20th century, leading up to the pivotal Brown v. Board decision, as educators and communities of color grapple with the nation’s expansion and how it challenges their ways of teaching and learning. The conversation continues to the "B-side" as he gets close and personal perspectives from Dr. Gail Perry-Ryder on her own journey as an educator and researcher.

The following scholars and texts are featured in this episode:
"Latino Education in the United States: A Narrated History from 1513–2000" by Victoria Maria-MacDonald
"Silent Covenants: Brown v. Board of Education and the Unfulfilled Hopes for Racial Reform" by Derrick Bell
"The Lost Education of Horace Tate" by Vanessa Siddle Walker
"Eugenics and Education in America: Institutionalized Racism and the Implications of History, Ideology, and Memory" by Ann Winfield
"Learning in a Burning House: Educational Inequality, Ideology, and (Dis)Integration" by Sonya Douglass Horsford (Twitter: @SonyaHorsford)
"Reclaiming the Multicultural Roots of U.S. Curriculum" by Wayne Au, Anthony Brown, and Dolores Calderon

The Complexion of Teaching and Learning - Episode 4 - Colonization, Color, and the Courts

Thought-provoking discussions with education experts on issues that impact us and our students in the classroom. Please subscribe and follow us on your favorite social media platforms. cc: 943367

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