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In this episode of the Teachers Forum, David engages with three distinguished educators—Sarah Rich Merlo, Jamie Lathan, and Matt Scialdone—who are dedicated to teaching American history, particularly the often-overlooked narratives from the Jim Crow South. The conversation discusses the Civil Rights Restorative Justice Project and the work they're doing to address the "harms resulting from the massive breakdown in law enforcement in the South from 1930 through 1970." The panel also discusses the importance of confronting hard histories, the role of restorative justice in education, and the necessity of honoring the victims of racial injustice through thoughtful teaching practices and community engagement. In this conversation, Sara, Jamie and Matt delve into the importance of humanizing historical narratives, particularly those involving systemic injustice and police violence. They share personal stories and teaching strategies that connect past events to present realities, emphasizing the role of primary sources in education. The discussion highlights the courage required to teach difficult histories and the profound impact this work has on students' understanding of their own identities and communities.

For more on Civil Rights Restorative Justice Project visit their website at https://crrj.org/
You can reach Sara Merlo sara.rich.merlo@gmail.com
Matt Scialdone: Waketruth.org or email him at: mscialdone@wcpss.net
Jamie Lathan: jamielathan@gmail.com

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In this episode of the Teachers Forum, David welcomes Sofia Gonzalez, a passionate educator and advocate for the Latino community. Sophia shares her journey from a daughter of immigrants (4:15) to becoming a teacher and nonprofit leader. She discusses the importance of cultural identity in education (00:08:39), the diversity within the Latino community, the debate around the term Latinx (16:16), and the challenges faced by Latino students and teachers (19:39). The conversation also touches on the significance of representation in education (28:37), and the initiatives of her nonprofit, Project 214 (00:43:49). Sofia shares her vision for the future of education where it is a right for all and where the voices of the Latino community are valued. (49:36).

You can contact Sofia on Twitter (X): @_sofiaspeaks and at sofiaspeaks.com

Recommended books by Sofia Gonzalez

1. Bettina Love: Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children and How We Heal and We Want to Do More Than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom
2. Chris Emdin: Ratchetdemic: Reimagining Academic Success
3. Shawn Ginwright: Hope and Healing in Urban Education and The Four Pivots: Reimagining Justice, Reimagining Ourselves

Join the Conversation:
david@theteachersforum.org
X (formerly Twitter) @theforum1993
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In this episode of The Teacher's Forum, David is joined by Dr. Roderick Carey from the University of Delaware to explore the educational experiences of Black and Latino boys in K-12 schools. Dr. Carey shares his personal journey and discusses the systemic challenges these boys face, such as disproportionate discipline and the lack of cultural representation in curricula. The episode emphasizes the importance of family, community, and educators in supporting these boys, helping them imagine their futures, and recognizing their diverse identities and talents.

Timestamps:
Roderick's Journey in Education:

• 4:13 – Early exposure to educators and passion for working with youth.
• 11:30 – Decision to pursue a doctorate after witnessing college struggles of high-achieving students.

Challenges for Black and Latino Boys in Education:

• 13:40 – Impact of standardized testing and cultural dissonance in college.
• 21:03 – Economic and familial responsibilities affecting college decisions.
• 25:48 – Systemic issues in K-12 education: disproportionate discipline and lack of representation.
• 29:46 – Adultification of Black boys and racial bias in schools.

Evolving Identities and Intersectionality:

• 40:08 – Challenging stereotypical representations of Black boys and embracing diverse identities.
• 47:23 – Gender fluidity and LGBTQ+ identities within Black communities.

Conclusion:

• 50:26 – Gratitude for mentorship and the "Finding Future Selves" resource.

Books mentioned: Bad Boys: Public Schools in the Making of Black Masculinity by Ann Arnett Ferguson
Black American Students in An Affluent Suburb (Sociocultural, Political, and Historical Studies in Education) by John Ogbu

Finding Future Selves website

Join the Conversation:
david@theteachersforum.org
X (formerly Twitter) @theforum1993
Please subscribe, share and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Help us amplify the voices and issues of K-12 educators all over the world.