Equity Starts Here: Why Joy Requires Belonging

Learning to Relearn: Building Identity-Affirming Classrooms

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2226037/fan_mail/new] In this episode of The Equity Hour, Dr. Tami Dean sits down with Kwame Sarfo-Mensah—founder of Identity Talk Consulting and author of Learning to Relearn—to unpack what it really takes to create identity-affirming, culturally responsive classrooms. They explore how “compliance culture” undermines agency, the history behind school policies (from uniforms to hair), and practical ways educators can “clean the lenses,” confront bias, and center joy, belonging, and critical thinking. What you’ll learn * Why “compliance” often replaces true learning—and how to reverse it * How history informs present-day school policies (uniforms, hair, discipline) * Practical steps to build identity-affirming, anti-bias, anti-racist practice * Strategies for nurturing student agency, joy, and criticality * Ways teachers can honor their professional identity—even within constraints https://www.identitytalk4educators.com/ [https://www.identitytalk4educators.com/] Get the book: Learning to Relearn [https://amzn.to/432Fplb] Coaching Discovery Call Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2226037/support]  Enjoying the show?   Become a subscriber: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2226037/support [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2226037/support]  Would you like to be on the show or know someone who Dr. Tami should talk with?  Let us know [https://dragonflyrising.org/new-page-1]! Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dragonflyrisingllc/] to find more resources connected to today's episode.

Equity Starts Here: Why Joy Requires Belonging

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2226037/fan_mail/new] What if “joy in schools” isn’t possible without belonging? Dr. Tami Dean and Dr. Max Weinberg unpack how humane, trauma-informed practice—and real partnership with families, paraprofessionals, and communities—creates conditions where every student is seen, safe, and able to learn. What You’ll Learn * Why belonging is the prerequisite for joy—not the other way around. * How testing culture and scripted curricula erode critical thinking and equity. * Practical ways to center in loco parentis and dignity in daily instruction. * The overlooked power of paraprofessionals and how to align the whole team. * Navigating 504/IEP rights with curiosity instead of compliance theater. * Equity lenses on charters, vouchers, school funding, and neighborhood schools. * How educator preparation and No Child Left Behind-era schooling still shape today’s classrooms. Coaching Discovery Call Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2226037/support]  Enjoying the show?   Become a subscriber: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2226037/support [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2226037/support]  Would you like to be on the show or know someone who Dr. Tami should talk with?  Let us know [https://dragonflyrising.org/new-page-1]! Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dragonflyrisingllc/] to find more resources connected to today's episode.

The False Choice: Equity, Adoption & Abortion

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2226037/fan_mail/new] Author and PhD student Shannon Quist joins Dr. Tami to unpack the false binary of adoption vs. abortion—and the equity issues hiding in plain sight. We trace the Baby Scoop era, Roe v. Wade, evangelical politics, and present-day practices like safe haven boxes and sealed birth certificates. Shannon shares her adoptee journey, the identity costs of transracial adoption, and why open records and community care matter. If you’ve wondered who profits, who’s protected, and who’s erased, this conversation offers language, history, and actions to move beyond either/or thinking toward real reproductive and adoptee justice. Shannon’s TEDx Talk: Would You Rather? Adoption vs. Abortion [https://youtu.be/OTCJkLywrD8?si=fnNquWPHqjN4BLKv] Coaching Discovery Call Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2226037/support]  Enjoying the show?   Become a subscriber: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2226037/support [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2226037/support]  Would you like to be on the show or know someone who Dr. Tami should talk with?  Let us know [https://dragonflyrising.org/new-page-1]! Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dragonflyrisingllc/] to find more resources connected to today's episode.

From Deficit to Belonging: Equitable Math Instruction & Instructional Coaching Strategies

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2226037/fan_mail/new] In this energizing conversation, Dr. Tami sits down with Laneshia—math coach, curriculum designer, and host of Make Math Happen—to unpack what equitable math instruction actually looks like day-to-day. From combating deficit narratives to designing joyful, rigorous lessons, they explore why Tier 1 planning is urgent, how instructional coaches serve as “knowledgeable others,” and practical ways teachers can build classroom belonging, agency, and discourse. You’ll hear actionable strategies for the first weeks of school, embracing “productive messiness” during new curriculum rollouts, and how a simple “Power Hour” can transform your productivity and peace. If you support middle school math—or care about equitable learning anywhere—this episode is your blueprint for planning with purpose and leading with joy. * Why equity starts at Tier 1—and why you can’t “small-group” your way out of weak whole-group instruction * What effective instructional coaching looks like (and why every pro needs a coach) * Practical back-to-school moves: planning, anchor charts, discourse questions, and organization * How to replace deficit narratives with assume positive intentions and better family communication Coaching Discovery Call Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2226037/support]  Enjoying the show?   Become a subscriber: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2226037/support [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2226037/support]  Would you like to be on the show or know someone who Dr. Tami should talk with?  Let us know [https://dragonflyrising.org/new-page-1]! Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dragonflyrisingllc/] to find more resources connected to today's episode.

From Bias to Breakthrough: Inclusive Hiring Strategies for Modern Workplaces

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2226037/fan_mail/new] In this episode of The Equity Hour, host Dr. Tami  sits down with Jenn Tardy, founder of Jenn Tardy Consulting and author of The Equity Edge, to unpack the realities of bias in hiring and what leaders can do to build truly inclusive workplaces. With two decades of experience in recruitment and DEI, Jenn brings a clear, actionable perspective on why representation matters, how subtle and underexplored biases derail talent pipelines, and what organizations can do to move from “checking the box” to systemic change. Key Takeaways: * Why equity—not just diversity—is the competitive advantage companies need in 2025 * Common but overlooked biases that shape hiring decisions (like “professionalism” and “competitor bias”) * How to empower recruiters and hiring managers with plain-language tools to spot and mitigate bias * The difference between “calling out” and “calling in” — and how leaders can create space for accountability without defensiveness * Why equity is a marathon, not a one-and-done training, and how organizations can sustain momentum despite resistance Whether you’re a C-suite leader, HR professional, or manager shaping team culture, this episode will give you practical strategies to create equitable systems that attract, hire, and retain top talent. Resources Mentioned: * The Equity Edge  [https://a.co/d/4fDaL7E]by Jenn Tardy  * The Platinum Bias Checklist [https://www.jennifertardy.com/the-platinum-hiring-bias-blueprint] (free resource) Coaching Discovery Call Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2226037/support]  Enjoying the show?   Become a subscriber: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2226037/support [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2226037/support]  Would you like to be on the show or know someone who Dr. Tami should talk with?  Let us know [https://dragonflyrising.org/new-page-1]! Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dragonflyrisingllc/] to find more resources connected to today's episode.