Teaching Channel Talks

In this episode of Teaching Channel Talks, Dr. Wendy Amato is joined by educator, author, and consultant Kwame Sarfo-Mensah to talk about honoring student identity in everyday teaching. Drawing from his new book Learning to Relearn [https://learning2relearn.com/], Kwame shares personal stories and practical strategies around identity, decentering, and collective action. He and Wendy discuss how cultural awareness, reflection, and empathy can shape stronger student-teacher relationships. Listen in for ways to build trust, center student voices, and create classrooms where every learner feels they belong. RESOURCES FOR CONTINUED LEARNING Explore the Book Learning to Relearn Learning to Relearn: Supporting Identity in a Culturally Affirming Classroom [https://www.routledge.com/Learning-to-Relearn-Supporting-Identity-in-a-Culturally-Affirming-Classroom/Sarfo-Mensah/p/book/9781625316226?srsltid=AfmBOopAoE_yYY6lxYmV3Jf5JZF4RDW-LprYR9NJoD-T2-HqqS04B82V] is Kwame Sarfo-Mensah’s latest release for educators who want to center student identity and reflect on their own role in the classroom. The book offers questions and stories that challenge educators to reexamine old habits and stay rooted in what students actually need. Visit Learning2Relearn.com [https://learning2relearn.com/] to download chapter previews, find discussion guides, and access tools that help you bring the book into your teaching practice. Bring Identity Work Into Your School or District Kwame founded Identity Talk Consulting [https://www.identitytalk4educators.com/services], a group offering workshops, coaching, and speaking engagements focused on affirming student identity, building strong teacher habits, and supporting educators as they grow in the classroom.

Multilingual learners are the fastest-growing student group in the U.S., and their success depends on how well schools support language development alongside grade-level instruction. In this episode, Dr. Wendy Amato is joined by Katherine Hamilton, Vice President of Programs at Ensemble Learning, to share how educators can better support these students—whether they’re new to the country or born in the U.S. but still developing academic English. Katherine draws from classroom experience and district-level partnerships to break down key instructional strategies, the power of student talk, and what meaningful walkthroughs look like. She also shares the importance of aligning classroom practices with school and district priorities to keep support focused and manageable. RESOURCES FOR CONTINUED LEARNING Learn More About Ensemble Learning Ensemble Learning [https://ensemblelearning.org/] is a nonprofit that partners with schools, districts, and state agencies to support equity for multilingual learners. Their work includes professional learning, coaching, and systems-level alignment to ensure that students learning English receive the instruction and support they need to thrive. Professional Learning with Teaching Channel Looking to strengthen your support for multilingual learners? Teaching Channel’s graduate-level courses offer practical strategies to help educators create welcoming, language-rich classrooms for newcomer students. 5308: Empowering Multilingual Newcomers with Language and SEL Support [https://courses.teachingchannel.com/courses/dl/culture-and-language/Empowering-Multilingual-Newcomers-with-Language-and-SEL-Support/5308] Learn how to create a Newcomer Kit, build a family resource guide, and plan meaningful opportunities for language development using multi-cue and comprehensible input approaches. The course also addresses ways to support newcomer students with learning disabilities.

How Can Storytelling Transform Learning? In this episode of Teaching Channel Talks, Dr. Wendy Amato welcomes performance artist and storyteller Liza Newell to explore the power of storytelling in education. Liza shares how fairy tales, folklore, and personal narratives can create meaningful connections, inspire curiosity, and help students navigate complex ideas. Together, they discuss how teachers can use storytelling techniques—like vocal expression, body language, and pacing—to engage students and make lessons more impactful. Listen in to discover how storytelling can foster empathy, build confidence, and create lasting learning experiences in the classroom. RESOURCES FOR CONTINUED LEARNING Storytelling: A Tool for Engagement, Imagination, and Connection in the Classroom Liza Newell provides a resource highlighting the essential components of compelling storytelling and how educators can use story structure, character development, and performance techniques to enrich student learning. Educators can explore practical strategies for using storytelling in the classroom by accessing Liza Newell’s guide [https://345105.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/345105/K12%20Hub%20Content/Downloadables/Storytelling_%20A%20tool%20for%20engagement%2c%20imagination%2c%20and%20connection%20in%20the%20classroom.pdf], Storytelling: A Tool for Engagement, Imagination, and Connection in the Classroom. Learn More About Liza’s Work Explore Liza Newell’s performances, workshops, and creative projects by visiting her website: Learn more about Liza’s performances, workshops, and creative projects by visiting her website [http://www.lizanewell.com]. Educator Question Prompts for Story Responses Use these question prompts [https://345105.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/345105/K12%20Hub%20Content/Downloadables/Educator%20Question%20Prompts%20for%20Story%20Responses.pdf] developed by Liza Newell and Dr. Wendy Amato to encourage students to reflect on and connect with the stories they hear, fostering meaningful discussions in the classroom. The Apple Seed Podcast Discover a collection of rich and diverse stories on The Apple Seed Podcast, a show dedicated to sharing tales that inspire and entertain. This podcast is a great resource for educators looking to bring engaging narratives into their classrooms. Educators looking to bring engaging narratives into their classrooms can explore the collection of rich and diverse stories featured on The Apple Seed Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-apple-seed/id1432798663]. International Storytelling Festival YouTube Channel Explore stories from around the world with the International Storytelling Festival's YouTube channel. This collection of performances from renowned storytellers provides a global perspective on the art of storytelling and can be a valuable resource for classroom learning. Teachers and students can explore stories from around the world through the performances available on the International Storytelling Center YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/user/StorytellingFestival].

What if strong parent engagement was the key to happier teachers and more successful students? In this episode of Teaching Channel Talks, Dr. Wendy Amato is joined by education consultant, coach, and speaker Peyten Williams to explore how schools can foster meaningful partnerships with parents. Peyten shares why parent education shouldn’t stop after orientation and how ongoing communication and support can make a real difference for students. From strengthening communication to facilitating supportive school communities, Peyten and Wendy discuss practical ways schools can connect with families, improve conversations, and build a stronger school community for students, teachers, and parents alike. RESOURCES FOR CONTINUED LEARNING Food for Thought Parent Discussions Join Food for Thought, a weekly Zoom session hosted by Peyten Williams and Becky McKnight, a former school administrator. These free discussions cover common parenting concerns, including friendships, technology, and discipline. Watch past recordings on Peyten’s YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YFgbjXFVCI&list=PLKAvV0OePje7IA1ijadr-Y04ZdOgj3q9Q]. Bowbend Consulting Best Practices for Parent Engagement Events Peyten Williams developed the Best Practices Checklist for Parent Engagement Events [https://www.teachingchannel.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Bowbend-Consulting-Best-Practices-Checklist-for-Parent-Engagement-Events.pdf] to help schools improve parent participation. This resource includes: * Grouping parents by grade level for more relevant discussions. * Converting lectures into podcasts or recorded videos for flexible access. * Scheduling events at convenient times, such as after drop-off or before pick-up. By using these strategies, schools can create events that encourage meaningful engagement. Professional Learning with Teaching Channel Looking to boost your teaching skills and advance your career? Teaching Channel’s graduate-level courses are designed to help educators build strong partnerships with families and enhance student success. 5844: Engaging Parents for Student Success [https://courses.teachingchannel.com/courses/dl/teaching-excellence/Engaging-Parents-for-Student-Success/5844] This course explores effective ways to foster parent, caregiver, and community engagement. Learn how to strengthen family-school relationships, encourage participation, and improve communication between teachers and families to create a more supportive learning environment. STAY CONNECTED Subscribe to Teaching Channel Talks on your favorite podcast platform for more insights, resources, and professional learning opportunities. Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Contact us at K12Hub@teachingchannel.com [K12Hub@teachingchannel.com]

How can a single image spark rich mathematical discussions? In this episode of Teaching Channel Talks, Dr. Wendy Amato welcomes Sarah Larison from Northwestern to explore Multiplicity [https://multiplicitylab.northwestern.edu/], a platform designed to transform math instruction through rich images and meaningful discussions. Sarah shares how this innovative approach, born during the pandemic, continues to engage students and empower teachers by making math more accessible and collaborative. Learn how Multiplicity fosters deep mathematical thinking, supports multilingual learners, and builds teacher confidence—one image at a time. RESOURCES FOR CONTINUED LEARNING Explore the tools and resources mentioned in the episode to enhance math instruction in your classroom: Get Started with Multiplicity. [https://multiplicitylab.northwestern.edu/]Engage students in meaningful mathematical discussions using carefully curated images and inquiry-based tasks. Multiplicity provides a low-floor, high-ceiling approach that encourages flexible thinking and collaborative problem-solving. Try discussing Multiplicity at your next PLC meeting and collaborate with colleagues to curate images that align with key math concepts in your curriculum! * New to the platform? Follow this step-by-step guide [https://multiplicitylab.northwestern.edu/gettingstarted/] to select tasks, facilitate discussions, and integrate Multiplicity into your instruction with confidence. Advance Your Math Instruction with Teaching Channel: Looking to boost your teaching skills and advance your salary? Teaching Channel’s 3-credit math courses [https://courses.teachingchannel.com/courses/dl/all?content=math&grade=&credits=&format=&partner=&bundle=&srch=&nat=false] are designed to help educators grow professionally while making a greater impact in their classrooms.