Welcome to Teaching Matters 101: a podcast for folks who are passionate about educating diverse students with compassion, care, and courage.  I am your host, Dr. Mel, lifelong learner and educator and CEO of Scholars for the Soul: An Educational Solutions Firm.  We are here to talk about all things education: from teacher identity to teaching strategies, we unpack it all and invite you to join us on this journey of discussing teaching matters that impact education and make real teaching matter.  

Today's episode is a conversation from one soul scholar to another.  You will be emboldened by the passion of Dr. Mel to continue to reflect upon and examine the fuel to your fire that motivates why you do what you do in our nation's schools and classrooms.

Dr. Mel breaks down the current state of education, specifically as it relates to the state of Arkansas and other southern states, with their current attack on critical race theory and "indoctrination".  She provides a refreshing insight into reframing our teacher mindset and identity work from deficit to strength based and offers solutions that center culturally responsive teaching as the way to engage diverse learners and their families and communities.

Important note:
Culturally responsive teaching is the solution.

• closes instructional equity gap
• provides teachers a pathway towards transformation and its sustainability over time
• provides a clear road map for educator identity and teaching practices that integrate culture and information process as the solution to good teaching that closes the gap.

Resources discussed in the podcast (click the highlighted text to access resource): 

1. FREE E-BOOK:  First Steps to Understanding and Implementing Culturally Responsive Teaching: Exploring the journey from identity to instruction. This text will guide you on a journey of understanding culturally responsive teaching as a way of being that takes identity work, building academic mindset for yourself and your students, confronting blindspots within your instruction, and advocating for support while practicing critical self-reflection.  It’s a free tool that will empower you to actualize your own personal and professional development that grows your capacity as a culturally responsive educator.  
2.  The Urgency for Cultivating Academic Mindset with Dependent Learners 
   • IG Live Series @scholars4thesoul
   • Friday nights at 5pm CST (March 3, 10, 17, 24)
   • Components of an academic mindset: 
     • I belong to this community.
     • I can succeed at this.  
     • My effort is worth the work
     • There is value in the work.
3. Warm Demander Series:  The identity of a warm demander and how to cultivate that identity through culturally responsive teaching.  
   • LinkedIN, Facebook, and YouTube series:  
   • Saturday mornings at 8am CST (March 4, 11, 18, 25)