In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing Sofia Gonzalez, who opened up about her early upbringing in Chicago, her Mexerican heritage, the inspiration behind her non-profit journey and education advocacy work, working through teacher trauma, and so much more ! To learn more about Sofia's work, you can visit her website at sofiaspeaks.com or follow her on Instagram (@_sofiaspeaks) and LinkedIn. To learn more about Identity Talk Consulting and the professional development services that we offer, visit our website at https://identitytalk4educators.com. STAY CONNECTED WITH KWAME: 👉🏾 Instagram: / https://instagram.com/kwamtheidentityshaper 👉🏾 YouTube: / @kwamesarfo-mensah5785 👉🏾 LinkedIn: / https://linkedin.com/in/kwamesarfomensah LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: 👉🏾 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/identity-talk-4-educators-live/id1509599570 👉🏾 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/23k0HRkXxi1OJSahtqS7xO SIGN UP FOR A E-COURSE WITH KWAME! 👉🏾 https://eduspark.world/profile/9312b128-7573-440d-8d78-fb24cc4fa066/creator SUBSCRIBE TO THE IDENTITY TALK NEWSLETTER! 👉🏾 https://identitytalk.kit.com/9e744003e9 READ MY BOOKS! 👉🏾 “Learning to Relearn” - https://www.routledge.com/Learning-to-Relearn-Supporting-Identity-in-a-Culturally-Affirming-Classroom/Sarfo-Mensah/p/book/9781625316226 👉🏾 “Shaping the Teacher Identity” - https://www.amazon.com/Shaping-Teacher-Identity-Lessons-Define/dp/1723480835 VISIT THE IDENTITY TALK APPAREL SHOP! 👉🏾 https://the-identity-talk-apparel-shop.creator-spring.com/ TO SEND A DONATION: 👉🏾 CashApp - https://cash.app/$idtalk4ed 👉🏾 Venmo - https://venmo.com/u/kwamesm 👉🏾 PayPal - https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kwamesm _________________________________________________________________________________________ Timestamps: 0:00-1:02 - Welcome to IDTALK4ED LIVE 1:03-3:30 - Podcast Subscription Reminders & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:31-5:55 - Introducing Sofia Gonzalez 5:56-10:35 - Inspiration for becoming an educator 10:36-20:24 - Mexerican heritage & impact on education advocacy work 20:25-21:25 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 21:26-25:57 - Sofia's K-12 Schooling Journey 25:58-33:51 - Project 214 & Non-Profit Journey 33:52-34:29 - Thaddeus' Nature Notebook Promo 34:30-40:06 - Inspiration behind her creativity 40:07-51:15 - Working Through Trauma & Birth of National Speaking Tour 51:16-55:25 - The moment that Mrs. G and Sofia became one 55:26-56:28 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 56:29-57:36 - How to connect with Sofia 57:37-58:20 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Sofia Gonzalez is a High School AP English teacher, Nonprofit Leader, and Education Activist from Illinois. She has been in the field of education for 15 years and has a deep passion for students & teachers who are disadvantaged. She’s a sought-after keynote speaker & podcast host who is known for her cutting-edge presentations and dynamic illustrations with a message that’s infectious. She has received national teacher recognitions and nominations such as 2019 Top Educator of the Year with the National Society of High School Scholars, 2021 Golden Apple Nominee for Teaching & Excellence and 2022 Authenticity Award with Latinx Education Collaborative. She is also a nonprofit Lead Visionary for Project 214 which promotes education in underserved areas for students and teachers on the margins. An alum in various spaces like Fulbright, Latinos for Education, Urban Leaders Fellowship, and the US Department of Education, Sofia's passion and energy towards education equity remains a leading voice for the 21st-century classroom at a national and international level.

In this episode, I had the honor of welcoming my good friend Benita Gordon to the podcast to share about her early upbringing in Virginia, her HBCU experience at Hampton, her natural hair journey, entering the world of microschooling, and so much more! To learn more about Benita's work, check out the Education Concierge Podcast and follow her on Instagram (@theeduconcierge) and LinkedIn. To learn more about Identity Talk Consulting and the professional development services that we offer, visit our website at https://identitytalk4educators.com. STAY CONNECTED WITH KWAME: 👉🏾 Instagram: / https://instagram.com/kwamtheidentityshaper 👉🏾 YouTube: / @kwamesarfo-mensah5785 👉🏾 LinkedIn: / https://linkedin.com/in/kwamesarfomensah LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: 👉🏾 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/identity-talk-4-educators-live/id1509599570 👉🏾 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/23k0HRkXxi1OJSahtqS7xO SIGN UP FOR A E-COURSE WITH KWAME! 👉🏾 https://eduspark.world/profile/9312b128-7573-440d-8d78-fb24cc4fa066/creator SUBSCRIBE TO THE IDENTITY TALK NEWSLETTER! 👉🏾 https://identitytalk.kit.com/9e744003e9 READ MY BOOKS! 👉🏾 “Learning to Relearn” - https://www.routledge.com/Learning-to-Relearn-Supporting-Identity-in-a-Culturally-Affirming-Classroom/Sarfo-Mensah/p/book/9781625316226 👉🏾 “Shaping the Teacher Identity” - https://www.amazon.com/Shaping-Teacher-Identity-Lessons-Define/dp/1723480835 VISIT THE IDENTITY TALK APPAREL SHOP! 👉🏾 https://the-identity-talk-apparel-shop.creator-spring.com/ TO SEND A DONATION: 👉🏾 CashApp - https://cash.app/$idtalk4ed 👉🏾 Venmo - https://venmo.com/u/kwamesm 👉🏾 PayPal - https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kwamesm __________________________________________________________________________________________ Timestamps: 0:00-1:01 - Welcome to IDTALK4ED LIVE 1:02-3:33 - Subscription Reminder & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:34-5:36 - Introducing Benita Gordon 5:37-13:10 - Inspiration for becoming an educator 13:11-16:20 - HBCU Experience at Hampton University 16:21-20:44 - Early years as a teacher in Virginia 20:45-26:00 - Natural Hair Journey 26:01-30:38 - Making the shift to microschooling 30:39-31:16 - Thaddeus' Nature Notebook Promo 31:17- 35:17 - Treating students as our customers 35:18-41:15 - The role of microschooling in current sociopolitical climate 41:15-47:18 - Accreditation process for microschools 47:19-48:19 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 48:20-57:13 - Unpacking Ghana ASCD International Education Summit Experience 57:14-59:27 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 59:28-1:01:31 - How to connect with Benita 1:01:32-1:02:07 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Benita Gordon is an innovative education leader, entrepreneur, and founder of Global Education Concierge. With a deep passion for personalized learning and transformative educational experiences, she spearheads initiatives to empower students and educators alike. As the host of The Education Concierge Podcast and founder of Miami MicroLearn Hub, Benita is a go-to expert in non-traditional education models, education technology integration, and consulting for innovative school design and management. In addition to her work in the U.S., Benita serves on the board of Amie Academy Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educational development in underserved communities. In this role, she supports Amie Academy in Sierra Leone, expanding educational access and fostering sustainable change. Focusing on leveraging technology, personalized learning journeys, and operational excellence, Benita collaborates with educators and leaders to reimagine education globally.

In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing Zaretta Hammond, who opened up about her early upbringing in San Francisco, the 10th anniversary of her best-sellingTo learn more about Identity Talk Consulting and the professional development services that we offer, visit our website at https://identitytalk4educators.com. STAY CONNECTED WITH KWAME: 👉🏾 Instagram: / https://instagram.com/kwamtheidentityshaper 👉🏾 YouTube: / @kwamesarfo-mensah5785 👉🏾 LinkedIn: / https://linkedin.com/in/kwamesarfomensah LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: 👉🏾 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/identity-talk-4-educators-live/id1509599570 👉🏾 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/23k0HRkXxi1OJSahtqS7xO SIGN UP FOR A E-COURSE WITH KWAME! 👉🏾 https://eduspark.world/profile/9312b128-7573-440d-8d78-fb24cc4fa066/creator SUBSCRIBE TO THE IDENTITY TALK NEWSLETTER! 👉🏾 https://identitytalk.kit.com/9e744003e9 READ MY BOOKS! 👉🏾 “Learning to Relearn” - https://www.routledge.com/Learning-to-Relearn-Supporting-Identity-in-a-Culturally-Affirming-Classroom/Sarfo-Mensah/p/book/9781625316226 👉🏾 “Shaping the Teacher Identity” - https://www.amazon.com/Shaping-Teacher-Identity-Lessons-Define/dp/1723480835 VISIT THE IDENTITY TALK APPAREL SHOP! 👉🏾 https://the-identity-talk-apparel-shop.creator-spring.com/ TO SEND A DONATION: 👉🏾 CashApp - https://cash.app/$idtalk4ed 👉🏾 Venmo - https://venmo.com/u/kwamesm 👉🏾 PayPal - https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kwamesm book, "Culturally Responsive Teaching & the Brain", her thoughts on the term 'DEI' and the latest trends in teacher education, her first visit to Africa, and so much more! To learn more about Zaretta's work, you can visit her website at crtandthebrain.com or follow her on LinkedIn. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Timestamps: 0:00-1:01 - Welcome to IDTALK4ED LIVE 1:02-3:01 - Podcast Subscription Reminders & Learning to Relearn Promo 3:02-5:22 - Introducing Zaretta Hammond 5:23-11:08 - Early childhood & Inspiration for becoming an educator 11:07-21:45 - Zaretta's K-12 Schooling Journey 21:46-22:45 - Identity Talk Consulting Promo 22:46-36:13 - Perspective on the term "DEI" and its impact on education consulting 36:14-42:02 - The Lasting Legacy of CRT & The Brain; 10-year anniversary 42:03-42:40 - Thaddeus' Nature Notebook Promo 42:41-55:01 - Latest trends and issues in Teacher Education Programs; Teacher Coaching/Consulting in schools 55:02-59:21 - Zaretta's experience at Ghana ASCD IES, 1st visit to Africa 59:22-1:05:50 - Remembering William Hanson 🙏🏿 1:05:51-1:07:23 - How do you stay true to the teacher in you? 1:07:24-1:09:50 - How to connect with Sofia 1:09:51-1:10:35 - Thank Yous & Goodbyes BIO: Zaretta Hammond is a national education consultant and the author of the best-selling book ⁠Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students⁠. She holds a Master’s in Education in English Education, with a concentration in Writing from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Zaretta is a former high school and community college expository writing instructor. She has also served as adjunct instructor at St. Mary’s College School of Education in Moraga, California, where she taught The Foundations of Adolescent Literacy.  As a consultant, she has advised and provided professional development to school districts and non-profit organizations across the country around issues of equity, literacy, and culturally responsive teaching for the past 25 years. Zaretta brings a unique focus on neuroscience to the conversation about equity, literacy and culturally responsive pedagogy to make it understandable and practical for educators.