A Black Educator's Truth

In this episode of A Black Educators Truth, I am fortunate to sit down with Kimberly Lane Clark from Google Education. We dive into different topics that discuss, what Google Education and Google Certifications are, S.T.E.M. for young black girls and how we can include them in the field to help diversify the field. This conversation inspired me to learn more about Google Certification pathway and how I, as an educator can include this resource more into my classroom. I further discuss how I have used Google Chrome Lab into my classroom and the experience that I have with Google Resources. Follow this podcast on all social media outlets!IG: black.educators.truthFacebook: A Black Educators Truth - The PodcastGmail: blackeducatorstruth@gmail.comLeave a rating and a review! This helps the podcast grow!

In this episode of A Black Educators Truth, I sit down with Dr. Rhonda Treet, Robyn Queen, Nekiya Washington Butler and Hallie Sill and we discuss what and how we can make our classrooms more culturally revelant. In addition, we discuss different ways culturally revelant pedagogy impacts our students and the communities that we serve. Our individual experiences guide us to what we as future and current educators believe that the system of education needs to become more diverse and to better impact our students. Follow this podcast on all social media outlets!IG: black.educators.truthFacebook: A Black Educators Truth - The PodcastGmail: blackeducatorstruth@gmail.comLeave a rating and a review! This helps the podcast grow!

Zach also known as "Tru3story," joins me in the next episode this podcast! Tru3story shares his story about how he choose to go to college first and then dive into the music industry. As we discuss his decision and his pathway, he mentions how going to college and learning about the business industry helped him in the music industry. His story is incredible, his story is honest. Check out Tru3story's music!Interested in giving a shout out to a fellow educator, past, present or future? Send me an email with their name, district, content area and years of experience! Follow this podcast on all social media outlets!IG: black.educators.truthEmail: blackeducatorstruth@gmail.comFacebook: A Black Educators Truth - The Podcast

In this episode of A Black Educator's Truth, our guest is Dr. Jasmine Hines. She is an adjunct music professor at Kent State University. We dive into a discussion on her journey to become a music educator at the collegiate level, critical race theory, how CRT has impacted the field of education, culturally relevant music education and black feminism in the music world. It is important to understand that music is for everyone and how every music teacher teaches music will be different. Further into the episode Dr. Hines and I dive into a conversation about the barriers and educational gaps that teachers of color face. Retention rates of educators of colors in the music field are very important due to the cultural perspective that we bring into the classroom. We grew up with music, dancing, singing in church, and dancing at different social gathering. We must educate the next generation with the knowledge of the power of music. Interested in giving a shout out to a fellow educator, past, present or future? Send me an email with their name, district, content area and years of experience! Follow this podcast on all social media outlets!IG: black.educators.truthEmail: blackeducatorstruth@gmail.comFacebook: A Black Educators Truth - The Podcast

In this episode, I take time to reflect from the interview I had with Dr. Scott. Dr. Scott mentions, the "Core of Teaching." When he mention this in the interview, I had to think about what is my "Core of Teaching?" What is your "Core of Teaching?" When we dive into this core, support and growth must happen to create effective educators in the classroom. Interested in giving a shout out to a fellow educator, past, present or future? Send me an email with their name, district, content area and years of experience! Follow this podcast on all social media outlets!IG: black.educators.truthEmail: blackeducatorstruth@gmail.comFacebook: A Black Educators Truth - The Podcast

"Why do we teach?" - a question, I myself as an educator have asked myself. Before we dive into why, we must dissect the core of teaching. When we understand the core of teaching, we understand, why we teach? In this episode, Dr. Scott, a professor from Harvard University, dives into his perspective of the core of teaching. He goes into detail, the importance of why we need to remember the core, as well as providing support to teachers on the frontlines. Furthermore, Dr. Scott, shares a new perspective of teaching by incorporating his fellowship L.I.F.E., into schools and the importance that schools incorporate into the community that they are based in. Follow this podcast on all social media outlets!IG: black.educators.truthFacebook: A Black Educators Truth - The PodcastGmail: blackeducatorstruth@gmail.com

Welcome back to the third season of A Black Educator's Truth. The first episode dives into the importance of education, reflection, and refining our practices as educators. It is important that we as educators never forget that we are on the frontlines impacting the next generation. The third season of this podcast, will feature interviews from educators on a wide variety of topics. After each interview episode, I will post a reflection episode based off of the importance of the previous episodes topic. This season, I would like to shout out as many educators as possible! If you would like to shout out an educator, send me an email with the subject as "Shout Out!"Follow this podcast on all social media outlets!IG: black.educators.truthFacebook: A Black Educators Truth - The PodcastEmail: blackeducatorstruth@gmail.com

Dr. Charles Herring, motivational speaker, educational leader, and educational consultant. In this episode Dr. Charles Herring and I dive into trusting the process to leadership. Mentoring is an important aspect of growth, the pathway to growth is not always seen but to those who follow it, greatness awaits. Dr. Charles Herring currently works for the South Fayette School District as the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director. *This episode was recorded in February of 2021.

Educators are called to the field to become the leaders that student in front of their respective classrooms within their content area. Educators bring real life experience to the students, they share their stories, knowledge, and help mold the next generation. In this episode of A Black Educators Truth, I share my on going journey of how I became an educator and when I was called. Follow this podcast on all social media outlets!IG: black.educators.truthFacebook: A Black Educators Truth - The PodcastTune in next Sunday for the final episode of Season 2!

In the next episode of A Black Educators Truth, we have a very special guest with us. Dr. Rita Williams, founder and CEO of F1NE TUNE! This is an educational consulting business that offers customized professional development. We dive into the inspiration behind this business and F1NE TUNE's upcoming conference schedule on April 17th, 2021 called Treasure Hunt. Make sure to register. This is sure to be a dynamic conference! Follow this podcast on all social media outlets!IG: black.educators.truthFacebook: A Black Educators Truth - The PodcastTune in each Sunday for a new episode!

On this episode of A Black Educators Truth, I have my next guest, Brandi Hester. She is a principal, educator, leader and founder of her own publishing company called "Mahogany Pen Publishing." Brandi has taught in Rochester, NY, Colorado, and even Dubai. She is a global educator with a plethora of known and experience. Follow this podcast on all social media outlets!IG: black.educators.truthFacebook: A Black Educators Truth - The PodcastTune in each Sunday for a new episode!

In this episode of A Black Educator's Truth, I compare and contrast Langston Hughes's poem "Harlem" and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a Dream" speech. We start by breakdown Harlem, as a poem, as a physicals place and as an important space in the African American history. Harlem was the hub of the Harlem Renaissance. Then I analyze the meaning behind the "I Have A Dream," the historical references and other facts of that day. Comparing and contrasting the two ideals, we can see that both Hughes, and MLK has similar ideas and we can see those ideas reflecting into today's society. Follow this podcast on all social media outlets!IG: black.educators.truthFacebook: A Black Educators Truth - The PodcastTune in each Sunday for a new episode!

An educator, educator consultant, and motivational speaker, Dr. Lisa Pickett has over 20 years of education experience. In this interview episode, Dr. Pickett dives into the importance and definition of classroom equity. We dive into different real world examples of cultural relevant pedagogy on this episode of A Black Educators Truth.Follow this podcast on all social media outlets!IG: black.educators.truthFacebook: A Black Educators Truth - The PodcastTune in each Sunday for a new episode!

We have officially passed the 100 day mark of the school year. Many schools around the nation celebrate this day in different styles. We are closer to the end of the school year than we are the beginning. We still have a long way to go! In this episode, we dive into teacher burnout symptoms and I stress the importance of resting and recharging. We must practice self-love as teachers and remember its okay to rest, recharge, to recover and refocus ourselves.Follow this podcast on all social media outlets!IG: black.educators.truthFacebook: A Black Educators Truth - The PodcastTune in each Sunday for a new episode!

In our next episode, Patrick Dailey, counter - tenor and professor of voice from Tennessee State University is our guest! Professor Dailey shares his powerful story on how he choose his HBCU, the history and legacy of the W. Crimm Singers and the importance of keeping African American composers music authentic in the 21st Century. Follow this podcast on all social media outlets! IG: black.educators.truthFacebook: A Black Educators Truth - The PodcastTune in each Sunday for a new episode!

Welcome back to Season 2! This season is called "Well - Seasoned." Each guest will provide their experience, knowledge, and wisdom through an interview style dialoged. Educators need all three of these to become great at their content subject area. Tune in each Sunday for a new episode! Follow my social media:a_black_educators_truth - Instagram"A Black Educators Truth" - The Podcast

Dylan Hollingsworth, also known as Grimace, is a musician, producer, and drummer. In this episode, Dylan talks about how journey into the music industry. He stays true to who he is as a person and as a musician. Dylan and the host, Aaron Taylor, dive into a recap of a Black Lives Matters movement protest. We face a live encounter for what the Black Lives Matter movement is trying to stand up in change! This episode was recorded in May of 2020.

In this episode, we dive into the different forms of learning while in the middle of a pandemic. Covid - 19 has forever changed the way teaching will take place. Each state is opening up differently, each school district is handling it differently. How are the schools handling this? How are teachers handling this? Questions that every parent, student, and teacher all have. During this time, remember to check in with your fellow teachers to see how they are handling this school year. How are the schools handling this? How are teachers handling this? Questions that every parent, student, and teacher all have.

We must work a system that wasn't designed for us. Going to college is like being an employee in a business. When there is opportunity for growth, we must take it. In this episode, Caleb Richardson III talks about the accomplishments he had at Edinboro University. He had his own radio show - The Quiet Storm, he did the weather, he served on hiring committees, he was an executive officer for the Student Government Association, he was apart of the Black Student Union Association, he did it all. He saw opportunity for growth and he embraced it, and he ran the race at the pace that made him win this race. He conquered a predominantly white institution and he graduated with not one...but two degrees. This episode was recording in June of 2020.

When teachers step into a classroom, they step into many roles. They are a teacher, they are a mentor, they are a guidance counselor at times. All of those roles are important. Something that a college/university can't teach you is how to relate to students. In order to teach and reach our students we, as teachers, must first relate to our students. We must build a foundation of understand and connections to students to let those students know, "Hey, I like that too," or "Hey, I listen to that style of music too!" Shannon Holley is an excellent educator who currently works for the Millcreek School District as a music teacher. Shannon talks about how she is able to relate to her students by her love and passion of music. Music can open many doors for opportunities and many opportunities for connections with students. This episode was recorded May 2020.As always, feel free to email this podcast host, Aaron A. Taylor at blackeducatorstruth@gmail.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @a_black_educators_truth

"Having a teacher of color, can have a large impact, and success of a student of color." That is what the statistics say. The truth is, we need to talk about this impact, we need to hear the stories of success. We need to hear the trails and lessons learned by our current or past teachers. These stories make the unimaginable real. Having a teacher of color, not only helps a student of color's education, but life outlook. In this episode, I break down the facts and percentages of students success rates, from having teachers who look like them in the classroom. I also talk about the importance of a student-to-teacher academic relationship in and out of the classroom. Teachers of colors matter!

In this episode of A Black Educator's Truth, Alvin Tucker II dives into his story on how he became an entrepreneur and the CEO of his own company called "Erupt Sales." Originally from Maryland, Alvin describe describes the importance and benefit of having a mentor. We dive into other topics such as, the impact of George Floyd's death, politics and the advantages of being a great learner. "We must see it, to believe it, to live it," is part of this podcast moto. This is true with Alvin and his story. He is a leader in the Erie Community, and speaks on other podcasts that deal with real estate and digital marketing. Listen to the last episode to learn more about the importance of mentoring/mentorship. This episode was recorded in April 2020. Follow this podcast on Instagram at : a_black_educators_truth

What does it mean to discipline a student? What does it mean to mentor students? How do these two words compare and contrast with each other? These are the questions I ask myself as an educator. These are the questions I dive into in this episode of A Black Educator's Truth. When we define these terms, we can understand what they mean, and how to use them.

Michael Warren has been a long time friend and musical colleague. The beauty of being a musican is that music can open up many doors and opportunity. Michael shares his story of becoming a teacher and the challenges he has overcome. I have learned through this episode that "Iron sharpens Iron." As teachers of color, we are faced with a different set of challenges in and out of the classroom. As people, we are faced with situations that may or may not be always in our control, but what we can control is how we act in those situations. Michael is now the Assistant Principal at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, located on the North Side of Pittsburgh, Pa. This episode was recorded in June of 2020.

Welcome to the first episode of A Black Educator's Truth! The first episode I discuss the podcast and what the podcast will be about. Furthermore, I discuss the retention rate of teacher's of color, diversity through the Praxis, and different methods of going back to school. This podcast is about speaking the educated and personal truth about different topics. Follow the podcast and share with your friends and fellow teachers!IG: a_black_educators_truthgmail: ablackeducatorstruth@gmail.comPodcast Resources:https://www.ets.org/praxis