Outrageous Love the Podcast: Our Journeys to Responsiveness

We continue our PRIDE series, celebrating educators who are LGBTQA+ and PROUD, serving as models and advocates for their students. In this final installment, we meet Theresa Hopkins. LGBTQA+ Advocate. Arts Teacher. Artist. Awesome. Hailing from St. Louis, Missouri, Theresa is a long time educator, who has been validating and affirming her students since the first day she walked into the classroom, over 25 years ago. She is always taught in African American students in Title 1 schools. Theresa has run the Art Academy for over 10 years. Most importantly, Theresa has been authentic with who she is not only as an educator but as a person. It has not been easy and took her a while to come to it. You want to hear how she did it - a most fascinating, inspiring, and empowering journey to responsiveness. See her on Instagram at Art Academy @jeffersonartacademy; art gallery @ellipsisstudiostl; her artist page @rychus_artis. And don't forget Dr. Hollie's two cents, as he reminds us of the purpose and importance of advocacy. Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

We continue the highlighting and celebration of LGBTQIA+ CLR educators with Tsedale Forbes from the Ithaca City Schools. Tsedale identifies as non-binary (she/they) in an open, courageous, and inspiring way. Listen to Tsedale's journey from the Bronx, where the importance and value of advocacy was learned in a transformational way, to Ithaca where now as an educator she is empowering students to be advocates and courageous. Like the last PRIDE episode focus, you will be educated and enlightened. Dr. Hollie riffs on the power and the value to students of CLR educators modeling their cultural authenticity. Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

Part of being CLR is that we don't wait on designated months to celebrate culture. We believe that culture should be celebrated 365, 24/7 and we encourage "random acts" of cultural celebration. This episode we celebrate PRIDE and our LGBTQIA+ community. Authentically representing is Ana Bialsky from city of Lowell, Massachusetts near Boston. But what started out as a celebration became testimony of living and speaking your truth and validating and affirm your students through advocacy, agency, and voice. In short, we need more Ana's in CLR. You will not be disappointed and you might want to be sitting down while listening. Dr. Hollie's two cents discusses what happens when there is honesty, openness, and transparency (and courage) in the room. Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

Our December episode traditionally features a "non-educator" educator, meaning that we hear journeys of folks who are serving as educators outside of the system or in a different career. Have you ever walked into your job and just quit? Have you ever thought about "leaving the system" because you realize that nothing to little is going to change? You decide to fight another way. Meet someone who has. LeDominque Rhodes is an CLR educator from Missouri who did both. Now living in Texas and a semester away from her doctoral degree, soon to be Dr. Rhodes shares her journey to responsiveness and what led her to make a bold career move. Dr. Hollie riffs on what is predicted to a chaotic 2024 socially and politically and he poses this questions: Are we as CLR educators ready to get crazy with crazy? Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

We round out the series, "Don't Call Me Karen," with Melissa Scadina, a CLR educator originally from San Jose, California. Melissa has been rolling with Dr. Hollie for over 15 years. Wherever she goes to teach, she has brought CLR with her, including her current stint in Brooklyn. Her story is an actual journey, not only metaphorical. If anybody embodies the spirit and purpose of CLRness, it is Melissa Scadina. Proof is her keen insight and perspective as it applies to the Karen issue. Dr. Hollie will reiterate why the focus on issue in the first place and re-challenge CLR educators to be willing to take on the tough topics for our students' sake and understanding. Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

Meet Carrie Eicher, seasoned CLR educator and she is not a so-called Karen. Carrie Eicher's journey takes us from Minnesota to Great Britain back to Minnesota. In addition to international flavor, Eicher discusses her angle on the "Karen" phenomenon. As a white woman in education, she has had many vantage points that has led her to be insightful about her privilege and yet being a woman she has experienced sexism. All provocative stuff. You will want to listen in. Dr. Hollie's two cents sets it off by giving the origins of why we are focusing "Karen." You will be very interested in how the thought developed. Here is a hint: a 3rd grader. Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

We end the "make up series" by going back to the random audience participant series in May and June. Our very special random audience participant is Jessica Waters from Providence, Rhode Island. Jessica has an incredible and very engaging journey to responsiveness. Her story is so fascinating that we don't want to give anything away. We promise that you will be moved and inspired by the story. Listen right now. Don't forget, as always, Dr. Hollie's two cents. This time he riffs on what does it mean to fit the cultural "normative" and how do we find ourselves unknowingly and unintentionally comparing ourselves to that normative, whether we like it or not? What's your answer to those questions? Find out Dr. Hollie's non-answer. Listen right now. Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

We are going back to go forward. Back to the Sizzling Hot CLR Educators series from earlier this year. What a better way to start the year than with a model example of the CLR mindset and skillset. Kaila Dickey from Taos, New Mexico via Texas is our featured guest. We missed Kaila in January and February so we decided to try again. Join Kaila on her journey to responsiveness, which mixes rock climbing and the preciseness of data analysis. Both of those seemingly two different things are linked to her passion for validating and affirming her students. This episode, Dr. Hollie's two cents ask this question: Why is Florida so anti-black? Of course, he does not have an answer but you might be interested to know why he is asking the question in the first place. Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

You asked for it. You got it. This episode was your chance to call-in and ask those burning questions about CLR, VABB, race, or whatever was on your mind. Dr. Hollie takes 5 calls from educators from across the country and gives what he considers to be patented responses to commonly asked questions. The answers to these questions bear repeating again and again because many folks are thinking the same but do not have the opportunity to ask. Also included in this episode is Dr. Hollie's two cents on the Supreme Court's dismantling of affirmative action and what are the important questions he thinks that we should now be asking. Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

OTLP is kicking off the official start of summer with a hot episode. We are continuing the "Random" CLR Participant series. This time, we hear the journey of Dana Perez, Connecticut's Assistant Principal of the Year. Dana was brave enough to step up and volunteer to be our guest and we are honored to have her join us. She shares two compelling stories in her walk that will not only surprise you but will inspire you to validate and affirm your students. And, as always, you can look forward to Dr. Hollie's two cents. Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

This episode takes OTLP to a place it has not gone before. Dr. Hollie, your host, asked for volunteers to be guests on the podcast during a recent presentation New York with the Transfer Schools. Two random folks in the audience took him up on the offer. These are first timers to the VABB approach and they only had 2 days of learning with Dr. Hollie. The first brave person is Jazmin Rivera-Polanco, principal at Bronx Haven High School. Her incredible journey is a true and authentic New York story that starts in the South Bronx back and, not so ironically, ends in the South Bronx. The second brave soul is Catherine Owens, World Languages teacher at Harlem Renaissance High School. Here incredible journey starts in Minneapolis-St. Paul, namely Woodbury High School (one of our favorite CLR schools) then takes us to the world of Google and lands in Harlem. Listening to these two journeys will inspire and enlighten you. Also, don't miss Dr. Hollie's two cents on the joy of ending your school year CLR strong and vabbulous. Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

Welcome to our 4th year of honoring and sharing outrageous love to CLR educators and their journeys to responsiveness. We begin season four with Dr. Hollie's annual personal episode, where you get a quick look into the personal life of your host. This time, Dr. Hollie is celebrating 45 years of friendship with Gerald Luke. They have been friends since 4th grade! What a blessing! Part of the celebration is hearing Gerald's journey to responsiveness. Currently, he is Director of Federal Program and African American Student Achievement in Palmdale, California. Hear his fascinating journey. which starts with the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles with a pit stop in the "DMV" and lands in Palmdale. Listen carefully because Dr. Hollie and Gerald have another interesting connection that you do not want to miss. Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

This episode culminates the "Sizzling Hot" series with an educator from Minnesota. Ashley Acosta, newly appointed Supervisor of DEI in the South Washington County Schools, tells us her journey to responsiveness from the perspective of a Mexican American who grew up in area where there were very few people who looked like her. Ashley also provides insight on the importance of being student-centered in all that we do in our cultural and linguistic responsiveness. Her journey entails multiple situations that remind us of who this work should be about - students first. As always, don't miss Dr. Hollie two cents. This time, a rant on a systemic hypocrisy. Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

Our Outrageous Love "balloon" lands in the "Show Me" state, Missouri. Parkway Schools in St. Louis to be exact. And what we see are two sizzling hot CLR educators. Elize Meyers and Toni Dwiggins, who share a lot in common - both teachers in Parkway, both Missourians, both had similar light bulbs moments in relation to the murder of Michael Brown, and both passionate about their equity/CLR work. They also have a lot of differences, which you will have to listen in to find out. Their positive energy and keen perspectives are insightful and inspiring. As always, don't forget about Dr. Hollie's two cents, where he poses a philosophical question: Is there a nexus between the numerous tragic police killings of blacks caught on video over the years, the latest Tyre Nichols, and our journeys to responsiveness? Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

We are taking the journey to responsiveness to the Pacific Northwest in Everett, Washington specifically. There, we meet two "sizzling hot" CLR cadre members (educators). What is a CLR cadre member? Listen in and find out. The first cadre member is Jennifer Caione who serves as an instructional coach and is bringing her passion for students and equity work together in her CLRness. The second cadre member is 5th grade teacher Stevie Peretti, who, like Jennifer, has unconditional love for her students and equity work. Together, they are a dynamic duo for CLR with two very different but similar journeys. What unfolded was an interesting discussion about intersectionality. As always, Dr. Hollie will challenge us with his two cents and a question of commitment to CLR in the new year. Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

This episode will bring a little joy, cheer, wisdom, and inspiration to the end of your year. Renowned expert and author, Dr. Cruz takes us to Ecuador, Pico Union, Lucky Grocery store, and the work of Shel Silverstein. All of that on top of a keen, wise perspective as it applies to what makes for fearless leadership. Luis offers us insight from his best selling text, Time For Change: Four Essential Skills for Transformational Leadership, as a way of culminating our four part series on Fearless CLR leadership. There is much to learn from Dr. Cruz. Per usual, Dr. Hollie offers his two cents. This time, he poses one of his so-called rhetorical questions: Is there every a "right time" to do equity, CLR work? Don't answer that! Listen to the episode. Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

We have another first for Outrageous Love the Podcast. Our first double feature - two episodes in one. We have two fearless CLR leaders. Both from St. Louis. Both original educators (30 years or more). Both elementary school leaders. Both from the same district - The Schools of University City. Up first is Dorlita Adams whose journey will take us from her days as an law enforcement officer to a classroom teacher to a building leader among many other things. Then, we have Dr. Rebecca O'Connell whose journey will take us from Harlem to St. Louis to U City specifically, where she spent a lot of time in central office but landed in her sweet spot as a builder leader. We have been in both of their schools and the common denominator is when you walk in you feel the love - the Outrageous Love! Dr. Hollie's two cents will continue his thoughts around what it means to be a fearless CLR leader and why all of our leaders were women. Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

With it being October, we have a treat for you. The journey of Isabelle St. Onge, director of Vista Grande High School in Taos, New Mexico, is like no other. Isabelle takes us on a geographic journey from Minnesota to Montana to Wyoming to New Mexico. She takes us on a religious journey with a look at Catholicism, sort of. We experience the down and dirty early years of special education in the US and how Isabelle broke through walls to bring equity, justice and responsiveness to her students in Taos. Finally, we again look at the inequities for women in leadership. Talk about intersectionality. It is all here in this episode. And don't forget Dr. Hollie's "two cents," where he gives his theory for why all the fearless CLR leaders interviewed thus far have been women, not men. Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

Meet and love Lisa Sahasrabudhe, current elementary school principal and a true advocate for equity and cultural responsiveness. We continue our 4 episode focus on fearless leaders of CLR. This time we go to Ithaca NY with stops in India and New York city. In these places we hear about Lisa's incredible and interesting journey, which can be summed up with the adage, never judge a book by its cover. Saharsrabudhe is the embodiment of culture intersectionality when we look through her rings of culture. There will be a couple of surprises along the way. Here is a tease: Have you ever ran after a student all the way their home? She has! Listen in for the full story. Also, check out Dr. Hollie's two cents, where he reminds us that our biases never really go away. We just do them less....maybe. Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

End of summer brings a new series to Outrageous Love the Podcast. "Fearless CLR Leaders" will focus on 5 building leaders who have successfully implemented CLR in their schools. These episodes will not be an how to on successful implementation but an "into" their insightful and eventful journeys to responsiveness. The first fearless leader is Patty Hand, principal of Fridley High School in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Patty is a dynamic principal who leads with courage, a steady hand, and warm heart. Not just a believer of equity and CLR practices but a doer as well, going back to her early days in administration. Her journey takes us up the administrator ladder and what it took for her to succeed as a woman and a mother in a field dominated by men. Dr. Hollie's two cents defines what it means to be a fearless CLR leader. Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm