Shows
Equity Unlocked"Doing the Work" with Drs. Ann Ishimaru and Decoteau IrbyIn this episode, Dr. Muhammad Khalifa sits down with Dr. Ann Ishimaru and Dr. Decoteau Irby to discuss their new edited book, Doing the Work of Equity Leadership for Justice and Systems Change. If you've been following the scholarship in this space, you know both Ann and Decoteau as long-time leaders in community-engaged research, critical leadership studies, and racial equity in education. Their new book brings together a wide range of scholars — voices from across the field — to offer grounded, practitioner-focused insights into how wecontinue to do the work of equity leadership in today's climate. Find out more about this...
2026-01-1551 minEquity UnlockedIntroducing the New Culturally Responsive School Leadership FrameworkIn this special solo episode, Dr. Muhammad Khalifa walks listeners through the newly revised Culturally Responsive School Leadership (CRSL) framework. Drawing on an extensive new literature review sponsored by the Spencer Foundation, Dr. Khalifa explains why the framework was updated, what has changed, and how these shifts reflect emerging research on culturally responsive leadership, community connection, and transformative school change. This episode offers a practitioner-friendly overview of the strand indiciators, guiding questions, and dispositions that define CRSL in 2026 and beyond. Dr. Khalifa also shares insight from years of working with school leaders nationwide and reflects on how...
2025-12-1720 minEquity UnlockedRemaining Steadfast in our Purpose: The Ethical & Moral Basis for Sustaining DEIA in EducationIn this third and final episode of our three-part series with educator and attorney Jeremy Chan-Kraushar, we explore how school leaders can remain steadfast in their commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility amid today's shifting legal landscape. Building on the previous conversations, this episode makes the ethical and practical case for keeping DEIA at the heart of education. Jeremy and the CRSLI team unpack current legal challenges, weigh policy paths, and share actionable, CRSL-aligned recommendations that leaders can implement now—within existing legal frameworks. This episode offers grounded guidance for advancing equity with courage and clarity....
2025-11-1320 minEquity UnlockedNavigating Risk through the Power of TerminologyThis episode is the second in our three-part series designed to help school leaders navigate the rapidly changing legal landscape around diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). Dr. Muhammad Khalifa and attorney-educator Jeremy Chan-Kraushar examine how the terms we use—in policy, communication, and daily practice—can shape both legal interpretation and community trust. Together they discuss real-world examples of how terminology influences risk, perception, and outcomes in schools. Each conversation in this series is paired with a companion issue brief authored by the CRSLI team and Jeremy Chan-Kraushar, offering deeper legal context and practical guid...
2025-10-2128 minEquity UnlockedA Legal Crash Course: Understanding DEIA & Navigating Risk Amid UncertaintyThis episode is the first in a new three-part series from CRSLI designed to help school leaders navigate the rapidly changing legal landscape around diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) with confidence and clarity. Each conversation in this series is paired with a companion issue brief authored by the CRSLI team and Jeremy Chan-Kraushar, an educator and attorney. Together, these briefs and episodes provide practical guidance and legal context to support culturally responsive school leaders as they work to advance educational equity while staying within the bounds of current law. In this episode, we unpack w...
2025-09-2534 minEquity UnlockedCultural Responsiveness in Special Education: A Conversation with Two Inspiring LeadersIn this episode, we're excited to bring you practical insights into how culturally responsive school leadership can be mobilized with attention to special education, featuring two remarkable scholars, Dr. Precios Armstrong and Dr. Lauren Katzman. Dr. Precios Armstrong is the Director of Special Education at East Lansing Public Schools in Michigan, and Dr. Lauren Katzman is Executive Director of the Urban Collaborative, based out of Arizona State University. You'll hear them discuss their personal journeys into special education, emphasizing the importance of embracing differences, as well as the promises and pitfalls of how special education is organized...
2025-05-2650 minEquity Unlocked#BlackEducatorsMatter featuring Dr. Darrius StanleyIn this episode of Equity Unlocked we're sharing a replay of one of our EQUITYx events, with an extraordinary scholar, Dr. Darrius Stanley, author of #BlackEducatorsMatter: The Experiences of Black Teachers in an Anti-Black World. In this EQUITYx event, Dr. Stanley will discuss the challenges surrounding the Black educator experience and especially the role that anti-Blackness plays within the K-12 context. He will share findings from the book concerning the profound positive influence Black teachers have on students of color and the systems they work in; historical and contemporary issues that Black educators face; their efforts to fi...
2025-01-1559 minEquity UnlockedSchool Board Politics: Advancing Equity Amid Resistance feat. Dr. Carrie SampsonIn this episode of Equity Unlocked, Dr. Carrie Sampson, author of Navigating School Board Politics: Strategies for Equity Amid Resistance, unpacks the critical role of school boards in advancing equity. Reflecting on historical desegregation efforts and community organizing, she highlights how grassroots movements, particularly by Black mothers, have driven change. Dr. Sampson introduces the School Board Governance for Equity framework, emphasizing self-reflection, understanding community needs, and coalition building. She also addresses challenges from conservative opposition and explores how equity work can be normalized even in hostile environments. With insights on proactive leadership, collaboration, and the importance of imagination in...
2025-01-0153 minEquity UnlockedProject 2025 Implications feat. Jeremy Chan-KrausharOn today's episode of Equity Unlocked we explore an insightful conversation with Jeremy Chan-Kraushar, a licensed attorney and Director of the PEDC CRSE Institute. Jeremy tackles audience submitted questions about the realities of Project 2025, breaking down its impact on the future of education and offering practical strategies for addressing challenges and opportunities. This episode highlights the importance of community and provides valuable perspectives for anyone passionate about advancing equity in education. Stay Connected to Jeremy: Consultancy website: jchankraushar.com Social media: @jchankraushar on IG, Threads, and Bluesky PE...
2024-12-1152 minEquity UnlockedThe Missing Component of School Reform: CRSL feat. Dr. Muhammad KhalifaIn this powerful episode from our EQUITYx Series, we welcome Dr. Muhammad Khalifa, the founder of the Culturally Responsive School Leadership Institute and author of Culturally Responsive School Leadership. Dr. Khalifa delivers his impactful talk titled "The Missing Component of School Reform: Culturally Responsive School Leadership." Throughout this conversation, Dr. Khalifa unpacks crucial topics, including the tension between equity and dehumanization in schools, the historicization of school reform, and how educational leaders can embrace critical, asset-based approaches to transforming school systems. Following the talk, there's a facilitated interview and a robust Q&A session with the audience...
2024-10-091h 03Equity Unlocked"Holding Space: Practices to Support the Sustainability of Black Women School Leaders" feat. Dr. Racquel ArmstrongIn this enlightening episode from our EQUITYx Series, host Kandace Logan engages with Dr. Racquel Armstrong, who shares her groundbreaking research on supporting Black women in educational leadership. Stay Connected To CRSLI: After The Academy: https://crsli.org/aftertheacademy Follow Us On IG: https://www.instagram.com/crsl_institute/?hl=en Culturally Responsive School Leadership : https://a.co/d/ezc8OUD Sign Up: Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive updates and resources: https://crsli.org/newsletter Free Downloadable Tools: https://www.crsl...
2024-09-181h 01Equity Unlocked"Lessons Learned from Somali Mothers: Implications for School Leaders" feat. Dr. Nimo AbdiWelcome to another episode of Equity Unlocked, where we dive deep into pivotal issues in educational equity and social justice. In today's EQUITYx Series, we're honored to feature Dr. Nimo Abdi. Her presentation, "Lessons Learned from Somali Mothers: Implications for School Leaders," provides a deep dive into the invaluable cultural insights and strategies that Somali immigrant families offer. Stay Connected To CRSLI: After The Academy: https://crsli.org/aftertheacademy Follow Us On IG: https://www.instagram.com/crsl_institute/?hl=en Culturally Responsive School Leadership : https://a.co/d/ezc8OUD
2024-09-041h 00Equity Unlocked"Why Do We Educate?: Responsive Organizations and their Benefits to our Students" feat. Dr. Bodunrin O. BanwoIn todays episode we have a standout session from the EQUITYx Series featuring Dr. Bodunrin O. Banwo, Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Dr. Banwo's insightful presentation, "Why Do We Educate? Responsive Organizations and their Benefits to our Students," explores the dual role of educational systems in perpetuating or challenging social inequities. He delves into the political nature of mainstream schools and alternative educational models, offering fresh perspectives on fostering a more equitable learning environment. Stay Connected To CRSLI: After The Academy: https://crsli.org/aftertheacademy Follow Us On IG: https://www.in...
2024-08-211h 00Equity Unlocked"Whiteness: A Barrier to your School's Equity Goals" feat. Dr. Katie PekelIn this episode of our EQUITYx Series, we tackle a crucial issue in educational equity: the impact of whiteness on achieving your school's equity goals. Whiteness, encompassing structural arrangements and ideologies of race dominance, significantly obstructs progress toward educational equity and often goes unnoticed in school systems. Dr. Katie Pekel, Executive Director of Educational Leadership at the University of Minnesota, discusses research and practical insights into how whiteness contributes to inequitable outcomes in schools. Stay Connected To CRSLI: After The Academy: https://crsli.org/aftertheacademy Follow Us On IG: https://www.instagram.com/crs...
2024-08-0755 min
Equity Unlocked"Why not Black Males?" feat. Dr. Michael WalkerDive into a profound episode of one of our previous EQUITYx events as we revisit Dr. Michael Walker's impactful session on leading the Office of Black Male Student Achievement within Minneapolis Public Schools. In this compelling dialogue, Dr. Walker shares his journey and strategies that transformed educational outcomes for Black male students in Minneapolis. When faced with stark disparities in academic achievement and behavior indicators, Dr. Walker embarked on a 100-day listening tour to understand community voices and implement effective, culturally responsive solutions. Discover how he centered relationships and reshaped school culture to empower Black male students...
2024-07-241h 06
Equity UnlockedDecolonizing Education: Embracing Ancestral Wisdom and Inclusive Data Feat. Dr. Jamila DuganThis episode of Equity Unlocked features a conversation between Dr. Khalifa and Dr. Jamila Dugan, co-author of the book Street Data and the featured scholar in our new Academy: Disrupting Equity Traps and Tropes. They discuss the need to challenge traditional hierarchical structures and practices inherited from colonial projects in education, recognize ancestral knowledge, and center the assets of minoritized students and their communities. Stay Connected To CRSLI: After The Academy: https://crsli.org/aftertheacademy Follow Us On IG: https://www.instagram.com/crsl_institute/?hl=en Resources: Culturally Res...
2024-07-0324 min
Equity UnlockedAll Students Are Geniuses feat. Dr. Gholdy MuhammadOn this episode of Equity Unlocked Dr. Muhammad Khalifa and Dr. Gholdy Muhammad discuss the importance of school leaders recognizing the genius that already exists within students and the joy that they innately deserve. Resources: Culturally Responsive School Leadership : https://a.co/d/ezc8OUD Unearthing Joy: A Guide to Culturally and Historically Responsive Teaching and Learning : https://amzn.to/451jHO6 Learn more about Culturally Responsive School Leadership: https://www.crsli.org Genius & Joy Academy in August: https://members.crsli.org/geniusandjoy
2024-05-2924 min
Equity UnlockedExcavate The Past to Understand The PresentIn this episode of Equity Unlocked, Dr. Muhammad Khalifa and Dr. Keith Mayes guide us through a profound exploration of cultural responsiveness in special education while avoiding colonial practices. Through insightful discussions, they emphasize the importance of examining historical legacies to inform present-day practices. Resources: Culturally Responsive School Leadership : https://a.co/d/ezc8OUD The Unteachables: Disability Rights and the Invention of Black Special Education : https://a.co/d/fJeezs1 Learn more about Culturally Responsive School Leadership: https://www.crsli.org
2024-05-1538 min
The Tom Schimmer PodcastFather Phil | LaVonna Roth | Homework (2)In Don't @ Me (2:01), Tom tells the story of Father Phil and why he was responsible for Tom choosing education as a career. Then, Tom is joined by LaVonna Roth (16:26), Founder and Lead Presenter at IGNITE your S.H.I.N.E.™ for a discussion about student strengths, SEL, and neuroscience. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:08:36), Tom, in part 2, explores homework and suggests six important questions every teacher should ask about their homework routines. LaVonna Roth on Twitter: @LaVonnaRothIGNITE your S.H.I.N.E.™ on Instagram: @igniteyourshinenowIGNITE your S.H.I.N.E.™ Website: www.crsli.o...
2021-04-191h 28
The Tom Schimmer PodcastDebating Both Sides | Muhammad Khalifa | HomeworkIn Don't @ Me (1:50), Tom discusses how, by taking a balanced approach to issues or topics, people end up debating the extreme positions on both sides. Then, Tom is joined by Dr. Muhammad Khalifa (18:07) to discuss his book "Culturally Responsive School Leadership" and racial equity, in general. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:21:48), Tom begins the first of two parts on the topic of homework. Muhammad Khalifa on Twitter: @SchoolEquityProEquity Audit: www.ajusted.orgCulturally Responsive School Leadership Institute: www.crsli.org SUMMER SERIES GOOGLE SURVEYhttps://forms.gle/GALud6yogvVnu81K9 Achieve Vir...
2021-04-121h 34
Assess THAT with Tom & Nat! (Assessment, Feedback, Grading, and Learning)Debating Both Sides | Muhammad Khalifa | HomeworkIn Don't @ Me (1:50), Tom discusses how, by taking a balanced approach to issues or topics, people end up debating the extreme positions on both sides. Then, Tom is joined by Dr. Muhammad Khalifa (18:07) to discuss his book "Culturally Responsive School Leadership" and racial equity, in general. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:21:48), Tom begins the first of two parts on the topic of homework.
Muhammad Khalifa on Twitter: @SchoolEquityPro
Equity Audit: www.ajusted.org
Culturally Responsive School Leadership Institute: www.crsli.org
SUMMER SERIES GOOGLE SURVEY
https://forms.gle/GALud6yogvVnu81K9
Achieve Virtual Institute (August 16...
2021-04-121h 34