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Saying goodbye to one of the greatest educators I ever knew. Again. Just to be very clear. I turned on the mic without a great sense of what I would say. But mi otro yo has been an ancestor for two earthly months. I’ve been waiting to figure out what to say. I still don’t know what to say. But I’m saying it anyway.

In this episode of Two Dope Teachers and a Mic, Gerardo sits down with Alix Guerrier, CEO of DonorsChoose, to talk about how classrooms become engines of justice when teachers are trusted with resources—and when young people are trusted with big ideas. From robotics programs serving new immigrant students, to youth-led racial justice campaigns sparked by classroom reading groups, to hydroponic gardens blooming on school rooftops in Puerto Rico—this conversation pulls back the curtain on how creativity thrives when scarcity isn’t the dominant story. Alix also breaks down what equity means beyond buzzwords, how data from over 90% of U.S. schools is shaping systemic insight, and why investing in kids is not just morally urgent—it’s economically undeniable. Episode Chapters: 00:00 — Opening Question: What needs a remix in education? 05:00 — What DonorsChoose Is (and Isn’t) 12:00 — Classroom Stories that Spark Movements 30:00 — Acceleration vs. Remediation: Rethinking Learning Gaps 41:00 — What Equity Looks Like in Practice 47:00 — The Next 25 Years of DonorsChoose 52:00 — Top Five Rappers 55:00 — Closing Reflections Links & Resources Support Teachers & Classrooms DonorsChoose: https://www.donorschoose.org Fund real classroom needs across the U.S. Follow DonorsChoose Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donorschoose LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/donorschoose/ Learning Resources Mentioned Zearn Math – Acceleration-focused math equity model https://www.zearn.org Math Mind by Shalinee Sharma — research on accelerating learning instead of remediating gaps

In this in-depth conversation, Washington Monthly editor-in-chief Paul Glastris joins Gerardo to unpack how America’s obsession with elite college rankings distorts our sense of what higher education is for. From his days inside U.S. News & World Report to his years building an alternative ranking system rooted in upward mobility, research, and civic service, Glastris offers a powerful critique — and a hopeful vision for how colleges can once again serve democracy. They dig into: The myth of “best” colleges and how exclusivity became a badge of honor Why schools like Fresno State and Berea College outshine Ivy League institutions in real impact How higher ed has become a political battleground — and what’s at stake for our democracy What vocational education really looks like when it’s not just political theater How students, families, and educators can use data wisely and choose institutions that serve the public good Listen if you care about: Educational equity • Democracy • College access • First-gen students • Public policy • Media and truth-telling Guest: Paul Glastris, Editor-in-Chief of The Washington Monthly Follow him on X and BlueSky: @glastris Explore the latest college rankings at washingtonmonthly.com Host: Gerardo A. Muñoz — 2021 Colorado Teacher of the Year, educator, scholar, disruptor, and co-host of Too Dope Teachers and a Mic Music by: Kevin Adams Links Mentioned: Washington Monthly 2025 College Rankings: washingtonmonthly.com/college-guide Washington Monthly Podcast

In this powerful conversation from the archives, recorded live at the 2019 NEA Racial and Social Justice Conference in Houston, Two Dope Teachers and a Mic sit down with the legendary Boots Riley — writer, director of Sorry to Bother You, frontman of The Coup, and lifelong revolutionary artist. Six years later, Boots’ words still feel urgent. He reminds us that art isn’t a luxury — it’s a tool for liberation. From the farmworker fields of California to classrooms and stages across the country, Boots shows how creativity, organizing, and truth-telling are all part of the same struggle for justice. Together, we explore: How art helps us imagine freedom beyond capitalism and compliance. The power of educators as organizers, disruptors, and culture builders. Why movements need artists — and why artists need movements. The difference between success and liberation, and why the latter demands community. What it means to find your own role in the fight for a better world. As we face new waves of censorship, economic inequality, and attacks on public education, this conversation hits harder than ever. Boots reminds us that every one of us has a place in the struggle — whether we teach, create, organize, or simply refuse to be silent. Tune in, reflect, and ask yourself: What is the art I bring to the movement for liberation? Featuring: Boots Riley (@BootsRiley) Hosts: Gerardo Muñoz (@gmunoz) & Kevin Adams Originally recorded: NEA Racial & Social Justice Conference, Houston, TX, Summer 2019 Subscribe & Follow: Too Dope Teachers and a Mic Follow @toodopeteachers on all platforms Support the show and our work for educational liberation at patreon.com/toodopeteachers

🎙️ Episode 102 (Throwback): “Artist in the Industry” with Dr. Gholdy Muhammad Originally aired in 2021 — Revisited in 2025 In this powerful conversation, Gerardo Muñoz and Kevin Adams sit down with Dr. Gholdy Muhammad, author of Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy. Together, they explore how teaching rooted in Black literary history, collectivism, and joy can transform classrooms into spaces of liberation, not compliance. Dr. Muhammad breaks down her five pursuits of learning — identity, skills, intellectualism, criticality, and joy — and explains how these pursuits emerged from 19th-century Black literary societies that defined learning as a communal and purposeful act. The conversation bridges theory and practice, showing educators how to design lessons that humanize, empower, and center students of color. From joyful pedagogy to abolitionist teaching, from curriculum design to hip-hop as literacy — this episode remains as relevant now as it was when first released. 🔄 2025 Update Since our original conversation, Dr. Gholdy Muhammad has continued to shape the field of equity-centered education. Now a nationally recognized keynote speaker and professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, she has expanded her work through Unearthing Joy and new initiatives that help schools move beyond trauma-informed practices to healing-centered, joy-based learning. In 2025, as many schools continue to navigate political attacks on culturally responsive education and Black Studies curricula, Dr. Muhammad’s message — that children of color deserve brilliance, joy, and excellence — resonates even louder. Her framework remains a beacon for educators seeking to humanize instruction in a time when educational equity is under threat. 🎧 Listen for: The roots of culturally and historically responsive literacy Why joy is an act of resistance What “abolitionist teaching” looks like in real classrooms How to center identity and genius in every lesson Dr. Muhammad’s Top 5 MCs (you won’t want to miss it) 📚 Learn more about Dr. Muhammad’s work: www.hillpedagogies.com Follow her on Instagram and Twitter: @GholdyM

Award-winning educator and author Bryan Christopher joins Gerardo Muñoz to share the incredible story behind his new book Stopping the Deportation Machine. From Durham, NC classrooms to the halls of Congress, students mobilized to defend a classmate from deportation — proving that student voice can stop even the biggest machine. 0:00 – Welcome 2:40 – Immigration and Identity 7:36 – Meet Bryan Christopher 9:26 – The Book: Stopping the Deportation Machine 12:38 – Durham’s Changing Landscape 19:51 – A Student Arrest Sparks Action 27:05 – Why Can’t He Graduate? 33:48 – Stopping the Machine 38:41 – Impact on Community & Students 47:12 – Lessons for Educators 51:54 – The Power of Student Voice 54:59 – Closing Thoughts Resources Mentioned: Enrique’s Journey by Sonia Nazario Bryan’s blog post: When Learning Gets Personal (NCTE) Walking Undocumented (Learning for Justice) Support Bryan’s work: 📘 Book: Stopping the Deportation Machine (Bloomsbury) 📰 Student Newspaper: The Pirates’ Hook 📱 Follow Bryan: @BryanChristo4 (X) | @bchristo4 (IG) Support the pod: 💡 Patreon: patreon.com/toodopeteachers  🌐 Website: toodopeteachers.com  📲 Socials: @toodopeteachers

In this solo episode, Gerardo processes the shooting death of right wing influencer Charlie Kirk by exploring the hidden dangers of teaching debate the traditional way. Drawing on previously published writing that draws a line between traditional debate and the “own-the-libs” take-no-prisoners style of Kirk, Ben Shapiro, Jordan Peterson and others, as well as personal experience as a debate coach, he argues that when debate rewards domination over empathy, it doesn’t just distort classrooms—it fuels toxic politics and real-world violence.

In this episode of Too Dope Teachers and a Mic, Gerardo is joined by Sahba Rohani, Executive Director of Roots Connected, to dive into what it means to center belonging in schools. From her TED Talk on the power of names to her decades of work in intentionally diverse communities, Sahba shares how small shifts in mindset and practice can transform classrooms, staff culture, and whole school communities. Together, Gerardo and Sahba unpack anti-bias education as more than a curriculum add-on—it’s a lens, a practice, and a path toward joy and justice. Show Notes In this powerful conversation, Gerardo and Sahba explore: The story behind Sahba’s TED Talk on names, identity, and belonging. Why belonging isn’t “soft work”—it’s the foundation of learning and thriving. How small shifts in practice (like reframing a simple classroom question) can have big impact. Roots Connected’s dual process for change: internal transformation + practice shifts. Building intentional community with students, families, and staff. Staying grounded and persistent in the face of DEI pushback. The radical power of joy in justice-centered education. And of course… Sahba’s Top 5 hip hop & R&B legends (spoiler: GenX R&B family, this one’s for you). Resources & Links: Roots Connected Sahba’s TED Talk EmbraceRace Follow Roots Connected on Instagram and LinkedIn Listen in for practical takeaways, mindset shifts, and a reminder that joy itself is radical.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Jamila Sams—educator, visionary, and founder of We Do It 4 the Culture—to talk about the movement that’s transforming school culture through hip hop, empowerment, and equity. From classrooms to district offices, Jamila’s work helps educators center student voice, cultural relevance, and joy in learning. We dive into her journey as the founder of this unique resource, what it means to lead with authenticity, what it means to think critically, dialogically, and with joy, and how hip hop continues to serve as a cross-generational universe of healing and liberation. Jamila shares the origin story of We Do It 4 the Culture, the real meaning of culturally responsive action, and what schools must do if they’re serious about social emotional wellness, critical thinking, and liberation. If you’re about that life—about students, about joy, about liberation—this conversation is for you. Plus an absolutely fire top five RIGHT HERE. 💥 Tap in. Turn it up. Take notes. 🎙️ www.wedoit4theculture.com 📲 Follow @SEL4theculture on socials 🔗 Subscribe, share, SUPPORT and stay dope.

One of my favorite quotes about problem-solving on a systems and institutional level is that “the answer is in the room.” This means that when there are problems that need to be solved, even big ones, the person, perspective, or idea that will solve it doesn’t need to be sought outside of those who know the work best. As teacher recruitment, training, and retention remain persistent challenges to districts big and small, Grow-Your-Own programs have been developed and launched, especially in districts serving highly impacted and very diverse populations. GYO takes many forms, including but not limited to cadet programs and para-to-teacher efforts. Enter Dr. Jeff Geihs, longtime educator, leader, and thought leader. Working with the Silver State Education Foundation as Executive Director, Dr. Giehs and team have brought together GYO and concurrent enrollment opportunities for the next generation of teachers, especially students of color. Dr. Geihs joined Gerardo for an exciting and motivational conversation. To learn more, follow us on Patreon! Follow us on all platforms! @toodopeteachers Support the podcast: www.patreon.com/toodopeteachers