Welcome to The CREATE (Ed) podcast, where we explore key issues shaping the future of education. Today, we're diving into the importance of community in K12 education—how fostering strong connections among students, parents, educators, and the broader community can transform schools into places of empowerment and growth.

Together, Dr. Chantee Earl, and Dr. Melissa Speight Vaughn will discuss why community engagement isn’t just an added bonus, but a critical element in the success of every child. Whether you’re an educator, parent, or someone passionate about the future of our children, this episode will provide insights and strategies for creating a supportive, liberatory and inclusive environment in K12 schools. Executive Producers: The CREATE Project, Dr. Chantee Earl and Dr. Melissa Speight-Vaughn.

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To meet the CREATE teacher residency’s expansive goals, today's episode features Jacob Hackett from Georgia State University and Ayinde Summers from Project South discussing the design and impact of an immersive teacher workshop. This teacher residency workshop uses concepts of place-based education, the Southeast and Atlanta-based movement organizing work of Ella Baker, Lugenia Hope and Septima Clark, and community-based organizations to deepen the critical consciousness of our future teachers.

Executive producers: The CREATE Project, Dr. Jacob Hackett and Ayinde Summers

In this episode, we explore the journey of a Black male mathematics teacher whose teaching practice has been significantly shaped by his participation in the CREATE Project's teacher residency program. Dr. Nickolaus Ortiz and Cam Bentley dive into how the program's principles and strategies have influenced approaches to research and to teaching math, particularly in addressing the unique challenges and opportunities faced by Black male educators. Cam Bentley shares his experiences of being a resident to becoming teacher in the field of mathematics education. He discusses how the CREATE program helped him develop culturally responsive teaching methods that resonate with his students and helps to build a supportive learning environment.The episode highlights key themes such as identity, the importance of representation, the role of mentorship, and the impact of collaborative research on teaching practices. Join us as we unpack the personal and professional transformations of both Dr. Nickolaus Ortiz and Cam Bentley through their research and how their collaboration's influence extends beyond the classroom, shaping a vision for equitable and effective mathematics education.

Link to article discussed: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09518398.2022.2061623

Executive producers: Dr. Nickolaus Ortiz, Cam Bentley and The CREATE Project

Welcome to this special bonus episode of our podcast!

Today, we’re diving into an exciting event on the horizon: the upcoming collaborative conference, "Education for Liberation: Requiem and Renaissance". Discussing an exciting collaboration between The Alonzo A. Crim Center for Urban Educational Excellence and The CREATE Project, Dr. Lawanda Cummings and Dana Salter discuss the purpose and power of joining the Crim Center's Sources Conference with the CREATE Project's Culturally Relevant Pedagogy Institute. This gathering is all about bringing together educators, thought leaders, and community members to explore the vital role of culturally relevant pedagogy in today’s educational landscape.

We'll be discussing what makes this conference unique, the kinds of sessions and workshops you can look forward to, and the impact it aims to make in fostering inclusive and equitable learning environments. Whether you're an educator looking for new strategies, a student interested in the future of learning, or just passionate about education, this episode will give you a sneak peek into what to expect at the conference.

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In this episode, Dana Salter and Gabriela McNicoll discuss the transformative power of media making in K-12 education as a tool for liberation. They explore how media creation can empower students and their families, challenge narratives, and build critical thinking skills, particularly in areas where curricula may limit discussions around history and identity,

Salter and McNicoll highlight the importance of media and self-expression as educational tools. They discuss examples of how storytelling and media projects help people contextualize complex issues like systemic inequity and community activism, making connections between personal experience and larger social movements in the South. This kind of work is vital in nurturing a new generation that is prepared to lead and make positive changes in their communities.

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Executive Producers: The CREATE Project, Dana Salter and Gabriela McNicoll