Episode 15: How moms of color can advocate for safe spaces for our kids to be themselves: What we can learn from culturally-responsive education

This week I had the pleasure to speak with the Dr. Kisha Porcher, about how her as an educator and trainer of culturally-responsive education, has demonstrated the importance of teaching our kids to be unapologetically themselves in all spaces, especially in schools. And the best way to do this is to advocate for our kids and show them what it looks like to be ourselves.

In this episode, we had a chance to discuss several things including:

  • Changing our mindsets as women of color who have challenges from having deficits to having resilience

  • Recognizing as moms that "we are enough" and the beneficial impact on our kids to show up as our authentic self

  • The historical legacy of why black children are not allowed to be children (or their authentic self) and the challenge for moms

  • The inherent bias that teachers may have on kids of color who are exhibiting normal childhood and adolescent behavior

  • Advocating for our children of color in schools with predominantly white teachers, staff and leadership

  • The power of mothering communally and sister circles

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t forget:

  • Join my FREE virtual masterclass on November 17th: How Working Moms of Color Can Stop The Supermom Stress and Avoid Burnout

  • Feeling stressed as a working mom? Ready for change? Schedule a call with me to learn more about Mama First, a 12-week transformative, group coaching program for working professional moms of color

  • Follow me on Instagram to get info about reducing stress and avoiding burnout as a working mom

More info about our guest, Dr. Kisha Porcher

Dr. Porcher. is an assistant professor of Professional Practice in the Department of Learning and Teaching at Rutgers University, Graduate School of Education. Her work focuses on the education, conditions and assets of urban communities and how she can aim to provide opportunities to fill the gap between what students are learning in teacher education programs and what is actually happening and being taught in urban schools. Dr. Porcher’s inspiration comes from her background of living and teaching in urban communities. It was always her passion and moral responsibility to serve her community. Once she realized that there was a gap in urban teacher education, she turned to her research to learn how she could effectively prepare students to teach in these communities. As an undergraduate student, Dr. Porcher studied English and Secondary Education at Spelman College, looking mostly at best practices for teaching in urban schools. She studied work around literacy and hip hop and the ways in which you can infuse them together to increase student achievement by using their cultural backgrounds to relate to them personally. Dr. Porcher then went on to earn her master’s degree in Curriculum and Teaching from the Teachers College Columbia University, where she focused more on culturally responsive curriculum writing. Additionally, Dr. Porcher went on the receive her Ph.D. in Teaching and Teacher Education from George Mason University.

Omolara Uwemedimo