Research confirms that students learn better in environments where their teachers and classmates recognize and validate their identities. In this discussion, we exchange proven ways to encourage students to constructively express their uniqueness and create a classroom climate that supports learning.

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Courtney Rose, Ed.D. is a professor, educational consultant, culturally-relevant/responsive educator, founder of Ivy Rose Consulting and author of the upcoming book, Woven Together: How Unpacking Your Teacher Identity Creates a Stronger Learning Community. She currently serves as a Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor in the Educational Policy Studies department at Florida International University.

Crystal M. Watson, Ed.M is an innovative, passionate, and authentic mathematics educator and life long learner who you can count on to always ask “What do the students think?” Her work is centered around providing space for voice and identity development in order for everyone, particularly those most marginalized, to experience high quality, deep, and personal mathematics. Crystal has worked alongside other scholars to develop culturally responsive, reflective, and/or anti-racist curricular resources that center young people in every lesson. You might catch her at both local and national conferences, on podcasts, developing and leading professional development sessions, or having conversations about how we are cultivating youth-centered spaces.

Kwame Sarfo-Mensah is the founder & CEO of Identity Talk Consulting, LLC., an independent global educational consulting firm that provides professional development and consulting services to K-12 school districts, educators, colleges & universities and educational non-profit organizations. A proud graduate of Temple University, Kwame holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. Throughout his sixteen-year career as a math educator, author, and consultant, Kwame has earned numerous accolades for his work, including being honored as the 2019 National Member of the Year by Black Educators Rock, Inc. and being recognized as a Top Education Influencer by brightbeam, Inc. in 2021 and 2022. Kwame‘s work has also been featured on The Tavis Smiley Show, Edutopia, Ed Post, Teaching Channel, WGBH News, The Educators’ Room, LLC., and Medium.

Dr. Erica Silva leads professional development with schools and districts across the country to advance racial equity. She is also an adjunct assistant professor at USC and a former elementary/middle school teacher and instructional coach.