In today’s episode Dr. Dennisha Murff and Ayana Coles join Courtney Flessner and Lena Darnay to discuss ways educators can build up Black and traditionally marginalized voices throughout the school year, not just during Black History Month.

Dr. Dennisha Murff is an administrator, author, adjunct professor, consultant, and relentless advocate for equitable education. Throughout her career, she has worked to incorporate equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and cultural responsiveness in her work. Dr. Murff has over 23 years of experience in education, including several years as an elementary school principal. She has also served as an assistant principal and elementary teacher. Dr. Murff is also the founder of Murff Consulting Group, LLC, an educational consulting group focused on “cultivating the greatness” within each scholar. She believes education is the great equalizer. Dr. Murff and her husband, Darrell Murff, are the proud parents of three amazing children, McKenzie, Lincoln, and Averi.

Ayana Wilson Coles has been an educator for the past 16 years working in various grade levels and settings. She is currently an Assistant Principal in Pike Township. Additionally, she is currently finishing up an Educational Doctorate at IU Bloomington in the Literacy, Culture, and Language Education. She is a wife and a mother of 3.

Resources mentioned in today’s episode:

Black History is American History – Columbia University

https://sps.columbia.edu/news/black-history-american-history

https://blackhistory.news.columbia.edu/

But That’s just Good Teaching – Gloria Ladson Billings

Linda Christiansen – Rethinking Schools

Reading, Writing, Rising Up

Teaching for Joy and Justice

Posing Problems that Matter

Practicing Culturally Relevant Math Teaching

BrainLairBooks – Kathy Burnette – https://www.brainlairbooks.com/

Reading And Writing The World With Mathematics: Toward a Pedagogy for Social Justice (Critical Social Thought)

Episode Transcript