Letters From The Lab
Letters from the Lab is the writing home of Dr. Asia Lyons, essays and reflections from Liberated Educators Lab exploring Black educator wellness, truth-telling, retention, and the conditions needed for liberation. Rooted in story, research, and lived experience, these pieces name what’s often overlooked and imagine what becomes possible.
July 5, 2026
Being Committed without Being Consumed
Black educators don't have to lose ourselves to show we care. From Letters from the Lab There’s a particular kind of quiet that can arrive after a Black educator leaves a school. Not peace, exactly. Not at first. The calendar changes first. Your…
June 22, 2026
Community as a Survival Strategy
From Letters from the Lab When I asked Dr. Nadia A. Bennett what advice she would give Black women moving into educational leadership, she did not begin with certification, strategy, or a five-year plan. She said, “Find and keep community.” That …
May 31, 2026
Parent Entitlement is a Black Educator Retention Issue
From Letters from the Lab When Melissa Leonard-Goodlett, EdD. talked about working in a school run by parents, the first image that came to mind was a screenshot. Screenshots from a group chat I was never supposed to see. A Black mother let me kn…
May 26, 2026
When The Harm Follows You: Black Educators, Nonprofits and Racial Battle Fatigue
From, Letters from the Lab The morning before I was fired from my last job at a nonprofit organization, I stood in front of my bathroom mirror and asked myself a question: Do you want to stay or do you want to go? I remember looking at myself and…
May 4, 2026
When Black Educators Lose The Fight
There’s a moment when a Black educator realizes they are not just tired…they have exhausted all of their options. I heard that moment in real time during a recent conversation on The Exit Interview: A Podcast for Black Educators. My guest, Nye Tru…
April 22, 2026
What Black Women Tell Me Off Mic
What Black Women Tell Me Off Mic The Overlooked Role Some Black Men Play In Pushing Black Women Out of Education After years of listening to Black women educators across the country, I noticed a truth we cannot keep ignoring. After years of recor…
April 12, 2026
“My Mom Was Right”: What Families Know About Teaching That We Ignore
Before she became a teacher, Kelly Mitchell’s mom questioned her decision. And later, after everything Kelly experienced in education, she said plainly, "My mom was right." That moment didn’t surprise me, but it sat with me. Because I often think ab…
March 29, 2026
When They Come Back Looking for Us
Something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately is what happens when Black educators are forced to leave their students, not because they want to, but because they have to. We talk about teacher turnover as a staffing, pipeline, and retention issue.…
March 10, 2026
When Black Educators Bet on Themselves
In a recent episode of The Exit Interview: A Podcast for Black Educators, I spoke with Latoya Turner, an educator, author, and founder of Brown Hands Literacy. During our conversation, she said something that stayed with me long after we stopped rec…
Feb. 26, 2026
The Cost of Perfect Attendance: What Are We Really Rewarding in Schools?
In a recent episode of The Exit Interview, Whitney Tolliver shared a story that is celebrated in education: perfect attendance as an expectation. During new staff orientation, her principal stood in front of the room and proudly declared: She had b…
Feb. 26, 2026
"I Don't Know If I Should Tell This Or Not": Why Educator Truth-Telling Matters
This weekend, I started reading Sisters of the Yam by bell hooks. In the opening chapters, she writes about truth-telling as a form of self-recovery, a way for Black women to begin healing by naming what has been carried in silence. Those pages mad…
Oct. 19, 2025
Radical Self-Care Is A Part of Great Leadership
Radical Self-Care Is A Part of Great Leadership By Dr. Asia Lyons, Host and Producer of The Exit Interview: A Podcast for Black Educators When I sat down with Dr. Franita Ware for The Exit Interview, I thought I knew where our conversation would g…
Feb. 5, 2025
Breaking Free: Najmah Ahmad on Achievement Addiction, Nonprofit Burnout, and the Journey to Wellness
Breaking Free: Najmah Ahmad on Achievement Addiction, Nonprofit Burnout, and the Journey to Wellness In the latest episode of The Exit Interview: A Podcast for Black Educators, host Dr. Asia Lyons sits down with Najmah Ahmad, an educator, consultan…
Aug. 20, 2024
The Value of Black Therapists in Addressing Racial Battle Fatigue
In the face of persistent racial injustice and systemic oppression within school systems, the mental health of Black educators can be significantly impacted. Racial battle fatigue, characterized by chronic stress, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion, …
Aug. 19, 2024
The Power of Rest and Healing in Education: Lessons for Educators and Educational Leaders
<h2>Introduction</h2> <p> In today's fast-paced educational landscape, educators and educational leaders are facing unprecedented levels of stress, burnout, and mental health challenges. Amidst the constant pressure to deliver high-quality …
July 26, 2024
Navigating Toxic Work Cultures: Lessons from Dr. Adrienne Smith's Experiences
Introduction Toxic work cultures have become all too common in today's society, leaving devastating effects on the mental health and well-being of employees. In the realm of education, Black educators are particularly vulnerable to these harmful en…
July 7, 2024
The Mind-Body Connection: A Holistic Approach to Black Educator Wellness
Episode 29: Mind-Body Wellness Practices with Dr. Siobhan Flowers, so poignantly illustrated, the wellness of educators, particularly Black educators, is paramount to the health of our educational system and the well-being of our students. This b…
July 4, 2024
The Challenges Faced by Black Educators in Early Childhood Education
Early childhood education plays a fundamental role in shaping young minds and fostering their lifelong success. However, within this field, Black educators face unique barriers and challenges that hinder their representation and professional growth.…
June 24, 2024
Supporting Black Educators' Well-being
Prioritizing Black Educator Well-being The well-being of Black educators is essential for fostering a just and equitable education system. Black educators play a crucial role in shaping the minds and futures of students from diverse backgro…
June 21, 2024
Challenges Faced by Black Educators
In the latest episode of The Exit Interview Podcast, I sat down with Vanity Jenkins, an inspiring educator who passionately advocates for culturally relevant pedagogy. This insightful conversation ignited my desire to delve deeper into the significa…
June 17, 2024
The Role of Mentorship in Career Transitions
Welcome to the Exit Interview: A podcast for Black Educators blog post, where we delve into the profound impact of mentorship on career transitions. Inspired by the captivating story of Elia Martin, our exploration will highlight the benefits, quali…
June 11, 2024
The Transformative Power of Rest and Healing for Educators
In the demanding world of education, it is imperative that educators prioritize their own well-being to create a thriving and fulfilling work environment. This blog post explores the transformative power of rest and healing for educators, drawing in…
June 8, 2024
The Power of Imagination in Education: Afrofuturism in the Classroom
The Power of Imagination in Education Imagination plays a vital role in human development, enabling us to envision new possibilities, solve problems, and create innovative solutions. In education, imagination is particularly crucial as it stimulate…
May 27, 2024
Black Educators Catalyzing Change
The Importance of Black Educators Black educators play a vital role in fostering inclusive and equitable learning environments for students. They bring unique perspectives, cultural knowledge, and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by mar…