Videos

Since last season, we have brought you stories that are heart-wrenching, painful, and traumatic. Examples of racial battle fatigue, professional violence and PTSD, which, even though most have experienced a measure of healing, or begun that healing journey, are difficult. In some cases, Black classroom teachers depart the classroom to make a wider impact. This was the case for Dr. William Anderson, History teacher extraordinaire, who was just minding his own business, working on his doctorate, ready to return to the classroom for the 2021-2022 school year when he was tapped to take over the Teacher Education Program at the University of Denver, the first Black man to step into that role. Dr. Anderson knew this was an opportunity to impact the profession in a more powerful way, and went on a journey to make it happen. This is a provocative episode, and we encourage you to put on your intersectional lens as you digest this inspiring and powerful story.

Another fire episode! This time we are speaking to Dr. Jeanette Patterson, a former principal who now finds herself supporting the youth of the Denver Metro Area in a whole new way. Tune in as Dr. Patterson shares her education journey, what she thinks school districts can do to support educators, whats bringing her joy these days, and her plans for the future.

When a former director of equity in a school district joins our podcast you know its gonna be good. Stacey Brandon shares what led her to become a social worker in a Denver Metro school district, her journey to becoming director of their equity department, and consequently the decision she had to make realizing that it was time to move on. Enjoy another great episode!

After a turbulent year locally and nationally, Dr. Asia Lyons and Kevin Adams are back with your Back to School shopping list. They break down issues facing educators of color and the communities they serve as super-producer Gerardo Muoz sits in the virtual producers chair! Asia discusses life after PhD matriculation, Kevin shares the trials and tribulations of the now-completed Master Agreement contract negotiations in Denver Public Schools, and we evaluate the way forward for teachers of color. Should they follow Dr. Asia, our pedagogical Harriet Tubman to liberation? Will Kev teach forever? Does Gerardo have the attention span to make this interview pop? Find out in this back to school episode!

Arvian Harper is a Denver Public Schools lifer. A graduate of the hallowed halls of East High School, she received a full ride engineering scholarship, later changing to pre-med. Like so many of us, she heard the call to the classroom, and she heeded, teaching Early Childhood Education, becoming a Team Lead and eventually moving into leadership. After a series of difficult challengesa violent incident at the school, a strike, COVID-19 and a racial reckoning, she began to reflect on the Racial Battle Fatigue she had experienced. As she began to peel back the layers of trauma, she realized Theres a whole person in there. Since her healing journey began, she founded Awakening Cafe and has entered a consulting role with none other than our own Dr. Asia Lyons. Healing is possible.

Jacci tells us her story of coming full circle. With her love for whom we in education consider as littles, she tells her journey as a childcare center owner who, with a heart for doing more for her community, begins her work as a Diversity Equity and Inclusion Director in a Denver Metro Area organization. Listen in as Jacci describes her story and advice for Black folks in the early learning space.

Branta Lockett moved through her educational odyssey at the highest levels. W.E.B. DuBois would have absolutely drafted her for his Talented Tenth All Star Team. Highly Gifted and Talented, International Baccalaureate, Brown University, she brought her sterling credentials to Denver, hoping to be the difference for all students, especially Black students. Her first two years as a Denver teacher were, simply put, great. But by year three, things began to unravel. She witnessed disproportionate disciplinary actions taken against Black boys. Still new to the work, she became a voice of advocacy for students and community. Her evaluation scores took a jarring dip. She changed roles, and found no support in any of them. Between COVID-19 and anti-Black dynamics within the union, she took the leap. The 5280 Freedom School, inspired by the Civil Rights eras Mississippi Freedom Schools, launched first as a summer program. After having their charter initially rejected, they are poised to open…

Nedra Rudolph is one of thousands of educational professionals that many of us see but never truly SEE. Having worked in Title 1 schools, as a Dean of Students, a paraprofessional, and a family liason. These professionals are categorically invaluable, and grossly undercompensated. She had a great situation, but like in so many situations, when leadership changes, so does culture. Never was the old saying "sometimes it's your own people" more true than in this situation, when White supremacy was perpetrated by a fellow person of color. After a painful journey, Nedra was able to leave her position with her head held high. She still gets to work with children daily, and has found new joy in her work.

Well, its time for me to tell my Exit Interview story. On the last day of school in 2018, I threw my work i.d. in the garbage can in front of the middle school where I had taught for six years. I didnt know what was next, but I knew I had to get the hell out of there! Listen as Kev, our producer Gerardo, and I talk about my journey from the D (Detroit, that is), my own experience with racism-related stress and racial battle fatigue to being the co-host of The Exit Interview: A Podcast for Black Educators.

Enola Garland found her way into the classroom as an early childhood educator. She quickly realized that working with three and four-year-olds was what she was meant for. After years in the ECE space and with COVID-19's impact on her students, colleagues, and herself along with racism-related stress in the workspace after the murder of George Floyd she knew she had to leave. Listen as Enola shares her story and what she is doing now that continues to support early child hood educators across Colorado.

This brief episode highlights the crucial importance for school districts to acknowledge and address the influence of family support on the departure of Black educators from the education field. The departure is being triggered by various factors, such as policies, colleagues, administrators, and others who are contributing to pushing Black educators out. Simultaneously, family members of Black educators are also playing a significant role in pulling them out of the classroom, driven by their weariness of witnessing vicarious racial battle fatigue. As conversations arise about retention and recruitment during summer professional development sessions within the education sector, it is imperative to include the impact of family support in these discussions. Recognizing and understanding the role of family dynamics in the decisions of Black educators to remain or leave the profession can lead to more effective strategies for addressing the issue and fostering a supportive and inclus…

In this episode, Janet Stickmon returns to the podcast to talk to our audience about what healing from racial battle fatigue could look like.

Dr. Asia Lyons is a guest on The Thoughtful Counselor Podcast! "In this episode, Dr. Asia Lyons meets with Dr. Dsa Karye Daniel to discuss the tenants of Racial Battle Fatigue and racism-related stress. Throughout their conversation, they reflect on the experiences of Black Teachers and how sharing these experiences can change the narrative for future Black educators. Dr. Lyons gives examples of how mental health practitioners can support Black educators through culturally responsive practices." -From, The Thoughtful Counselor Podcast

In this episode of The Exit Interview, Kev and Dr. Asia sit down with Deidra Fogarty founder of Black Girls Teach an organization that offers Black women educators a supportive environment to openly grow, collaborate, and unite as they demand change in education. Take a listen as she talks about her transition out of education, strategies she feels could turn the tied of Black women leaving education and how Black Girls Teach is changing the game for education across the U.S.

In this weeks compelling episode, we speak with Dr. Asia Lyons, CEO of Lyons Educational Consulting, co-facilitator of the Black Educator Wellness Cohort, and co-host of The Exit Interview Podcast. With experiences spanning Detroit to Denver, Dr. Lyons shares her journey, from attending a gifted high school and navigating failure in college, to shedding light on the critical role of community colleges and nontraditional pathways into education (#shoutout to those bus routes!).

This episode of The Exit Interview features a deep dive into the experiences and insights of Jailyn Jenkins, a former STEM educator who transitioned into a role supporting Black educators after facing burnout. Jailyn shares her personal journey, highlighting the significance of mental health, the critical need for authentic recruitment and retention strategies for educators of color, and the transformative power of rest and healing. The discussion also covers the establishment of BEST (BIPOC Educational STEM Thinkers), a community initiative aimed at fostering joy, belonging, and advocacy amongst educators of color. The episode is an inspiring call to action for supporting Black educators, enriching educational environments, and prioritizing well-being in the educational field.

In this inspiring episode of The Exit Interview, we have the privilege of hearing from Elia Martin, a former educator and social worker turned grant manager, who shares her transformative journey through education, social work, and beyond. Elia's story takes us from her initial dreams of becoming a dentist to finding her true calling in supporting youth and families, mostly in Black communities. She discusses the challenges and motivations behind her career shifts, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, the impact of leadership changes, and the quest for better opportunities. Elia also delves into her current pursuits, including her work in grant management and her passion project, the Mommyana podcast, dedicated to the experiences of Black motherhood. Join us as we explore Elia's journey, her insights on Black educator retention, and her valuable advice for those contemplating a career transition.

This episode of The Exit Interview: A Podcast for Black Educators takes a deep dive into the rarely discussed aspect of educator retention, specifically focusing on the Black educators who leave traditional education spaces. Featuring Jalisa Evans, a former teacher turned advocate, this powerful discussion uncovers the challenges, systemic issues, and personal stories behind Black educators' decisions to leave. Through Jalisa's journey from a teacher to a founder of the Black Educator Advocates Network, listeners are presented with both sobering realities and inspiring actions for change. The conversation pivots around anti-blackness in education, the significance of community, and the crucial role of Black educators in students' lives.

In this episode of 'The Exit Interview,' I sit down with Vanity Jenkins, a dedicated educator and advocate for culturally relevant pedagogy. We dive into Vanity's journey from sports management to education, her experiences teaching in the Mississippi Delta, the challenges Black educators face, and the importance of historical context and systemic changes in education. Vanity shares invaluable insights into improving teacher retention, the impact of integration policies, and the critical role of parent and student voices in schools.

This is Dr. Asia Lyons' submission video to record The Exit Interview: A Podcast for Black Educators, at SXSW EDU 2025 with guest Joy Delizo-Osborne, former Black Educator turned Executive Director of Student Achievement Partners.

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