S3 E7: Learning to Relearn in STEM
February 10, 2025 | 37 mins
Welcome to another episode of the Teaching STEM #4Real podcast! In this powerful conversation, we speak with Kwame Sarfo-Mensah, founder of Identity Talk Consulting and author of "Learning to Relearn: Supporting Identity in a Culturally Affirming Classroom."
Kwame brings 17 years of experience in education, including 9 years as a middle school math teacher in Philadelphia and Boston. He has earned numerous accolades, including being honored as the 2019 National Member of the Year by Black Educators Rock Incorporated and recognition as a Top Education Influencer by BrightBeam in 2021 and 2022.
In this episode, Kwame shares insights on creating identity-affirming spaces in STEM education:
- His personal experience with educational bias when returning from Ghana to the US education system
- The importance of representation in STEM and connecting students with diverse STEM professionals
- How the world itself can be curriculum beyond textbooks and worksheets
- The historical contributions of ancient Kemet (Egypt) to mathematics and their erasure from modern education
- Building coalitions and expanding networks to create meaningful change in education
- The importance of self-care and sustainable activism in educational justice work**
- Understanding different levels of community engagement from classroom to international scale
- The value of giving yourself grace while working towards educational transformation
This conversation provides a powerful vision for how STEM education can be reimagined to be more culturally affirming and empowering for all students. Kwame shares personal stories and practical wisdom that will inspire educators to rethink their approach to identity and representation in the classroom while providing concrete steps for meaningful change.
Rate, Review, & Follow on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
“This is a great show for educators in STEM! Love Leena’s perspective on creating equitable classroom environments for STEM and the guests are always spot on!” ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people — just like you — move toward creating access and equity in STEM, #4Real. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! You can also rate the show on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CsBVUpmzwgvNsSYkWcJ4C
Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here: Follow now!
Teaching STEM #4Real is a podcast dedicated to #4Real conversations on educational equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education hosted by Dr. Leena Bakshi McLean. If you’re interested in exploring what anti-racism and socially just instruction looks like in our classrooms, schools, and beyond, you are in the right place. Dr. Bakshi is also the founder of the non-profit, STEM4Real. Please visit our website for information on how to partner with us. Thank you for helping us make STEM, #4Real.
Kwame brings 17 years of experience in education, including 9 years as a middle school math teacher in Philadelphia and Boston. He has earned numerous accolades, including being honored as the 2019 National Member of the Year by Black Educators Rock Incorporated and recognition as a Top Education Influencer by BrightBeam in 2021 and 2022.
In this episode, Kwame shares insights on creating identity-affirming spaces in STEM education:
- His personal experience with educational bias when returning from Ghana to the US education system
- The importance of representation in STEM and connecting students with diverse STEM professionals
- How the world itself can be curriculum beyond textbooks and worksheets
- The historical contributions of ancient Kemet (Egypt) to mathematics and their erasure from modern education
- Building coalitions and expanding networks to create meaningful change in education
- The importance of self-care and sustainable activism in educational justice work**
- Understanding different levels of community engagement from classroom to international scale
- The value of giving yourself grace while working towards educational transformation
This conversation provides a powerful vision for how STEM education can be reimagined to be more culturally affirming and empowering for all students. Kwame shares personal stories and practical wisdom that will inspire educators to rethink their approach to identity and representation in the classroom while providing concrete steps for meaningful change.
Rate, Review, & Follow on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
“This is a great show for educators in STEM! Love Leena’s perspective on creating equitable classroom environments for STEM and the guests are always spot on!” ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people — just like you — move toward creating access and equity in STEM, #4Real. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! You can also rate the show on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CsBVUpmzwgvNsSYkWcJ4C
Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here: Follow now!
Teaching STEM #4Real is a podcast dedicated to #4Real conversations on educational equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education hosted by Dr. Leena Bakshi McLean. If you’re interested in exploring what anti-racism and socially just instruction looks like in our classrooms, schools, and beyond, you are in the right place. Dr. Bakshi is also the founder of the non-profit, STEM4Real. Please visit our website for information on how to partner with us. Thank you for helping us make STEM, #4Real.