In this episode of Two Dope Teachers and a Mic, Gerardo sits down with Alix Guerrier, CEO of DonorsChoose, to talk about how classrooms become engines of justice when teachers are trusted with resources—and when young people are trusted with big ideas.

From robotics programs serving new immigrant students, to youth-led racial justice campaigns sparked by classroom reading groups, to hydroponic gardens blooming on school rooftops in Puerto Rico—this conversation pulls back the curtain on how creativity thrives when scarcity isn’t the dominant story.

Alix also breaks down what equity means beyond buzzwords, how data from over 90% of U.S. schools is shaping systemic insight, and why investing in kids is not just morally urgent—it’s economically undeniable.

Episode Chapters:

• 00:00 — Opening Question: What needs a remix in education?
• 05:00 — What DonorsChoose Is (and Isn’t)
• 12:00 — Classroom Stories that Spark Movements
• 30:00 — Acceleration vs. Remediation: Rethinking Learning Gaps
• 41:00 — What Equity Looks Like in Practice
• 47:00 — The Next 25 Years of DonorsChoose
• 52:00 — Top Five Rappers
• 55:00 — Closing Reflections

Links & Resources

Support Teachers & Classrooms

• DonorsChoose: https://www.donorschoose.org
• Fund real classroom needs across the U.S.

Follow DonorsChoose

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donorschoose
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/donorschoose/

Learning Resources Mentioned

• Zearn Math – Acceleration-focused math equity model
• https://www.zearn.org
• Math Mind by Shalinee Sharma — research on accelerating learning instead of remediating gaps

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🎙️ Episode 102 (Throwback): “Artist in the Industry” with Dr. Gholdy Muhammad

Originally aired in 2021 — Revisited in 2025

In this powerful conversation, Gerardo Muñoz and Kevin Adams sit down with Dr. Gholdy Muhammad, author of Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy. Together, they explore how teaching rooted in Black literary history, collectivism, and joy can transform classrooms into spaces of liberation, not compliance.

Dr. Muhammad breaks down her five pursuits of learning — identity, skills, intellectualism, criticality, and joy — and explains how these pursuits emerged from 19th-century Black literary societies that defined learning as a communal and purposeful act. The conversation bridges theory and practice, showing educators how to design lessons that humanize, empower, and center students of color.

From joyful pedagogy to abolitionist teaching, from curriculum design to hip-hop as literacy — this episode remains as relevant now as it was when first released.

🔄 2025 Update

Since our original conversation, Dr. Gholdy Muhammad has continued to shape the field of equity-centered education. Now a nationally recognized keynote speaker and professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, she has expanded her work through Unearthing Joy and new initiatives that help schools move beyond trauma-informed practices to healing-centered, joy-based learning.

In 2025, as many schools continue to navigate political attacks on culturally responsive education and Black Studies curricula, Dr. Muhammad’s message — that children of color deserve brilliance, joy, and excellence — resonates even louder. Her framework remains a beacon for educators seeking to humanize instruction in a time when educational equity is under threat.

🎧 Listen for:

• The roots of culturally and historically responsive literacy
• Why joy is an act of resistance
• What “abolitionist teaching” looks like in real classrooms
• How to center identity and genius in every lesson
• Dr. Muhammad’s Top 5 MCs (you won’t want to miss it)

📚 Learn more about Dr. Muhammad’s work: www.hillpedagogies.com

Follow her on Instagram and Twitter: @GholdyM

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In this solo episode, Gerardo processes the shooting death of right wing influencer Charlie Kirk by exploring the hidden dangers of teaching debate the traditional way. Drawing on previously published writing that draws a line between traditional debate and the “own-the-libs” take-no-prisoners style of Kirk, Ben Shapiro, Jordan Peterson and others, as well as personal experience as a debate coach, he argues that when debate rewards domination over empathy, it doesn’t just distort classrooms—it fuels toxic politics and real-world violence.

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In this episode of Too Dope Teachers and a Mic, Gerardo is joined by Sahba Rohani, Executive Director of Roots Connected, to dive into what it means to center belonging in schools. From her TED Talk on the power of names to her decades of work in intentionally diverse communities, Sahba shares how small shifts in mindset and practice can transform classrooms, staff culture, and whole school communities. Together, Gerardo and Sahba unpack anti-bias education as more than a curriculum add-on—it’s a lens, a practice, and a path toward joy and justice.

Show Notes

In this powerful conversation, Gerardo and Sahba explore:

• The story behind Sahba’s TED Talk on names, identity, and belonging.
• Why belonging isn’t “soft work”—it’s the foundation of learning and thriving.
• How small shifts in practice (like reframing a simple classroom question) can have big impact.
• Roots Connected’s dual process for change: internal transformation + practice shifts.
• Building intentional community with students, families, and staff.
• Staying grounded and persistent in the face of DEI pushback.
• The radical power of joy in justice-centered education.
• And of course… Sahba’s Top 5 hip hop & R&B legends (spoiler: GenX R&B family, this one’s for you).

Resources & Links:

• Roots Connected
• Sahba’s TED Talk
• EmbraceRace

Follow Roots Connected on Instagram and LinkedIn

Listen in for practical takeaways, mindset shifts, and a reminder that joy itself is radical.

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About two years ago, Kevin and Gerardo’s paths diverged. Facing burnout, Gerardo left the classroom to manage aspiring and new educator programs at the central office level, and Kevin became an assistant principal. The last two years have been challenging for us both. Questions arose as to whether the podcast would last. What would happen now that Too Dope Teachers were no longer in the classroom? Could the fellas ever ever ever coordinate calendars?

It has been a challenge, but this season, we bring to you “OG Episodes” that bring us back to our roots: no guests, nothing flashy, just a couple of educators remixing the conversation on race, power, and education.

This episode was supposed to be out prior to the announcement of school closures, but instead we are bringing it after. Check out our emergency episode, a conversation with two students from one of the closing schools for an in-depth look.

We hope you enjoy this episode, whether to get needed affirmation and levity as you continue your important classroom work, or if you are considering other options, while still wanting to remain in education.

About two years ago, Kevin and Gerardo’s paths diverged. Facing burnout, Gerardo left the classroom to manage aspiring and new educator programs at the central office level, and Kevin became an assistant principal. The last two years have been challenging for us both. Questions arose as to whether the podcast would last. What would happen now that Too Dope Teachers were no longer in the classroom? Could the fellas ever ever ever coordinate calendars?

It has been a challenge, but this season, we bring to you “OG Episodes” that bring us back to our roots: no guests, nothing flashy, just a couple of educators remixing the conversation on race, power, and education.

This episode was supposed to be out prior to the announcement of school closures, but instead we are bringing it after. Check out our emergency episode, a conversation with two students from one of the closing schools for an in-depth look.

We hope you enjoy this episode, whether to get needed affirmation and levity as you continue your important classroom work, or if you are considering other options, while still wanting to remain in education.

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Support the pod!

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Citing declining enrollment, demographic shifts, and building under-use as primary factors, Denver Public Schools superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero announced his proposal to close or consolidate a number of schools. On school that is proposed for consolidation is the Denver Center for International Studies at Baker, where we met. It is a school that we feel profound affection for and belief in.

In this emergency episode, we speak with DCIS students Sophia and Camila, who are helping to organize their peers and families to protest the re-structuring of their school.

Very frequently, students are the last to know about decisions and policies that directly impact them. Oftentimes, across American public education, “student voice” is trivialized, downplayed, dismissed, and disrespected. If you go back to our emergency episode with students in the opening months of the COVID-19 pandemic, you will see that students were not included in that discussion either. This is, unfortunately, not a problem unique to this district, it is everywhere.

Student voice matters. Yesterday, today, and always.

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When Fatimah Basir reached out to the podcast to promote her book, I’m a Big Fish, Not a Guppy, we had to know more. Not only is this energetic and motivating educator imaginative, creative, and joyful, she also sets a powerful example for how to take on important work for youth and communities. Miss B knows her purpose, knows what she is up against, but more importantly, she draws strength from her family, friends and beloved NYC community.

Miss B has a captivating story, contagious energy, and a powerful message. Listen and enjoy!

Buy the book! 

Follow Miss Bee!

Plan your future by visiting our sponsors, Tori and Alex! 

Support the Podcast on Patreon!

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John “Sunshine” Arthur is really like this.

Always smiling, always joyful, this passionate and dedicated teacher has continued to push forward for students and communities from which they come.

A veteran teacher, John has always sought ways to elevate educational opportunities and equity in his community and beyond. Even as he runs for the Utah state board of education, John humanizes his opponent and the people of his state. This despite a ballot initiative pushing for increased privatization,  which presents a threat to young people who would MOST benefit from a powerful and uplifting educational experience.

In this episode, John will share with you his journey, his commitment to students, and ways you can support public education for ALL.

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As the 2024-25 school year kicks off across the nation, math teachers, students, and parents of the students face a familiar foe: self-confidence in mathematics. According to a Gallup poll before the COVID-19 pandemic, over 40% of students aged 13-17 reported that they were “struggling” or “not proficient” in math. But no one knows this reality more than math teachers themselves.

Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic, herself a mathematician and data analyst, has spent her career teaching adults to tell impactful and motivational stories using data. She has published professional books on the subject, but comes on the TooDope Teachers and a Mic podcast to share her latest book, which could change the tide for young people in our classrooms. Daphne Draws Data is a wonderful book on using data to tell stories. Cole joins Gerardo to kick off SEASON 10 of the podcast.

Visit our sponsors, Alex and Tori!

Support. the podcast on Patreon!

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Dr. Richard Charles has probably forgotten more about mathematics and technology than most of us will ever know.

This brilliant scholar and change-maker of Trinidadian and Venezuelan heritage joined Gerardo for a conversation that is only the tip of the iceberg. An authentically intellectual and curious learner, Dr. Charles represents most what what we dream of being in school district leadership. He is philosophical and a problem-solver, and his passion for prime numbers is only out-matched by his determination that ALL DPS students have access to the best education available to them.

Dr. Charles shares his passion for ways in which generative AI can support us at all levels of education. You will feel a little out of your depth on this episode, but stick with it. There is much to glean from this conversation.

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Visit out sponsors at Cetera Investors, where Tori and Alex can help. you plan for the future!

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