The Culture-Centered Classroom

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, we explore the power of choosing a focus word to guide your year—and how LOVE can serve as a transformative lens for educators, principals, and students in 2025. Discover how centering LOVE can help you build cultural competency, create more inclusive spaces, and cultivate deeper connections in your school community.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• For Principals: Learn how leading wi...

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Joshua Cabral, expert in intercultural communication, to explore the essential role of intercultural competence and cultural intelligence in today’s classrooms. Together, we dive into what it means to develop a culturally intelligent mindset, ways to understand cultural value dimensions, and practical strategies for educators.

Joshua shares his thoughts on how to move beyond viewing one...

In this heart-centered episode of The Culture-Centered Classroom, host Jocelynn Hubbard engages in a deep and inspiring conversation with Dr. Pamela Seda, co-author of Choosing to See: A Framework for Equity in the Math Classroom. Dr. Seda shares her motivation for creating the ICUCARE Framework and how it supports educators in fostering equitable math classrooms.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Seda beautifully explains how her person...

In the powerful conclusion of the "Intersectionality in Education" Series, we shift our focus to empowering students with intersecting identities to become self-advocates and leaders. We'll explore strategies for fostering their unique strengths and perspectives, creating opportunities for them to share their voices, and nurturing their potential to make a positive impact on the world.

Key takeaways from Episode 4:

In this third episode of the "Intersectionality in Education Series" we're diving into the heart of culturally responsive pedagogy and exploring how it can be adapted to meet the unique needs of students with intersecting identities. We'll discuss strategies for creating inclusive curriculum and instructional practices that honor and celebrate the diverse experiences of all learners.

Key takeaways from Episode 3:

In the second episode of our series "Intersectionality in Education", we're moving beyond definitions and exploring the real-world impact of intersecting identities on students' experiences in school. We'll examine both the opportunities and challenges that arise when multiple identities intersect, and how educators can create inclusive environments that support all learners.

Key takeaways from Episode 2:

...

I'm thrilled to announce the launch of a brand new series on The Culture-Centered Podcast: "Intersectionality in Education: Navigating Complex Identities."

In our first episode, we're laying the foundation by defining intersectionality and exploring its historical context. We'll delve into why understanding the complexities of our students' identities is crucial for creating truly inclusive and equitable l...

Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15th - October 15th. Let's ditch the stereotypes and explore meaningful ways to celebrate Hispanic and Latinx cultures in your classroom. From literature and art to music, dance, and history, I'll share ideas to foster understanding, challenge biases, and empower all students. Tune in and discover how to make Hispanic Heritage Month an unforgettable celebration of joy. Let me know if th...

As we kick off a new school year, I want to share all the ways I can support you on your journey as an educator.

In this special episode of The Culture-Centered Classroom podcast, I’ll be walking you through the various resources and programs I offer, including:

• Workshops: Engaging and interactive sessions that dive deep into key topics like cultural competency, equity, and creating inclusive classrooms.

• Cohorts: Collaborat...

This episode, "From Insight to Action: Reimagining Learning for Heartfelt, Equity-Centered Education," is all about transforming the insights we gain from student stories into meaningful actions that create a more integrated, supportive, and equitable classroom.

In this episode, we cover:

• Developing cultural competence by deeply understanding your students’ diverse backgrounds.
• Centering equity to ensure every stud...

I’m excited to share a special episode where we combine three powerful themes into one impactful discussion.

In this episode, "How Can Leveraging Student Stories Help you Center Equity?," we explore:

1. Leveraging Student’s Stories to Center Equity: How recognizing and integrating diverse student experiences can create a more inclusive classroom.

2. Creating safe spaces for sharing: Techniques to help students feel valu...

The third episode of our back-to-school series is here, and it’s all about creating a classroom where students feel safe and valued enough to share their stories.

We'll explore techniques for setting up storytelling activities, establishing trust with students, and building a classroom culture of openness and respect.

If you want to create an environment where your students feel comfortable expressing themselves and sharing the...

In this episode, "Elevate Your Teaching Game: Recognizing and Managing Your Capacity Like a Pro," we tackle an important topic—understanding and acknowledging when you’ve reached your personal and professional limits. As educators, it’s crucial to recognize when we’re at capacity so we can ask for help, reassign our time, energy, and effort, and help our students understand the concept of capacity for their own learning.

...

It's BACK TO SCHOOL season! During this first episode in the BTS series we explore how storytelling can bridge the gap between teachers and students. By sharing and listening to personal stories, we can foster empathy, create stronger connections, and build a more inclusive classroom environment.

Tune in to discover practical ways to incorporate storytelling into your teaching practice and make your classroom a space where ever...

February is a month dedicated to the celebration of Black history, not the highlighting of American history during the time when enslavement and segregation were legal. Reenacting events connected to these time periods has continued to happen again and again. It is a problem and here's why... In this episode I mention:

• ⁠⁠Charlotte Mecklenburg School - "celebrating" BHM
• Florida daycare reenacting the arrest of ...

It is tradition to sing "The Star Spangled banner", the United States national anthem during the Super Bowl re-game show. In recent years the singing of the Black national anthem, "Lift Ev'ry Voice & Sing" has been added. Some people ask, "Why are two anthems being performed if we are one country?" 

Listen in for an answer to this question!

In this episode I mention:

• ⁠Black History M...

Black History month is right around the corner I wanted to help you get prepped and ready. In this episode I will share three questions I frequently get asked regarding teaching and celebrating Black history as well as my responses.

Let me know if this was helpful by sending me a message on Instagram, LinkedIn or FB. If you have a question, you can let me know that as well. 🙂

In this episode I mention:

• Black History Month Te...

Are you familiar with the phrase "the sandwich generation"? I wasn't either until a few years ago. In this episode I share how understanding this phrase is connected to developing cultural competency personally and professionally.

In this episode I mention:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/iteachcustom/

Grade Level Book Recommendations - visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bookshop.org/shop/CustomTeaching...

What does it even mean when you say "Your child is so well behaved." to a caregiver?

Let's chat about the importance of reframing and elaborating on this statement in a way that supports growth for the student and clarity for caregivers.

Let's expand and deepen our understanding around the concept of "well-behaved". What is the purpose of education and how is a student being "well-behaved"...