unMASKing with Male Educators: Creating Emotionally Safe Classrooms & Schools for Male Students

Do you ever wonder if you are doing enough? If you are truly making an impact as an educator, mentor, or leader? For Dr. Edson Andrade, those questions have been a constant companion, shaped by his journey as an undocumented immigrant, his experience with imposter syndrome, and his work training the next generation of counselors.Dr. Andrade is a professor of counseling at California State University, Fullerton. He trains bilingual and bicultural counselors who are dedicated to serving Latinx communities across Southern California. His story is one of resilience, empathy, and creating spaces of belonging for students navigating complex challenges.Today, we discuss:The masks we wear: imposter syndrome, fear, and self-doubtGrowing up undocumented for 25 years and finding belongingThe role of empathy and relationships in higher educationSupporting immigrant and undocumented students in classroomsWhy connection matters more than content in learningAdvice for young men questioning their worth and place in the worldTimestamps (0:00) Welcome & Introduction (0:29) Dr. Andrade introduces himself (3:25) Ashanti and Edson share their teacher personas/masks (5:35) Edson opens up about imposter syndrome and self-doubt (11:16) Timeline reflections and changes in higher ed (19:17) Helping students unmask in safe and supportive ways (23:18) Edson shares his undocumented journey (23:18) Social-emotional intelligence in today’s graduate students (27:45) How Edson is navigating imposter syndrome as a professor (32:37) A reminder for teachers: pause and see the whole student (33:07) Edson’s message to his younger self and today’s youthConnect with Dr. Edson Andrade:California State University, Fullerton – Counseling Program: https://ed.fullerton.eduJoin/Contribute to our Young Men’s Conference: https://everforwardclub.org/global-young-mens-conference-2025Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345—Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.comCreate your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/Connect with Ashanti Branch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks Twitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/ Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/supportConnect with Ever Forward Club: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub Twitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclub LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator

I bet there are more ways you can create productive struggle in your classroom, and you haven’t thought of them. And I bet taking in what Jerome has to say about smartphones, dopamine, and struggle will help unlock something in you as an educator.Jerome is an educational strategist based in Seattle, Washington, who stands at the intersection of education, policy, community engagement, and young men & boys. A TED and NPR-featured educator and community leader, this is Jerome’s third time on the show!How Jerome works with architects and the community to design schools that promote flexibility and creativityWhy analog tools are making a comeback in schools, and digital tools are being pulled backHow digital technology erases productive struggle and interpersonal skills developmentSome new research on how smartphones affect students, and a new article by Jonathan Haidt(2:30) Jerome introduces himself(6:45) Designing school spaces for 21st-century students, and advocating for more analog learning tools(16:00) The disappearance of productive struggle and desired difficulty(21:30) Ashanti and Jerome share their masks/teacher personas, and some thoughts on inclusive masculinity and bravery(34:30) Jerome’s thoughts on how to start the school year(38:30) Jonathan Haidt and student preferences(40:00) Student microcognitions and how educators can tackle them(45:15) Jerome’s words of advice for male educatorsWebsite: https://www.jeromeleehunter.com/---Join/Contribute to our Young Men’s Conference: https://everforwardclub.org/global-young-mens-conference-2025 Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 —Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/---Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support ---Connect with Ever Forward Club:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/---#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement  #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator

We've been recruiting male educators to take part in our upcoming Young Men's Conference (details below), and the successes and difficulties in doing so have forced us to confront some important questions:Where are all the trustworthy male educators?What does it even mean to be a male? To be masculine?We hope you take this exercise and exploration as a rallying cry to support your young male students. To empower them with the right choices, role models, and opportunities to create their own narrative. To build their own definition of "masculinity" in a healthy, prosocial way. Enjoy the show :)(0:00) Class in session(7:00) What we've learned from canvassing the community and building momentum for the Young Men's Conference(9:30) What happens if your school campus does not have any trustworthy adult male educators?(14:25) What is my definition of masculinity?---Join/Contribute to our Young Men’s Conference: https://everforwardclub.org/global-young-mens-conference-2025 Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 —Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/---Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support ---Connect with Ever Forward Club:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/---#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement  #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator

I travel around the world talking to young people and educators. To start the school year, I noticed a lot of young people were leaving their work blank during my workshops. What’s behind this? Something cultural? Pedagogical? Personal? Specific to each particular school? I’m going to share what I learned for future workshops, and how you can apply the lessons of these experiences to your classroom.(0:00) Class in session(0:40) Background on the different schools I’ve visited to start the school year and the workshops I hold(11:30) Activity 1 that was left blank: Dear Me(15:30) Why are students leaning on the excuse, “I don’t know what to do.”(19:45) Activity 2 that was left blank: The Mask(23:40) Are students “less trusting” than ever?(25:20) Closing notes and information on the Ever Forward ClubJoin/Contribute to our Young Men’s Conference: https://everforwardclub.org/global-young-mens-conference-2025 Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 —Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/---Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support ---Connect with Ever Forward Club:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/---#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement  #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator

Did you have a Black male teacher growing up? In high school? Middle school? Elementary school? The numbers go down as the grades get lower. But thankfully we have people like Jason.Jason is an elementary school teacher based in San Francisco, California. He’s been teaching in some capacity for 13 plus years, and his passion for teaching is rooted in his passion for mentorship and commitment to ensuring young people have what they need for self-actualization.Today, we discuss:How to guide boys and cultivate a healthy relationship with angerHow Jason has achieved longevity in the teaching profession and made it sustainableHow adopting a broad definition of mentorship can be liberating and lead to impact in your classroomSome encouraging things for male elementary school teachers at the start of this school year(0:00) Class Session(2:35) Jason introduces himself(5:30) Ashanti and Jason share their teacher personas/masks(14:00) The challenge of giving boys the space to express themselves, especially anger(18:30) Achieving longevity in the teaching profession(22:40) Infusing more mentoring in our communities, and embracing a broader definition of “mentor”(32:40) Seeing former students in a mentorship role(36:00) The role of Black male educators in elementary schools(43:40) Jason’s message for all educators---Connect with Jason Muse:https://linktr.ee/BlackMuzeJoin/Contribute to our Young Men’s Conference: https://everforwardclub.org/global-young-mens-conference-2025 Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 —Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/---Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support ---Connect with Ever Forward Club:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/---#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement  #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator

Russell is a middle school music and movement educator, now entering his 20th year in the profession! And with so many years of experience in the field, he has a wealth of experience with teaching frameworks, student motivation, neurodivergent thinking, and mindfulness. I really hope that you can integrate what he says today into how you approach the start of the 25/26 school year.Today, we discuss:How Russell implements mindfulness practices to help himself and his students transition between school periodsWhat it’s like to be a teacher with ADHD, Inattentive Type, and how being transparent about this with his students creates a warm and productive classroom communityHow Russell uses the Orff Schulwerk framework to teach music, and how it can be applied to all different school subjectsHow “leveling up” in video games can be applied in baby steps, especially in schoolRussell’s words of encouragement for male teachers starting the upcoming school yearThe importance of having someone in the building, at your school site, to share with vulnerably(0:00) Class in session(2:40) Russell introduces himself(6:30) Russell and Ashanti share their teacher personas/masksConnect with Russell Nadel:Website: http://www.russellnadel.com ---Join/Contribute to our Young Men’s Conference: https://everforwardclub.org/global-young-mens-conference-2025 Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 —Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/---Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support ---Connect with Ever Forward Club:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/---#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement  #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator

I guarantee this episode will make you a better teacher. Practical advice, explicit tools, a clear perspective, and a way to move throughout your school site with intention - our conversation with Nicholas was exactly why we started this series.Nicholas Ward is a middle school history teacher and Athletic Director in East Oakland, where he’s been teaching for the past seven years. He focuses on making U.S. and world history meaningful and relevant, especially for students from underserved communities; and he’s also passionate about mentorship, student leadership, and using sports and community-building as tools for growth, both in and outside the classroom. We discuss:How becoming a father has impacted Nicholas’s work as a teacherHow Nicholas is intentional and consistent with his 1 on 1 check-ins with students outside of the classroomThe mentorship program that Nicholas piloted in his school to empower students across grade levelsHow he instills the idea that “rigor is love” with his students and parents at the beginning of the yearHow Nicholas teaches history, media literacy, and primary sources in the era of “fake news”, AI, and smartphone devicesThe principles and practices that Nicholas implements to start every school year(2:45) Nicholas introduces himself.(4:30) Nicholas and Ashanti share their “teacher personas”(13:00) Being both a father and a male educator(18:30) Building relationships at the beginning of the school year(19:00) The perfect notebook for educators(24:50) The special mentorship program Nicholas piloted at his school(26:20) Communicating to students and parents how “rigor is love”; pushing students to demonstrate what they’ve learned in multiple modalities(31:55) Teaching history in the era of disinformation(36:10) Tying civic engagement to history(40:45) How mentorship breaks down walls - student to student, teacher to teacher, and student to teacher(45:00) How to start the school year according to an expert---Connect with Nicholas Ward:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/captovader/ ---Join/Contribute to our Young Men’s Conference: https://everforwardclub.org/global-young-mens-conference-2025 Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 —Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/---Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support ---Connect with Ever Forward Club:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/---#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement  #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator

This is essential listening to start the 2025-26 school year. And as an educator, you should be able to finish the title of this episode. If you can’t, you’re not doing an essential part of the work - listening and relationship building. Well… you came to the right place to LISTEN. Listen to AJ and Angel, two young male high schoolers that are here to lift the curtain on what makes modern day students tick. They are both members of our Young Men’s Health Group and members of the council that is setting up our Global Young Men’s Conference, and today, we discuss:What exactly is on students’ minds as they navigate the beginning of the school yearWhat are your male students feeling but not telling you aboutThe ways you can gain and lose students’ trustAs a teacher, it’s not about OFFERING support. It’s about HOW you offer support.How students are actually embarrassed to be perceived as smartAJ and Angel do some teacher student role playing(2:50) AJ and Angel introduce themselves(6:40) Ashanti, AJ, and Angel share their masks.(11:40) What teachers need to know to better serve their students(24:40) Are young men afraid to show how smart they are?(37:10) How to approach a disengaged student/a student facing peer pressure - an epic student-teacher role play(43:10) Maintaining student relationships by being approachable before, during, and after class(49:40) AJ and Angel describe their favorite teachers and the things they do that are exceptional(52:40) Final thoughts from AJ and Angel---Join/Contribute to our Young Men’s Conference: https://everforwardclub.org/global-young-mens-conference-2025 Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 ---Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/---Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support ---Connect with Ever Forward Club:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/---#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement  #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator

Congratulations on another school year! As you enjoy the summertime, we have somewhat of a gift for you in anticipation of what's to come... A few things that will transform your classroom and your school in the Fall.Enjoy your time off (if you're taking it), but keep these three things on the back of your mind.The Young Men’s Conference is going global (1:00)The First Week of School - Brought to you by the Million Mask Movement (5:45)The new season of the podcast launches in the Fall, and there's an archival podcast this Summer (8:30)---Contribute to our Dance-a-thon fundraiser: https://charity.pledgeit.org/EFC-DanceAThon Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/---Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support ---Connect with Ever Forward Club:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/---#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement  #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator

It seems to be that more often in life, we find our selves in that vicious cycle of burning out, then numbing out, only to burnout and numb out even more. It's safe to say this especially applies to teachers.Even the PhDs of the world, like today's guest, Brendan, find themselves in that cycle. Brendan is a sociologist who specializes in the social-emotional development and well-being of boys and men, and how that intersects with the well-being of others. Brendan has a PhD in Education from the University of Edinburgh, and was formerly a highschool teacher in Vancouver, Canada. Today, we discuss:How each of us has dealt with (or not dealt with) burnout as we navigate the field of educationThe challenge of trigger warnings, and how they undermine the courageous and dangerous conversations required to do great teachingHow students and teachers alike fall prey to smartphone soothing, and how it affects your classroom(0:00) Class in session(2:11) Brendan introduces himself(5:40) Brendan and Ashanti share their masks, i.e., their teaching personas(18:00) The guilt we develop from teaching in a wealthy school district(24:00) Differences between college students and high school students(27:00) Trigger warnings remove discomfort from good education opportunities(33:00) Teachers will traumatize students, but it’s more important to know how to repair(36:45) Smartphone soothing and numbing is dangerous(44:00) How to find Brendan---Connect with Brendan Kwiatkowski-HartmanWebsite/Newsletter: https://remasculine.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/re.masculine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@remasculine ---Contribute to our Dance-a-thon fundraiser: https://charity.pledgeit.org/EFC-DanceAThon Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/---Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support ---Connect with Ever Forward Club:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/---#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement  #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator

“If we give our children sound self-love, they will be able to deal with whatever life puts before them.”- bell hooksHarry Jamerson teaches 5th grade in San Francisco Unified School District, and he shared this quote with us before our conversation. After talking to him, I could tell he truly lives by bell hooks’ words. When it comes to self-love and emotional intellgence, Harry is keen on when to intervene, when to step back, and the PRESENCE required to make the right decision as an educator.Today, we discuss:The unique levels of fatigue that Black male educators endureHow young students are “overexposed and underexplained” to this one major societal issue, and how it affects their behaviorThe importance of WAITING to intervene, so that young students learn how to process their emotions and big feelings(0:00) Class in session(2:16) Harry introduces himself and how he became a teacher(7:00) How Harry and Ashanti let their students and fellow educators see them, and what they don’t let them see(14:00) Empathy fatigue and how it affects educators, and especially Black men(23:00) Overexposed and underexplained: how technology is affecting young students(33:20) Students who need the most love ask for it in the most unloving ways(37:50) Twenty-year conversations: technology, interventions, and overwhelming systemic issues in education(40:45) Letting a student “crash out” at a kickball game(44:30) Avoid intervening too quickly and allow students to process their emotions---Connect with Harry Jamerson:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-jamerson-72b1672b7/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellacoolfotos/ ---Contribute to our Dance-a-thon fundraiser: https://charity.pledgeit.org/EFC-DanceAThon Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/---Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support ---Connect with Ever Forward Club:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement #takingoffthemask #totm #doace #UNWME #diaryofaconfusededucator

As an educator in the community, how long is long enough? This past weekend was the Ever Forward Club’s Dance-A-Thon, the latest version of a community event that’s been going on every Memorial Day weekend for the past 21 years straight.Barely anyone showed up.Emotions from the day were polarized, to say the least - great connections, poor sense of relevance to the community and young people we are trying to serve. When is it time to turn the page for the sake of your students? And what self-talk was going on in my head the whole time, and how similar is it to the self-talk I’ve been seeing from students around the country?---(0:00) Class in session(3:30) Letting go of a 21-year-old community tradition(14:55) The positive side of our community event and the young men I met(20:30) Self-talk - what students say to themselves affects their ability to be their best at school(26:50) Through this work for students and educators, we are going to…---Contribute to our Dance-a-thon fundraiser: https://charity.pledgeit.org/EFC-DanceAThon Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/---Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support ---Connect with Ever Forward Club:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/

A rush of memories are flowing through my head. They’ve arrived for one reason in particular - on May 28th, 2025, I’m releasing a book that I’ve been dreaming of writing for 15 years. And though it’s been 15 years, the book is really 21 years in the making - 21 years as an educator.I’m going to read three passages from different stages of my teaching career - selected because this book release has sparked a these particular memories. The last passage is from the upcoming book, “Diary of a Confused Educator.”(0:00) Class in session(1:15) Book announcement, and my experience teaching at a well-resourced school while my heart was still in Oakland(15:30) First reading - My first day and my first semester ever as a teacher(20:00) Second reading - The founding document of the Ever Forward Club - inviting students to join a school club(30:50) Third reading - “The Five Paragraph Essay” - chapter 4 from my new book “Diary of a Confused Educator”Contribute to our Dance-a-thon fundraiser: https://charity.pledgeit.org/EFC-DanceAThon Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/---Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support ---Connect with Ever Forward Club:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/

“If I want to be effective in this, I got to know what it feels like to be a body in pain - really - and wrestle with whatever pain is arising from me. Because if I’m not in touch with that, how can I be really anything but a fake for somebody else as they’re going through it?”Sitting with pain. Getting close to your resentment. All with the goal of helping others. This is the crux of Dr. Bill Penuel’s work, an educator at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and the co-author of a new book, “Creating Compassionate Change in School Communities: Leading Together to Address Everyday Suffering in Schools”. Today, we discuss:How to shift your relationship to pain in order to best serve yourself and your studentsHow educators can put self-compassion into actionWhat does skillful care look like for children who are systemically marginalized?What is an “inside-out” approach to school change?(0:00) Class in session(2:00) Bill introduces himself(3:40) Bill and Ashanti share their teacher personas(11:20) Applying “contemplative practice” and “meditation” to teaching and education(12:30) Getting close to your resentment(17:20) Sitting with your pain and suffering in order to help others(22:00) Working as a bouncer and what it teaches you about servicing others(29:00) Finding common humanity, and how it helps navigating difficult situations(34:50) Critical Care - an important subject in the field of education(39:00) Deservingness gets in the way of compassion(41:30) Bill’s approach to helping boys in schools and confirming dignity(51:00) Bill’s book and where to find it---Connect with Bill Penuel:Bill’s book: https://www.colorado.edu/crowninstitute/compassionate-change-schools-book LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-penuel-8069b5/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crowninstitutecu Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrownInstituteCU ---Contribute to our Dance-a-thon fundraiser: https://charity.pledgeit.org/EFC-DanceAThon Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/---Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support ---Connect with Ever Forward Club:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/

I recently attended RestorED: A Healing Experience for Educators - a collaboration between our nonprofit, the Ever Forward Club, and The Find Design, a nonprofit based in Nashville, Tennessee. During this experience, I made profound connections with great teachers, like Ms. Kayla. She’s been a rock for her students after the school shooting at Antioch H.S., in Nashville. Listen to hear what I took from this experience.This episode was inspired by my conversation with Justin Haas. Check it out here: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/branch-speaks/episodes/22--For-White-Folks-Who-Teach-in-the-Hood---w-Justin-Haas--Organizer--Educator--Anti-Oppressor-Community-Cultivator-e30vuhr ---(0:00) Class in session(1:00) Educator rejuvenation/restoration in Nashville, TN(4:30) A teacher who lived through a school shooting - Antioch High School(10:15) Modeling the behavior you desire for your students(13:00) Math, art, and using talents to cover weaknesses(19:45) Diary of Confused Educator announcement---Contribute to our Dance-a-thon fundraiser: https://charity.pledgeit.org/EFC-DanceAThon Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/---Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support ---Connect with Ever Forward Club:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/

Here's an excellent way to build culture and create buy-in at your school/classroom: rites of passage. What rites of passage are appropriate for your students? What are some values to hone in on as you create rites of passage experiences for your students? What are some outside resources you can point families toward? Listen to find out!This episode was inspired by my conversation with Jordan Bowman. Check it out here: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/branch-speaks/episodes/14--School-Community-Partnerships-How-Male-Volunteers-and-Mentors-Completely-Change-the-Dynamic-of-a-School---w-Jordan-Bowman--Community-Leader--Executive-Director--Journeymen-e2uecj4 ---(0:00) Class in session(1:20) What is a rite of passage?(6:20) Western Adolescence and how it plays out in school(8:00) Rites of Passage for teachers(15:00) How these rites of passage are subjective and vary culture to culture(20:00) Recollecting a beautiful Journeymen Rites of Passage weekend(23:00) Rites of Passage resources---Resources:Warrior Films: https://warriorfilms.org/rites-of-passage/press-kit/Mentoring: https://www.mentoring.org/take-action/find-a-mentor/Youth Passageways: https://www.youthpassageways.org/ ---Contribute to our Dance-a-thon fundraiser: https://charity.pledgeit.org/EFC-DanceAThon Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/---Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support ---Connect with Ever Forward Club:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/

It’s all over the news. It’s everywhere in our art. Young boys are a lightning rod in our national conversation. And that puts a lot of pressure on you as an educator. So how do you deal? What kinds of behaviors are you observing in your classroom? And what conversations do you need to be having around your school community?(0:00) Class in session(2:00) Young boys are in the news. What’s going on?(3:00) Should “Adolescence” be screened in schools?(5:00) The White Lotus, Tim Ratliff(8:50) Kyren Lacy and his father(11:00) Frisco, TX and Karmelo Anthony(14:00) Lessons from my mentor(17:30) What can adults do about this?(18:55) Emoji’s in Adolescence, and learning from young people(20:55) Action items for educators---Contribute to our Dance-a-thon fundraiser: https://charity.pledgeit.org/EFC-DanceAThon Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/---Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support ---Connect with Ever Forward Club:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/

“Nothing personal, it’s just business.” What teachers need to understand is the “business” of school is social capital. So when teachers have a student challenging them, disrespecting them, putting on a show in their classroom… it’s nothing personal. It’s not even about you.Our guest, Dr. Matt Englar-Carlson, a veteran in the public school system, knows a thing or two about navigating these types of interactions. Today, we discuss:How to “advocate” for students, instead of “fix them”How anti-social behaviors are never “personal” and always “interpersonal”How education was fundamentally changed in the year 2012The one prosocial behavior you can adopt as an educator… to help you better connect with male students(0:00) Class in session(2:00) Matt introduces himself(7:30) “Fixing” vs. “advocating for” kids(10:00) School staff shortages and all the issues that come with it(17:00) When boys act out, it’s not about you(21:00) How do men in education help boys? (28:00) A student office referral story(36:10) The motivation of future teachers to smash the system(39:00) Netflix’s Adolescence and the influence of smartphones(47:00) Matt’s work and conferenceConnect with Matt-Englar Carlson:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmattec/ Website: https://experts.fullerton.edu/expert?SubjectID=44&ExpertID=588 Website: https://www.getmental.com/ ---Contribute to our Dance-a-thon fundraiser: https://charity.pledgeit.org/EFC-DanceAThon Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/---Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support ---Connect with Ever Forward Club:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/

There's a poster that should be in every classroom in America. It's called "The Learning Pit" by James Nottingham. The "adult" version of this concept is called the "Dunning- Kruger" effect. Look them up!In this episode, we break down what it all means and how you can implement it in your classroom. It seriously should be in every classroom.This episode was inspired by my conversation with Roni Habib. Check it out here: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/branch-speaks/episodes/16--Foster-the-Joy-of-Learning-in-Your-School---w-Roni-Habib--Founder--EQ-Schools--Speaker-e2v2lfd (0:00) Class in session(1:05) Reflecting on my conversation with Roni Habib, and taking high school classes as a middle schooler(5:50) Teaching students who “don’t like school”(8:38) The Dunning-Kruger Effect for educators and students, and growth mindset(14:55) I was not a good teacher(15:55) My slope of enlightenment was…(18:10) An inspiring school in Mexico(21:30) The Learning Pit poster should be in all schools(23:40) Netflix’s Adolescence(25:50) Final thoughts on EQ - emotional intelligenceContribute to our Dance-a-thon fundraiser: https://charity.pledgeit.org/EFC-DanceAThon Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345 Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/---Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support ---Connect with Ever Forward Club:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/

“The kids are watching. The kids see everything. If you can act and model what type of person you want them to be, that’s going to be way better than teaching them about a person you want them to be. If you can be the one who’s vulnerable first, if you can show other emotions, if you can meet them half way emotionally, that may be an opportunity for them to let their guard down, for them to see connection, and then be able to attend to the work that you want them to do.”Easier said than done? Well, spend some time with Justin Haas - Organizer, Educator, Reproductive Rights Advocate, Anti-Oppressor Community Cultivator. Take in his energy, and maybe it’ll all start to make sense. It’s not about how you “act” as a teacher; rather, it’s about how you “be.”In this conversation, Justin masterfully articulates what it takes to be a great teacher. Today, we discuss:How to see through the performative behaviors that take place in school (By the way, this applies to both students and teachers)What it means (as a teacher) to love before you listenImportant considerations for those “white folks teaching in the hood”(0:00) Class in session(2:10) Justin introduces himself(11:00) Justin and Ashanti’s teacher personas(19:00) Being a member of the “White folks who teach in the hood” trope(23:15) Love before you listen(26:00) Tested by students in Sacramento(32:00) Teachers need to have short-term memory loss(46:00) Teaching during the Trump Administration(53:00) Defunding the Department of Education and “States' Rights”(1:06:00) Justin’s message for male educators---Connect with Justin Haas:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-haas-231491229/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cannotbeneutral/ ---Join our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345---Contribute to our Dance-a-thon fundraiser: https://charity.pledgeit.org/EFC-DanceAThonEmail us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/ ---Connect with Ashanti Branch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksTwitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/---Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support ---Connect with Ever Forward Club:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubTwitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/