The Critical Nature of Us

Episode 6

Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz is an award-winning associate professor at Teachers College, Columbia University. Developing her passion for education at an early age in the South Bronx, Dr. Sealey-Ruiz’s current research focuses on racial literacy in teacher education, Black girl literacies, and Black and Latinx male high school students. Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz is now one of the most sought after voices in professional development focused on race and culturally responsive education.  We invite you to join the conversation as she and Stacey DeWitt hold little back when discussing the current debates that are playing out in our schools and communities. Can we learn from past mistakes on behalf of current and future generations of students?  As Dr. Sealey-Ruiz says, “It goes beyond our own children, it’s the children that come after us.”

To learn more about the body of work by Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz, we invite you to visit her DU page here .

Powerful Moments

Throughout this podcast there are powerful moments that provide deeper insight into the individuals and topics discussed in this podcast.

  • 1:45 – Yolanda’s Why Story
  • 17:25 – The Critical Love Needed to Move Forward
  • 27:55 – The Fear That Holds Us Back
  • 29:14 – The Work Begins with an Archeology of the Self
  • 1:04:18 – Schools Are the Place for Big Impact

Critical Reflection Questions (During and After the Listening)

Use the following critical reflection questions to make deeper meaning of the topics discussed in
this episode.

  • How do my own identity, experiences and knowledge influence my understanding of this topic?
  • How does this topic connect with my current context?
  • What are the implications to my practice?
  • Am I using a relationship-based approach in my interactions with students?
  • How will I continue the conversation in my school/community/organization?

Inside the Conversation

Want to know more? Continue the learning with some of the important individuals, organizations, and topics discussed in this episode.

Here is a full list of the individuals mentioned in this episode.
Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz, Khalil Gibran Muhammad, Ibram X. Kendi, Pedro Noguera, Gloria Ladson-Billings, William Tate, Richard Rohr, Abraham Joshua Heschel, Richard Milner, bell hooks, James Baldwin

For more information on some of the important individuals, organizations, and topics discussed in this episode.

Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz
Pedro Noguera
Gloria Ladson-Billings
Khalil Gibran Muhammad
Ibram X. Kendi
Critical Race Theory and Why it is Under Attack
Archeology of the Self
Racial Literacy Project
Columbia Teachers College