Tag Archives: Afro-Latino

88: Representation in the Language Classroom with Kia D. London


How do we bring the diversity of cultures of the target language into our classrooms?  In this episode, we are talking about how to do just that.  Kia D. London, a Spanish teacher in Chicago, speaks with me about how she brings the afro-latino diaspora to her students in the classroom. Kia has lots to share from how she came to understand and appreciate the diversity of cultures to how she provides this experience to her students.

Topics in this Episode:

  • Kia’s personal connection to the Spanish Language and Afro-Latino Culture
  • Kia’s Cuba trip and what she learned from that experience
  • why representation of racial and ethnically diverse content is vital in the language classroom
  • why “one-off” lessons around representation of racial and ethnically diverse content are less effective and why should consistency should be the goal
  • examples of centering representation and diverse racial and ethnic content from Kia’s classroom and curriculum
  • how to do this consistently while also engaging students authentically
  • what Kia has personally seen as a result of centering diversity and representation in her classroom and curriculum

Connect with Kia D. London:

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Teachers want to hear from you and what you are proud of in your classroom.
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87: Personal and Teacher Identity with Jenniffer Whyte


How can we bring authentic cultural experiences to our students? In this episode, I’m joined by teacher and podcast host Jenniffer Whyte, who speaks with me about her experience as a self-described “Afro-Latina teacher in the Rural South.” She also has a podcast aptly titled Afro-Latina teacher in the Rural South. Jenniffer Whyte tells us about her teaching journey through Florida, Georgia and Alabama and how she got more comfortable bringing her authentic self into the classroom, and then decided to start a podcast to connect with other teachers. 

Topics in this Episode:

  • Jenniffer’s journey from the Dominican Republic to the Rural South
  • what Jenniffer has learned about yourself while navigating life in the Dominican Republic, NYC, Miami, Atlanta and now Anniston, Alabama
  • how Jenniffer brings her Afro-Latina identity and lived experience into her classroom and how this benefits her students and representation overall
  • what led Jenniffer to start a podcast specifically focused on the Afro-Latina experience, and particularly that experience in the rural south
  • what Jenniffer hopes that listeners get out of her podcast episodes

Connect with Jenniffer Whyte:

Work with Joshua either in person or remotely.

Follow wherever you listen to podcasts.

Teachers want to hear from you and what you are proud of in your classroom.
Join me on the podcast.
We record conversations remotely, so you can be anywhere.