Decentering Whiteness For True Inclusion Ft. Lex Rodrigue...

What this episode covers

In a special series devoted to empathy in education, watch this episode to learn why SEL (social emotional learning) starts with the 10% minority; not the 90% majority. Lex Rodriguez, an educator and PhD candidate at the University of Colorado, reflects on how culturally sustaining (not culturally sensitive) practices better support BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth. She also shares insights from her teaching and research on identity, access needs, and the power of empathy to create classrooms in which every student feels seen and safe.00:00 Preview01:00 Introduction 01:34 About Lex Rodriguez03:36 Lex’s backstory04:47 Why is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) so Important?09:31 How does SEL create a safe space for students and teachers?14:22 Empathy starts by asking questions; not making assumptions16:16 Why empathy and curiosity are essential for systemic change19:51 What happens to education when we erase empathy from community?23:35 Culturally sustaining vs. culturally sensitive: what’s the difference?28:27 What SEL educators need beyond curriculum?32:58 How expanding the frame of SEL creates true inclusion35:11 Why does inclusive SEL start with the 10% minority; not the 90% majority?37:45 Discussing the resistance to inclusive education39:50 Decentering whiteness in education43:20 The role of empathy in education50:24 Lex Rodriguez’s Purposeful Empathy storyCONNECT WITH ANITA✩ Email [email protected] ✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak/✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.socialCONNECT WITH LEX✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-rodriguez-b7799046/✩ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lunar.visual.design/SHOW NOTES✩ Transformative Educational Leadership https://www.teleadership.org/Substack https://lunarvisualdesign.substack.com/Video edited by Green Horizon Studio

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How long is this episode of Purposeful Empathy with Anita Nowak?

This episode is 54 minutes long.

When was this Purposeful Empathy with Anita Nowak episode published?

This episode was published on September 4, 2025.

What is this episode about?

In a special series devoted to empathy in education, watch this episode to learn why SEL (social emotional learning) starts with the 10% minority; not the 90% majority. Lex Rodriguez, an educator and PhD candidate at the University of Colorado,...

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