Supporting and Protecting Black Educators with Dr. Asia Lyons

In this episode of Conscious Pathways, I sit down with Dr. Asia Lyons, the founder and lead consultant of Lyons Educational Consulting LLC. Dr. Lyons shares her inspiring journey in education, from initially being pushed towards engineering to discovering her true passion for teaching. We delve into her experiences as a Black educator, highlighting the unique challenges she faced and the lack of preparation she received in college.Dr. Lyons candidly discusses her transition into consulting and her deep commitment to Black educator wellness. She introduces us to the concept of racial battle fatigue and explains its profound impact on Black educators and their families. Our conversation underscores the urgent need for schools and communities to support and prioritize the well-being of Black educators.We explore the systemic issues of racism, anti-Blackness, and under-resourcing within the education system, emphasizing the critical need for support and change. Dr. Lyons stresses the importance of having the vocabulary and language to identify and address these issues. We discuss policies that could protect and support Black educators, such as making data on the number of Black educators public and conducting exit interviews to address issues of racism.Dr. Lyons brings a wealth of practical and academic knowledge to her role, having served as a K-12 educator and an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado - Denver. Her research focuses on the impact of racism-related stress on Black educators, and she actively promotes wellness through initiatives like the Black Educator Wellness Cohort.As the co-host of The Exit Interview: A Podcast for Black Educators, Dr. Lyons amplifies the lived experiences of former Black educators, offering valuable insights for school district administrators, teachers' unions, families, and educators. Join us for a compelling discussion on the intersection of education and social justice, and the vital need for systemic change to support Black educators.Keywords: education, Black educators, racial battle fatigue, wellness, consulting, racism, anti-Blackness, under-resourcing, support, change, policies, data, exit interviewsTakeaways⭐ The importance of listening to and supporting Black educators⭐ The concept of racial battle fatigue and its impact on Black educators⭐ The need for schools and communities to prioritize the well-being of Black educators⭐ The role of consulting in supporting Black educators and promoting change Black educators face racism, anti-Blackness, and under-resourcing in the education system.⭐ Having vocabulary and language to identify and address these issues is crucial.⭐ Policies that protect and support Black educators, such as making data on the number of Black educators public and conducting exit interviews, are needed.⭐ Education should be a place for everyone, where everyone belongs and matters.🔗 Connect with Dr. LyonsWebsite:https://www.lyonseducationalconsulting.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asia-lyons/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladyclaricejackson/The Exit Interview: A Podcast for Black Educators: https://www.exitinterviewpodcast.com/Black Educators, Be Well Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/lec-newsletter-7066592601017073664/Join us for the Uplifted Education Summit! Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/uplifted-education-summit-registration-905027279957👍 Keep up with Conscious Pathways:Subscribe to our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@conscious-pathwaysFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conscious.pathways/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/conscious-pathways-educationRead our blog: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7092694998617362432⭐ Support Conscious Pathways:Join Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ConsciousPathwaysSupport Local Bookstores: https://bookshop.org/shop/consciousDonate to Conscious Pathways: https://ko-fi.com/consciouspathways💜 About Conscious Pathways: Conscious Pathways is the leading education consulting agency dedicated to supporting educators, parents, and supportive adults with the tools to build a brighter future together starting with early childhood. A conscious approach to education views students as active participants in their learning rather than recipients of knowledge. Conscious Pathways is a mindful approach to reimagining education for social equity, justice, and innovation.