Helping Young People See: “I Can Do This. I Belong Here.”

Who saw something in you before you were able to see it in yourself?

For Dr. Leena Bakshi McLean, it was a grandfather who made mathematics come alive through everyday experiences and a high school science teacher who recognized her potential.

In this episode of Moving Forward, Leena joins Linda to share the experiences that shaped her journey as an educator, author, and founder of STEM4Real. She reflects on how her family connected mathematics to culture, why relationships with students and families transformed her teaching, and how those experiences strengthened her belief in multiple pathways to success.

Leena also discusses the inequities that prevent many students from accessing meaningful STEM learning. Too often, hands-on science, engineering, and robotics experiences are reserved for students already identified as advanced or high-achieving. Through STEM4Real, Leena works to make STEM culturally responsive, relevant, and accessible to every learner.

In This Episode

Linda and Leena explore:

• The people who first recognized Leena’s potential

• How culture, identity, and relationships shape learning

• Why one chapter in a student’s life should never define their future

• The importance of expanding access to meaningful STEM opportunities

• How educators and leaders can help young people see themselves as problem-solvers and innovators

About Dr. Leena Bakshi McLeanDr. Leena Bakshi McLean is an educator, author, and founder of STEM4Real, an organization committed to making STEM education equitable, culturally responsive, and meaningful for all students. She is the author of STEM4ALL and the children’s book There’s Something in the Water.

Leena encourages young people to observe the world around them and ask:

“How can I make this better?”

Every person has a story. Every story has the power to encourage someone else.

Listen to Moving Forward: Conversations on Culture, Identity, Healing, and Hope on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and YouTube Podcasts.

Until next time...keep moving forward.

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Music by Maksym_Dudchyk from Pixabay

Podcast produced by Ury Gonzalez