Welcome to The Liberation Lab©️ Podcast, insights and interviews for the disruptive educator. I’m your host, Bobby Morgan - speaker, principal, consultant, and lifelong disruptor committed to building schools that center justice, genius, and belonging.

🔗Connect with Bobby: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hopp.bio/liberationlab⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🌐Learn More: Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.myliberationlab.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more resources, tools, and insights.

About This Episode:

In this episode of the Liberation Lab podcast, Joyce Abbott, a retired educator and combat veteran, shares her insights on the importance of authenticity, high expectations, and the impact of military discipline on her teaching career. She emphasizes the need for educators to focus on student success, address barriers to learning, and maintain a commitment to their profession without seeking constant validation. Abbott's experiences highlight the challenges and rewards of teaching in Title I schools, advocating for a supportive and high-expectation environment for all students. In this conversation, Ms. Abbott shares her journey as an educator, emphasizing the importance of resilience, connection with students, and the impact of a supportive learning environment. She reflects on her challenging first year of teaching, the lessons learned from her experiences, and the significance of maintaining passion and self-care in the teaching profession. Ms. Abbott also discusses her book, 'Teaching the Abbott Way,' highlighting key lessons on leadership and student engagement.

About My Guest: Joyce Abbott

JOYCE M. ABBOTT was born and raised in Philadelphia, and is a dynamic educator who has enthusiastically served the district since 1996. Ms. Abbott enjoys being part of positive and productive change, particularly as it relates to the students she serves. She has been nominated for several teaching awards due to her exemplary instructional practices and classroom management, recognized three times as a “Who’s Who Among America’s Finest Teachers”, and named an “Everyday Hero” by the Philadelphia Daily News. Ms. Abbott has served in many leadership capacities, including as a mentor for other teachers, and she retired as the Climate Manager at Andrew Hamilton School. In 2022, Joyce learned that she was the inspiration behind the name for the hit TV show Abbott Elementary, which was created by her former student, Quinta Brunson. A major street, 59th at Lancaster Avenue, where her alma mater – Overbrook High School – is located, was renamed “Joyce Abbott Way” in her honor, and she was recently inducted into the Overbrook High School Hall of Fame. Ms. Abbott came to teaching via the United States Army’s Troops to Teachers program, where she served as a soldier for ten years and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. Joyce attributes her effective disciplinary practices to her military experience.

Connect with Ms. Abbott:

Website: Click here

Instagram: @therealmsabbott

Welcome to The Liberation Lab©️ Podcast, insights and interviews for the disruptive educator. I’m your host, Bobby Morgan - speaker, principal, consultant, and lifelong disruptor committed to building schools that center justice, genius, and belonging.

🔗Connect with Bobby: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hopp.bio/liberationlab⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🌐Learn More: Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.myliberationlab.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more resources, tools, and insights.

About This Episode:

In this episode of the Liberation Lab podcast, Crystal M. Watson, a first-year principal in Cincinnati, shares her experiences and challenges in leading a school through a significant transition. The conversation explores the importance of community, the shift from a teacher-centered to a student-centered approach, and the complexities of managing discipline and school culture. Crystal emphasizes the need for collaboration, strategic planning, and the redistribution of power within the school to better serve students and foster a positive learning environment. In this conversation, Bobby and Crystal M. Watson explore the complexities of education, focusing on respect, understanding student perspectives, the impact of technology, and the need for better preparation of future educational leaders. They discuss the importance of compassion in discipline, the challenges posed by modern technology, and the necessity for practical training in leadership roles. The dialogue emphasizes the balance between professional identity and personal life, advocating for a more empathetic approach to education.

About My Guest: Crystal Watson

Crystal Watson is an innovative, passionate educator and leader who always asks “What do the students think?” She is also one of the co-authors of Pedagogies of Voice: Street Data and the Path to Student Agency to be published via Corwin in July 2025.Crystal obtained a Masters of Education at Teachers College at Columbia University and is currently a doctoral candidate at Miami University, OH. Her work is centered around providing space for student voice and identity development in order for all to experience high quality, deep, and personal mathematics.

Connect with Crystal:

Social Media: @CrystalMWatson

Welcome to The Liberation Lab©️ Podcast, insights and interviews for the disruptive educator. I’m your host, Bobby Morgan - speaker, principal, consultant, and lifelong disruptor committed to building schools that center justice, genius, and belonging.

🔗Connect with Bobby: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hopp.bio/liberationlab⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🌐Learn More: Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.myliberationlab.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more resources, tools, and insights.

About This Episode:

In this episode of the Liberation Lab podcast, Bobby and Daman Harris discuss the critical role of anti-racism in education, the mission of the Bond Project, and the importance of creating equitable learning environments. Daman shares insights from his book, 'The Anti-Racist School Leader,' emphasizing the need for educators to engage in dismantling systemic barriers and fostering inclusivity actively. The conversation highlights the power of language, the impact of representation in educational materials, and the necessity of accountability in addressing disparities in student outcomes.

About My Guest: Dr. Daman Harris

Dr. Daman Harris is the Senior Manager of Educator Advancement and Institutions of Higher Education Partnerships in a Mid-Atlantic school district. He is also the co-founder and co-director of the Building Our Network of Diversity (BOND) Project, a nonprofit that supports the recruitment, development, retention, and empowerment of male educators of color. During his 29 years as an educator, Dr. Harris has had a wide range of experiences as a teacher, coach, principal, district administrator, adjunct professor, speaker, writer, and consultant. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland College Park, McDaniel College, and University of Maryland Global Campus, where he leads graduate courses relating to teaching strategies, research methods, and antiracist education. Dr. Harris’ first book, The Antiracist School Leader: What to Know, Say, and Do, is on sale now.

Connect with Dr. Harris:

LinkedIn: Daman Harris

www.damanharris.com

Welcome to The Liberation Lab©️ Podcast, insights and interviews for the disruptive educator. I’m your host, Bobby Morgan - speaker, principal, consultant, and lifelong disruptor committed to building schools that center justice, genius, and belonging.

🔗 Connect with Bobby: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hopp.bio/liberationlab⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🌐 Learn More: Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.myliberationlab.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more resources, tools, and insights.___

About This Episode:

In this episode of the Liberation Lab podcast, Bobby discusses the importance of joy in leadership within the educational sphere. He emphasizes that joy is not merely a fleeting emotion but a discipline and a strategy that leaders must cultivate to create a positive school culture. Bobby contrasts transformational leadership with transactional leadership, highlighting the need for connection over compliance. He encourages leaders to redefine their wins, set boundaries, and focus on intentional leadership to foster joy among staff and students. Ultimately, joy is presented as a form of resistance against burnout and a means to lead with purpose and clarity.

Welcome to The Liberation Lab©️ Podcast, insights and interviews for the disruptive educator. I’m your host, Bobby Morgan - speaker, principal, consultant, and lifelong disruptor committed to building schools that center justice, genius, and belonging.

🔗Connect with Bobby: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hopp.bio/liberationlab⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🌐Learn More: Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.myliberationlab.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more resources, tools, and insights.

About This Episode:

In this enlightening conversation, Bobby Morgan and Ms. Marianna delve into the concept of emotional hygiene, exploring its significance in personal and professional realms. They discuss the importance of self-awareness, accountability, and the role of educators in modeling emotional regulation for students. The dialogue emphasizes the need for emotional hygiene practices to foster a healthier environment in schools and communities, while also addressing the systemic issues within educational institutions that contribute to emotional dysfunction.

About My Guest: Miss Marianna

For over 20 years, her commitment to "edutainment" has served as a culturally responsive and highly engaging approach to inspire personal, professional, and institutional transformation. Founder of Mariworks Productions, a multimedia healing arts and education organization, her mission is to boost self-awareness and restorative practices, emphasizing mental health and emotional hygiene. Through the scope of public health, safety, and crisis prevention, her impact on social wellness ushers in motivation and guidance essential for global change. Miss Marianna's refreshing keynotes, workshops, and coaching sessions continue to agitate greatness in the home, school, neighborhood, and workplace.

Connect with Ms. Marianna:

Website: www.MissMarianna.today

Instagram: @missmarianna365

Welcome to The Liberation Lab©️ Podcast, insights and interviews for the disruptive educator. I’m your host, Bobby Morgan - speaker, principal, consultant, and lifelong disruptor committed to building schools that center justice, genius, and belonging.

🔗Connect with Bobby: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hopp.bio/liberationlab⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🌐Learn More: Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.myliberationlab.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more resources, tools, and insights.

About This Episode:

In this episode of the Liberation Lab podcast, Shauna Brown and Bobby Morgan explore the critical role of joy in education. Shauna, an experienced educator and founder of Teach for the Culture, emphasizes that joy and learning must coexist, arguing that joy is an essential part of humanity that fuels engagement and retention in learning. They discuss the dehumanizing aspects of educational systems, the importance of cultural context in experiencing joy, and the need to shift policies that prioritize control over student well-being. Shauna shares her journey of preserving joy in her educational practice and highlights the necessity of decolonizing education to foster a joyful learning environment.

About My Guest: Shauna Brown

Shauna Brown is an educator, speaker, and consultant dedicated to creating inclusive and affirming learning environments for all students. With over two decades in education, she has become a powerful advocate for culturally responsive teaching and educational equity. As the founder of Teach for the Culture, Shauna empowers teachers to embrace student identity, prioritize cultural competence, and center joy in the classroom.

Her work extends beyond the classroom, engaging in professional development and thought leadership to equip educators with the tools to serve diverse populations effectively. Shauna’s impact has been recognized widely, as she continues to challenge traditional approaches and push for transformative change in schools.

Connect with Shauna:

📌 Instagram: ⁠@teachfortheculture⁠📌 Website: ⁠Teach for the Culture⁠

Welcome to The Liberation Lab©️ Podcast, insights and interviews for the disruptive educator. I’m your host, Bobby Morgan - speaker, principal, consultant, and lifelong disruptor committed to building schools that center justice, genius, and belonging.

🔗Connect with Bobby: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hopp.bio/liberationlab⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🌐Learn More: Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.myliberationlab.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more resources, tools, and insights.

About This Episode:

In this episode of the Liberation Lab podcast, Bobby and Sharif El-Mekki discuss the critical importance of Black educators and the unique pedagogical traditions that have emerged from Black communities. They explore the role of joy in education, the necessity of creating safe learning environments, and the impact of biases on teaching practices. El-Mekki emphasizes the need for educators to examine their mindsets and biases while providing practical steps to improve Black students' educational outcomes. The conversation also touches on education's current challenges and the importance of critical thinking in navigating these issues. In this conversation, Sharif and Bobby discuss the critical role of black educators in shaping the future of education. They explore the ethics of care, community responsibility, and the need for a transformative approach to teacher preparation.

About My Guest:

Before establishing the Center, Sharif served as the U.S. Department of Education Principal Ambassador Fellow under the Obama Administration and principal of Mastery Charter Shoemaker. During his principalship, Shoemaker received the prestigious EPIC award for three consecutive years as one of the top three schools in the country for accelerating student achievement levels.

In 2014, Sharif founded The Fellowship: Black Male Educators for Social Justice, an organization dedicated to recruiting, retaining and developing Black male teachers. In 2019, he left his principal post to devote his full time to rebuilding the national Black teacher pipeline.

Sharif blogs on ⁠Phillys7thWard⁠ and is a founding member of the ⁠8 Black Hands⁠ and ⁠Freedom Friday⁠ podcasts. He also serves on several boards and committees focused on racial justice and educational equity.

Connect with Sharif:

Instagram: @centerblacked

Website: https://linktr.ee/centerblacked

Welcome to The Liberation Lab©️ Podcast, insights and interviews for the disruptive educator. I’m your host, Bobby Morgan - speaker, principal, consultant, and lifelong disruptor committed to building schools that center justice, genius, and belonging.

🔗Connect with Bobby: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hopp.bio/liberationlab⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🌐Learn More: Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.myliberationlab.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more resources, tools, and insights.

About This Episode:

In this episode of the Liberation Lab podcast, Bobby and Sharif El-Mekki discuss the critical importance of Black educators and the unique pedagogical traditions that have emerged from Black communities. They explore the role of joy in education, the necessity of creating safe learning environments, and the impact of biases on teaching practices. El-Mekki emphasizes the need for educators to examine their mindsets and biases while providing practical steps to improve Black students' educational outcomes. The conversation also touches on education's current challenges and the importance of critical thinking in navigating these issues. In this conversation, Sharif and Bobby discuss the critical role of black educators in shaping the future of education. They explore the ethics of care, community responsibility, and the need for a transformative approach to teacher preparation.

About My Guest:

Before establishing the Center, Sharif served as the U.S. Department of Education Principal Ambassador Fellow under the Obama Administration and principal of Mastery Charter Shoemaker. During his principalship, Shoemaker received the prestigious EPIC award for three consecutive years as one of the top three schools in the country for accelerating student achievement levels.

In 2014, Sharif founded The Fellowship: Black Male Educators for Social Justice, an organization dedicated to recruiting, retaining and developing Black male teachers. In 2019, he left his principal post to devote his full time to rebuilding the national Black teacher pipeline.

Sharif blogs on Phillys7thWard and is a founding member of the 8 Black Hands and Freedom Friday podcasts. He also serves on several boards and committees focused on racial justice and educational equity.

Connect with Sharif:

Instagram: @centerblacked

Website: https://linktr.ee/centerblacked