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In this episode of The Teacher’s Forum, David reconnects with his former student, award-winning playwright and screenwriter Ismail Khalidi, to explore identity, art, and Palestine. From growing up Palestinian in America (05:45) to the influence of family and education (11:53) and his journey to playwriting (17:42), Ismail or Sim as he is known, shares how storytelling becomes both art and resistance. The conversation touches on navigating the white gaze (35:30), the responsibility of educators in discussing Palestine (41:22), and the myths and realities too often erased in mainstream narratives (48:01), before looking to the future of Palestine and the role of art (56:21).

To contact Ismail Khalidi you can visit his website at https://www.ismailkhalidi.com/

To learn more about the history of Palestine checkout the following:

The 100 Years War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi

Until I Return: The Selected Plays of Ismail Khalidi

Returning to Haifa by Ismail Khalidi and Naomi Wallace

One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad

"Dead Are My People" by Khalil Gibran

Pulitzer-prize Winning Poet, Mosab Abu Toha on the war in Gaza

Join the Conversation:

• david@theteachersforum.org
• @theteachersforum.bsky.social
• X (formerly Twitter) @theforum1993

Please subscribe, share and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Help us amplify the voices and issues of K-12 educators all over the world.

Send us a text message and let us know what you think and for ideas for future episodes.

In Part II of this compelling Pride Month conversation, David continues his interview with Dr. Rodney Glasgow, focusing on the recent pause of the NAIS People of Color Conference (POCC) and the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC), and what that means for equity work in independent schools.

Rodney reflects on the decision to pause the conferences and how it conflicts with their activist roots (04:05). He addresses the tension between POCC as a space for people of color versus a broader diversity conference (09:22), and offers historical context on the naming and founding of both POCC and SDLC (11:20).

He shares the real reason for his departure from SDLC leadership, a newly imposed term limits policy, and the lack of recognition for long-serving faculty (15:18). Rodney and David discuss the erasure of the conferences’ digital history (20:46) and his powerful farewell at SDLC (22:11).

Rodney looks ahead to new spaces created in response to the pause (26:30) and offers reflections on holding institutions accountable with love (29:54). He closes with a story of mentorship and impact from his 6th-grade teacher, Johnny Forman (34:15).

To contact Rodney and learn more about his work, visit The Glasgow Group.

Join the Conversation:

• david@theteachersforum.org
• @theteachersforum.bsky.social
• X (formerly Twitter) @theforum1993

Please subscribe, share and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Help us amplify the voices and issues of K-12 educators all over the world.

Send us a text message and let us know what you think and for ideas for future episodes.

In Part I of this powerful Pride Month conversation, David speaks with Dr. Rodney Glasgow, a prominent educator and advocate for equity and inclusion, about the intersections of race, class, and sexual orientation, and the role of educators in today’s challenging climate.

Rodney reflects on growing up in Baltimore and how it shaped his understanding of racial and economic segregation (04:45). He shares his journey to the Gilman School (06:00) and how he navigated his identity in a predominantly white institution (10:34).

He explores the meaning of Pride and the importance of knowing one’s worth and finding community (19:20). The conversation then turns to challenges facing LGBTQ educators and students (25:20) and the importance of purpose and advocacy (31:22).

Finally, Rodney discusses navigating difficult conversations in education (33:00), the historical context behind today’s backlash (36:00), and the sustaining power of resilience and joy (40:14).

To contact Rodney and learn more about his work visit The Glasgow Group

Join the Conversation:

• david@theteachersforum.org
• @theteachersforum.bsky.social
• X (formerly Twitter) @theforum1993

Please subscribe, share and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Help us amplify the voices and issues of K-12 educators all over the world.