Our Classroom

Roberto Germán | Multicultural Classroom
  • 4.9 (23)
  • Courses

Welcome to Our Classroom! In this space we talk about education, which is inclusive of, but not limited to what happens in schools. Education is taking place whenever and wherever we are willing to learn. In Our Classroom, we explore educational journeys, discuss instructional strategies, unpack books, speak with authors, and we think about how all of this is connected to education. Subscribe, rate the show and write a review! For resources to help you understand the intersection of race, bias, education, and society go to multiculturalclassroom.com

  1. Sep 30

    Episode 173 | The Books We Love Arent Always the Books They Need w/ Laura Jiménez, PhD

    What happens when a book we loved as children isn't necessarily the book our students need today? In this episode of Our Classroom, Roberto Germán sits down with Dr. Laura Jiménez, author of Judging a Book By More Than Its Cover: A Critical Guide to Choosing Children’s Literature, for a conversation about how educators can become more critical and intentional about the books we place in front of young people. Dr. Jiménez challenges educators to examine not only children's literature, but also ourselves—our reading histories, nostalgia, assumptions, identities, and the power we hold when deciding which stories enter our classrooms. Her book asks educators to reflect on their own experiences and assumptions while learning to recognize how power and privilege can operate through children's literature.  In this conversation, Roberto and Laura explore: Why nostalgia can influence the books educators continue teaching Who gets to decide what counts as a “good” or “important” book The difference between having representation and having meaningful, authentic representation How educators can develop a “habit of noticing” What to do when a beloved book contains problematic representations When to teach a text critically—and when it may be time to choose something better How to begin critically examining your classroom library without feeling like you have to replace everything tomorrow Laura reminds educators that the books that shaped us don't disappear simply because we choose something different for today's students. When selecting classroom literature, she argues that educators may need to move beyond nostalgia because ultimately, “this isn’t about me.”   The question isn't simply: Is this a good book? Maybe we should also be asking: Is this a good book for the children sitting in front of me?

  2. Sep 23

    Episode 172 | Are We Preparing Students for Life After K-12?

    What does it actually mean for a student to be “prepared”? A diploma? Good grades? College acceptance? In this episode of Our Classroom, Roberto Germán sits down with educator and parent Will Smith, whose work at the college level has given him a different perspective on what happens after students leave K–12 education. Their conversation began months ago with a discussion about phonics and foundational reading skills. But it quickly grew into a much bigger question: Are schools and families preparing young people to become increasingly independent, or simply helping them make it to the next milestone? Together, Roberto and Will explore: What Will is noticing about students now that he works at the college level The difference between being academically successful and being prepared for independence How foundational learning gaps can follow students for years What schools should reasonably expect from families, and vice versa Why family engagement shouldn't require parents to become teachers The difference between supporting young people and rescuing them Self-advocacy, problem-solving, responsibility, and learning how to struggle What K–12 educators can learn by looking at students on the other side of graduation Ultimately, this conversation asks educators and families to work backward from the adults we hope children will become. What are we preparing students to be able to do when we're no longer standing beside them? Teach in Truth.Lead with Courage.Belong to a Community That Gets It.

  3. Sep 16

    Episode 171 | When a Student Is Failing, What Are We Really Measuring?

    A student is struggling. Assignments are missing. Grades are dropping. Eventually, everyone realizes there’s a problem. But what does a failing grade actually tell us? In this episode of Our Classroom, Roberto Germán explores what happens when we treat a grade as a diagnosis rather than as information. An F might reflect what a student understands, but it might also reflect missing work, attendance, organization, participation, or other circumstances. The challenge for educators and families is to get curious without abandoning accountability. In this episode, we explore: The difference between academic understanding and work completion Why a grade should start a conversation rather than end one How zeros can sometimes allow students to escape the learning Why accountability and grace aren't opposites The difference between access to a grade portal and meaningful family communication Why students need to be part of conversations about their own struggles How educators and families can move from blame toward a concrete repair plan Roberto also offers four questions educators and families can use when a student is struggling: What does the student know?What's missing?Why is it happening?What's the repair plan? A failing grade should create urgency, but urgency doesn't require judgment. Ultimately, the goal isn't to produce a more accurate F. The goal is to help the student learn.

  4. Sep 9

    Episode 170 | Before You Call a Student Disengaged

    A student puts their head down. Another stops completing assignments. Someone else seems completely checked out. It's easy to call these students "disengaged." But what if the behavior we're seeing isn't the whole story? In this solo episode of Our Classroom, Roberto Germán challenges educators to get curious before making assumptions about students who appear disconnected from learning. Using four simple areas, Connection, Access, Relevance, and Agency, Roberto offers a practical framework educators can use to examine the conditions surrounding student engagement. In this episode: Why disengagement is an observation, not an explanation How relationships influence students' willingness to participate Why struggling students sometimes protect themselves by checking out How to maintain rigor while increasing access Why relevance is deeper than making lessons entertaining How meaningful choices can create greater student ownership The challenge is simple: choose one student who seems to be disconnecting. Examine Connection, Access, Relevance, and Agency, and change one thing. Before asking, "What's wrong with this student?" try asking: "What might this student be communicating, and what can I change?" Teach in Truth.Lead with Courage.Belong to a Community That Gets It.

  5. Sep 2

    Episode 169 | Curiosity, Trust, and the Children in Our Classrooms w/ Inbal Alon

    What happens when a child keeps asking, “Why?” In this episode of Our Classroom, Roberto Germán sits down with librarian and children’s author Inbal Alon to discuss her picture book, The Whys Get in Trouble. Through the story of Naomi, a child whose questions don’t always fit neatly into the expectations around her, Inbal invites us to think about what happens when children’s natural curiosity collides with adult expectations for compliance. As Naomi begins to lose her “Whys,” even the world around her seems to lose some of its sparkle. Together, Roberto and Inbal explore: The difference between curiosity and perceived defiance How schools can unintentionally discourage questioning Why protecting curiosity is different from simply tolerating it What happens when children ask questions at inconvenient times How educators can help students leave our classrooms with more questions, not fewer This conversation is an invitation to reconsider what we mean when we say we want students to be curious. Maybe the goal isn't to have all the answers. Maybe it's to protect the Whys.

  6. Aug 26

    Episode 168 | The Archaeology of Self: Why Better Teaching Begins Within w/ Dr. Yolanda Sealy-Ruiz

    What if the most important work we do as educators isn't lesson planning, it's self-reflection? In this episode of Our Classroom, Roberto Germán sits down with educator, scholar, and author Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz to discuss her powerful book, The Archaeology of Self. Together, they explore why meaningful teaching begins with looking inward and how self-examination can transform the way we show up for our students. Rather than focusing on strategies alone, this conversation invites educators to consider the inner work that shapes every interaction, every relationship, and every classroom. In this episode, we discuss: What it means to practice the "archaeology of self" Why transformation begins with self-reflection The difference between comfort and growth How critical love shapes teaching and leadership Why curiosity and humility are essential for educators The lifelong journey of becoming, not just teaching Whether you're a classroom teacher, instructional coach, or school leader, this episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and continue becoming the educator your students need. Key Reflection "The work of transforming our classrooms begins with the work of transforming ourselves."

  7. Aug 19

    Episode 167 | Are We Preparing Students for Answers or Questions?

    Artificial intelligence has changed the way we access information, but it hasn't changed the importance of curiosity. In this solo episode of Our Classroom, Roberto Germán explores why great teaching isn't just about helping students find answers. It's about helping them ask better questions. In this episode, we discuss: Why curiosity is one of the most important skills students can develop How questions deepen learning across every subject What AI reveals about the future of education Why classrooms should celebrate thoughtful questions as much as correct answers How teachers can cultivate lifelong learners As educators, our goal isn't simply to prepare students for the next test. It's to prepare them for a lifetime of learning. Key Reflection "The future doesn't belong to the people with all the answers. It belongs to the people who never stop asking thoughtful questions." Teach in Truth.Lead with Courage.Belong to a Community That Gets It.

  8. Aug 13

    Episode 166 | The Questions That Shape a School Year

    The beginning of a school year is filled with anticipation. Teachers organize classrooms, prepare lesson plans, establish routines, and think through every detail of the first week. Those things matter but they aren't the only things that matter. In this solo episode of Our Classroom, Roberto Germán invites educators to look beyond procedures and consider the deeper questions that shape the culture of a classroom long before the first unit is complete. Rather than offering a checklist for the first week of school, Roberto shares five reflective questions that can influence every interaction, every lesson, and every relationship throughout the year. In this episode, we explore: What students are learning about themselves in your classroom Why every student arrives carrying an unseen story How belonging is built through everyday decisions The difference between creating compliance and cultivating community What you hope students will remember long after they've forgotten your lessons As another school year begins, this episode is a reminder that great teaching isn't only measured by what students know, it's also measured by who they become. Key Reflection "Long after students forget your syllabus, they'll remember how your classroom made them feel about themselves." Teach in Truth.Lead with Courage.Belong to a Community That Gets It.

See All (177)

4.9
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

Welcome to Our Classroom! In this space we talk about education, which is inclusive of, but not limited to what happens in schools. Education is taking place whenever and wherever we are willing to learn. In Our Classroom, we explore educational journeys, discuss instructional strategies, unpack books, speak with authors, and we think about how all of this is connected to education. Subscribe, rate the show and write a review! For resources to help you understand the intersection of race, bias, education, and society go to multiculturalclassroom.com

Information

  • Creator
    Roberto Germán | Multicultural Classroom
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    177
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Our Classroom

You Might Also Like