Putting the Flag in the Sand: Dr. Katie Pekel on Culturally Responsive School Leadership
In this episode of Equity Unlocked, Dr. Katie Pekel, Executive Director of Educational Leadership at the University of Minnesota, reflects on her long-standing work with Dr. Muhammad Khalifa and the development of the Culturally Responsive School Leadership Academy. Drawing on her experience as a K–12 teacher and principal, principal development leader, and higher education administrator, Dr. Pekel discusses what school leaders are facing in the current political climate, including backlash against equity work and the loss of key educational resources and funding. She offers guidance for leaders seeking to stay grounded, engage communities with humility, and keep student humanity at the center of culturally responsive leadership. Access the show notes at crsli.org/blog
2 Apr 2026
Schools as Sacred Spaces: A Conversation with Antiracist Leader Dr. Patrick Duffy
In this episode of Equity Unlocked (https://www.crsli.org/podcast), Dr. Patrick Duffy, author of Becoming an Antiracist School Leader: Dare to Be Real, reflects on the personal experiences and professional journey that shaped his approach to antiracist and culturally responsive leadership. He discusses key tenets from his leadership framework, including the need for adult collaboration focused on racial equity, authentic family and community partnership, and the belief that schools can and should be safe and sacred spaces where students and educators can bring their full identities. Dr. Duffy also shares how the tragic loss of his daughter and her grandfather informed his forthcoming book, Schools at the Center, and deepened his thinking about schools as civic and spiritual centers that can strengthen democracy through substantive integration across race, class, culture, and faith. Throughout the conversation, he offers guidance for leaders navigating political backlash and "pendulum shifts," emphasizing self-knowledge, reflection, truth-telling, and building systems capable of outlasting a single leader. He closes by describing his upcoming work through the Becoming Leadership Group and a new Teachers College Press summit series designed to connect students and educators, reclaim the meaning of equity work, and turn this moment into a movement. Find out more at crsli.org/blog.
6 Mar 2026
TEECH: A Third Space for Community-Connected Educators
In this episode of Equity Unlocked (https://www.crsli.org/podcast), we hear from four Twin Cities educators who talk honestly about what it means to teach in today's political and social climate. The teachers featured in this episode are participants in the TEECH program, a nonprofit founded by Dr. Muhammad Khalifa with the mission to develop community connected educators. The name "TEECH" is an acronym that stands for Teaching for Equity, Empowerment and Community Healing. Hosted by Kandace Logan, Executive Director of TEECH, the group discusses the real challenges culturally responsive teachers are facing in their school communities today, especially in this political climate. From multilingual classrooms and refugee communities to identity, safety, and student organizing, this conversation centers the lived realities of teachers who are committed to culturally responsive, community-connected practice. Together, they reflect on the power of finding a "third space" for educators and what school leaders need to understand if they want to truly support teachers doing equity-centered work. They not only explore how they're supporting students and families, but also their own wellbeing by finding ways to sustain themselves through the TEECH program. Learn more about the TEECH program and discover how you can partner with TEECH at teeching.org (https://www.teeching.org/). Find out more about this episode in the show notes at crsli.org/blog.
Who has been a guest on Equity Unlocked
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Dr Precios Armstrong
Dr Lauren Katzman
Dr. Darrius Stanley
Jeremy Chan-Kraushar
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 52 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
74
Social presence
91
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
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unknown host the show. Published by Culturally Responsive School Leadership Institute.
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