In this episode of Our Classroom, Roberto sits down with Jackson Garcia, the dynamic Dean of Students at Renaissance Charter School at Coral Springs. Known for his commitment to equity-driven leadership and culturally responsive teaching, Jackson shares his journey from aspiring political science major to visionary educational leader. Together, they explore what it takes to foster a truly inclusive and supportive school culture, tackle the nuances of restorative discipline, and unpack the importance of building strong, trusting relationships among students, faculty, and families.

Jackson offers insight into navigating the challenges and rewards of working in a richly diverse K-8 environment in South Florida—a place where being a leader of color is both celebrated and empowering. From candid stories about student discipline to the significance of hiring practices and relevant professional development, this episode is packed with practical wisdom for educators striving to create relationship-centered, culturally responsive learning spaces.

Whether you’re an educator, administrator, or someone passionate about the future of education, this conversation will inspire you to lead with humility, empathy, and vision. Tune in for an honest, heartfelt discussion on building environments where every learner feels seen, heard, and valued.

Is your school committed to equity but still seeing gaps in student experience, staff retention, or instructional impact? In this episode, Roberto Germán explores why so many well-intentioned school initiatives stall—and what real transformation looks like when equity is embedded across culture, instruction, and leadership.

You’ll walk away with:

✅ 3 common mistakes schools make

✅ A vision for sustainable culture change

✅ Concrete next steps for moving from intention to action

Whether you’re a classroom teacher, principal, or district leader, this episode will help you reimagine what meaningful progress can look like in your school community.

🎧 Tune in and visit multiculturalclassroom.com to learn how we support schools in building inclusive, engaging, and purposeful learning environments.

Professional Development

Speaking Engagements

Resources - Textured Teaching

In this episode of Our Classroom, we dive deep into what education truly means—beyond just what happens in schools. In this engaging conversation, host Wade Kelly is joined by Lorena Germán, co-founder and academic director of Multicultural Classroom, and author of Textured Teaching: A Framework for Culturally Sustaining Practices. Lorena brings her lived experience as an immigrant and a dedicated educator to the forefront, sharing how her personal journey fueled her passion for transforming classrooms into spaces of equity, justice, and cultural affirmation.

Together, they unpack the nuances of culturally sustaining pedagogy (CSP), exploring its origins, importance, and practical implementation. Lorena openly discusses the challenges and opportunities teachers face in justice-centered work—especially in today’s climate of social and political upheaval. This episode also delves into how educators can stay grounded in restorative practices, find hope in community, and recognize the power dynamics within their classrooms.

Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or curious learner, this episode promises candid reflections, actionable insights, and a renewed commitment to making classrooms places where everyone’s story matters. Tune in and explore what it truly means to make education restorative, representative, and transformative for all.