S6.S7 - W.E.B. Du Bois Was Right – The Quiet Power of Modeling Courage and Joy

The Culture-Centered Classroom

What if the most powerful lesson your students learn isn’t in your curriculum—but in your character?

In this reflective and deeply human episode, Jocelynn explores what W.E.B. Du Bois called the “double consciousness”—and how that internal tension shapes what we model as educators. Students aren’t just learning from our words; they’re watching our pauses, our reactions, our silence, and our joy.

This is an episode about mirror work—the quiet, ongoing practice of modeling courage, joy, humility, and humanity. It’s not about perfection. It’s about presence.

From classroom culture to leadership choices, Jocelynn weaves in powerful quotes from Baldwin, Freire, and Octavia Butler, plus a call to revisit our earliest memories of power, apology, and grace. This episode will stay with you.

Key Themes:

• What students learn from teacher behavior

• The emotional power of modeling courage, joy, and imperfection

• The “unspoken curriculum” in every classroom

• Reflection as liberation

• The AnchorED for Achievement framework in practice

Reflective Prompts:

1. Reflection – What do students learn about justice by watching me?

2. Community – How am I shaping the unspoken climate of my classroom or school?

3. Norms – What behaviors or mindsets have I normalized—intentionally or not?

4. Empowerment – When have I modeled what it looks like to speak up?

• Agency – How do I invite student feedback on how I show up?

If you’re ready to begin or deepen your mirror work, Jocelynn offers coaching and workshops designed to support reflection, recalibration, and intentional modeling.

Learn more at https://customteachingsolutions.com