Welcome back to season two of Teaching STEM #4Real! Today, we are excited to be joined by Whitney Aragaki! Whitney Aragaki (she/they) is an educator, parent, and learner from Hilo, Hawaiʻi.  She supports students to learn through a lens of abundance that honors place, people and cultures. Her teaching focuses around conversations, practices and systems that sustain the intimate inter-relationship of public education, community and environment. Whitney is the 2022 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year and National Teacher of the Year Finalist. She is a National Board Certified Teacher in Adolescence and Young Adulthood Mathematics, and a two-time state finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. In this episode, we’ll discuss how Whitney became the teacher she is today, the feeling of being othered in STEM, and how Whitney creates an inclusive classroom. Besides this, we’ll also talk about how Whitney brings Aina into the classroom, the way her teaching goes beyond the curriculum, and what teachers can do to create a culturally responsive classroom. Last but not least, Whitney will share her thoughts on what the system needs for teachers to be able to become more adaptable, teaching in colonized spaces, and more! Let’s talk all things science and culture!  Learn more:  https://www.whitneyaragaki.com/  https://www.edsurge.com/news/2023-01-11-to-create-safer-spaces-for-students-teachers-of-color-must-reckon-with-our-settler-identity  Rate, Review, & Follow on Spotify & Apple Podcasts “This is a great show for educators in STEM! Love Leena’s perspective on creating equitable classroom environments for STEM and the guests are always spot on!” <– If that sounds like you, ⁠⁠please consider rating and reviewing our show⁠⁠! This helps us support more people — just like you — move toward creating access and equity in STEM, #4Real. ⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! You can also rate the show on Spotify here: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/7CsBVUpmzwgvNsSYkWcJ4C⁠⁠  Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here: ⁠⁠Follow now⁠⁠! Teaching STEM #4Real is a podcast dedicated to #4Real conversations on educational equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education hosted by Dr. Leena Bakshi McLean. If you’re interested in exploring what anti-racism and socially just instruction looks like in our classrooms, schools, and beyond, you are in the right place. Dr. Bakshi is also the founder of the non-profit,⁠⁠ STEM4Real⁠⁠. Please visit our⁠⁠ website⁠⁠ for information on how to partner with us. Thank you for helping us make STEM, #4Real.