Dr. Sherita Flake, a Memphis native, is a Senior Professorial Lecturer and MAT Program Director at American University. She is dedicated to urban education and is known for her cultural identity research in STEM and leadership. As a wife and mother of three daughters, her family's experiences underscored the importance of cultural identities and agency. Dr. Flake's research and personal journey as a Black woman in STEM with Autism Level I and ADHD influenced her conceptual framework on cultural identity, benefiting historically marginalized groups. Her findings have been widely received and adopted both nationally and internationally. Before American University, she served as Clinical Faculty of Mathematics at Johns Hopkins University and was an instructional leader in K-12 school districts across Tennessee, Virginia, Michigan, California, and DC. She actively participated in educational committees, including ETS Standards Setting Committees, Maryland State Department of Education Expert Review Team, and OSSE's Review Team, and earned prestigious awards such as the Governor's Award of Excellence in Virginia, EPIC Gold status in Tennessee, and the Bryan K. Ingram Award for Leadership at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Flake, along with her youngest daughter, Makenzie, co-authored "Stem Includes Me," a publication aiming to help all students discover their identities in STEAM careers.
Energize STEM teaching to inspire deep learning and true belonging This book addresses the urgent need to reimagine STEM classrooms as inclusive, justice-centered spaces where cultural identity becomes a pathway to deeper learning. Dr. Flake guides readers through the Four Dimensions of Cultural Identity-Essence, Engagement, Expression, and Epoch-providing a research-based framework for understanding both educator and student identities. Key topics include critical self-reflection for transformative teaching, designing culturally affirming STEM lessons, building supportive learning communities, and developing liberatory agency that empowers both teachers and students. This comprehensive resource includes: Critical Reflection Journal with structured prompts to help educators explore their own cultural identities and leverage their assets for transformative teaching practice Teaching Tools, such as the Justice-Centered Tasks (JCT) Mode, which offer practical lesson planning resources to integrate cultural identity affirmation with academic rigor and student agency Authentic teacher vignettes and real-classroom examples from diverse K-5 educators who have successfully implemented culturally affirming STEM practices Ready-to-use lesson plans for both K-2 and 3-5 classrooms, complete with implementation guidance and alignment to standards Educators will learn to recognize and embrace their own cultural identities as powerful tools for creating STEM classrooms where diversity drives innovation, belonging, and academic success-ensuring every student can see themselves as a capable STEM learner.
Preface Part I: Foundations Chapter 1: A Journey to Liberation Part II: Reimagining Cultural Identity in STEM Education Chapter 2: Essence: The Core of Cultural Identity Chapter 3: Engagement: The Energy of Connection Chapter 4: Expression: Celebrating Creativity Chapter 5: Epoch: Building on Historical Foundations Part III: Liberation and Legacy Chapter 6: Re-Envisioning STEM Education Chapter 7: Claiming Your Power and Leaving a Legacy Appendix References