EmpowerED

A must-read
for all
educators

A Roadmap for Navigating the Journey Towards Culturally Responsive Educational Practice

The Book:
Finding ways to meet the needs of all students continues to be a critical need for educators. In addition to improving academic outcomes for all students, identifying strategies to address discipline in proactive ways and respond to the social emotional needs of students are primary goals for educators today. EMPOWERED is a guide for all educators desiring to understand and respond effectively to cultural differences that show up within the school environment. Through exploration of the 7- step E.M.P.O.W.E.R. process, readers will reflect on critical aspects of the journey toward culturally empowered practice and have the opportunity to master their knowledge through practical application. More than just another educational resource; EMPOWERED is a call to action, a journey of self-discovery and growth for educators that will not only empower their work with students but also empower students to realize their own power and potential.

The Roadmap Guide:
An essential companion to the book, EMPOWERED: A Roadmap for Navigating the Journey Towards Culturally Responsive Educational Practice, this Roadmap Guide provides readers the tools they will need for self-reflection and action planning to aid in their development of culturally responsive practice. Specifically, activities in this guide correspond to each chapter of EMPOWERED and correlate with the 7 steps that are essential to the journey toward culturally empowered practice. School leaders and professional development facilitators will also appreciate the activities in this guide as they lead discussions on the EMPOWERED process. Completion and implementation of the thought activities included will support:

The development of the foundational skills needed to become a culturally responsive educator 
A deeper understanding of the dimensions of culture and its impact on learning and behavior
Engagement in critical self-awareness work
Intentional action planning that will produce change from the inside out

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Mark Robinson

Team Lead

“Renae doesn’t just speak; she connects. Her ability to engage with diverse audiences and tailor her message is exceptional. Our team is still buzzing with ideas after her talk!”

Emily Zhang

Education Consultant

“An unforgettable experience! Renae’s expertise and enthusiasm make complex concepts easy to understand. We walked away with tools that we could start using right away.”

Richard Tran

Principal, Summit High School

“Renae’s passion for education is contagious! Her engaging storytelling captivates audiences and her practical strategies are immediately applicable. I can’t recommend her highly enough!”

Samantha Mitchell

Director of Curriculum Development

“Dr. Azziz is a transformative speaker! Her insights into organizational change are not only thought-provoking but actionable. Our team left feeling inspired and ready to implement change!”

Dionne B.

DEI Consultant

“EMPOWERED is a game-changer for educators. Each chapter provides practical exercises that help reinforce the concepts discussed. It’s not just a theoretical guide; it’s a toolkit for real-world application.”

From the Author

I am immensely proud to share EMPOWERED with you all! This book has been in my heart to write for many years and I am so excited that I can now share it with you all.

Choosing a title for this book was a process that unfolded over many months. I refrained from rushing it, confident that the right title would reveal itself in due time. As I drove home from a consulting session with a school district in another town, the word EMPOWERED came to mind and stuck with me. According to Webster’s dictionary, “empowered” means “having the knowledge, confidence, means, or skills to do things or make decisions for oneself.”

"For the past 25 years, my mission has been to support educators in gaining knowledge and skills related to culturally responsive practices."

When educators master these skills, students feel validated and affirmed in their cultural identities. This validation enables students to cultivate confidence, knowing that they possess the means and abilities to achieve their aspirations and pursue their passions.

EMPOWERED not only serves as the title but also embodies the seven essential steps in the journey toward culturally empowered practice:

E – Explore Dimensions of Culture

M – Master the Use of Cultural Knowledge

P – Practice Perspective-Taking

O – Optimize Your Skillset

W – Wade Through Tough Times

E – Embrace Change

R – Reflect on Progress

Throughout the chapters of this book, my goal is to guide educators through a process of knowledge acquisition, self-reflection, and practical implementation to help them develop purposeful action plans for refining their practices. I hope that readers can sense my presence as they immerse themselves in the words I’ve penned, and that they find empowerment within these pages.

Writing this book has been the most vulnerable professional experience of my career. There were moments when I doubted my own knowledge and skills, times when my confidence wavered, and I questioned whether I had the means to see this project through to completion. Yet, here I stand, EMPOWERED.

I am grateful for your trust in allowing me to accompany you on this transformative journey. Thank you in advance for taking this voyage with me.