In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of The Exit Interview: A Podcast for Black Educators, Dr. Asia sits down with Dr. Franita Nita Ware, educator, author, and the brilliant mind behind Warm Demander Teachers. Together, they trace Dr. Wares unexpected journey from substitute teacher to scholar, exploring the purpose, joy, and community that fueled her path.

Dr. Ware shares how being invited into education changed her life, the lessons she learned teaching at Spelman College, and the challenges she faced as a Black woman principal navigating racialized experiences in Denver. She opens up about the trauma of pushout, her path to healing, and how she transformed her recovery into the powerful professional development series Radical Self-Carea framework that helps educators reconnect to themselves, rewire their brains for wellness, and reclaim joy in the classroom.

Listeners will gain insight into the warm demander teaching approachbalancing care with high expectationsand how schools can cultivate cultures rooted in authenticity, rest, and community. With humor, honesty, and deep wisdom, Dr. Ware reminds us that before teachers can pour into others, they must first pour into themselves.

Key themes: warm demander teaching, radical self-care, educator wellness, racial battle fatigue, culturally responsive practice, Black educator leadership, and community healing.