Identity. Belonging. Agency.
Positioning the Four Dimensions of Cultural Identity as the Pathway to Learning and Leadership
Measure What Counts: Belonging
I design STEM pathways that expand:
who belongs,
who leads, and
what’s possible.
Order My Books
Order My Books
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.
STEM Includes Me, Second Edition invites every child to see themselves as a future scientist, technologist, engineer, or mathematician. This updated edition expands the original vision by introducing readers to twenty‑six STEM careers from A to Z while highlighting the skills, knowledge, and real‑world impact behind each one. New to this edition are career facts, essential skills, and reflection questions designed to help children recognize their strengths and imagine their place in STEM.
Early exposure to STEM experiences empowers children to solve meaningful problems, collaborate with others, and explore ideas with curiosity and confidence. When communities create opportunities for all children to engage in STEM, young learners begin to develop a strong STEM identity by discovering who they are, where they belong, and what they are capable of achieving.
Authored by mother‑daughter duo Dr. Sherita Flake and Makenzie Flake, STEM Includes Me blends education, creativity, and representation. Dr. Flake, STEM educator, scholar, leader, and author of Creating Inclusive STEM Classrooms: Claiming Place and Making Space in Grades K–5, brings decades of experience in K–12 and higher education. Makenzie, founder of MAK Made and a professional dancer, stylist, and certified Pilates instructor, brings the arts into STEM, showing young readers that STEM pathways are as diverse and dynamic as they are.
“Create Belonging in STEM Through Cultural Identity”
Listen to Dr. Sherita Flake as a guest speaker on NCSM’s podcast series, “Everyone Belongs in Mathematics.”
What People Are Saying
-
Sherita's professional learning series has been a game-changer for my math classroom. Not only do I have students participating during class, but they are able to demonstrate their knowledge on district assessments..
— J. Jones
-
The work that Dr. Flake has done with out math and science leaders cannot be measured.
— S. Salamadar
-
I honestly could not have passed the Praxis exam without Sherita's guidance.
— K. Ware