Mika Okimura, Education Innovator | M.S. in Biology

"A sparkly rainbow that defies category." That's how this week's guest describes themselves, and honestly, it fits. For the first time, Kirk and Andy sit down with someone who isn't a designer or a founder: Mika Okimura, an educator and learning professional with over a decade of experience building inclusive, student-centered classrooms across the Bay Area, from UC Berkeley to Merritt College to San Francisco State, plus years at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Mika opens up about growing up queer and Japanese American in a conservative pocket of California, the long road to claiming their they/them identity at almost 40, and how tiring it is to code-switch before you finally decide to just be yourself. They talk about teaching as the art of connection, the meditation teacher who told them they have "infinite wellbeing," and a little ramen otter that explains everything about why they love this work.

There's also real talk on boundaries in the classroom, self-care and neurodivergence (including a three-hour nail routine), the "Learning to Pretty" Instagram, and a closing message you won't forget: fuck the model minority.

Funny, heartfelt, and a little sweary. Follow The Kirk + Kurtts Design Podcast so you never miss an episode, and learn more about Mika's work as Your Academic Advocate in the show notes.