This Book Changed My Life: Recent Episodes
Natalie Ford
Hi! I'm Natalie Ford. I teach English at Berkley High School in the Berkley School District. On each episode of TBCML I interview a member of the Berkley School District about a book that changed their life. I love learning more about the amazing people I work with. And of course, as an English teacher, it is my life goal to spread the good word about the power of reading. Enjoy!
In this episode I talk with BHS alumni Kailey Egrin. We discuss her blog project, Embracing My Superpower, and of course some interesting reads!
In this episode I talk with Berkley High School's new assistant principal, Evelyn Coleman!
For our final episode of season two, join me as I talk with Scott Francis, the new superintendent of Berkley Schools!
Stephanie Coburn is an art teacher, an artist, a mom, AND the Student Leadership advisor. That is a lot, people. Or, it would be a lot for me. But in teaching art and advising leadership, Coburn has created spaces where she lets students take risks, explore their own voice, and hopefully create something meaningful.
John Cooper has been an English teacher at BHS for 7 years. In this episode, Cooper discusses his experiences in charter schools, public schools, and a private school. We also talk about how Americans misunderstand much of our own history and how reading is always the path to the truth.
Heather Lackey is the Director of Student Services for Berkley Schools. In this interview, we talk about what the Director of Student Services does (because I didn't actually know), we talk about what the last six months have looked like for her, and we talk about a book that changed her life. Heather's book choice is powerful and relevant! And I am so pleased she shared it with us.
Belsky has been a counselor at BHS for nine years, but she did not start out on the path to school counseling. If you don't know Belsky's backstory, it's time to get in the know! Belsky is a real-life example of the idea that knowing our TRUE selves is just as important as everything else we learn in school.
Angie Church has been teaching at BHS for 21 years! She has taught pretty much everything under the Social Studies sun. On the pod today we cover a lot of topics. We discuss Ang’s own educational history, her love for social justice, books that stopped her in her tracks, and also this really cool thing she does with her own kids. Enjoy!
Julie Decker is a paraprofessional at Berkley High School and I'm so happy she sat down to talk to me. She is starting her third year at BHS. In this episode, we talk about Julie's teaching background, how her sister (do you know her sister??) encouraged her to apply for a job in Berkley Schools, and what she has learned over the years from working with students. The book that changed Julie's life is most likely a title you have heard of before!
Valerie Mace teaches fifth grade at Norup International. She has been in the district for five years, but her love of Berkley Schools started long before that. Join Valerie and me for a conversation about the world of fifth grade, a high school teacher who convinced her to be a different type of student, and two books that changed her life--one of which inspired a tattoo!
Dani Ozanich teaches fifth grade at Angell Elementary and her passion is history. She refers to her fifth-grade curriculum as "dream curriculum," and she means it. I was so interested to hear about how she lives her love for history and how she never stops learning. This woman knows how to make history come alive.
Stacie Angel is an Instructional Support Specialist. She is also a member of the Teaching and Learning Team. She is ALSO on the Instructional Subcommittee of the Return to Learn Committee. She is ALSO the Supervisor of Middle School Summer School. She is starting her 22nd year in the district! That’s a lot of stuff! Stacie Angel is serious about instructional support!
Lynn Lotter is starting her third year at BHS. Lynn came to BHS as an English and French teacher, but now, lucky for me, she is in the English department full time. Listen in and get to know Lynn!
Rachel Smith is a library media specialist and this is my FIRST librarian interview! Rachel is really cool and she has a lot of insight on how to reach kids of all reading levels and how to get them to LOVE reading.
Dawn Kennedy is a paraprofessional at Berkley High School. She is also a Berkley mom! The book that changed Dawn’s life is quite unique; she has an interesting personal connection to the author and story. Additionally, Dawn gives us some wisdom that she has learned from her team at BHS that I found to be extremely insightful! Thanks for joining us, Dawn!
Jen Simone just celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary AND she is about to start her 25th year at BHS. Jen is a staff member who makes big things happen. These events and field trips are a result of her deliberate, hardworking personality. On this episode, we talk about those qualities outside of BHS. Congrats on 25 years, Jen! We are lucky to have you as a Berkley Bear!
Sharon Berke is the Transition Coordinator at BHS. Don’t know what the Transition Coordinator does? Sharon is here to tell you all about it! I learned SO much about Sharon in this episode! It’s so great getting to know someone outside of my email inbox! Thanks for listening!
Kara Watson is not just a dedicated Berkley Schools employee, she is a dedicated Berkley Schools parent. Kara has been volunteering since her oldest daughter attended Kindergarten at Rogers, and next year Grace will be a junior at BHS! That’s a lot of volunteering! As a working mom myself, I absolutely loved hearing her working mom wisdom and humor.
This heart-warming conversation with Ann Daniels is my FIRST interview with an elementary teacher in Berkley Schools. I learned so much about the big issues our little learners tackle. Although we teach different age groups, I was inspired by Ann’s approach to literature as a way to help move students through tough topics. Thanks for listening!
Derek Samuelson has worked in six schools and has taught 14 subjects over the last 13 years. With each school and each subject, Derek has collected all sorts of wisdom about what makes a great school. A self-proclaimed “history and political science dork,” Derek’s book choices reflect his love of the social sciences and his eagerness to reach all of his students.
Flood will be starting her fifth year at BHS this fall. She is an awesome math teacher AND she runs a student club at school that connects to the books she loves to read.
Brockman is an amazing human who works with students with autism. In this episode discuss her own very non-traditional high school experience and her love for books and music.
Jessica Stilger is the Director of Communications for Berkley Schools. In this episode we talk about how communication is key in the middle of a pandemic and we discuss how books can change the way we see the world. We ALSO come up with a really good idea for Berkley Schools.
Cris Alpert is a lot of things. She is kind and loving and cares about all humans. And she also yells a lot. Take a listen to this interview with my one-of-a-kind friend and coworker, Cris Alpert!
Katy Levinson is the school social worker at BHS. That’s a big job. In this episode we talk about a lot of good books! We also talk about how our favorite books usually spotlight an important moment or transition in our lives.
Lenny Fact: Lenny Waldman went to BHS as a high school student, he student taught at BHS AND he is just about to start his 25th year as a staff member! As a coach and teacher, Lenny offers our community so much!
In this episode I talk with Amy Sarris. Sarris has this way of not shying away from hard topics and I absolutely love that about her. And of course, somehow in the same conversation, she makes me laugh out loud.
Ron Fritz teaches in Berkley High School’s Alternative Education program. But he also does A LOT of other really cool stuff that I never knew about! In this episode we talk about his road to BHS and books that shape how he sees the world.
JHops! In the house! JHops is the Drama director at BHS and beyond. In this episode, we talk a little JHops history and how that history gave him a tremendous amount of insight on how to connect with students. We also talk about a book that changed his life AND brought our school together.
Steve Weingarden has been teaching math at Berkley High School for 26 years. In this episode we talk about his favorite subject to teach, the books he remembers from his childhood, and a book that helped him through a tough time in his life.
In this episode I talk with Meredith Julius, Berkley High School’s school psychologist. Meredith talks about her role at BHS, her reading history, and a book from high school that has stayed with her all these years. Listen in and enjoy!
Kaitlyn Hart is an English teacher and a book lover! In this episode we talk about her crazy start to her teaching career and her vivid memories of reading. Kaitlyn’s pick for a book that changed her life is definitely on my “to-read” list!
Jon Thomann is the music director at Berkley High School. In this episode we talk about Jon’s journey in music education and the story of his own family. The book that changed Jon’s life is most likely a book you have also read and perhaps connects you to those you love.
My conversation with Ray is not just about a book. It is also about his family’s history. It amazes me what stories we walk around with every day. On this episode we discuss Ray’s journey at BHS and his own reading history. Additionally, we talk about his resilient family and the tremendous challenges they have overcome.
Scott Doty is a reading machine. We talk about what he reads, how he reads, his early reading memories, how he is caring for all of his live animals from school, and so much more! This conversation was a blast. I hope you enjoy the episode!
Carly has been at BHS for four years, and in that short time she has had a big impact. In addition to being an awesome Spanish teacher, Carly has led the charge on cell phone management, she has traveled abroad with students, and this year she is Berkley High School’s nominee for Oakland County Teacher of the Year. We talk about fun games to get students moving and the play that gave her the confidence to take on any classroom.
Mark teaches the really hard chemistry classes at our school, but more importantly, he teaches students how to get through things that are really hard. Not surprisingly, his reading list also reflects this concept!
History teacher and staff dance coach/choreographer (that’s right, we dance sometimes), Megan Blackwell brightens up the hallways of BHS. Listen as we chat about her BHS story, historical fiction, a super scary read.
One of the best parts of this podcast is calling someone I hardly know and taking time to learn about their past, their journey to BHS, and a book that awakened their brain. That is exactly what happens on this call with Jason Wohlfarth! Have a listen!
Ladies and Gentlemen, put your hands together for the 2019 Oakland County Outstanding Teacher of the Year, the Queen of Choir, Julie Smith!
Dan Inman is the Mr. Congeniality of Berkley High School. We've never officially held mock elections (Meloche, potential staff meeting icebreaker?), but this guy would win hands down if we did. He has been on quite a journey, both in his reading life and in his real life. Take a listen!
Don’t let Jess Sandtveit’s math skills deceive you. In addition to teaching Algebra and Pre-Calculus, Jess is a voracious reader. In this episode we discuss where math and literature collide, the books we remember from our middle school years, and two titles that she holds close to her heart.
Mrs. Weiss is an amazing human, and she really, really misses BHS. We discuss her reading history, her love for her job, and of course, a great book.