Let's K12 Better: Recent Episodes
Amber Coleman-Mortley (@MomOfAllCapes)
Join Amber (@MomOfAllCapes) and her kids at their kitchen table, where family discussions are fun and informative! Learn from experts and explore innovative ideas that push for more meaningful, equitable, and compassionate K12 learning experiences for kids, parents, and educators.
What does it mean to be “good” with technology? What are the 5 hidden habits of tech-savvy teens? How can educators and parents support technology learning habits in young people?
In this episode, we sat down with Cassidy Puckett, assistant professor of sociology at Emory University. Cassidy is the author of REDEFINING GEEK: Bias and the Five Hidden Habits of Tech-Savvy Teens. Cassidy brings us research findings on digital equity; tangible tips for supporting young people of all backgrounds as they navigate (and build) technology; and suggestions on how we adults can reframe our understanding of what is the root cause of the STEM pipeline issue.
Connect on Social Media:
- Twitter: @CassidyCody | #RedefiningGeek
- Instagram: @redefining.geek
- LinkedIn: Cassidy Puckett
Check out Cassidy Puckett’s research, books, and more on her website!
Additional Resources:
- PBS NewsHour interview: As colleges and universities drop admission tests, what’s the impact on enrollment?
- Read the book: Redefining Geek Bias and the Five Hidden Habits of Tech-Savvy Teens
Use the code UCPSOC for 20% off the book.
A portion of the proceeds goes to Urban Promise Academy in Oakland, CA!
Send us your community letters!
Are you saddled with a troubling situation? Curious to hear what we think about a certain issue? Send us your questions! Your query may end up on the Let’s K12 Better podcast in our community letters section. Send your celebrations and questions to this form or email us: LetsK12Better@gmail.com!
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/LetsK12BetterMail!
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Music written and produced by Garvey Mortley.
The Let’s K12Better podcast is written and produced by Amber Coleman-Mortley, Garvey Mortley, Naima Mortley, and Sofia Mortley.
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“Social Studies is the curriculum of how we live our life.” YES!
In this episode, we sat down with veteran educators Joe Schmidt and Nichelle Pinkney, co-authors of Civil Discourse Classroom Conversations for Stronger Communities. How do we leverage intellectual discomfort to grow and challenge ourselves and each other? What is the role of civil discourse in the social studies classroom and in other important spaces? Joe and Nichelle discuss how we work together to be better and why we need to build the skills to courageously engage in challenging and transformative conversations.
Connect on Social Media:
- Follow Joe on Twitter: @madisonteacher
- Follow Nichelle on Twitter: @msnikki_p
Purchase the book or get professional development:
- Purchase the book Civil Discourse Classroom Conversations for Stronger Communities
- Find the companion website with resources for classrooms and communities
- Bring Joe Schmidt and Nichelle Pinkney in for professional development!
- Joe Schmidt’s website
Send us your community letters!
Are you saddled with a troubling situation? Curious to hear what we think about a certain issue? Send us your questions! Your query may end up on the Let’s K12 Better podcast in our community letters section. Send your celebrations and questions to this form or email us: LetsK12Better@gmail.com!
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/LetsK12BetterMail!
*Love our podcast? Rate. Review. Share!
Music written and produced by Garvey Mortley
The Let’s K12Better podcast is written and produced by Amber Coleman-Mortley, Garvey Mortley, Naima Mortley, and Sofia Mortley.
Support the show
Social media isn’t going anywhere. And neither is technology. So how do we help kids learn leadership skills and interpersonal skills so they can have successful social media experiences
In this episode, we sat down with Jennifer Casa-Todd teacher-librarian, author, and co-founder of the Global Education Student Chat to discuss how parents and educators can support young people as they explore the digital space.
Connect on Social Media:
- Twitter: @JCasaTodd
- Twitter: @GlobalEdSsChat | #GlobalEdSsChat
- Instagram: @raisingdigitalleaders
Check out Jennifer Casa-Todd’s books and other publications on her website or via her linktr.ee!
Learn more about student voice and how to support student leadership on social media on the #GlobalEdSsChat website: https://globaledsschat.com/
Send us your community letters!Are you saddled with a troubling situation? Curious to hear what we think about a certain issue? Send us your questions! Your query may end up on the Let’s K12 Better podcast in our community letters section. Send your celebrations and questions to this form or email us: LetsK12Better@gmail.com!
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/LetsK12BetterMail!
*Love our podcast? Rate. Review. Share!
Music written and produced by Garvey Mortley
The Let’s K12Better podcast is written and produced by Amber Coleman-Mortley, Garvey Mortley, Naima Mortley, and Sofia Mortley.
Support the show (https://cash.app/$Fossilizedresin)
How does chronic stress impact the brain? How does play support pro-social behavior in kids? What are misnomers about Title 1 schools? How can we better equip new teachers working in high-challenge schools so they can meet the needs of the students in their communities? How do we tell the difference between poverty stressors and brain function and learning disabilities or ADD, ADHD?
Grab a pen and get ready to take notes! In this episode, we sat down with Dr. Karyn Allee, veteran educator and Assistant Professor of Education at Mercer University to discuss education equity, increasing play in schools, and shifting our mindset around how we help schools in communities that are experiencing more challenges.
Connect on Social Media:
- Twitter: @karynallee | #PlayInSchoolIsAnEquityIssue
- Instagram: @KarynAllee
- LinkedIn: Karyn Allee, PhD
Check out Dr. Karyn Allee’s publications on ORCID or her Google Scholar Page!
Resources mentioned in the episode:
- Search for an accredited Early Child Care Center/Preschool via the NAEYC link to help families find good daycare: https://families.naeyc.org/find-quality-child-care
- Harvard Center on the Developing Child Podcast (The Brain Architects) and Resource Library
Send us your community letters!
Are you saddled with a troubling situation? Curious to hear what we think about a certain issue? Send us your questions! Your query may end up on the Let’s K12 Better podcast in our community letters section. Send your celebrations and questions to this form or email us: LetsK12Better@gmail.com!
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/LetsK12BetterMail!
Love our podcast? Rate. Review. Share!
Music written and produced by Garvey Mortley
The Let’s K12Better podcast is written and produced by Amber Coleman-Mortley, Garvey Mortley, Naima Mortley, and Sofia Mortley.
Support the show (https://cash.app/$Fossilizedresin)
What is action civics? Why is student voice so important, especially right now? How can we use informed civics and action civics more efficiently together? How can we expand our understanding of what equity in civics could mean? So many questions!
Civic education plays an important role in building a more inclusive, participatory, and equitable democracy. In this episode, we sat down with Elizabeth Clay Roy, CEO of Generation Citizen, a national nonprofit committed to providing youth with the knowledge and skills they need to actively participate in our democracy.
Connect with Generation Citizen on Social Media:Twitter: @GenCitizen
Instagram: @GenerationCitizen
LinkedIn: Generation Citizen
Facebook: Generation Citizen
Get resources to support your young civic participants!
- Democracy Doesn't Pause resource for educators and families
- Generation Citizen website
- Too much money in politics, and not enough in democracy by Elizabeth Clay Roy via The Hill
Send us your community letters!Are you saddled with a troubling situation? Curious to hear what we think about a certain issue? Send us your questions! Your query may end up on the Let’s K12 Better podcast in our community letters section. Send your celebrations and questions to this form or email us: LetsK12Better@gmail.com!
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/LetsK12BetterMail!
*Love our podcast? Rate. Review. Share!
The Let’s K12Better podcast is written and produced by Amber Coleman-Mortley, Garvey Mortley, Naima Mortley, and Sofia Mortley.
Music written and produced by Garvey Mortley
Support the show (https://cash.app/$Fossilizedresin)
What makes current events so important? Where does news intersect with history? How do we find resources to support important civic conversations? What should parents understand about the importance of social studies and civic education, current events, or media literacy? In this episode, we sat down with David Olson, the Director of Education at Retro Report, a non-profit media company dedicated to connecting history to today’s news. Learn more about this wonderful resource and what David has to say about social studies, current events, and media literacy!
“What’s On Your Mind?”
Are you saddled with a troubling situation? Curious to hear what we think about a certain issue? Send us your questions! Your query may end up on the Let’s K12 Better podcast in our community letters section. Send your celebrations and questions to this form or email us: LetsK12Better@gmail.com!
We mentioned the following resources:
- Frontline PBS Film - American Reckoning
- Classroom materials via Retro Report Education page
- Sign up for the free webinar “Tools for Teaching Immigration and Migration” scheduled for Wednesday, April 13th from 7 - 8 PM ET. Register here: bit.ly/TeachingImmigration
Connect on Social Media:
- David Olson on Twitter (@davidjohnolson)
- Retro Report on Twitter (@RetroReport)
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/LetsK12BetterMail!
*Love our podcast? Rate. Review. Share!
Music written and produced by Garvey Mortley.
The Let’s K12Better podcast is written and produced by Amber Coleman-Mortley, Garvey Mortley, Naima Mortley, and Sofia Mortley.
Support the show (https://cash.app/$Fossilizedresin)
We started our podcast to discuss K12 education as a project and a response to COVID-19 with our first episode, “Schooling Through An Apocalypse.” What’s changed in education since lockdown happened in March 2020? Lots!
In this episode, we discuss Virtual Academy, how schooling has evolved over the last two years, and more. Mom gets feedback on her parenting during the pandemic… and there is a bird by our window looking for love. (Shoutout to the Vernal Equinox! What, whaaat!!!)
Are you saddled with a troubling situation? Curious to hear what we think about a particular issue? Send us your questions! Tell us “What’s On Your Mind?” your query may end up on the Let’s K12 Better podcast in our community letters section. Send your celebrations and questions to this form or email us: LetsK12Better@gmail.com!
Listen to the episode that started it all, Season 1, Episode 1!
Schooling Through An Apocalypse.
Our community question touched upon education and Black students and educators. Here's what Amber's reading that she mentioned in the episode...
Fugitive Pedagogy: Carter G. Woodson and the Art of Black Teaching by Jarvis R. Givens
The Education oF Blacks in the South 1860-1935 by James D. Anderson
Love our podcast? Rate. Review. Share!
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://bit.ly/LetsK12BetterMail!
Music written and produced by Garvey Mortley
The Let’s K12Better podcast is written and produced by Amber Coleman-Mortley, Garvey Mortley, Naima Mortley, and Sofia Mortley.
Support the show (https://cash.app/$Fossilizedresin)
Welcome to season 3 and Happy Black History Month! We open up the season with a discussion on current events, books we’re reading, and how we plan to set the tone for this upcoming season.
FYI… we are working on a new sound setup. We haven’t learned it all yet and appreciate your patience. We are attempting to capture all the nuances of the conversation by recording the whole table.
Don’t forget to tell us “What’s On Your Mind?” Are you saddled with a troubling situation? Curious to hear what we think about a certain issue? Send us your questions! Your query may end up on the Let’s K12 Better podcast in our community letters section. Send your celebrations and questions to this form or email us: LetsK12Better@gmail.com!
We mentioned the following articles:
- AirTag stalking: Alleged victims speak out as privacy concerns mount over new Apple tracking product
- Police arrest protesters who remained at US-Canada bridge
- 5 Ways Young People are Using Discord
We are reading the following books:
- Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning Book by Cathy Park Hong
- Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools by Monique W. Morris
- Feminist AF: A Guide to Crushing Girlhood by Brittney Cooper, Chanel Craft Tanner, and Susana M. Morris
- Fugitive Pedagogy: Carter G. Woodson and the Art of Black Teaching by Jarvis R. Givens
- The Education oF Blacks in the South 1860-1935 by James D. Anderson
We discussed the criminalization of Black girls. Please read this article to learn more: The Criminalization of Black Women Starts Early
More on news and media literacy:
- Play iCivics NewsFeed Defenders!
- Learn more National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE)
Music written and produced by Garvey Mortley
The Let’s K12Better podcast is written and produced by Amber Coleman-Mortley, Garvey Mortley, Naima Mortley, and Sofia Mortley.
Support the show (https://cash.app/$Fossilizedresin)
Financial literacy and financial freedom are interconnected. As we think ahead to the upcoming year, setting goals is always a great way to establish solid footing. Setting financial goals… that’s boss level!
How do we bring our young people along as we learn more about financial planning and financial literacy? What can parents and educators do to support good financial habits in kids? How can we adults shift how we see financial freedom?
In this episode, we sat down with Managing Director, Certified Financial Planner®, Cristina Briboneria. THIS ISN’T FINANCIAL ADVICE, but it’s a pretty dope conversation and we hope this inspires you to think about your financial goals for 2022.
Follow on Social Media:
- Cristina Briboneria on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbriboneria/
- Cristina Briboneria on Instagram: @cristina23b
- Cristina Briboneria on Twitter: @CristinaBribs
- Email: cbriboneria@oxygenfinancial.net
Find resources and more:
- Cristina’s Website: http://cristinabriboneria.com/
- Investopedia: https://www.investopedia.com/
Our podcast returns for season 3 early next year! Subscribe so that you can get the alerts when we’re live!
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/LetsK12BetterMail!
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Many discussions on equity often fail to center the needs of special education students.
In this episode, we sat down with Ashley Tucker, special educator, Dean, social-emotional learning enthusiast, and Ed Leadership student at Teachers College. On her Instagram she shares anti-racist, trauma-informed resources. We discuss a variety of techniques and strategies parents and educators can use as they learn emotionally alongside their students.
Follow on Social Media:
- Ashley Tucker on Instagram: @teacherspayblackteachers
- Ashley Tucker on Twitter: @ashleytuck
Find books, resources, and more:
- Ashley Tucker Linktree - https://linktr.ee/teacherspayblackteachers
- Why SEL Matters Even More in Schools: https://www.6seconds.org/2020/10/09/sel-covid/
- Summer Principal’s Academy 2020 Cohort: https://www.tc.columbia.edu/organization-and-leadership/spa-nyc/students/2020-cohort/
Looking for more ways to understand and use person-centered language?
- Unhandicap Your Language (Colorado State University) https://disabilitycenter.colostate.edu/inclusive-language/
- How to be more inclusive when it comes to developmental disabilities https://www.communityhealthmagazine.com/mind_and_body/social_health/how-to-be-more-inclusive-when-it-comes-to-developmental-disabilities/article_45088c98-70f5-11e9-a1b7-8745d90d6bab.html
We also share our thoughts on the South Dakota icerink competition that had teachers foraging for $1 bills, Time Person of the Year, and bell hooks and her impact on intersectional feminism.
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Do history, civics, and empathy work together? YES… yes, they work together! And if we allow them to work together, our students gain an appreciation for the act of “doing” social studies and history. We can make history come alive when students have the opportunity to explore cultural, gendered, and racial perspectives within the context of a historical period as part of their own understanding of civic agency.
In this episode, we sat down with Dr. Katie Perrotta, Assistant Professor of Middle Grades and Secondary Education with an emphasis on social studies education in the Mercer University College of Education. In our conversation, we cover how to make history come alive for students because kids should experience a vibrant, inclusive, truthful history paired with engaging civic experiences that solve real-world problems.
Follow on Social Media:
Dr. Katie Perrotta on Twitter: @DrKAPerrotta
Find books, resources, and more:
The Elizabeth Jennings Project: https://elizabethjenningsproject.wordpress.com/
Dr. Katie Perrotta at Mercer University: https://education.mercer.edu/faculty-and-staff/katherine-perrotta/
In this episode, we mentioned the Texas legislature Senate Bill 3 and how it goes against best practices and stifles agency and creativity in history, social studies, and civics classrooms. Learn more about that bill here (but also read the actual bill and see if you agree or not for yourself)*:
https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/872/billtext/pdf/SB00003F.pdf#navpanes=0
https://www.chron.com/politics/article/Texas-critical-race-theory-law-schools-16678700.php
https://www.texastribune.org/2021/12/02/texas-critical-race-theory-law/
*UPDATE: we fixed a small audio error. Thanks so much for being patient and for sticking with us as we learn!
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Games are not only fun pastime activities, they’re great vehicles for learning. How can we use games to teach civics skills, social-emotional learning, and digital citizenship? How might we use games to teach us how to be together?
In this episode, we sat down with Dr. Kat Schrier, Director of Games/Associate Professor at Marist College. She is also the Founder/CEO of PlatyPlay, LLC, which specializes in designing and researching games for learning and inclusion.
Follow on Social Media:
- Kat Schrier on Instagram: @drgamermom
- Kat Schrier on Twitter: @drgamermom
- LinkedIn: Dr. Kat Schrier
Find books, resources, and more:
- We The Gamers: https://www.amazon.com/We-Gamers-Games-Ethics-Civics/dp/0190926112
- Games for Civics: www.GamesForCivics.com
- Free Books!!! www.GamesForGrowing.com
In our discussion, we mentioned John Hunter’s World Peace Game. Learn more about that here: https://worldpeacegame.org/
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When executed well, early childhood education (preschool and nursery school) establishes a solid foundation with long-lasting impact on a child's social-emotional and educational journey. However, many parents (and even educators) do not understand how critical the 0 to 5 years are for establishing long-term success.
How do we best connect the care and learning happening in preschool to the care and learning in K12 classrooms? What should parents look out for when selecting learning environments for their kids? How can educators evolve their practices to ensure they have the tools and skills necessary for supporting the growth and development of every child in their classroom?
In this episode, we sat down with Annette Serwanga M.A.Ed of Serwanga Consulting where she assists parents, early childhood educators, and learning facilities with strategies to teach and support the whole child during the formidable years of birth to 5 years old.
Follow Annette on Social Media:
- Annette Serwanga on Instagram: @swangcnsults2
- Annette Serwanga on Clubhouse: @eceguru
- LinkedIn: Annette Serwanga M.A.Ed.
Serwanga Consulting Website: https://serwangaconsulting.com/
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There are increased benefits for all students, but specifically for Black students, when there are Black teachers in the classroom. How do we build pipelines that increase the number of Black educators in our schools? How can programming and networks support best teaching practices for Black educators as they support their Black students?
In this episode, we sat down with Hiewet Senghor Founder and CEO of the Black Teacher Collaborative - a social entrepreneurship venture, provides an opportunity to engage in the development of strategies and tools that build the mindsets, skills, and knowledge needed to actualize a new model for Black teacher impact and efficacy.
Follow on Social Media:
- Black Teacher Collaborative on Twitter: @BlkTeachCollab
- Black Teacher Collaborative on Instagram: @blackteachercollab
- Black Teacher Collaborative on Facebook: /blackteachercollaborative
- Hiewet Senghor on Twitter: @BTCHiewet
Black Teacher Collaborative Website: https://blackteachercollaborative.org/
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/LetsK12BetterMail!
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Our podcast music was created and produced by Garvey Mortley.
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Technology is a tool for innovation, a medium for self-expression, and an opportunity for us to push the boundary of what we know. Technology and the internet hold the potential to be leveraged for immense good, as well as, extreme ill intent. Often parents and educators are worried about the ways in which young people will use technology negatively. Instead, we should model positive tech habits for our kids, discuss our expectations for them when they're online, and get a lot more curious and excited about kids' lived experiences with technology.
How do we respect our kids’ privacy and digital footprint? How can parents become more aware of the challenges kids face while growing up in the digital era? How do we prepare kids to have the skills, awareness, and empathy they need to thrive in a digital world?
In this episode, we sat down with digital parenting guru, Dr. Devorah Heitner, author of Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World and the founder of Raising Digital Natives. Our favorite takeaway from this episode... remember that there's a person on the other side of the screen receiving your communications.
Follow Dr. Devorah Heitner on Social Media:
- Dr. Devorah Heitner on Instagram: @RaisingDigitalNatives
- Dr. Devorah Heitner on Twitter: @DevorahHeitner
- Dr. Devorah Heitner on Facebook: /RaisingDigitalNatives
Raising Digital Natives Website: https://www.raisingdigitalnatives.com/screenwise/
The Challenges of Raising a Digital Native | Devorah Heitner, Ph.D. | TEDxNaperville: https://youtu.be/eRQdAOrqvGg
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Every parent could use more support and more joy. Did you know that you could be a catalyst for support and for joy not only in your own life but in the lives of others? What are you pouring into the communities you’re part of? How are you sharing your expertise and wisdom with others? How do community members support each other and learn from one another?
In this episode, we sat down with Camille Robinson (Camille Joy), mother of five, host of the Moments of Joy podcast, and founder of The Real Moms Club on Clubhouse. Camille brings joy to her parenting, her entrepreneurship, her podcasting, and her community. We learned a lot about balance, being grounded in your faith, and taking time for self-care. We named Camille the fairy godmother of podcasting because she shares her knowledge with others aspiring to podcast and bring their message to the world.
Follow on Social Media:
- Camille Robinson on Instagram: @MomentsOfJoyPodcast
- Camille Robinson on Twitter: @MomentsOfJoyPod
- Camille Robinson on Facebook: /MomentsOfJoyPodcast
- Camille Robinson on Clubhouse: @MomentsOfJoyPod
Camille Robinson’s Podcast and Website: https://www.mojpodcast.com/meet-camille
The Real Moms Club on Clubhouse: https://www.clubhouse.com/club/TheREALMomClub
Resources available at the Center for Parent and Teen Communication, Culturally Responsive Parenting resources: https://parentandteen.com/category/culturally-responsive-parenting/
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Does your school have a full-time school librarian? Are you aware of what your school library can do for your students? It’s more than just passing out books and supporting language arts. Our school libraries are at the heart of all subjects and learning at schools… including math and science. How can schools better leverage the knowledge and expertise that school librarians bring? And what can school librarians do to build bridges and a deeper understanding of what they can provide?
In this episode, we sit down with K.C. Boyd, school library activist, public speaker, social influencer, to learn about the central role school librarians can (and should) play in the school community.
K.C. Boyd’s Website: http://www.kcboyd.com/
Follow K.C. Boyd on Social Media:
- Instagram: @Boss_Librarian
- Twitter: @Boss_Librarian
- Facebook: /BossLibrarian
- Clubhouse: @Boss_Librarian
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How can we use stories to bring together people of differing opinions, experiences, and perspectives to create a more nuanced understanding of the human condition? Stories have the power to build bridges, foster community, facilitate understanding, and strengthen bonds. Stories can heal communities. Stories can help us discover collective joy or understand shared traumas. But what we choose to do after hearing another person’s story is what’s most powerful.
In this episode, we sit down with Lee Keylock, Director of Global Programs and Training at Narrative4 to learn about how to intentionally foster empathy and impact through storytelling.
Follow on Social Media:
- Lee Keylock on Twitter: @leeroykeylock
- Lee Keylock on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-keylock-328061b3/
- Narrative 4 on Instagram: @narrative4
- Narrative 4 on Twitter: @narrative4
- Narrative 4 on Facebook: /narrative4
Journal of Care and Caring: Inviting the Human, by Lee Keylock https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/tpp/ijcc/2018/00000002/00000003/art00010
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(We found that there was a bit of a hiss on the kids' mics in this episode. It's a learning journey and we're working on it! Thanks for understanding.)
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How can we live history, right now, today? History comes to life when we can connect legislation, Supreme Court rulings, and major historic events to real people. When we understand the impact of historic events and decisions on people’s lives, we gain the humility and empathy to dissolve barriers that prevent us from connecting with others and learning from past mistakes.
In this episode, we sit down with filmmakers, podcasters, and content creators, Larissa Lam and Baldwin Chiu to learn about their film Far East Deep South and how their family journey opened up so many epiphanies about what it means to be an American.
Feeling inspired? Check out our Collective History Family Discussion Questions and Activities: https://www.momofallcapes.com/blog/reclaiming-our-collective-history
Connect with Larissa, Baldwin, and watch the Film:
- Check out the documentary Far East Deep South: https://fareastdeepsouth.com/
- Educational licensing of Far East Deep South available through http://newday.com
Follow on Social Media:
- Far East Deep South on Instagram: @fareastdeepsouth
- Far East Deep South on Twitter: @fareastdeepso
- Larissa on Instagram: @larissalammusic
- Larissa on Twitter: @larissalam
- Baldwin on Instagram: @onlywonmc
- Baldwin on Twitter: @onlywon
More Larissa and Baldwin Awesomeness:
- Love Discovery and Dim Sum Podcast: https://fareastdeepsouth.com/podcast/
- Asian Americans Make History: https://youtu.be/Vl_0qdAPUGs
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School should be a place where kids love to go, not a place where kids have to go. But what can educators (and even parents) do to engage students in learning that truly speaks to their interests? How can we bring in outside content experts to expand our lessons beyond the textbook and create lasting memories for our young people?
We sat down with The Expert Effect co-authors Grayson McKinney - a fifth grade teacher, technology facilitator, educational writer, speaker, and Zach Rondot - a fourth grade teacher, presenter, and Oakland County Elementary Teacher of the year.
Follow Grayson and Zach on Social Media:
- Connect with Grayson on his blog: www.Innovation4Education.WordPress.com
- Grayson on Instagram @ExpertEffectEdu
- Grayson on Twitter and Clubhouse @GMcKinney2
- Connect with Zach on his blog: www.ZachRondot.com
- Zach on Instagram @ZachRondot
- Zach on Twitter @MrRondot
Check out the book The Expert Effect: A Three-Part System to Break Down the Walls of Your Classroom and Connect Your Students to the World:
- Find The Expert Effect on Amazon in paperback and ebook versions.
- Find The Expert Effect at Barnes & Noble.com in paperback and ebook versions.
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Juneteenth represents a moment in time when freedom was delayed for a large group of people. In times where society is pushing back against injustice, how do we create space to celebrate and acknowledge victories? How do we build the capacity to connect with our inner selves and with those around us? How is art a perfect medium for healing and reciprocity? We sat down with Jen Bloomer artist, activist, facilitator, and the founder of Radici Studios to learn more about art as a community healing experience.
Join Amber and Jen on June 19th, 2021 for a virtual celebration of Juneteenth as a collective exploration of freedom, liberty, and liberation. Don’t miss it! Register now: https://radicistudios.com/workshops
Follow Jen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radicistudios/
Check out these additional resources:
Radici Studios: https://radicistudios.com
S1. Ep.9 - Juneteenth: Celebrating the Struggle: https://letsk12better.buzzsprout.com/1036873/4234685-juneteenth-celebrating-the-struggle
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What does justice look like if we are allowed to contribute everything we are to the communities we’re part of? The skills, tools, and processes needed to maintain community are social-emotional learning skills. Humans are innovative and we invest in the technology needed to keep our society going, but we need to begin to invest in human innovation, in the institution of the individual, and in the skills required to build deeper connections with others.
We sat down with David Adams, CEO, The Urban Assembly. David presents an opportunity to reimagine and dream while providing an educational equity blueprint. Our favorite quote from this conversation was: “It’s difficult to hate people you’re in community with. It's difficult to strip the dignity of a person that you’re in a deep relationship with”. We encourage you to sit back, close your eyes and join us in pursuing a better way.
Follow David's Thoughts and Work on Social Media:
- David Adams on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DAdams_SEL
- The Urban Assembly on Twitter: https://twitter.com/UrbanAssembly
- The Urban Assembly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theurbanassembly/
Check out The Urban Assembly Social-Emotional Learning Symposium https://urbanassembly.org/events/2nd-annual-urban-assembly-social-emotional-learning-symposium
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It’s our anniversary! (Thank you for listening)
This podcast started with a family discussion on schooling through an apocalypse. We learned however that this podcast evolved into our year-long journey and exploration into important discussions that families need to have. We hope that this episode like all of the others serves as an invitation to have more meaningful discussions about justice, civics, race, and wellness.
In this episode, we talk about how to cultivate a justice mindset in kids. We briefly discuss the Derek Chauvin verdict. We ask that our listeners please keep the family of George Floyd as well as the witness who filmed this atrocity, Darnella Frazier in your prayers. We also encourage our listeners to start and stop the episode and have a family discussion with us!
Check out these resources:
- Cultivating A Justice Mindset in Kids Wakelet https://wakelet.com/wake/SbMhvpManxVyDVVGrn5xq
- Peace One Day panel "Youth Taking A Stand Against Racism" https://vimeo.com/530368145#t=13488s (cued up to 3:44:48)
- Join me on Clubhouse on Saturdays at 11:30 am EST: https://www.joinclubhouse.com/club/equitych-equity-chat
- I mentioned the NPR coverage of Josh and Sharnissa Secret "For Some Black Kids, Remote Learning Has Offered A Chance To Thrive"
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The public library is undoubtedly a civic space and school libraries are essential to the K12 learning journey. But how have libraries and the role of the librarian evolved to meet the needs of our students during COVID-19?
We sat down with Dr. Corey Hall - curriculum Developer, Librarian, former middle school teacher, and 2019 American Library Association Emerging Leader - to learn more about these unsung heroes and how their work to inspire a love for reading, connects the school community in some very important ways.
Follow Corey Hall, Ph.D. on Social Media:
- Twitter: @rchallway
- Instagram: @library_doc
It’s more than books! Check out these resources:
- STEM Education Works Catalog: https://stemeducationworks.com/catalog/#p=1
- Makerspaces in Libraries: http://www.ala.org/pla/resources/tools/technology/makerspaces
- Makerspaces/Learning Commons: https://knowledgequest.aasl.org/category/blogs/maker/
- Developing Inclusive Learners and Citizens: Activity Guide and Framework https://standards.aasl.org/project/inclusive/
- 2020 State of America’s Libraries Report: http://www.ala.org/news/sites/ala.org.news/files/content/State-of-Americas-Libraries-2020-web.pdf
STEM Education Works Resources:
- Twitter: @STEMEduWorks
- Instagram: @stemeducationworks
- Website: www.stemeducationworks.com
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Racism shows up everywhere and we are beginning to acknowledge how that impacts different groups, but most importantly we're starting to see the benefits of working collectively to address racism. As we work together to end marginalization and discrimination, we must remember that the AAPI struggle fits into the larger push for a more just and anti-racist world. This requires each of us to work across racial and cultural groups to end oppression, racism, colorism, and xenophobia targeted at any individual or group of people.
How do we build that capacity? How can we support the Asian and Pacific Islander community during this time?
We sat down with history educators Angela Lee, Karalee Wong Nakatsuka, Stacy Yung, and Virginia Nguyen, to discuss how we might combat hate, acknowledge hurt, engage in healing, and cultivate hope as we support our Asian and Pacific Islander family, friends, students, and colleagues.
Links For Continued Learning:
- Educate to Empower from Stacy and Virginia: https://linktr.ee/edu_to_empower
- Anti-Asian Violence Resources compiled by Healthcare Alliance for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Employee Resource Group at Vanderbilt University Medical Center: https://anti-asianviolenceresources.carrd.co/
- Anti-AAPI Racism Resources compiled by Mass General Hospital Cross-Cultural Student Wellness Center: https://www.mghstudentwellness.org/racism
- Video by Historian Erika Lee on the Long History of Xenophobia in the US https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NuflY5IDb9Y&feature=youtu.be
- Educator Resources from PBS’ documentary “Asian Americans” https://mass.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/asian-americans-pbs/
- Hollaback! Bystander Intervention Training to stop anti-Asian/American and xenophobic harassment https://www.ihollaback.org/bystanderintervention/
- This Is What No One Tells You About Being Asian In America In 2021 https://www.huffpost.com/entry/asian-hate-crimes-2021-covid_n_602c00e8c5b6c95056f3dd41?ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000067
Follow Our Guests On Social Media:
- Karalee @historyfrog
- Virginia @VirginiaHNguyen
- Stacy @stacyyung
- Angela @mrshistorylee
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Social emotional learning (SEL) is the process of learning how to use the feedback our emotions provide us to connect with other people or to navigate social situations. We hear a lot about using social emotional skills with children, but SEL is great for adults too!
We sat down with Dr. Lorea Martínez, SEL activist, educator, and researcher; and author of Teaching with the HEART in Mind. In this episode, you’ll find answers to questions like:
How can adults continue their emotional growth journey through the entirety of life? How might we leverage social emotional learning to build rigorous curriculum and instruction and more equitable learning spaces? How can parents connect with their children through social emotional learning?
GET A FREE E-BOOK COPY OF Teaching with the HEART in Mind:
- Go to www.loreamartinez.com
- Mention the Let’s K12 Better podcast
- Review the book
*Offer good for the first 5 people to reach out to Dr. Martínez
Connect with Dr. Martínez on social media and her website:
- Twitter: @loreamart
- Facebook: loreamartinezSEL
- Website: loreamartinez.com
- Book: https://amzn.to/3bg95Rk
Read more about social emotional learning via the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) - https://casel.org/what-is-sel/
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What is intersectional tech? How does our identity bump up against the unspoken community norms in gaming and other online spaces? How do we combat harassment online, whether we experience it or not?
In our interview with Dr. Kishonna Gray, her biggest fan Naima sits down with her to unpack what Intersectional Tech is and what it can do to democratize the digital space and make it safer for marginalized identities.
More on Dr. Gray's work!
- Kishonna Gray website: http://www.kishonnagray.com/
- Social Media: @KishonnaGray
Follow the hashtags:
-
IntersectionalTech
-
EquityInGaming
-
POCinPlay
-
BlackGirlGamers
Learn more about intersectionality!
- Muriel Tramis - The First Black Female Game Designer https://youtu.be/rHM0U-IBqxc
- Kimberlé Crenshaw’s TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/kimberle_crenshaw_the_urgency_of_intersectionality?language=en
- The Intersectionality Wars (Vox): https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/2019/5/20/18542843/intersectionality-conservatism-law-race-gender-discrimination
Learn more about why we need to build more inclusive online spaces:
- The State of Online Harassment (Pew Research Center) https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/01/13/the-state-of-online-harassment/
- Online Harassment (Colorlines) https://www.colorlines.com/tags/online-harassment
- The Video Game Industry Diversity Problem (The Guardian) https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/mar/15/video-game-industry-diversity-problem-women-non-white-people
- Diversity in the Gaming Industry is Not Good (Mashable) https://mashable.com/2018/01/09/video-game-diversity/
- Gaming star Ninja sparked controversy with his statements on kids and racism. It's not his first time in the hot seat. https://www.insider.com/ninja-interview-controversy-twitch-streamer-tyler-blevins-history-2021-1
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EXCUSE OUR AUDIO ERROR. WE JUST UPDATED THE EPISODE. It may take time for it to update on all platforms.
Minstrelsy was an American theatrical genre present from the end of the Civil War to the early parts of the 1900s that placed white performers in the comedic enactment of racial stereotypes about Black people. Today, people are so turned off by Blackface that they’re not willing to delve into the reason why it is considered offensive in the first place... and we haven’t learned from our past. Blackface isn’t dead. In this episode, we discuss the perceptions of Black people in the media; how we have discussions about challenging historical practices (that still persist today); and Spike Lee’s movie Bamboozled.
WE COULD NOT COVER EVERYTHING in this episode. There was no way. We didn’t have enough time to talk about images, photographs, and so many other stories… like the recent renaming of the Aunt Jemima pancake mix. The Aunt Jemima pancake mix was named after "Old Aunt Jemima," an 1875 song from a minstrel show that featured performers in blackface who wore aprons and bandana headbands. Read about Aunt Jemima’s name change here.
Though some might find this topic "challenging" or "uncomfortable", living with racial stereotypes is also challenging and uncomfortable. This is a conversation worth having. We recommend that parents consider that younger children (0-7) may not be able to understand some of the themes discussed in this episode. It is however important that if kids are online they are often exposed to racist content and concepts and that should always be discussed.
Resources for learning more about the American tradition of Blackface:
- Are your kids ready to watch? CommonSense Media Overview of Bamboozled: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/bamboozled
- A Brief Guide to 21st Century Blackface by Aisha Harris https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/09/25/opinion/blackface-tv-movies-race.html
- Garvey's Roblox Video on Blackface: https://youtu.be/BfO_ZK0Kvj8
- NMAAHC https://nmaahc.si.edu/blog-post/blackface-birth-american-stereotype
- How the History of Blackface is Rooted in Racism via History.com https://www.history.com/news/blackface-history-racism-origins
- Forms of Variety Theatre via Library of Congress: https://memory.loc.gov/ammem/vshtml/vsforms.html
- Images of Blackface via Library of Congress search: https://www.loc.gov/search/?in=&q=Blackface&new=true&st=
Family Discussion Questions:
- What is the difference between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation?
- How do the stories that others tell about us help or hinder us?
- How do the images we see, influence the way in which we think about other people and their culture?
- Why should we have discussions about blackface and digital blackface?
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February is Black History Month! Black History Month started as an effort by Carter G. Woodson and Jesse E. Moorland in the early 20th century to celebrate and research accomplishments and contributions by people of African descent. Join us at the kitchen table for a family discussion about Black History Month. We can’t speak for all Black people, but we hope that this conversation inspires some thoughts about how one family interprets their Black experience.
Need resources? Check out the Black History Month toolkit we created to help families and educators begin their exploration of Black history and culture: https://www.momofallcapes.com/black-history-month-toolkit.html
Books and movies mentioned during this episode:
- Woke Gaming by Dr. Kishonna Gray
- Spirit of Intimacy by Sobonfu Some
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
- Antebellum (Horror/Thriller Movie, R)
- The Souls of Black Folk by W. E. B. Du Bois
- Stamped by Jason Reynolds, Ibram X. Kendi
- Bamboozled by Spike Lee
- Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
- We Want To Do More Than Survive by Dr. Bettina Love
- From Columbus to Castro by Eric Williams
Family Discussion Questions:
- What does BHM mean to you?
- Even though we would rather see Black History and the history of all people of color integrated into our history classes beyond a highlighted box on the side, why is it still important to celebrate this month? What can this lead to?
- How can white and non-black people of color better honor black culture and black history?
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How are you going to pursue your passion this year?
We are celebrating the start of season 2 of the Let’s K12 Better podcast all month with the What’s Your Why -a series on exploring motivation and the imperfect journey to your authentic self. We hope you join us on January 27th for a LIVE show community discussion on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter on finding our authentic self.
“Everyone has a recording device in their pocket” so why wait for the media to tell your story? In this episode, we sit down with Clement Townsend, former sports journalist, author of “How to Become a Broadcasting Star” and the founder of Broadcasting Career Mentor (BCM) who shares with us why each of us can and should be storytellers.
Learn more about Clement’s work:
www.videojournalismpro.com
Connect with Clement on social media:
LinkedIn: Clement Townsend
Facebook: CTownsendTV
Instagram: CTownsendTV
Twitter: ClementTV_
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How are you going to pursue your passion this year?
We are celebrating the start of season 2 of the Let’s K12 Better podcast all month with the What’s Your Why -a series on exploring motivation and the imperfect journey to your authentic self. We hope you join us on January 27th for a LIVE show community discussion on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter on finding our authentic self.
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Lindsay Portnoy, Cognitive Scientist, School Board President, and mother who thinks about how we make research and best practices in learning more accessible and applicable for parents and educators.
Learn more about Lindsay’s work!
- https://www.lindsayportnoy.com/
- https://www.lindsayportnoy.com/learntoday
Links to resources and where to buy her books:
- https://bookshop.org/books/game-on-brain-on-the-surprising-relationship-between-play-and-gray-matter/9781951600426
- https://bookshop.org/books/designed-to-learn-using-design-thinking-to-bring-purpose-and-passion-to-the-classroom/9781416628248
- https://www.lindsayportnoy.com/designed-to-learn
- https://www.lindsayportnoy.com/gobo
Op-eds and published thought pieces:
- USA Today - Coronavirus: Remote learning turns kids into zombies because we're doing it all wrong.
- The74 - A Mom’s View: Some Families Have the Resources to Manage Online Learning for Their Kids. Too Many Others Do Not. Where Is the Equity in That?
- The Washington Post - What is ‘design thinking’? And why does it belong in our classrooms?
- The World Economic Forum - Children should be playing more games in the classroom. Here’s why...
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How are you going to pursue your passion this year?
We are celebrating the start of season 2 of the Let’s K12 Better podcast all month with the What’s Your Why -a series on exploring motivation and the imperfect journey to your authentic self. We hope you join us on January 27th for a LIVE show community discussion on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter on finding our authentic self.
In this episode, we sit down with Yaritza Villalba, educator and Founding President, YV Educational Resources. Yaritza shows us how centering student voice is not only rewarding but necessary for all students, specifically historically marginalized students.
Learn more about Yaritza Villalba’s work or connect with her on social media at the links below!
Link to website: https://www.yveducationalresources.com/
AskYaritza blog link: https://blog.flipgrid.com/news/category/AskYaritza
AskYaritza is located on the Flipgrid YouTube channel: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCaE_edn77lDzCxI3pinKvHg
Twitter Handle: @inc_yv
Instagram Handle: inc_yv
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What are your New Year’s Resolutions? How are you going to pursue your passion this year?
Welcome to season 2 of the Let’s K12 Better podcast! We are starting this second season with What’s Your Why -a series on exploring motivation and the imperfect journey to your authentic self. We hope you join us on January 27th for a LIVE show community discussion on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter on finding our authentic self.
In this episode, we sat down with Gail Clanton, a writer and community builder who uses her talent and passion to help transform businesses, brands, and individuals so that they reach their ultimate levels of success. Gail shows us how important it is to build or find your tribe but most importantly to lift as we climb.
Learn more about Gail Clanton’s work or connect with her on social media at the links below!
Facebook Group: Grown-Up Church Girls
Facebook: GailClantonSparkles
Instagram: GailClantonSparkles
Twitter: @GailCSparkles
Website: https://www.gailclanton.com/
Blog: http://www.diaryofagrownupchurchgirl.com/
The scripture Gail mentioned in her interview was from Matthew 5:16, which reads: "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
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We are not shy about giving thanks. For our family, giving thanks is an opportunity to think deeply about our contributions to making our family-run, our commitment to each other, and how reciprocity is a form of love and selflessness. For the last episode of 2020, we went LIVE on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube (on the MomOfAllCapes Channels).
We want to acknowledge that this year though intense and unprecedented in so many ways that lots of people are still hurting during these times. We wish peace to anyone who lost a loved one during COVID 19 and have you in our prayers.
God bless everyone this upcoming year. Thanks for sticking with us this year.
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What can we learn about communication, from trees? Lots! In this episode, we discuss Dr. Suzanne Simard’s groundbreaking research on forests, the New York Times article “The Social Life of Trees” and the ways in which parents can raise children to see others as potential supercooperators rather than competitors. Maybe the trees tell us that the secrets to our survival are found below the surface in our need to connect with each other.
--- Learn more about how trees communicate ---
The Social Life of Trees: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/12/02/magazine/tree-communication-mycorrhiza.html
Dr. Suzanne Simard’s TedTalk: https://www.ted.com/talks/suzanne_simard_how_trees_talk_to_each_other?language=en#t-475328
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We’re celebrating 25 awesome episodes of the Let’s K12 Better podcast. THANK YOU SO MUCH, LISTENERS!
Through the end of 2020, we challenge families to sprinkle a bit of gratitude into every single thing they do. Why is it so hard to show that we are thankful when times are tough or disappointing? Many of us learn to say thank you only when someone does something for us. Let’s change that.
Gratitude questions for families:
What is gratitude?
How do we show each other gratitude?
What are three things we are thankful for as a family and as individuals?
What are we thankful we are Learning or having challenges with?
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We’re baaaack! So the election happened. Now what? If you’re like us, you’re feeling a mixture of stress and relief after what has been a contentious and dramatic election cycle. So now that we have a new President-Elect, everyone is wondering how or even if we should move forward. Should we all sing Kumbaya and move on or should we think about the structural issues that are driving people apart? In this episode, we discuss the election results, the debates, and so much more.
FYI… You’re not crazy, there is “nature” singing in the background. It was too hot to close all the windows, so please enjoy those ambient healing sounds in the background.
*During November and December, episodes will launch bi-weekly. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/LetsK12BetterNewsletter!
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Music credit: G. Mortley
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WARNING: We break out in song in this episode… so get ready!
How do we engage kids in civic life when they can’t vote? How do we become informed voters so that we can make the best possible choice? We held a family discussion about voting and the debates. We challenge you to have a discussion too!
Here are our questions:
-
Why should people vote, even if they do not like the candidates? What can they do about it?
-
What is missing in the discussion in schools about voting?OR What do you wish was covered and why?
-
Sometimes candidates run ads and say harmful things about each other. What do you think about those kinds of ads? Are they helpful?
-
We watched both the presidential and the vice presidential debates. What were some differences between the two? How did the debates make you feel afterward?
-
Voting is only one, very important part of your civic experience. What other ways can people make a change in their community? Kids can’t vote. So what are ways that kids can contribute to their communities?
Check out the 5th Let’s K12 Better Newsletter with nonpartisan resources and tools to help you make an informed decision: https://mailchi.mp/aee90749591f/tips-for-raising-socially-conscious-anti-racist-kids-5836019.
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It’s a short one this week, but YOU’VE GOT HOMEWORK!
October 5th - 9th is National Voter Education Week. How are you going to use this time to prepare for the election? We switched it up this episode and have provided discussion questions about elections and voting for families to use next week (and all month long).
We are living during unprecedented times and kids are asking a lot of questions. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to engage because of fear. Remember, we’re preparing them to fix this mess. Bring your kids along on the journey with you. Here are your discussion questions:
- Why should people vote, even if they do not like the candidates? What can they do about it?
- What is missing in the discussion in schools about voting?OR What do you wish was covered and why?
- Sometimes candidates run ads and say harmful things about each other. What do you think about those kinds of ads? Are they helpful?
- What can parents do to raise informed and engaged future voters?
- Voting is only one, very important part of your civic experience. What other ways can people make a change in their community?
- Kids can’t vote. So what are ways that kids can contribute to their communities?
We’d love to hear about your family discussion. Share with us on social media @LetsK12Better or email us momofallcapes@gmail.com.
Find non-partisan resources in the 5th Let’s K12 Better Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/aee90749591f/tips-for-raising-socially-conscious-anti-racist-kids-5836019.
National Voter Education Week site: https://votereducationweek.org/!
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VoteReady | #MailReady | #VotePlanReady | #BallotReady | #WeReady2020
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How do we talk to kids about Breonna Taylor or police brutality?
SayHerName... Since the death of Breonna Taylor, we’ve held many family discussions about race and other important topics. Because no topic is off the table in our home, we decided to pivot, still celebrating National Voter Registration Day, but we wanted to take a moment to discuss the grand jury’s ruling and the rippling impact it has had on all of us.
*Before you have a family conversation about Breonna Taylor’s death, read up an entire timeline.
Podcasts on talking to kids about race, racial justice, and police brutality:
- Talking to Kids… About Race | Let's K12 Better Podcast
- How to Raise a Socially Conscious, Anti-Racist Child | NYT Parenting
- Talking to your kids about race and how to raise an anti-racist kid | Mother Of All Shows
- Civics, Race, and Kids | TC After Dark
- How to Talk to Kids About Race | Edit Your Life Show
Become an informed, anti-racist voter. Learn more about your ballot and read up on your candidates:
- National Voter Registration Day #VoteReady resources
- Vote411 Election Information
- Issue Voter
- Ballot Ready
- League of Women Voters
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Have you joined your school’s PTA, PTO, or PA, yet? Why not? They need you! The parent association at your school isn’t just a super-cliquey group of hyper controlling moms and dads putting on bake sales. The PTA is actually an advocacy wing that represents the needs of all kids in a school.
Did you know that parent advocacy in schools doesn’t stop at the school PTA? We sat down with Jim Bradley, parent and education advocate, to discuss the need for parent participation at all levels of the school system and how parents can work together to build a stronger school district.
Learn more about the benefits of joining your school’s PTA: https://www.momofallcapes.com/blog/increase-your-k12-parent-participation.
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Education policy and research can be super wonky… How can parents use education policy and education research to inform their understanding of their child’s K12 learning ecosystem?
We sat down with Cara Jackson, Associate Partner at Bellwether Education Partners and Adjunct Professorial Lecturer at American University to discuss education policy - what it is, how it impacts our child’s education, and how parents can access research and best practices to better inform them of what’s required for a successful K12 experience.
Check out these resources!
- Chalkbeat (Matt Barnum and others) https://www.chalkbeat.org/2020/4/7/21225437/school-budgets-are-in-big-trouble-especially-in-high-poverty-areas-here-s-why-and-what-could-help
- Brookings Brown Center https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/
- Education Next https://www.educationnext.org/
More from Cara!
Co-edited/co-authored books and articles:
- Linking Teacher Preparation Program Design and Implementation to Outcomes for Teachers and Student: https://www.infoagepub.com/products/Linking-Teacher-Preparation-Program-Design-and-Implementation-to-Outcomes-for-Teachers-and-Students
- Assessment Education: Bridging Research, Theory, and Practice to Promote Equity and Student Learning: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781475851069/Assessment-Education-Bridging-Research-Theory-and-Practice-to-Promote-Equity-and-Student-Learning
- Engaging with parents: the relationship between school engagement efforts, social class, and learning: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09243453.2012.680893
- The effects of historical reading and writing strategy instruction with fourth- through sixth-grade student: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-08950-001
- Time to pay up: Analyzing the motivational potential of financial awards in a TIF program: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.3102/0162373714524622
- Assessing the Evidence on Teacher Evaluation Reforms: http://caldercouncil.org/assessing-the-evidence-on-teacher-evaluation-reforms/#.XthOtzpKhPY
- Blog posts at Ahead of the Heard https://aheadoftheheard.org/author/cara/
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No episode this week. Enjoy your Labor Day weekend! In the meantime, spend time listening to one of 18 episodes on your favorite podcasting platform.
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Parents and educators play an integral role in serving us narratives through our formative years; narratives that will shape the way we value others and look at life throughout our lives. This month we submersed ourselves in diverse narratives. We watched Beyoncé’s Black is King; Parasite, The Host, both directed by Bong Joon-ho; and the Lovecraft Country series developed by Misha Green. We’ve spent our time reading the wise and creative words of Chimamanda Adichie, James Baldwin, Nawal El Saadawi, Angie Thomas, Sobonfu Somé, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Dubois, James Weldon Johnson.
In this episode, we discuss how our adopted narratives shape the way we view life and the need for expanding our narratives to create more inclusive experiences. We mentioned the work of two very important thinkers. Please learn more about Gloria Ladson-Billings and Kimberlé Crenshaw below…
Gloria Ladson-Billings Culturally Responsive Teaching:
https://www.the74million.org/article/74-interview-researcher-gloria-ladson-billings-on-culturally-relevant-teaching-the-role-of-teachers-in-trumps-america-lessons-from-her-two-decades-in-education-research/.
Kimberlé Crenshaw’s Ted Talk on Intersectionality: https://www.ted.com/talks/kimberle_crenshaw_the_urgency_of_intersectionality.
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This week we sat down with Canissa Grant - a math and special education teacher; and Stefanie Wager - President of the National Council for the Social Studies (starting at 27:20). This episode is part of a Back to School series focused on a variety of topics designed to peek behind the curtain or even blur the lines a bit between the parent-teacher realm.
ATTN: This is a two-part episode (on the same track).
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This week we sat down with Dr. Lindsay Portnoy a mother, author, cognitive scientist, and school board president; and Corwyn Collier a father, educator, track coach, and veteran. This episode is part of a Back to School series focused on a variety of topics designed to peek behind the curtain or even blur the lines a bit between the parent-teacher realm. ATTN: This is a two-part episode (on the same track). Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/LetsK12BetterNewsletter!
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****We apologize if you experienced an error in our episode. We had an errant ghost track floating on the recording. We've since uploaded a new episode which may take a bit to update on your podcasting platform. Thanks for your patience with us as we learn to do this podcasting thing!
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This week we sat down with Gabriel Valdez an educator from Texas and Dr. Jasmin Whitfield, DNP, MSN, MPH, RN a Director of Health Service and mother on the east coast.
This episode is part of a Back to School series focused on a variety of topics designed to peek behind the curtain or even blur the lines a bit between the parent-teacher realm.
ATTN: This is a two-part episode (on the same track). Part 2 begins at 24:00.
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Right now, families across the country are inundated with information about COVID-19 and back to school. But what do the kids think? We invited two special guests, Judah P. (12) and Levi P. (10) to share their thoughts with us. We challenge families to use the time leading up to schools reopening to hold an open discussion about COVID-19 as a family.
This episode is part of a Back to School series focused on a variety of topics designed to peek behind the curtain or even blur the lines a bit between the parent-teacher realm.
ATTN: This is a two-part episode (on the same track).
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No episode this week. We're working on a Back to School series!
Listen to your favorite episodes and others. Rate. Subscribe. Share.
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Athletes bring their unique selves to the game no matter what level of play. But sometimes black athletes feel as if they must mute themselves or withhold a part of who they are in order to fit in on their team. During this time we challenge coaches (and parent-spectators) to think about how best to support their black athletes? We met with Janee Hayes, a mom, an entrepreneur, and a former two-sport Division 1 athlete to discuss this and more.
Learn more about Janee’s Spiked City DC volleyball club: spikedcitydc.com
Follow them on Instagram: @spikedcitydc
Follow them on Facebook: @spikedcitydc
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How does implicit bias, racism, and inequity determine the type of care that patients receive when they go to the doctor or the emergency room? What is the work being done to actively empower those disproportionately impacted by sexual health and other health disparities? How would addressing the inequities of those at the margins, improve healthcare outcomes for all?
In this episode, we sit down with Renee Pitter MPH, who has dedicated her life to wellness and sexual health advocacy. Learn more about her work on the Center for sexuality and health disparities website: https://www.sexualityandhealth.org/
If you’re inspired by this episode, we encourage you to donate to work being done to improve wellness and sexual health outcomes.
Sites for donation:
Local
https://www.ruthelliscenter.org/ (Add: TSOC in donation note section to donate to Trans Sistahs of Color)
https://www.lgbtdetroit.org/
http://www.miunified.org/home
https://www.moash.org/
National
http://www.tgijp.org/donate.html
https://www.blacktranstravelfund.com/
https://www.theokraproject.com/
*Parents, in this episode we discuss sexual health disparities. If you’ve yet to discuss this topic with your own children, please listen first and then listen as a family.
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What does independence mean to you? How has our national attitude toward independence and freedom evolved over time? In this shortened episode we discuss the sacrifices made for a free nation and what that means for all people.
Read the Declaration of Independence via National Archives site: https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript
Family Discussion Questions:
- Is there a difference between independence and freedom?
- How do we keep pursuing beautiful ideas like freedom, justice, independence, and equality?
- What does it mean to push back and fight for independence when everyone isn’t free?
Psst… subscribe to the #LetsK12Better newsletter:
https://momofallcapes.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9d903fc713ea449342e3691fb&id=8ec65c1a32
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So... What's next on the antiracist journey? If you're going to address racism, you have to understand how racism is structurally and institutionally entangled within our systems. Let's learn more about the inequities that impact black communities disproportionately.
How are organizations using data in the fight for racial equity and the liberation of black people? We took a moment to sit down with Dr. Menna Demessie, Vice President Research and Policy Analysis for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, to gain insight into how the CBCF uses data in the fight for an antiracist society.
Learn more about the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the ways that you can support their efforts here: www.cbcfinc.org
*We had a few technical difficulties this episode but we hope that does not sully your listening experience. We’re working on learning how best to work with sound and use platforms like Zencastr and Zoom to hold interviews from afar. (we’ll get there ya’ll)
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Today is Juneteenth. Juneteenth represents a moment in time when freedom was delayed for a large group of enslaved people. In times of struggle or injustice, how do we create space to celebrate and acknowledge victories? How do we define liberation when the world is experiencing a moment of trauma and turmoil? In this episode, we talk about acknowledging and remembering the lives lost to police brutality, the importance of saying the names, and how we can find hope as we continue our antiracist work. We also cover topics of freedom and independence.
Questions for your family discussion this week:
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Why is it important to say the names of the people who are victims of police brutality?
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Why should we read their stories and read up on the reports of their deaths?
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Should kids learn the details about how these people died? Why or why not?
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Can we be free if everyone is not free? Why or Why not?
-
Should Juneteenth be a national holiday? Why or why not?
*One kid had a loose tooth, so they had a few weird moments when talking... Mom had allergies, which made her sound weird.
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Everyone has a role to play… some of us are still trying to figure out what that is. During this time of social unrest, we need to reflect and talk about the important topics of police brutality and racism, but we can’t just talk. We need to act. In this episode, we discuss how families can engage from home; how communities can move forward; and why it is so important to think beyond just ourselves right now.
Dig deeper and do the work: We quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail. We encourage you and your family to listen to the audio recording of Dr. King read his letter or read the speech together as a family:
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute, Stanford University:
- An audio recording of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reading the Letter from a Birmingham Jail: http://okra.stanford.edu/transcription/audio/630416001.mp3
- An image of the original Letter from a Birmingham Jail: https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/letter-birmingham-jail
African Studies Center - University of Pennsylvania
- Easier to read version: https://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html
If you’re looking for more resources on how to talk to your kids about racialized violence and racism please reach out to @LetsK12Better or @MomOfAllCapes on social media.
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We do not have all of the answers and neither will you. In this episode, we share a few very simple strategies to prepare adults to have meaningful conversations with their kids. Talking to your kids about race is the first step in a long journey of work that is required of each of us.
Check out the Edit Your Life Show Episode 156 “How to Talk to Kids About Race”. Where I share helpful analogies on how to talk to kids about race: http://www.edityourlifeshow.com/episode-156-how-to-talk-to-kids-about-race-with-amber-coleman-mortley/
We had a candid discussion about racism. In this episode, the kids shared their own definitions (of what they understand racism is). Racism, as defined by the Anti-Defamation League:
Racism is the belief that a particular race is superior or inferior to another, that a person’s social and moral traits are predetermined by his or her inborn biological characteristics.
This is just a start... If you’re looking for more resources on how to talk to your kids about racialized violence and racism please reach out to @LetsK12Better or @MomOfAllCapes on social media.
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We took a break from our regular programming to acknowledge the hurt happening all around us. In this very short episode, we encourage families to start the fight against injustice by having a conversation about racism, racialized violence, and how we can use our privileges to build safer spaces for all people.
How do we speak up, show up, and stand up when we see or hear about injustice? Kids can have these conversations. It’s up to us to start them.
We reference the Edit Your Life Show Episode 156 “How to Talk to Kids About Race”. You can find that here: http://www.edityourlifeshow.com/episode-156-how-to-talk-to-kids-about-race-with-amber-coleman-mortley/
Standing in solidarity does not require you to fully understand everything someone is going through. If you are a white or a non-black person of color and want to learn how to be an ally, you can start by reading the simple yet actionable analogy in this post here: https://www.momofallcapes.com/blog/where-do-we-learn-to-be-allies
This is just a start... If you’re looking for more resources on how to talk to your kids about racialized violence and racism please reach out to @LetsK12Better or @MomOfAllCapes on social media.
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The internet is a very important part of our life. And with summer camps canceled and summer plans ruined, it just might mean that you’re granting your child more freedom on the web while you work. How do we ensure our children’s safety online? We’re using a well-known fairytale to help remind parents and kids what happens when your online behavior isn’t safe.
In this kid-run episode full of shenanigans, we made reference to a viral video “What You Doing With That Uh Uh Uh”, available here: https://youtu.be/PsPiiTRFqjM
Share your thoughts on social media using the hashtag - #LetsK12Better
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Getting outside is a form of self-care. But COVID-19 has us shook. As it gets warmer and more states begin to open, we discuss whether it’s safe to go outdoors. What precautions should families take to stay safe? How is being outdoors a privilege? What do the kids think? Share your thoughts on social media using the hashtag - #LetsK12Better
*In this episode we discuss Ahmaud Arbey the runner slain on February 23rd.
(We made an error, Ahmaud Arbery's birthday is May 8th.)
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COVID-19, the Election, and the Census… What a civic moment to be alive!? Unfortunately, civics is rarely taught with the level of intention required to equip people with the knowledge and information to confidently engage in their communities in meaningful ways. We sat down with Dr. Emma Humphries, Chief Education Officer at iCivics to learn more about the importance of civic learning, not only this year... but always.
How do we create feedback loops that take into consideration what is happening at the moment? In this episode, we cover the relationship between classroom time lost and how it reflects on tests and assessments; and the ways the media and districts report on what's going on. Access the episode transcript here.
Share your thoughts on social media using the hashtag - #LetsK12Better
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Zoom Meetings, GoogleMeet, Online learning management systems... Oh, My! Teachers and parents are doing the best they can with the situation they’ve been given… But are we just stumbling through the post-apocalyptic wasteland of K12 education? It sure feels like it. Mom discusses parallels she sees between what’s happening with schools during the COVID-19 pandemic and the zombie apocalypse series “Daybreak” on Netflix. Is she offbase? What do you think?
Share your thoughts on social media using the hashtag - #LetsK12Better.
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