The Counter Narrative: Changing the Way We Talk (and think) About Education: Recent Episodes
Charles Williams
A podcast dedicated to changing the way we talk and think about education. We all know that the field isn't perfect but there is plenty of awesome work happening everyday. Listen in as I profile educators who are positively impacting their staff, students, and communities. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
In the final episode of my pre-summer series, I attempt to tackle the pervasive fear of missing out and share transformative ways to focus on what's genuinely important. This episode explores practical strategies for practicing mindfulness, fostering gratitude, and reducing social media's influence to enhance presence and fulfillment in both personal and professional realms. Join me as I conclude the series with powerful insights on valuing the present over potential opportunities, helping you to lead a more focused and fulfilling life. Tune in to learn how to cherish the now and find true satisfaction in the moments that matter most.
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In this insightful episode of "The Counter Narrative Podcast," I delve into the crucial skills of setting clear boundaries and confidently saying no. "Yes to Less" offers practical advice on defining and maintaining personal and professional boundaries, ensuring that they are respected. Learn how to handle requests that infringe on your time and peace of mind without feeling guilty. I share personal stories and strategies that empower you to prioritize your well-being and commit to what truly matters. Tune in to discover how defending your boundaries can lead to a more focused and fulfilling life.
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In this opening episode of a three-part series, host Charles Williams dives into the essence of essentialism. Drawing from Greg McKeown’s influential book, Charles shares his journey toward focusing on what truly matters—choosing quality over quantity in commitments. Discover the liberating power of prioritizing and learn practical steps to identify and focus on your highest contributions. Tune in for a reflective session on how to streamline your life and leadership by embracing the disciplined pursuit of less but better.
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Join me in this insightful episode as I delve into the transformative power of exploration and spontaneity. During the episode, I reflect on a recent trip to Poughkeepsie, sparked by the celebration of my daughter's graduation, and how it challenged my deeply ingrained habits of efficiency. Ignoring the GPS's directives, I embarked on a scenic route along the Hudson River, discovering hidden gems and breathtaking vistas that rekindled a sense of wonder and appreciation for the present moment.
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Episode Description
In this enlightening episode of The Counter Narrative Podcast, host Charles Williams sits down with education expert Jamie Brown to discuss a compelling perspective on the current state of education. Jamie challenges the popular belief that there has been a dramatic shift in educational methodologies; instead, he argues that we have simply become more cognizant of the existing needs within the system. Throughout the conversation, Jamie elucidates how this heightened awareness is not only challenging but also immensely rewarding for educators and students alike. By embracing this new approach, educators can maximize their personal growth and help students achieve their highest potential. Moreover, Jamie advocates for a crucial balance between professional dedication and personal well-being. He emphasizes the importance of educators giving their all during school hours while also stressing the necessity to 'turn it off' and recharge once they step out of the educational environment. This balance, Jamie suggests, is key not only to maintaining a healthy life outside of work but also to ensuring sustained engagement and effectiveness within the educational sphere. Tune in to explore how embracing both awareness and balance can revolutionize educational practices and outcomes.
Contact Jamie
Website
Socials @jamiebrownleadership
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In this compelling episode of "The Counter Narrative Podcast," I dive deep into the heart-wrenching realities laid bare by the podcast "Unreformed: The Story of the Alabama Industrial School for Negro Children," and extend the conversation to the broader issue of the criminalization of young people of color within our education systems. This episode sheds light on the immediate and long-lasting impacts of systemic injustices that disproportionately affect young men of color, echoing the stories and themes presented in "Unreformed."
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In this enlightening episode of the Counter Narrative Podcast, we have the privilege of welcoming Dr. Brian Dinkins, a renowned trauma-informed educator hailing from Indianapolis, who brings his invaluable insights and compassionate approach to addressing a critical issue in education today. Dr. Dinkins, with his extensive background in trauma-informed practices, delves into the profound impact trauma has on both individuals and educational environments, shedding light on the often unseen struggles many students face.
Throughout the conversation, Dr. Dinkins emphasizes the importance of recognizing and understanding trauma, not just in our students, but within ourselves. He articulates how personal experiences with trauma can significantly affect educators' interactions and relationships with students, potentially influencing classroom dynamics and student outcomes.
Join us for this deeply impactful discussion that not only highlights the challenges faced by many in our education system but also illuminates a path forward through awareness, compassion, and informed action. Whether you're an educator, parent, or anyone interested in the well-being of our youth, this episode offers valuable insights into how we can all contribute to a more understanding and supportive world for our students.
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In this introspective episode of The Counter Narrative Podcast, I delve into the delicate art of Kintsugi, drawing a poignant parallel to the transformative journey of educational organizations. As we explore the beauty in embracing and highlighting our flaws, I invite listeners to reflect on the golden seams within their own spaces. Join me as I weave a narrative not just about mending what's broken but about reimagining and celebrating the imperfections that make our educational tapestry rich and unique. Together, we'll discover how the act of thoughtful repair can illuminate the path to resilience, strength, and a more profound beauty in our collective mission.
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In this compelling episode, I sit down with renowned educator and passionate speaker, Sawsan Jaber, to delve into a topic that's as sensitive as it is crucial: the impact of the ongoing crisis in Gaza on Palestinian students in America, against the backdrop of school districts' responses to international conflicts. At a time when Illinois, home to one of the highest concentrations of Palestinian students in the country, has seen school letters openly supporting Israel, we explore the discord between the principles of Equity and unbiased education and the realities faced by these students.
Sawsan Jaber, a voice of reason and empathy, does not shy away from addressing the elephant in the room. She questions the message sent by educational institutions when they appear to support actions that many interpret as profoundly unjust. Through her lens as an educator and as the child of refugees who personally experienced the ravages of conflict in Palestine, Sawsan offers a perspective seldom heard in mainstream media or educational discourse.
This episode is not just a critique but a journey towards understanding. Sawsan calls out the hypocrisy she observes in political and educational circles, urging for a more inclusive approach to handling sensitive geopolitical issues within the educational sphere. She also outlines pathways for listeners to gain a more nuanced understanding of the situation, advocating for a dialogue that respects the diverse backgrounds of students and their families.
Join me for a thought-provoking discussion that challenges us to reflect on the role of education in times of conflict and the importance of fostering an environment that truly embodies the ideals of equity and inclusivity.
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In this thought-provoking "Pause to Ponder" episode of The Counter Narrative Podcast, Charles delves deep into the rich tapestry of Afro-Irish heritage, a journey sparked by his own mixed ancestry and the intriguing question: Is the term "Black Irish" rooted in reality or merely a myth? He embarks on a historical exploration, unraveling the origins and evolutions of this complex identity. From the legendary tales of the Spanish Armada to the vibrant stories of contemporary Afro-Irish figures like Phil Lynott, Paul McGrath, and Ruth Negga, this episode illuminates the contributions that have woven the intricate social and cultural fabric of Ireland today.
Join me as I celebrate diversity, challenge perceptions, and uncover the nuanced stories of the Afro-Irish community, shedding light on a lesser-known aspect of Ireland's diverse identity.
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In this enlightening episode of The Counter Narrative Podcast, host Charles sits down with trauma-informed expert Charle Peck to delve deep into the critical shortcomings of current Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) frameworks. Charle provocatively argues that the SEL programs in place today fall short of their transformative potential, primarily because they overlook the intricate tapestry of human interactions and the nuanced needs of individuals grappling with trauma. With her insightful analysis, Charle underscores the necessity for a more holistic approach that genuinely accommodates the complexities of human behavior and emotions.
As the conversation unfolds, Charles and Charle coin the term "simple sustainable solutions," advocating for a paradigm shift in how we conceive and implement SEL initiatives. This episode is a clarion call to educators, policymakers, and mental health professionals to rethink and revitalize our current methodologies, ensuring they are truly inclusive and effective in nurturing resilient, empathetic communities. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that challenges the status quo and paves the way for innovative, accessible strategies in the realm of social and emotional learning.
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In this compelling episode of The Counter Narrative Podcast, host Charles Williams explores the nuanced relationship between alignment and agreement in leadership, inspired by insights from the John Maxwell Executive Leadership Podcast. Charles delves into the importance of maintaining a unified team front, emphasizing that true alignment transcends mere agreement and is deeply rooted in shared core values. Through personal anecdotes, he illustrates how alignment on fundamental principles can bridge the gap between differing opinions, transforming potential conflicts into opportunities for collaboration.
Charles concludes with practical advice for those facing misalignment in their professional lives: identify and understand your core values, assess their alignment with your organization and its leaders, and then decide whether to engage in dialogue to find common ground or seek a new environment that resonates with your values. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of leadership and team dynamics with integrity and purpose.
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Episode Description:
Join host Charles Williams on this enlightening episode of The Counter Narrative Podcast as he sits down with the insightful Erin Glenn to tackle a topic close to the heart of every educator: treating education as a respected profession amidst its often challenging portrayal in the media. Erin, with her wealth of experience and passion for education, delves into the critical issues of teacher recruitment and retention, offering a fresh perspective on how we can not only prepare teachers for the challenges of the classroom but also ensure they remain engaged, current, and have ample opportunities for growth beyond their teaching roles.
Throughout the conversation, Erin sheds light on the systemic changes needed to elevate the teaching profession, drawing on examples of successful strategies and personal anecdotes to illustrate her points. She emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment that values continuous learning and professional development, ensuring that educators feel valued, respected, and motivated to excel in their careers.
Whether you're an educator, administrator, policy maker, or simply someone who cares about the future of education, this episode is a must-listen. Join us as we explore the ways in which we can collectively work towards a future where education is not only respected but revered, and where teachers are recognized as the pillars of society they truly are. Don't miss this compelling conversation on The Counter Narrative Podcast.
Guest Biography:
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In this heartfelt episode, Charles shares a personal reflection from a week spent in isolation due to COVID-19. Initially viewing the unexpected downtime as an opportunity to get ahead on work, he is quickly reminded of the body's need for rest and the pitfalls of hustle culture, especially within the realm of education. Through his experience, this episode explores the delicate balance between productivity and well-being, the pressures of educational leadership, and the importance of modeling self-care and resilience. Join me for a candid discussion on reevaluating our priorities in the face of ongoing challenges and redefining what success looks like in education and beyond.
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In this insightful episode of "The Counter Narrative Podcast," host Charles Williams sits down with Joe Brummer, an expert in trauma-informed practices. Together, they delve into the transformative world of restorative practices in educational settings, a movement gaining momentum across schools nationwide. Joe sheds light on a critical oversight in the current implementation of these practices; while they hold immense potential for fostering understanding and resolution, their effectiveness is frequently undercut by a lack of integration with trauma-informed approaches. Through a thought-provoking discussion, Joe emphasizes that for restorative justice to realize its full promise, it must be underpinned by a deep understanding of trauma and its impacts. This episode is a must-listen for educators, administrators, and anyone interested in creating more empathetic and effective environments for conflict resolution.
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In this thought-provoking episode of "The Counter Narrative Podcast," host Charles Williams delves into the nuanced and complex history of integration in America, drawing compelling parallels between the integration of the Negro Leagues into Major League Baseball and the desegregation of schools. Through the lens of specific examples, such as the decline of the Kansas City Monarchs and the challenges faced by Sumner High School, we explore the unintended consequences of integration on vital African American institutions. The episode concludes with insightful suggestions on recognizing and preserving the contributions of these institutions, fostering a nuanced understanding of integration's effects, and ensuring real equality in practice within the field of education.
Join us as we navigate the intricate legacy of integration and its impact on both the past and present of American society.
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About The Guest:
Dr. Don Parker is a transformational keynote speaker and professional development provider. He specializes in SEL, supporting teachers to build trusting relationships with students, restorative practices, trauma-informed practices, and improving the culture and climate of schools to enhance students’ and teachers’ feeling of belonging.
Dr. Parker is a former principal and served at Posen School in Posen, IL where he improved the school climate, staff collaboration, parent engagement, and student achievement. Before that he was the principal of Lincoln Avenue School, a K-8 school in Dolton, IL, where he improved the culture, implemented a resilience program, managed the implementation of restorative justice, and increased attendance and student achievement.
Dr. Parker has a strong belief in creating a school climate in which the entire staff strives for excellence to meet the academic and social emotional needs of each student. He has presented throughout the United States at distinguished educational conferences including ASCD, Every Student Succeeds Act Conference, the National Principals Conference, Illinois Principals Conference, Oklahoma Secondary and Elementary Conference, the Raising Student Achievement Conference, Transforming School Culture Conference, and the Innovative Schools Summit, just to name a few.
Dr. Parker is the author of the book "Building Bridges: Engaging Students At-Risk Through the Power of Relationships" and "Be the Driving Force: Leading Your School on the Road to Equity."
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Busy, busy, busy ... like the white rabbit perpetually late and always rushing.
We are all so busy and yet ... I often wonder ... are we busy doing the right things?
What if, we reexamined what it is that makes us so busy and, in the process, redefine what it means to be effective, efficient, and successful?
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Episode Summary:
In this episode, Meagan and I chat about the natural need for movement in learning environments and how educators can be intentional about incorporating this into their daily routines. By engaging in rhythmic, repeated, and predictable patterns of movement, students can not only satiate their physiological need for movement, but they can also help regulate brain functions when they are beginning to struggle.
Guest Info:
Meagan is a Bal-A-Vis-X practitioner/trainer, and an educator with about 25 years of experience in both general and special education. In her private Bal-A-Vis-X studio, she teaches Bal-A-Vis-X exercises to both children and adults with varying degrees of social and cognitive challenges. Meagan is sanctioned by Bill Hubert, BAVX founder, to provide both on site trainings and virtual coaching.
During the school year, Meagan is the facilitator of the Reset and Return room, a space designed to promote regulation for students and staff, in an urban school in Wichita, KS. Most recently, she has joined the team at the Trauma Informed Educators Network as a part-time consultant. Find more information on TIEN here https://www.tienetwork.org/ .
Meagan's interest in Bal-A-Vis-X began many years ago as she navigated teaching general education students and parenting a child with a disability. Eventually she decided that her true calling was special education and spent the next 6 years implementing BAVX with her students.
Website: https://www.heartlandbavx.com/
Twitter: @mbheartlandbavx
Facebook: HeartlandBAVX
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Following in yet another online trend, I share my Ins and Outs for the upcoming year in my final #pausetoponder segment for 2023.
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This year I have gathered a group of edurockstars who have fully dedicated their time to improving educational spaces. Join me as I reflect on holiday memories and explore current traditions with Laquanta "BOSS" Nelson, Darrin Peppard, Katie Kinder, and Joe Brummer.
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Winter Break is quickly approaching which means a long awaited and much needed moment is upon us. As we close out the year, I wanted to take a moment to share my appreciation for you, my listeners, and to remind you to not only enjoy this time but to also use it as an opportunity to rest and recharge.
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Guest Bio:
Tracie Chauvin is a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker, who also holds both a building level and district level leadership license. Tracie has spent more than a decade working in the public education system with a focus on building trauma informed, resilience-oriented schools and communities. Driven to have an impact on others lives and build systems that support all, Tracie employs her background in clinical social work and experiences working in the public school system into providing opportunities for others to learn and grow as they build their capacity to understand the impacts of trauma, harness the power of neuroscience in the classroom, utilize social emotional learning and trauma informed teaching practices in order to build classroom and school communities with policies and systems where all within can thrive. In addition to her professional experience, Mrs. Chauvin is an active board member on multiple non-profits in the state of Kansas. Currently, she works as the Director of Student Support Programs in Kansas City Kansas Public Schools and is the owner of True Resilience Consulting. As a school social worker and district administrator, Mrs. Chauvin’s purpose is to transform schools to lever them as agents of change within the community.
Guest Links:
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Listen to the TedTalk here:
https://www.ted.com/talks/coleman_hughes_a_case_for_color_blindness?language=en
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Introducing Kara and Megan, the visionary educators behind IntegratED, a revolutionary educational platform dedicated to fostering student growth and instructional innovation in classrooms across the United States. Kara and Megan specialize in delivering dynamic professional development solutions that empower educators to embrace cutting-edge curriculum development, innovative instructional strategies, and student-centered learning experiences. Leveraging their extensive expertise in transformative teaching practices, curriculum mapping and instructional design, Kara and Megan are committed to equipping educators and administrators with the tools and knowledge necessary to optimize student growth, engagement, and lifelong learning.
Visit their website: https://www.integratedk12.com/
Follow them on Twitter: @integratedk12
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On this episode, I'm diving into a hot topic in the world of teaching: making lessons fun and engaging. It's a noble goal, but there's a tricky balance to strike. How do we keep students excited about learning without sacrificing the depth and quality of the education they receive? This is particularly crucial in low-performing schools, where this approach is often most prevalent.
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Is the pursuit of happiness a paradox? That was the question posed to students during a lesson while I was conducting a recent observation. A lively discussion ensued and I was asked to participate (a no-no for observations but...). The resulting student conversations left me pondering on the topic well after I left the classroom.
What have I sacrificed to get to where I am?
What am I sacrificing to maintain what I have?
Was it .. is it worth it?
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Finding Your Blind Spots Reflection
Part 4 of 4
In this final segment in which me and my team review Hedreich Nichols' book, "Finding Your Blind Spots," we close out with chapters 7 & 8. In these last chapters, she talks about representation and avoiding missteps. Join me as I reflect on how diversity shows up in our spaces and how I once shared a lesson with my students exploring how we are often more alike than we are different as well as ensuring that our attempts for inclusion and belonging do not stem from biased perspectives.
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Sofia Gonzalez is a nationally recognized educator of the year, nonprofit leader for organization Project 214, podcast host, and education activist from the Chicagoland area. She is a sought-after public speaker regarding the state of education who is known for her cutting-edge presentations and dynamic illustrations with a passion that’s infectious. A High School teacher, 15-year veteran, teacher leader, and alum in a variety of spaces like Fulbright, Latinos for Education, Urban Leaders Fellowship, and currently School Ambassador fellow with the US Department of Education, Sofia's passion and energy towards education equity remains a leading voice for the 21st-century classroom and beyond.
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"Finding Your Blind Spots": A Series
Part 3 of 4
In this segment, I reflect on chapters 5 and 6.
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In this episode, I chat with Barbara Gruener, a passionate and connected educator embarking on her 40th year in this field and who is blessed to have grown alongside thousands of children and adults of all ages and stages. This nationally-recognized and sought-after speaker and coach holds a BS from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and two MS degrees from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, but more importantly, she gets to hold and dynamically shape the hearts of the people whom she has the delight to teach, mentor, coach and love. Barbara truly thrives on connecting by heart and unwrapping the present as she works with intention to help school stakeholders and leaders create a climate of acceptance, belonging, compassion and love. She is the author of two Mom’s Choice Gold Award-winning books and the proud mom to three amazing adult children. Barbara grew up on her family’s dairy farm in Wisconsin, but today she and her husband John call Friendswood, Texas, home.
During our conversation, we talked about the role that choice plays in education. Barbara points out that choice is often discussed but done so through the lens of student voice. And while this is important, she acknowledges, it is also limiting. Barbara shared how providing choice communicates trust, a necessary foundation for building strong, healthy relationships. By telling students that we trust their ability to make good choices and that we are available to guide them through inevitable poor choices, we are building relationships. Barbara also suggested that providing choice improves the mental health for our students thereby enhancing our approaches to SEL in our schools. When students feel that they do not have options, their stress levels rise and this leads to a basic physiological response - fight, flight, or freeze. Yes, student choice is important in our classes but it's so much more than amplifying voice.
Ready to hear more? Let’s go.
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Reflections on "Finding Your Blindspots" Part 2 of 4
This week I am reflecting on chapters 3 and 4 of Hedreich Nichols' book, "Finding Your Blindspots," and examine how the seemingly innocent labels that we use in everyday conversation can have serious impacts on our perceptions, attitudes, beliefs and actions towards others. In fact, they can exacerbate the otherness that exists for marginalized groups. I also explore how bias shapes our understanding of the world, both current and past, and how a simple question can encourage the consideration of other perspectives providing a more comprehensive and holistic narrative.
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In this episode, I chat with Melody McAllister, a wife, mother of five, educator, and author. She and her family relocated to Anchorage, Alaska from the Dallas, Texas area in 2019. McAllister is the 2017 Garland NAACP Educator of the Year and author of the “I’m Sorry Story”, a children's book about taking responsibility for mistakes and making sincere apologies. She is a classroom teacher, the community facilitator for several, large educational communities, and is a consultant for edtech companies and small business owners looking to enhance their social media presence. McAllister has spoken at ISTE and ASTE about equity issues in education, and writes about her life journey in her blog HeGaveMeAMelody.com She also guest blogs regularly at alicekeeler.com, edumatchpublishing.com, and spacesedu.com.
McAllister has been dubbed “Stream Queen” for her regular LIVE streaming broadcasts. You can watch and follow her LIVE streams on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube where she has a weekly book chat with other authors. She also hosts the Growth Over Grades Podcast sponsored by SpacesEDU.
During our conversation, we talked about the importance of restorative spaces. Melody points out that, as humans, we make mistakes and will often end up harming the relationships we have built with others. It is vital for us to learn how to navigate those spaces and engage in intentional work to rebuild connections. This is a challenging process and it is our job, as educators, to guide our students through this learning. What Melody does not condone, however, are forced apologies and other similar approaches that rob students of their accountability.
Ready to hear more? Let’s go.
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My staff have started to read "Finding Your Blindspots" by Hedreich Nichols and we are diving deep into this practical text as we engage in reflective dialogue around our own biases. This series will aim to capture my own perspectives as we navigate the eight principles outlined in this Solution Tree best-seller.
These first two chapters focused on examining your own biases and confronting the inevitable shame and guilt felt during this process. Hedreich suggests using a tool such as the Harvard Implicit Bias Assessment and sitting with the results regardless of how surprising they may be. The second chapter focuses on confronting that guilt and shame without allowing it to drive you into a safe space or become confrontational - both practices that prevent the roots of the bias from being addressed.
Be sure to tune in again on September 29th for a recap of the next two chapters.
In the meantime, be sure to pick your own copy so that you can follow along this journey of self-discovery.
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In this episode, I chat with Mike Rutherford, the founder and CEO of gotLearning. He has been a teacher, instructional technology coach, school district EdTech director, founder of the K12 group at Blackboard, Vice President of Business Development at Just ASK Publications & Professional Development, all before returning to the classroom as a 6th grade humanities teacher at International School Bangkok in Thailand where he built version 1 of gotLearning in his classroom.
During our conversation, we talked about the need for streamlining feedback to our students. In an age where information is consistently streaming in, we, as educators, need to be able to replicate that in our classrooms. After all, if companies can build systems to improve individual experiences, why can’t we do similar work in the K12 space? Mike points out that such shifts in practice not only benefit the students but also improve educator experiences as well. He compared teaching to running 5 to 6 hour long meetings with 30 clients everyday. Even the best CEO would burnout under those circumstances.
Ready to hear how an entrepreneur is shifting the eduworld? Let’s go!
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In this insightful podcast episode, I delve into a profound perspective on the tradition of "The Crucible" – as a tool wielded by marginalized students to navigate the complexities of their educational experiences and gauge the potential of their relationships with teachers. Join me as I explore how this unique ritual takes on new meaning when seen through the lens of empowerment and advocacy.
"The Crucible" has historically been viewed as a platform for intellectual challenge, where students test their educators' convictions. However, when marginalized students step into this arena, it becomes an instrument of self-discovery, representation, and equity. In this episode, we embark on a journey to understand how this ritual becomes a transformative force for those who often find themselves on the periphery of traditional educational narratives.
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For most of us, as educators, the term pedagogy is one with which we are extremely familiar. It refers to our instructional approaches. Right? Well ... kind of.
During my recent IB training in Austin, we discovered a new term which made us think about our instructional approaches in a new way. Pedagogy actually refers to instructional practices designed for children. They are traditionally teacher centered wherein the teacher is the controller of knowledge. You know, the "sage on the stage." Meanwhile, andragogy refers to instructional practices designed for adults. This approach shifts the teacher into the role of a facilitator and relies on the intrinsic motivation to learn and grow as a person.
What is our teacher training practices instilled within us a reliance upon using pedagogical approaches, despite the shifting trends towards andragogical approaches? What if this has contributed to the declining academic performance of our students? What do you think?
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In this episode, I chat with Joshua Stamper, the Training and Development Specialist for the Teach Better Team and manager of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Prior to Joshua's current position, he was a middle school Administrator, classroom art educator, and coach. Joshua is the author of Aspire to Lead, podcaster, leadership coach, and education presenter.
During our conversation, we talked about behaviors in our school. All too often, we punish students who fail to meet behavioral norms while failing to recognize that these behaviors are actually their way of communicating with us. What would happen if we stopped reacting and started listening?
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There are those of us who have been fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to share our experiences with other educators. Whether through conferences, screens, or texts, we spend time encouraging educators to grow and improve their craft through a number of strategies. I wonder, however, how many of us actually practice these same suggestions on a regular basis.
This episode shares a recent experience that I had while attending an IB training in Austin, TX. In this case, I was not presenting but was an attendee. All was well until someone in the room recognized me and I had a moment of internal conflict. Do I maintain a facade of being an educational guru or do I lean into the vulnerability that comes with being The Lead Learner?
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Dr. Brandon Beck is an educator, speaker, coach, and author of "Unlocking Unlimited Potential: Understanding the Infinite Power Within to Guide Any Student Toward Success." As a keynote speaker, Brandon is best known for his inspirational storytelling that is directly connected to authentic activities which build upon the ultimate goal for all... Unlocking Unlimited Potential.
He is also the host of the "Unlocking Unlimited Potential Stories Show," a live show and podcast where he interviews inspiring people sharing their inspiring stories. Brandonisa National Board Certified teacher and also holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.
His primary purpose is a simple one: “To inspire people to have faith in themselves and believe in their inner genius.”
He has been an elementary teacher for 18 years and a monolingual, bilingual educator for over 12 years. He is also a college professor, consultant, Results Coach, an editor and reviewer for AASA Journal of Scholarship & Practice, a regular keynote speaker at state, regional, and national conferences.
Dr. Beck is also a Mutt-i-grees National Trainer. Mutt-i-grees is a program designed by Yale University’s 21st Century in partnership with North Shore Animal League. The Mutt-i-grees curriculum is an innovative Pre-K - Grade 12 social emotional learning program that brings adopted shelter dogs into schools.
Dr. Beck is an entrepreneur and professional soccer coach. He is currently a nationally certified instructor for the United States Soccer Federation. Throughout his career, he has coached teams that have won numerous state, regional, and national championships.
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A series of recent events including a delay at the airport and our back-to-school leadership series resulted in a much needed reflection about our perspectives and attitudes regarding our roles at work. While we often criticize the younger generation about their apparent lack of concern for their jobs, their approach may be just what we need to combat the steady and drastic rise of mental health issues stemming from our workplaces.
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Watching the construction happening around my school provided me with an insightful moment - in order to build something new, the old must often be demolished and removed. We, for the most part, are the same way. In our efforts to grow into someone better, how often do we fail because we are afraid to let go of those tainted foundations? To compensate we build facades and then question why they crumble under pressure. Are you willing to do the work that is needed to become the person you want to be?
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Inspired by a post from Vernon Wright, this episode examines the difference between EduCelebrities and EduHeroes. While there may exist some overlap between the two, there are some clear distinctions which distinguish one from the other.
Do you know an EduHero who should be celebrated? Fill out this form (you should also share it with others so that they can too!) and I will be sure to show them some appreciation.
EduHero Nomination Form: https://bit.ly/EduHeroNominee
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In this episode, I chat with Dana Goodier, who has 23 years of experience in education. She has taught World Languages and English and has worked at the middle and elementary school level as an administrator. Dana completed her doctorate degree (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership in early 2020. She often speaks at conferences, providing educators with techniques to minimize off-task behavior and to increase time on task. She also writes blogs for the Teach Better Team and is the author of Out of the Trenches: Stories of Resilient Educators, published by Road to Awesome, LLC. She is the host of the “Out of the Trenches” podcast, which features educators who share their stories of resiliency.
During our conversation, we focused on leadership and school culture in a post-pandemic world. Dana pointed out that administrators shouldn’t just focus on those for whom they are responsible for evaluating but should strive to create opportunities for building individual relationships with all staff members. She acknowledges that school leaders often become so consumed that this seemingly simple task is often forgotten but she also suggests that building those very relationships can not only help to diminish the issues they are addressing but that it also paves the way for building even stronger relationships. It’s cyclical.
Ready to hear some more? Let’s go!
Follow her on Twitter @danagoodier and visit her website at: www.danagoodier.com
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Nearly a year ago I announced that I was transitioning not only to a new school but to a new grade level. After spending nearly a decade leading schools at the elementary level, I opted to accept an invitation to become a high school administrator. This episode offers an insight into five fresh perspectives that I was able to achieve by shifting roles and stepping out of my comfort zone.
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Teacher appreciation week is traditionally a time dedicated to honoring the teachers in our lives and those impacting not only their fields but also the communities in which they serve. This episode is an open letter to those educators who need a word of encouragement, of inspiration, of gratitude. Thank you for all that you do.
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In this episode, I chat with Maxwell Roach, the Founder of JonAyves Learning Club, a forward-thinking tutoring service that teaches children concepts such as long division as early as the age of 3. Max has traveled a diverse career trajectory, spanning the child care, music, food, technology, and education sectors. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto and is certified as a Professional in Human Resources (PHRi). This has opened doors to an eclectic and wide range of opportunities, including performing as a musician, sharing stages with Beyoncé and the Rolling Stones, leading a multi-centre child care organization as CEO, and working as an Operations Director and Consultant for e-commerce tech companies globally. Maxwell is a serial entrepreneur who values the need to "fill the industry gaps" by way of disruption and modern solutions.
During our conversation, we explored several topics including how the term tutor often has a negative connotation and that shifting semantics to personalized learning instructor adequately captures the work of this role. In fact, Maxwell points out that algorithms exist to personalize experiences across most social media platforms and we should investigate replicating similar experiences within our classrooms. We talked about the seemingly ironic push for increased SEL in our classroom noting that teachers are often not adequately prepared or trained to handle these sensitive mental health approaches resulting in increased stress which we attempt to address with … you guessed it … SEL approaches. We closed out the discussion with the proposition that education shouldn’t be about competition but instead should be focused on collaboration. How do we lower our defense mechanisms and develop solutions in a system that is often unfair and punishes deviations from the norm?
Ready to hear more from this dynamic educator? Let’s go!
Website - https://www.jonayves.com
Books - https://www.jonayves.com/shop
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Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/@JonAyvesTV
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Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxwellroach
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@AJsHouseKidsY
outube - https://www.youtube.com/@JonAyvesTV
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TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@JonAyvesTV
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When was the last time that you allowed yourself to experience joy? When was the last time you truly celebrated an accomplishment? If you are struggling to recall that moment, you are not alone. We have been primed to consistently pursue whatever we define as success without acknowledging that this pursuit is futile in that success is a series of small wins that may never truly end. Thus our efforts to obtain this goal will only result in the production of additional milestones hence the term "hedonic treadmill."
Recognizing the toll that this takes on our mental health, I wanted to share that this is something with which I struggle and implore listeners to find ways to both pursue their goals while also being intention about stepping off the treadmill to enjoy that which they have accomplished.
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In this episode, I chat with CJ Reynolds, a West Philadelphia high school literature teacher, author, YouTuber, & public speaker. In his book, Teach Your Class Off, on his YouTube Channel, Real Rap With Reynolds, and on his Podcast, Sunday Night Teacher Talk, Reynolds offers an authentic glimpse into what it looks like to teach high school in the inner city. Using “Real Rap” to share teaching tips and strategies, Reynolds helps new and veteran teachers alike become the teacher they always dreamed of being.
During our conversation, we talked about his usage of rap and hip hop in the classroom. Reynolds points out that this musical culture focuses on things that are “fresh” or relevant and that we, as educators, should mirror this in that we should not try to be cool but strive to be as relevant as possible. He explains that this is only possible by forming authentic relationships while also acknowledging that such practices feel dangerous because we need to be vulnerable and actually invest skin in the game.
Ready to hear more from one of the keynote speakers for this year’s Teach Better Conference? Let’s go!
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For most of us, the dashboard warning lights in our vehicles are an indicator that something needs to be addressed. For some, those signals are ignored often leading to larger issues as time progresses.
The same can be said for ourselves as well. Our bodies have warning signs to indicate that things are not going well and to serve as a reminder that we need to resolve them before we burn out.
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In this episode, I chat with Andre St. George, an inspirational speaker, author, youth development coach, and business owner. He recently published a book titled: Living V.I.T.A.L - (From Adversity to Advantage). He has won numerous Toastmaster competitions and has also served as the president for one of the local chapters. Andre has conducted keynotes for various schools and organizations and is the creator of “Speak 2 Educate” an educational series focused on providing teens the cognitive skills needed to create change through learning how to lead, innovate, and inspire. Through his community efforts he has shown great dedication in raising up our future leaders of tomorrow.During our conversation, we talked about the role of leadership and Andre pointed out that we are all leaders in our own rights. It is necessary then for each of us to tap into our uniqueness and to identify our superpower. Andre points out that people are drawn to our energies and that their perceptions of us will depend greatly on how we see ourselves. To that end, he stresses that we must be the leader of ourselves before attempting to lead others. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thecounternarrative/support
On April 22, 1889, thousands of settlers, or Sooners, rushed into modern day Oklahoma in an attempt to settle "unassigned lands" and continue the European westward expansion of America. A moment that is commemorated across Oklahoma City, the '89 Land Run was foundational in the establishment of the state's eventual capitol and other major hubs. What is often not discussed, however, is how these "unassigned lands" came to be. Listen as I share my discoveries on the darker side of this momentous event and the Native American Nations that were ultimately decimated by this progression.
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In this episode, I chat with Sarah Said, an educator who has served in various roles including Teacher, Assistant Principal, Dean, Curriculum Coordinator, and Multilingual Coordinator. Sarah is an advocate for the students she serves and is a strong voice in education. She has been published in various publications such as Learning for Justice, EdWeek Teacher, The Teaching Channel and Edutopia
During our conversation, we talk about how Sarah got her groove back by examining her journey from classroom to administration and then back again. We focused on mental health and questioned how much we are truly doing despite talking a lot about the need for shifts in this area. We reflected on the often unnecessary burdens we carry with us and the impact that has not only on ourselves but those around us. Sarah also pointed out that we could benefit from shifting from our standardized approaches to Norway’s more fluid practices.
Ready to hear more? Let’s go!
Facebook - Sarah Dollah-Said
Twitter - @MrsSaid17
Instagram - @dollahsaid
Linked In - Sarah Dollah-Said
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In Sandra Cisneros' book, "House on Mango Street," there exists a passage that seemingly sticks out to most people who have read the text.
"Those who don’t know any better come into our neighborhood scared. They think we’re dangerous….All brown all around, we are safe. But watch us drive into a neighborhood of another color and our knees go shakity-shake and our car windows get rolled up tight and our eyes look straight. Yeah. That is how it goes and goes."
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In this episode, I chat with Barabara Bray, a coach, teacher, writer, disruptor, risk-taker, learning designer, connector, and visionary. She calls herself a creative learning strategist where others call her a “change-maker.” Her dream long ago was to create an online place for educators that was safe and secure with all the tools and resources in one place. She did it with My eCoach in 1999 — way before there was Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Pinterest. Barbara is what some call a “Digital Pioneer.” With her coaching background and an amazing team, they created coaching and mentoring strategies and processes that have been adopted in schools and districts in the U.S. and other countries. Barbara coined the phrase “Making Learning Personal” in 2000 and trademarked it in 2002. In 2004, she started her Rethinking Learning blog in My eCoach and in 2010, she moved her blog to barbarabray.net. In 2017 she launched the Rethinking Learning Podcast and published Define Your Why in 2020.
During our conversation, we explored the treatment of teachers and how it has impacted the field of education. From teacher recruitment to teacher retention, we discussed common practices and their effectiveness in improving our schools. Barbara talked about the often distanced school board members and recommended that they spend time in the schools for which they are making decisions. She shared how passion projects not only improved teacher and student investment but also provided a window into what is happening within our schools.
Ready to hear more from this educational guru? Let’s go!
Connect with Barbara
- Host, Rethinking Learning Podcast
- Author, Define Your Why: Own your story so you can live and learn on purpose
- President/Owner, My eCoach
- Facebook (barbara.bray)
- Twitter (bbray27)
- Linked In (barbarabray)
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Equitable grading has come to mean plenty of things but the problem with most of the approaches is that they have become excuses used to enable our most at-risk students. Join me as I reflect on a disagreement that I continue to have with a colleague and request your input on this challenging conversation.
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In this episode, I chat with Rosalba Rodriguez, an educator of 20 years as an instructional assistant, a substitute teacher, a teacher. She has served as an administrator for the past four years and is currently a Principal in southern California. Rosalba is a mother of two and an advocate for her daughters to be leaders and empathetic to others. As a leader, she believes all students can learn and belong to their school. Rosalba loves her role as a principal and is excited to continue her journey in leadership.
During our conversation, Rosalba presents a question that serves to define our leadership - what battles are you willing to fight and are you brave enough to stand firm? She explains how, in her new role, those who rode the bus were not only often from vastly different neighborhoods than the affluent community in which the school exists but also dropped off in the back of the school and required to traverse less than ideal terrain in order to enter the school. Why was this okay? She also stresses the need to hold all students accountable to the same level and differentiates between pity and promise.
Ready to hear more from this phenomenal leader? Let’s go!
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We know that African-Americans have struggled historically when in our academic spaces and there is a maintained gap between them and all other racial groups. When discussing these disparities, we often talk about access and opportunity but what if there is something that we are missing in that conversation? This episode explores the possibility that this gap persists because many of our students, and not just African-Americans, exist within households and communities where the language needed to navigate academia is not commonly used and is, in many ways, foreign to them. What do you think?
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In this episode, I chat with Marcus Belin, the Principal of Huntley High School, President of Illinois Principals Association, 2021 National Association of Secondary School Principals Digital Principal of the Year, and 2020 Illinois Principals Association Kishwaukee Region Principal of the Year. Marcus received his Bachelor’s and Masters from Bradley University and his Education Specialist (Ed.S.) and Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership from National Louis University. He is also the creator and host of the podcast Unapologetic Leadership which can be found across most platforms and on his website drmarcusbelin.com.
During our conversation, we discussed time. Yes, that’s right time. The fleeting resource that most of us wish we had more of so that we could accomplish all that we have to do. And yet this valuable resource is finite and thus we are forced to consider how we make the most of it. Marcus points out that our constant desire to “catch up” is a fallacy considering that we exist within an ever changing environment. Instead, he suggests that we examine our mission and vision to ensure that they are aligned with our actions so that we are moving in the right direction. Marcus also assures us that it is okay to set boundaries and give ourselves grace.
Ready to hear more? Let’s go.
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What happens when trauma goes unaddressed? What happens when a community is denied the opportunity to access adequate health care? What happens when individuals are convinced that engaging in discussions around mental health is a sign of weakness? Join me as I reflect on how these issues perpetuate ongoing trauma within our communities and will continue to do so until they are truly addressed and resolved.
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In this episode, I chat with Lissette Jacobson and Maurice McDavid, the co-hosts of the Black, Brown, and Bilingue podcast, a show designed to unite the Black and Brown communities through education, storytelling, and community engagement. Both Lissette and Maurcie have over a decade of experience serving in education and both are currently principals in the suburbs of Chicago.
During our conversation, we focus on the intersectionality of language and identity. When was the last time you considered the relationship between the two and what did your assumptions or reactions say about your perceptions? For example, Lissette and Maurice talk about the “improper language” that is used in academia and yet is commonplace with those who use this same language to convey love, affection, and support. They point out that language which is acceptable in our educational system is often elitist and serves to create barriers among many of our marginalized populations despite great skillsets.
Ready to hear more from this dynamic duo? Let’s go … or should I say vamos.
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Inspired by Episode 405 from the SuperCreativity Podcast hosted by James Taylor, this episode briefly shares some insights into Marcus Buckingham's newest book "Love + Work" and presents a challenge to all listeners for the month of February (and hopefully beyond). Jump into this episode and be sure to check out Taylor's podcast and Buckingham's book.
SuperCreativity Podcast
Love + Work
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In this episode, I chat with Matthew Woods, who has served for more than 12 years assisting students, educators, and schools in a variety of roles. His professional experience includes being a high school social studies teacher, a middle and high school assistant principal, a middle school principal, a director of student support services, an adjunct professor, and a field instructor for student-teachers. Additionally, Dr. Woods hosts an education podcast, Leading Out The Woods, author of the children's book series, I Wanna Be…, and is an accomplished keynote speaker and educational consultant.
During our conversation, Matthew talked about putting students first. This is something that we often say in education but we don’t necessarily reflect it in our actions. He points out that leaders who are loved by everyone may not always be telling people what they need to hear but rather what they want to hear. But does it benefit students? He shares that it's easy to be mediocre and not to stir up the waters too much. But does it benefit students? If we truly consider ourselves to be educators then we must always ask that question … does it benefit students?
Ready to hear some ways to ensure your practices are in alignment with benefiting students? Let’s go.
Website
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Based on the best-selling book by Ellen Notbohm, this episode provides a frank discussion on the gap between what we say and what we do. Yes, we say (and honestly believe) that all students can and deserve to learn and yet, due to a myriad of reasons, we often fail to deliver on this. While our general education students who fit traditional models of learning excel, many groups of students struggle to keep up if not fall behind all together. Listen as I share the 10 things that every child with autism wishes you knew as I connect it back to my own experiences both as an educator and as a grandfather.
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In this episode, I chat with Jonathan Alsheimer, the unorthodox, energetic, and entertaining middle school teacher who refuses to live a life of limitations and works with UFC Fighters, Celebrities, and Clothing Brands and he is the author of "Next Level Teaching”.
Jonathan, taught at the world-renowned Fred Lynn Middle School, which was featured in two documentaries "Relentless" and "Relentless: Chasing Accreditation.” He has been featured as the teacher who forged a partnership with UFC Fighter and light-weight contender Paul Felder to bring a message of never giving up, fighting for their education, and empowering the students to believe in themselves, all principles that Jonathan promotes in his classroom.
As Jonathan always says, "Game-changing is not a cliche motto; it is a way of life... some talk about it while others live by it!
During our conversation, Jonathan pushed back on what it means to be an effective teacher. He points out that so many teachers have been conditioned to teach to the test or focus on test scores that they have forgotten how to make teaching and learning fun. He shared that when he shifted his focus to students being engaged in authentic and relevant learning experiences that his scores not only improved but so did the students in his classroom. Jonathan suggests that teachers not overwhelm themselves by trying to revolutionize everything but by making steady, small shifts to take elements to the next level. That’s how he turned a geography assignment into a zombie apocalypse survival game.
Ready to hear some more about these game-changing ideas so you can start living them? Let’s go.
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As long as I can remember, we have been following fads to accomplish most of our goals. The New Year is no exception. In fact, I once joked that my resolution would be to make no more resolutions and I am proud to say that I am still going strong. My concern is that most fads do not result in achievement of one's goals. Instead, they often serve as distractions and we often find ourselves further from our intended destination because of a commitment to something that is not aligned with what it is that we want to accomplish. This year, I am proposing something different.
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For the past two years, I have hosted a holiday special as we explore various holiday traditions celebrated by educators. This year, I wanted to get the voice of students on the show and what better way to teach upcoming podcasters by having them participate in a show! This episode features three students from Michele Clark. Enjoy!
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What systems exist to adequately provide our educators with the opportunity to heal in the light of a traumatic event? Join me as I reflect on how me and my team have been struggling to do this following the loss of a student steps from the front of our school.
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In this episode, I chat with Bethany Hill, an educator for 24 years. She has taught grades kindergarten, first, second and third grades, has been an instructional coach, assistant principal, and principal. Bethany currently serves as a retention and recruitment specialist for an education service cooperative and supports novice teachers in 26 school districts. She also promotes social emotional learning through facilitating learning experiences centered around trauma sensitive practices and the implementation of working dogs in schools. She is the handler for an educational assistance dog who visits schools with her.
During our conversation, we focused on the misnomer that is the “teacher shortage.” Bethany pointed out that not only are there a large number of people transitioning into teaching but that there are also a large number of teachers who have chosen to work outside of their certification. The teachers, as individuals, didn’t disappear, but instead they have made a choice to stop working and we should be inquiring as to why. Bethany stresses that we should shift our focus from recruiting new talent to retaining those who are already in our buildings. How? Yes, money is one factor but there are also plenty of others.
Ready to hear some more on how we can get teachers back into their classrooms? Let’s go.
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What Britney Spears, Sarah Rector, and the Osage Nation all have in common? They were all deemed incapable of handling their finances and thus court appointed a white male to oversee it for them. While the results are mixed, there is a common thread that impacts not just the three named but instead signifies an ongoing injustice in which the U.S. Government continues to implement inequitable systems and policies in an effort to oppress and control groups and individuals who threaten the status quo.
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In this episode, I chat with Marlena Gross-Taylor, the founder of EduGladiators and a nationally recognized ed leader with a proven track record of improving educational and operational performance through vision, strategic planning, leadership, and team building. A Nashville transplant originally from southern Louisiana, Marlena’s educational experience spans several states allowing her to have served K-12 students in both rural and urban districts. She has been recognized as a middle school master teacher and innovative administrator at the elementary, middle, high school and district levels. Because of her sound knowledge of both elementary and secondary education, Marlena has broad-based experience creating and implementing dynamic interactive programs to attain district goals while leveraging her flexibility, resourcefulness, and organizational and interpersonal skills to foster learning through a positive, encouraging environment.
Marlena’s professional development expertise has national attention and she serves as an AMLE middle school expert. She has also leveraged her past experience in corporate management to also include corporate training and leadership coaching in her repertoire of consulting services focused on culture, engagement and increased productivity. Marlena is a seasoned presenter keynoting conferences and delivering dynamic professional development sessions.
As a proud Louisiana State University alumni, she is committed to excellence and believes all students can achieve.
During our conversation, we explored both code switching and assimilation, recognizing our own roles as parents who contributed greatly to teaching our children to fit into the dominant culture as opposed to defying standardized norms that so often do not accept our own definitions of fashion, style, and beauty. Marlena points out that we are not alone in this mishap because we, like so many others, were not taught our history and thus were primed to regurgitate the same messages that we consumed while growing up in diverse deficient communities. All is not lost however, as we explore potential solutions including becoming knowledgeable about our ethnic journeys and sharing that information with as many people as possible. We must make as much noise, if not more, if we too want to be heard.
Connect with Marlena
Twitter - EduGladiators
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The #BlackPanther franchise has been a source of #inspiration for many fans of the #MCU. But what happens when a potentially damaging & divisive message is portrayed?
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In this episode, I chat with Connie Hamilton, who has served as a teacher, coach, principal, and central office leader. She continues to devote her time to supporting teachers and leaders to implement quality instructional methods through her collaboration with educational organizations and the numerous books she has written.
During our conversation, we explored allyship across difference through the lens of a white female. While I know that this may initially sound controversial, we wanted listeners to hear from someone who is traversing the challenging journey of self-discovery so that they can show up authentically as an ally. It is our hope that this understanding will not only encourage others to embark or continue on their own journeys but also provide helpful insight for others who are attempting to better understand the process. The truth is, we must all go through a version of self-exploration if we expect to be positioned to better align ourselves with those who are different from us. After all, as August Wilson once said, you’ve got to be right with yourself before you can be right with anyone else.
Ready to dive into this transparent and vulnerable episode? Let’s go.
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Jean Lacoste was a French tennis player and business man who went by the nickname "The Crocodile" which ended up serving as the iconic logo on his clothing line. He was an accomplished tennis player having won several cups and was considered the number one player in the world in both 1926 and 1927. Lacoste even earned a bronze medal in the 1924 Olympics. Despite all of the accolades and public recognition, there exists a lingering mystery that still causes debates within some circles today.
Was Lacoste a Black man?
Join me as I share how this information came to my attention as well as the details I learned, and subsequent questions I developed, through my investigation into this tennis star's background.
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In this episode, I chat with TaRael Kee, an Assistant Principal at Collinsville High School, a site-based trainer for the American School Counselor Association, and the Past-President of the Illinois School Counselor Association. He is the Founder of The Kee to Success YouTube Channel/Podcast and Successful Shopping Online Store. TaRael is also a published author. He was named the Collinsville School District e-Educator of the Year (2017), recognized by College Board in (2018), received the Lindenwood Alumni Spotlight (2019), and was awarded Illinois School Counselor of the Year (2021). TaRael graduated from Lindenwood University with a specialist degree in Educational Leadership in May of 2021.
During our conversation, we talked about the impact that politics have on education, including how shipping migrants across the country affects the educational institutions receiving a sudden influx of students despite already struggling with a lack of resources. TaRael reflects on the ongoing battle between moral arguments and practicality. Yes, as educators we know and want to do what is right but are we equipped to always deliver on that message? We touch on the ongoing departure of educators as they are being left alone to figure it out and more often than not figure themselves out of the field. But … TaRael also leaves us with some words of wisdom … or should I say Kees to Success … on how we can respond to these challenges.
Ready to hear more? Let’s go.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
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Leadership can be lonely ... but only if you are doing it wrong. Join me in this reflection as I urge our educational leaders to use this time to build their networks so that they are not moving through this journey alone.
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In this episode, I chat with Starr Sackstein, a recovering perfectionist who is an assessment reforming enthusiast. Currently, she is the COO of Mastery Portfolio, an Edtech Startup committed to helping schools move to Standard-Based communication. Additionally, she works with teacher teams to engage students in the learning process, advocate for personal growth, and effectively use student data to drive instruction. Starr was a high school English and journalism teacher for 16 years, a lead Humanities learner for 2 years, a publisher and developmental editor, and social media manager. She is an author, blogger, and speaker committed to changing the way we do assessment nationally and globally. You can learn more about her work on her website MsSackstein.com and you can follow her on Twitter @MsSackstein. When Starr isn’t advocating for students and educators, she is a mom and partner looking for the next adventure.
During our conversation, we talked about … assessments. In fact, Starr pointed out that we cannot expect major risk-taking in high stakes situations. And this goes for both our staff and our students. Starr shared stories of how she developed spaces for students to serve as cocreators of the curriculum in her space and was then investigated when students came to her class but skipped others. She shares the idea that our modern approaches disrespects and dishonors the natural learning process and questions why it seems that the love for learning happens to begin diminishing around the same grade level when these high stakes assessments are implemented.
Ready to hear more about the role assessments could play in your classroom? Let’s go!
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
As parents, we all want to believe that our children are special, that they are unique, and that they are smart. But how would you respond if you were told that the level of your child's intelligence would be contingent upon those with whom your child went to school? That say, for example, your child would be considered gifted at one school because your child's academic abilities were beyond those of your child's peers but would qualify for special education services in another setting because those students were academically superior to yours? Understandably, most parents would celebrate the first scenario and contest the latter. Yet, this very thing is happening within our schools as we speak.
This episode shares a revelation that our family had when challenging my grandson's school and their push for him to be in a cluster program based an outdated IEP. Listen and let me know what you think.
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In this episode, I chat with John Whalen, a leading Restorative Practices pioneer in both theory and application. He has trained thousands of teachers, staff, and students throughout the United States. He is an innovator in professional development and training. John has spoken at numerous national education conferences including ASCD Empower, ASCD Leadership Conference, the ESEA Conference, National Association of Community and Restorative Justice Conference, the Music City SEL Conference, and the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Conference.
John is the author of the book Classroom Circles: A Toolkit for Building Relationships and Strengthening School Communities.
John currently brings his experience to his role as a principal at the Tioughnioga Riverside Academy, a 4th-8th grade building in Upstate New York. He spent 15 years in the classroom teaching both 2nd grade and 6th grade mathematics. He also spent over three years as a district Restorative Practices Coordinator leading implementation in over ten primary and secondary schools.
John resides in Conklin, NY, with his wife and two daughters.
During our conversation, John brings up a great point that often undermines the role and resulting impact of restorative practices in schools. Districts often focus on improving discipline issues when they should be focused on improving community connections and culture. In fact, he points out that the root of the word discipline is to learn and yet we do not spend enough time teaching how to get the results we want but instead hope that punishments will teach that lesson despite plenty of research that suggests otherwise. John stresses that restorative practices does not mean that we do not hold students accountable for their actions and the harm they have caused. He also stresses that this is a process … not a program … and thus the implementation and outcomes may look different from one building to the next. In the end, if we want change to happen, then we need to be willing to change.
Ready to dive into this episode? Let’s go!
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Folktales are a central part of our educational systems ... especially in the early grades. However, these tales reflect the Eurocentric ideologies that drive these institutions causing a large part of our population to abandon and forget the stories rooted in their respective cultural pasts. What can we do to reverse this trend?
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In this episode, I chat with Shaun Woodly, a decorated K-12 teacher, university professor, and author whose deep passion and research have allowed him great success as an educator and entrepreneur. He is the architect behind the educator movement “Teach Hustle Inspire” and has written the best-selling book “MC Means Move the Class: How to Spark Engagement and Motivation in Urban and Culturally Diverse Classrooms”. In both education and life, Dr. Woodly believes in having fun! He educates with love, enthusiasm, motivation, and hustle!
During our conversation, we talked about the 2%. You know, the percentage of the teaching force that is composed of Black Males. We discussed the desire to force us into constrained positions such as disciplinarians and managers because we are not often considered as capable of being instructional leaders. We examined code switching and whether or not it should be necessary for our students in order to be accepted as “normal.” We differentiated between culturally relevant and culturally responsive. And, of course, we touched on music and explored Woodly’s parallel with his favorite medium and his role in the classroom and beyond.
Ready to slightly transform your groove? Let’s go.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Resiliency is often used to describe strong individuals ... those who push through the toughest of obstacles and emerge victorious. For many, it has become a badge that is worn with honor - a symbolic representation that they were able to overcome.
But what if resiliency isn't always necessary? What if, resiliency is the necessary byproduct of functioning in a dysfunctional world?
In this episode, I explore this concept as it relates to our students and their families and question whether or not the resiliency they demonstrate should be looked upon in inspiration or if it is an excuse used to justify the ongoing perpetration of oppressive and unjust systems.
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In this episode I chat with three phenomenal guests. T.J. Vari, Connie Hamilton, and Joseph Jones have experience as building and district school leaders. They have authored or co-authored nine books, including their most recent publication with Corwin Press, 7 Mindshifts for School Leaders.
T.J. Vari is the Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools and District Operations in the Appoquinimink School District in Delaware. He’s also a co-author on 5 books for school leaders, including two Corwin books: Passionate Leadership and 7 Mindshifts for School Leaders. You can find his blogs, podcasts, and other work at theschoolhouse302.com.
Connie Hamilton served the field of education as a teacher, instructional coach, principal, and district leader. She is the author or co-author of four books including 7 Mindshifts for School Leaders published by Corwin Press. Find out more about Connie’s work at www.conniehamilton.net
Joseph Jones is the Superintendent of Schools in the New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District. He is the co-author on 5 books for school leaders, including two Corwin books: Passionate Leadership and 7 Mindshifts for School Leaders. Find out more about Joe’s work at theschoolhouse302.com
During our conversation, we discussed the reality that often is leading an organization - that we are firefighters. So often we are consumed with the day to day issues that we are unable to recognize and address the root causes that continue to feed into them. It is this reason that these amazing leaders identified 7 mindshifts to help us approach education from a different perspective. Using examples from businesses and organizations from various markets, they challenge leaders to shift their mindsets so that they can improve their outcomes.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
America is many things and none of those things are mutually exclusive. Why then, do we often apply that same principal to those who respond differently to patriotic symbolism? In this episode, I explore some of the history behind our nation's anthem and why I struggle with supporting it considering the language it contains. Does that make me Un-American or less patriotic?
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In this episode, I chat with Dan Wolfe, an educational leader who has served in Pasco County, Florida for more than 20 years. During this time, he has held roles as a teacher, instructional coach and administrator. He is currently an Assistant Principal at Sunray Elementary. Dan was selected as Pasco County’s District Teacher of the Year in the 2011-2012 school year and he is a part of the district’s Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Committee that recently established Pre-K through Grade 12 SEL standards.
For the past two years Dan has written a blog called Becoming The Change which focuses on a different quote each day and how we can best apply it towards becoming the change through our own moral compass and the five areas in SEL. He has recently channeled this passion for writing into a new book, “Becoming the Change - Five Essential Elements to Being Your Best Self.”
During his spare time Dan enjoys spending his time reading, listening to podcasts, and going to Disney with his wife and daughter.
During our conversation, we discuss the importance of SEL in education - something that was embraced during the pandemic but has seemingly fallen to the wayside as we once again become solely focused on academic outcomes. Dan stresses that these two aspects are not and should not be viewed as separate or even conflicting entities but rather as the interdependent components of our students’ success. We explore the idea that our systems avoid SEL because it is not easily quantifiable and when we are able to do so then the programs we design do not offer the flexibility to address the nuances. Dan even asks if SEL has the clout to draw advocates so that it is truly deemed important. Regardless, we encourage our listeners to continue building community around these practices so that we will see eventual shifts in our field.
Ready to hear more? Let’s go.
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Vote for my session, "The Problem with Color Blindness," to be included in SXSW EDU. Click here to vote.
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Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
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Vote for my session, "The Problem with Color Blindness," to be included in SXSW EDU. Click here to vote.
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We use some phrases in educational conversations so often that they have become almost cliche. Why they are still important to maximizing learning for our students, I fear that they have been reduced to little more than lip service. This is evident as those same conversations, while recognizing the need for such practices, also relies heavily on Discourse I conversation in which the students, their families, and even society is blamed for the lack of progress that we are making. My challenge to those who partake in such discussions is to consider shifting to Discourse II and examining the roles that we play in both the problems and the solutions. Using our recent Back 2 School Bash, I point out how we are attempting to actually move beyond conversation in order to support not just our students but their families and the surrounding community as well. I recognize that no approach will be fool proof but doing something is better than doing nothing.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
In this episode, I chat with Vernon Wright, an entrepreneur, speaker, life coach, consultant, and leader. He has over 18 years of experience in education working in large, urban school districts and has previously served in the roles of teacher, teacher leader, campus leadership team member, and district-level support.
Vernon has shared his experiences as a speaker numerous times over the years at the campus, district, regional, state levels, and beyond garnering acclaim and accolades from recognized industry leaders and colleagues. He has even impacted educators on a global scale with his message reaching people from afar in collaboration with Microsoft EDU and CUE Inc.
Vernon has brought his unique style and combination of insight, storytelling, experience, humor, authenticity, and epiphanies to audiences for years. He knows that real change begins when we first start with authenticity and altruism within ourselves and then commit to creating a vision for future impact.
Vernon has an established presence on Twitter and other social media (@TheWrightLeader across all platforms), and he unabashedly stands as a voice for the people with zero apologies (ZeroApologyZone.com). You can connect with Vernon’s previous speaking and podcast appearances at TheWrightSpeaker.com where you can get a first-hand look at his style. He is committed to a life of inspiring and elevating others. He does this with a relentless focus on informing minds and touching hearts around the globe.
During our conversation, Vernon inspires us with a number of gems so be ready to get your notebooks ready. If you’re in the car, listen, take some mental notes, and then come on back. For example, we discussed the importance of stepping outside of our comfort zones and sharing the knowledge, skills, and experiences that we have with our colleagues. While something may be common knowledge for you, it just could be someone else’s breakthrough. We jumped into leadership and the importance of inspiring your people. After all, how can we expect great results if they are not galvanized to do great things? We even touched on trauma and recognized that just because we may find ourselves broken, there is no need for us to remain so. See … lots of nuggets in this episode.
Ready to hear them in their entirety and get fired up by this amazing educational leader? Let’s go!
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
What happens when you are torn between leaving a company and serving your community? Listen as I share my decision to walk away after 10 years of working at the same company.
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In this episode, I chat with Jed Stefanowicz, a Digital Learning Coach in Walpole, Massachusetts who provides job-embedded professional development and instructional coaching for academic technology. Through conferences, workshops, and coaching, Jed aims to engage and build staff/student digital learning capacity, keeping the focus on practice over product. As a 25 year elementary educator, speaker, blogger, and current Massachusetts Teach Plus Policy Fellow, Jed shares his passion for effective tech integration to transform teaching and learning, creating engaging and equitable digital learning environments and experiences that activate, innovate, and motivate digital learning. He is the Author of Take AIM at Digital Learning: Activate, Innovate, Motivate.
Be sure to check out this MassCUE level 4 educator’s blog and his band, Little Jed and the Phat Daddies.
During our conversation, we addressed some of the myths that have surfaced in education during the pandemic. Will tech replace teaching? How much learning loss have students experienced? We acknowledge that educators are in the process of rediscovering a job that they once loved and the challenges surrounding that journey. To assist with that, Jed points out the need for building a culture that encourages the development of combustible classrooms … yes combustible. We even talk about not only thinking inside and outside of the proverbial box but how we can also rebuild and recycle it.
Ready to learn more from this tech guru who can solve a Rubik's cube? Let’s go!
Order his book Take AIM At Digital Learning
Read his blog
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
What is your story? Have you shared it?
What is a lesson that you learned? Have you shared it?
What we often consider normal just may be someone else's breakthrough. It is our duty to put out this information so that we can continue improving our field.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
In this episode, I chat with Rabia Khokar, an elementary teacher in Toronto and an education and equity consultant at Rabia Teaches. She is also a PhD student at the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education. Her research interests include equitable education, curriculum, and children’s literature. Rabia is passionate about ensuring schools are inclusive spaces where all students with their multiple and intersectional identities are reflected, represented, included and seen through an asset based lens. She is the recepient of the Elementary Teacher’s Federation of Ontario’s 2021 Anti-Racist and Equity Activism Award and the 2022 Professional Learning and Curriculum Development Award. Rabia enjoys sharing her teaching and learning on her twitter platform @Rabia_Khokhar1 and her website www.rabiakhokhar.com.
During our conversation, we talk about the contrast between lived experiences and expected realities. Oftentimes we, especially marginalized populations, are forced to comply with preconceived notions of who we are and can face harsh backlash when we push back against those prejudices. Singular stories do not always capture the entirety of our existence and yet they continue to persist because of their presence within so much of the media that is consumed. What if, instead of relying on these portrayals of those who are different from us, we spent time building affinity across differences? What if we developed spaces not only to amplify our voices but those of others who are sharing similar experiences?
Ready to hear more from this powerful educator and influencer? Let’s go.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
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This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
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What do the New York Yankees and teacher retention have to do in common? Well, consider that in the past 25 years, 44% of the championship teams also fell into the top 3 salary spendings for their respective years. In fact, the average winning team had a payroll that was nearly one standard deviation higher than the average. And the Yankees? Well their five championships during the past 25 years can be attributed to having a payroll that was 2 standard deviations higher than the average.
What does this mean?
One of my favorite players, Anthony Rizzo, former first basemen for the Chicago Cubs, recently joined the Yankees and has not been quiet about his dissatisfaction with the teams reluctance to pay him or others what they were worth. In short, he said to invest in your people.
While I understand that MLB salary caps and educational funding are vastly different models, the point of this discussion still holds true. How is it possible that there are teachers who are making a liveable wage (or higher) while others are required to work additional jobs to survive? Furthermore, how can we expect the same level of performance from these same groups of teachers? Or even, what are we saying about how much we value their contributions to our organizations?
In short, if you value your people, you need to invest in your people. Yes, it may be costly up front, but the results speak for themselves.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
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In this episode, I chat with Zachary Korth, a second year Assistant Principal within Chicago Public Schools. He previously served as the Math Instructional Coach and College and Career Counselor within Austin ISD and a STEM Instructional Coach in Portland Public. With a wealth of experience in restorative practices and building a climate and culture of high expectations and energy, he ensures everyone gets what they n eed to be successful. Whenever interacting with Mr. Korth you know he will always listen, support, and, if needed, offer solutions.
In honor of Pride Month, we centered our conversation around the LGBTQ community. Specifically, we addressed the continued issues members of this community are facing not just from society but from their parents and educators. Note that I didn’t mention peers because as Zach and I both noted, a majority of the students within our schools have largely accepted their LGBTQ counterparts. In fact, Zach shares his perceptions of why adults are so often reluctant to embrace these orientations that they view as “abnormal.” Yes, that was sarcasm Texas. During the conversation, we continuously circled back to the idea of not only acceptance but respect and love. Afterall, we are all humans and deserve to be treated as such.
Ready to hear more? Let’s go!
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
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This weekend marks the second annual national holiday of Juneteenth despite it being in existence for over 150 years and celebrated within the African American community. With such infancy, there are undoubetedly a number of issues that still need to be addressed and its these that I address as I share my hopes for Juneteenth not only for this year, but also moving forward.
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This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
In this episode, I chat with Carmen Daniel, the Owner and Founder of Dare 2 Dream: College & Career Consulting in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Carmen is a third-generation teen mom and first-generation college graduate. She believes that in order to break the generational curses and a perceived deficit thinking plaguing underrepresented students and communities, that educational policies, leadership, and financing, must be free of systemic racism and oppression. As a graduate of the Cleveland Heights - University Heights School District, Carmen took extreme pride in giving back to the community that helped to shape her educational blueprint. Her research interests include: critical race theory, college access and persistence among Black students, urban education leadership, and college persistence for Black teen mothers and fathers. Specifically, she is interested in the ways within-school segregation policies influence Black student motivations for pursuing a postsecondary degree.
During our conversation, we asked an important question - are we amplifying student voices or simply masking our own. All too often we push students into postsecondary decisions without considering their aspirations. We talked about taking the time to listen to students’ stories and helping those experiences determine the pathways that students will take in life. We explored the concept of imposter syndrome and how generational educational trauma impacts our perceptions of school and the choices made beyond primary and secondary school. And we even took some time to dream about what school could be if we adopted the scheduling models of higher education in our lower levels.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
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This episode is a podcast collaboration. Every once in a while, podcasters will team up and blend their two shows into one. Sometimes we trip over one another’s feet but in the end it's a wonderful blend of our two spaces. In this episode, I chat with Trevor Aleo and Kayla Duncan of Conceptually Speaking. If you haven’t heard their show, and you like what you hear today, be sure to check them out on nearly every platform where podcasts are found.
For this show, we blended our two show’s formats by each bringing 3-5 concepts that we believe are critical while challenging the negative narratives that often permeate our educational spaces. From identifying and grounding ourselves in our purpose to being intentional about the work that we’re doing so that it is in alignment to focusing on the assets that our students and peers bring to the table, we explore the various facets that need to be in place for us to push back and begin flipping the script.
Ready for two shows in one? Let’s go.
Connect with Conceptually Speaking
Click here to check out their podcast
Click here to check out their website
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
--
This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
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"Be a man!" "Stop being such a girl!" "Real men don't cry!"
These toxic messages have been repeated time and time again to our young men and yet we wonder why they continue to struggle. During this episode I share some personal connections to these comments and disclose some of my past while imploring listeners to reconsider how we approach our young men who are experiencing mental health issues.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
In this episode, I chat with Dr. LaQuanta Nelson, a former guest of ours on Inside the Principal’s Office and The Boss (you’ll hear more about that later). She has served in education as a mentor, motivational speaker, teacher, assistant principal, and principal over the last 17 years and currently serves as Principal of Magnolia Middle School in Moss Point, Mississippi. Dr. Nelson believes in empowering scholars and all educators on their journey to greatness. She has found a true passion in working with turn-around schools. Dr. Nelson has presented and keynoted at conferences and events at the state, regional and national level. She has served on boards such as the Mississippi Department of Education Principals’ Advisory Group, MDE Middle School Task Force and the Mississippi Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation.
During our conversation, we talk about the expectations that we have for our students and how they manifest. We need to recognize the power that our words have not just on our students but on the community as whole. Dr. Nelson also points out that these positive expectations can, and will, reflect authentic caring and ultimately transform the self-efficacy for schools. She shares how her own experiences with tough love allows her to love on her kids and their families and the powerful results that stem from those relationships. We close out with some practical ideas for closing the year strong when so many educators are exhausted and ready to give up.
Are you ready to learn with The Boss?
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
What do Star Wars and Mental Health have in common? Apparently a lot more than I originally thought. Though I am a fan of the series and recognized the iconic quotes that can easily be attributed to most areas of life, I never stopped to consider their connection to mental health.
Considering that I recorded this on May 4th and that May is Mental Health Awareness Month, it made sense to combine the two into an episode.
Thank you to MensLine Australia that wrote the article which inspired this episode.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
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In this episode, I chat with Anurupa Ganguly, the Founder & CEO of Prisms, a VR learning platform that teaches foundational secondary math and science concepts spatially and intuitively, before building up to symbolic notation. She began her career as a math & physics teacher and later served in leadership roles across the Boston Public Schools, NYC DOE, and Success Academies. She holds a BS and MEng in EECS from MIT, and an EdM from BU.
During our conversation, Anurupa explained her journey through education and how that inspired her to start a company that allows students to digitally immerse themselves into mathematical concepts through VR. Imagine how impactful and powerful it would be to shift from learning exponential rate of change on worksheets to being involved in a pandemic simulator calculating the spread of an unknown disease. Anurupa also pushed back on the idea that the limited access we often associate with such products is due to budgets and funding (consider the mass amounts of funding schools have received during the past two years) and other excuses that do little more than maintain the gaps that we see in opportunities. This is a powerful conversation that I wish I could have released immediately after recording it so be sure to check out Prisms and see how you can bring this innovative technology to your own space.
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- Prisms Website
- Prisms Twitter
- Anurupa Twitter
- Prisms LinkedIn
- Anurupa LinkedIn
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
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In this episode, I chat with Debbie Tannenbaum, an educator with over twenty years of experience, who works each and every day to “transform” learning using technology. During her time in education, she has served both as a classroom teacher in various grades and as an elementary technology coach. Outside of the classroom, Debbie promotes using technology tools to amplify student learning in her work as an educational technology consultant, author, blogger and speaker. You can connect with Debbie at TannenbaumTech.com.
During our conversation, I asked the question that I am sure most tech experts hate, “what tech tool would you recommend for…”. As Debbie pointed out, this is not the ideal way to approach integrating technology into your classroom. Instead we should focus on the objective and the needs of our students and find a tool that matches. We also explored the various ways that technology can be used to propel students forward. If you simply replace your traditional approaches with updated tech, you’re not necessarily going to see the gains that you anticipated. Debbie encourages teachers to instead think outside the box and embrace the opportunities that were not previously available as opposed to simple upgrades.
Want to hear more from this tech guru? Let’s go.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
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This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
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What is one thing that you made smile in this past week? Was it work related? Was it personal? Was it both?
So often we get caught up in doing school that we forget about the most important aspect of education - building relationships. We focus on compliance, on academic growth, on data. And because of this school can easily become a place where nobody wants to be. Its draining because it demands and expects but does little to give back ... to fulfill.
This episode is designed to make you think about moments that bring joy even in the midst of chaos and frustration. I share how my students, along with some help from my staff, finally staged an April Fool's joke that worked. Instead of being upset, instead of reprimanding them, I laughed along with them.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
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In this episode, I chat with Lee Hole, a secondary school leader for the international school of Phnom Penh in Cambodia. After starting his career as a PE educator in his previous high school and serving in various roles for nearly a decade, he and his wife moved from the UK and entered the world of International Education by serving as the head of a school in Dubai. Lee has had the honor of leading professional development projects with the British Council in Bahrain and in the US, serving as school reviewer for evaluations, and mentoring new leaders as they enter new roles.
During our conversation, we talked about the benefits of working in diverse settings and experiencing various cultures that may be drastically different from your own. Lee also pointed out his experiences with stereotypes and prejudices though these were not necessarily prevalent in his own homogenous town as he was growing up. We connected this with the concept of color blindness as a “justifiable” approach to interacting with others. Lee suggests that instead of sitting within our comfort zone that we take the time to ask questions and truly listen so that we get to know those around us.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
--
This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
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I was recently confronted with an ugly truth - that one of my middle school students did not know how to read. Instead of, as is normally done, placing blame on my staff, the curriculum, the students, or even the students' family, I opted to reflect on my role in this outcome. As the leader of my school, I know that I am responsible for the happenings within my building. If a student was able to make it this far without knowing how to read, then that meant I needed to consider my role in allowing that to happen.
This reflection led me to revisit the concepts of Discourse I & II, two different types of language that can be used to discuss the issues within schools. The first focuses on externalization, or blame, and seeks to operate more effectively within the current system. In short, it is designed to maintain the status quo. The second, however, forces us to have uncomfortable conversations as we explore how we contribute to these issues and requires us to think deeply about what steps we must take if we want to see true change.
Join me in this episode as I reflect on this journey.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
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In this episode, I chat with Lissette Jacobson, an educator with more than 10 years experience in the field. She has worked with culturally and linguistically diverse students in grades K through 8 and is currently an elementary school principal in a suburb of Chicago. Lissette's passion for education stems from her own experience as a first generation Mexican-American in the public school system. It is important for her to affirm the identities of her students and to elevate the status of the Spanish language. She is the founder of Leading Latina, a blog and podcast that focuses on linking latinas in leadership and co-founder of Black, Brown, and Bilingue, a podcast whose mission is to unite the Black and Brown communities through education, storytelling, and community engagement.
During our conversation, we talked about so-called ghetto schools and the impact this has one staff, students, and the community. What happens when staff and students begin to think they are less worthy because they are in a school that doesn't receive as many resources? Or when struggling students are congregated in that space? What happens when parents and the community embrace those stereotypes and respond negatively? Lissette also shared how it's important to listen to your stakeholders and not make assumptions. Often, this leads to us not only ignoring the cultural capital within our buildings but missing our families’ realities entirely. We discussed the role of SEL and cautioned about becoming so engrossed in this initiative that we fail to provide our students with the academic foundations that they need so that they can actually be successful in the classroom. Lissette and I closed out with a brief discussion around repackaged reforms and their role in perpetuating the very issues we are attempting to address but we figured we would save that for another conversation.
Listos? Are you ready? Vamos.
Connect with Lissette
Twitter - @leadinglatina2 / @blkbrwnbilingue
Instagram - @leadinglatina2 / @blackbrownandbilingue
YouTube
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
Let’s get started.
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This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
--
We all know that stress can wreak havoc on our bodies and thus we often do as much as we can to avoid and/or treat it. But what happens when those stressors are not immediately known to us? What happens when they are lurking within our subconscious and yet still negatively impacting our physiological and mental systems?
This was a thought that came to me while considering the misunderstood physical ailments of my wife and reflecting on the current events. Something clicked. What if all the chaos happening around us, combined with the notion that we must operate normally, is causing us to suppress our reactions to these various external stimuli? After doing some research, I realized that this is a documented yet not well-researched issue.
Maybe, just maybe, much of the stress and burnout that we are experiencing doesn't all stem from the source we originally imagined. It is very possible that our subconscious is filtering those experiences through stress thus impacting our perceptions.
Listen as I share my thoughts on this, how its impacting me, and my suggestions for moving forward.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
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In this episode, I chat with Alycia Worthy, a Career and Technical Education and Health Science Educator. She enjoys giving high school students the foundation for being able to work and interact with the healthcare industry. She also loves training, teaching, and uplifting people. Prior to entering the education profession, Alycia worked for several years for pharmaceutical companies. It was during her time in the pharmaceutical industry that she recognized that many people were not aware of the vast opportunities available in the industry. She formed a passion for wanting to inform people about the opportunities and resources available in the pharmaceutical industry and STEM fields. Alycia transitioned her passion into the education arena where she now works to expose students to a variety of careers and people in the medical and health care fields. She also works to empower students and to help them to pursue their goals and dreams. Alycia currently serves as the Coordinator of the Queen Cobras program, which is a space created for 9th grade girls of color that focuses on healthy identity development, social justice and civic engagement, and cultural affirmation. She hopes that those young women will love themselves, feel supported during the crucial transition to high school, and understand the benefit of serving the community.
Alycia obtained her undergraduate degrees in Biology and in Chemistry from Emory University and her graduate degree in Public Health from New York University. She is the proud mother of one daughter, Lisa.
During our conversation we focused on Alycia’s passion - STEM - and discussed why more young people, especially black and brown students, are not entering science and math related fields. It seems that this issue is multifaceted. From students not interacting with educators who reflect their backgrounds to not having access to engaging and interesting courses to not being exposed to the wide array of career opportunities that exist outside of traditional jobs. Alycia recognizes that there exists numerous incentives to increase participation in STEM but stresses that it is our job, as educators, to address all of these areas if we truly want to address this issue. Students need to see authentically passionate educators who are not only excited about sharing their knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and math but who also know how to curate these experiences so they are relevant to our students. Yes, there is much to be done but Alycia helps us to better understand the issue and how to address it.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
Let’s get started.
--
This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
--
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
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In this episode, I chat with Lindsay Titus, an educator of 16 years who started as a K-2 Special Education Teacher for 5 years and then worked for 7 years as a behavior consultant in different capacities. During this time she worked at a residential school, for a non-for-profit, and for a private insurance based therapy company. Lindsay then returned to the public school system as a behavior specialist. She went on to complete her administrative coursework and was hired as an assistant principal in October of 2021.
During our conversation, we talked about … well .. behavior and the misconceptions that often surround this challenging topic. While Lindsay drops a ton of gems that could easily be used for motivational posters or Twitter taglines, she doesn’t dwell on the typical response of building relationships. While that is necessary, she also points out that we need to acknowledge the role that we play in the behaviors that we are witnessing (even if we are not directly responsible) and that it is okay to give space and grace. Lindsay suggests that we, as adults, need to get better at recognizing and managing our own emotions so that we can do the same for our students and even provides some ideas on how we can do so through small, simple, and strategic steps.
Connect with Lindsay
Website - Define YOUniversity
Twitter - https://twitter.com/ltitus828
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
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Are you tired of traditional PD? You know, those boring sit n gets where everyone is expected to learn the same thing at the same time in the same way? Me too! As an educational leader I have spent countless hours looking for something that would allow my staff the freedom to choose professional development opportunities aligned with their unique needs. I never found it. So, I created it with the help of my friends at Code Breaker.
Introducing, disruptED, our take on personalized professional development led by educators currently active in the field. Join my session, Equity by Design, where we will explore the intersection of equity and universal design for learning. Or join Matthew Joseph as he shares ways to take your personal connections to the next level through his session Power of Connections. Or join Christin Ravesi-Weinstein as she helps you to unpack stories of strength, struggle, and triumph in her session Fighting Your Inner Voice.
Each course is only $50 and you can sign up here.
I look forward to learning and growing together.
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You know the saying, "Remember the Alamo!"? What would you do if I told you that the whole story behind this patriotic event was steeped in tyranny, racism, and slavery? To be honest, I was shocked at first too.
During a recent trip to San Antonio, my wife and I decided to visit the Alamo. We're nerds and we love exploring historical spaces like this while also attempting to uncover any untold truths that may be waiting to be discovered. And what a truth we found! After touring the site we continued our exploration of the city and happened to stumble across a small museum, SAAACAM (say-cam) where we learned a disturbing reality that neither of us had ever considered. Not only did the Alamo serve as a slave auction site, but that the events leading up to the battle were fueled, in large part, by slavery.
During this episode, I recount my reactions and what I realized as I found myself digging deeper into this newfound truth.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
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In this episode, I chat with Ryan Tibbens, a 16 year classroom veteran in the middle of his first year teaching in a brand-new 100% distance learning program. His work with high school juniors and seniors has helped propel students to a variety of excellent universities and fulfilling careers. Outside of school, Ryan operates Tibbens Education Services & Tutoring, a consulting and tutoring venture specializing in college admissions essays, AP prep, writing instruction, and counseling parents. Mr. Tibbens also hosts and produces the ClassCast Podcast, which blends philosophy, pedagogy, policy, and people into great discussions about improving education. He lives in northern Virginia with his wife and two (soon-to-be three) children.
During our conversation, we talked about Ryan’s new role and the perceptions around remote learning. We recognized that remote learning should be a choice. There are some students who do well in the environment while others struggle. Yet, we often talk about remote learning as an all or nothing approach to education. Ryan also shared the possibilities that remote learning can offer students who want to explore opportunities that are limited through traditional school practices. Imagine being able to travel the country playing for a professional sports team while still attending class. We continue by exploring methods to make remote learning successful for both students and teachers engaged in this approach. Now, this isn’t an extended commercial or promotion for remote learning but rather an exploration of a style of teaching and learning that has undoubtedly changed the face of education.
Ready to listen to the episode? Let’s go.
Connect with Ryan:
Facebook - www.facebook.com/classcastpodcast
Twitter - www.twitter.com/classcastpod
Instagram - www.instagram.com/classcastpodcast
Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantibbens/
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCprrZS23ZR3jJYf-K06pFwg
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Are you tired of traditional PD? You know, those boring sit n gets where everyone is expected to learn the same thing at the same time in the same way? Me too! As an educational leader I have spent countless hours looking for something that would allow my staff the freedom to choose professional development opportunities aligned with their unique needs. I never found it. So, I created it with the help of my friends at Code Breaker.
Introducing, disruptED, our take on personalized professional development led by educators currently active in the field. Join my session, Equity by Design, where we will explore the intersection of equity and universal design for learning. Or join Matthew Joseph as he shares ways to take your personal connections to the next level through his session Power of Connections. Or join Christin Ravesi-Weinstein as she helps you to unpack stories of strength, struggle, and triumph in her session Fighting Your Inner Voice.
Each course is only $50 and you can sign up using this link.
I look forward to learning and growing together.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
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In this episode, I chat with Rick Holmes, the founder of Relate Then Educate. He is also a twenty-year veteran classroom teacher and former high school basketball coach. Rick has a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's degree in School Counseling. When he left the classroom a few years ago to pursue new adventures, he found that his heart was still with his teacher friends at school. Through Relate Then Educate, Rick and his team work to help teachers see how valuable they are through the stories they tell of their experiences, the wisdom of what they've learned, and the message that they are uniquely equipped to do extraordinary things both inside and outside of the classroom. The Relate Then Educate message is simple, teachers are valuable as human beings first and they are justified in both protecting and investing in themselves.
During our conversation, we talked about shifting the focus from how to do education to reminding teachers about why they are in the field. No amount of PD, or instructional coaching, will reignite a fire within a teacher like asking them about their story. Their why. The problem is, we don’t ask this enough and thus the amazing work that teachers do on a daily basis are perceived as nothing more than mundane tasks. They say that they are “just a teacher.” So how do we shift these conversations and perceptions? How do we encourage teachers to embrace their positions proudly? Well, Rick has a few suggestions for both teachers and administrators.
Let’s dive into this episode to hear what he has to say.
Connect with Rick Holmes!
Website
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
--
This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
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The third Monday of each January has been designated as MLK Day, a day that is often spent reflecting on the works and impacts of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. While I fully support these efforts, I think that it is important that we do not limit our scope of appreciation to the efforts of a single individual but instead consider all of those who came before and laid the groundwork for him as well as those who were inspired and continued the work beyond him. In short, I want to be sure that we understand that while King and the Civil Rights Movement are often synonymous, there were a plethora of other key players that have been forgotten.
I also want us to consider the parallels between the Civil Rights Movement of the past and that of the present. Yes, in my opinion we are still in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement. We must then be cautious about how we respond to those actively pursuing our rights so that we do not replicate the same opposition that existed not only half a century ago but centuries ago as abolitionists were fighting against slavery.
For me, this day is about remembrance.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
--
Have you heard the news? Inside the Principal’s Office has released a book! A best selling new release on Amazon!
This book is perfect for any current or aspiring educational leader. Broken down into 40 weeks, this book is filled with reflections and practical advice from three educational administrators and provides space for reflection to facilitate growth.
Join other leaders from around the world who have already ordered theirs to join in on upcoming book studies and workshops. Order your copy on Amazon today!
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In this episode, I chat with Cale Zuiker, the child of two educators, he grew up in Marshfield, WI and attended Youngstown State University in Ohio on a basketball scholarship for one year before transitioning and receiving his undergrad in English Education at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. Cale began his teaching career as a substitute teacher for a year before being hired as a high school English teacher where he taught 9th and 10th graders for five years. During this time he also coached basketball, track, and strength training. Cale received his masters degree in Educational Leadership from Viterbo University and now serves as a principal.
During our conversation, we talked about the need for educators to be cognizant of the stereotypes that others have placed upon them, those that we place upon others, but also those that we place upon ourselves. We often talk about the issues of implicit bias and how those impact those around us but we don’t usually discuss how our negative perceptions of ourselves help to shape those thoughts and our interactions with others. Cale talks about its important for us to own what is happening in our spaces and not to shy away from difficult conversations and situations understanding that is how we make real change happen. He also shares his daily three - three questions that he uses to reflect on his leadership.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
--
This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
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As we wrap up 2021 and begin to transition into a new year, I have been thinking about three questions. Yes, some of us make resolutions (though I once made a resolution to never make another and I'm doing well so far) and some of us to the One Word thing (still haven't picked mine out). Instead of these routes, I wanted to do some reflection and not only posed these questions to you, but also shared my own responses.
Question 1: What do you hope to leave behind as we transition into the new year?
Question 2: What do you hope to bring with you as we transition into the new year?
Question 3: What do you hope to acquire as we progress through the new year?
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
--
Last year, on a whim, I decided to record a holiday special. To be honest, the initial purpose was to explore various facets of the holidays celebrated at this time of the year but it turned out to be so much more. Instead of an informational discussion between peers, we ended up with a heartfelt conversation among friends. And, to be honest, I wanted to do it again. So here we are.
In this holiday episode, I connect with four of my fellow podcast colleagues - Mealey co-host of Unprofessional Development , Aviva Levin host of Lesson Impossible, Batsheva Frankel host of Overthrowing Education, and Andre Daughty host of See What Had Happened. Unlike last year, I was able to get some holiday diversity with two my guests celebrating Christmas, one who celebrates Hanukkah, and one who celebrates both. Join us as we learn more about each other’s traditions and memories and how we plan to continue our celebrations with our own families. And, as a bonus, you get to find out which of us has a personal connection with Adam Sandler yeah … that Adam Sandler.
Before you jump in, I just want to take a moment to wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season. Regardless of what you celebrate, we need moments like this more and more during these challenging times. Find opportunities to connect with family and friends (safely of course) and share the love and power of connections. I know that I have been fortunate enough to connect with these individuals and so many more so to all of you I would like to say thank you and I look forward to another amazing year of accomplishments and celebrations.
Now, its time for the episode.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
--
Remote learning isn't the solution for everyone. Some students don't have access to devices. Some don't have access to reliable and/or reliable wifi. Some don't have safe spaces in which to work. I understand because that was the case for some of my students.
But not all of them.
We, as educators, pride ourselves on talking about personalized learning ... about differentiating our approaches to education so that all students can be successful. We also point out the hypocrisy of holding us accountable to such measures while simultaneously requiring the use of standardized assessments to measure student performance.
Is remote learning any different?
We must admit that, while remote learning was far from ideal for many of our students, there were plenty of students who thrived in the newfound setting. There were students who suddenly became engaged and interested in their learning. There were students who finally opened up and connected with their teachers and peers. There were students who excelled.
And yet, we are actively working against having remote learning as an option. Despite an increase in COVID cases and hospitalizations. Despite parents choosing to keep their students at home with no access to instruction. Despite knowing that it can serve as a viable solution for certain populations.
In this episode, I share my thoughts about remote learning and question whether these decisions are being made for the best interest of our students or out of convenience for the decision makers.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
--
This episode was originally supposed to be an interview with my friend and colleague, Lee Hole, an international educator currently stationed in Cambodia. Unfortunately, during the last few minutes of the episode, my computer glitched and I lost everything. So instead of that delightful conversation, I will be sharing with you a rerun of last year's holiday special as we prepare for this year's episode.
Here's the intro for that episode...
This is a special episode for a special day. See, I don’t know when you’re actually listening to this episode but I can tell you that today, well the original air date, is December 25th, Christmas Day. And for that reason, I wanted to do a little something different.
Now, and I feel that I need to say this before someone attempts to get politically correct, my original intention was to showcase various holidays and their respective traditions. However, when called upon for support, these individuals graciously stepped forward and offered to lend their voices to this special episode. It just so happened that each of them celebrated Christmas.
This episode features some of my friends as we reflect on what Christmas means to us, recall some our fondest Christmas memories, and share how we carry on traditions today. I can honestly say that I had a great time recording this session as we laughed, and cried while not only growing closer together but realizing those innate connections that exist within all of humankind. Whether it was the receiving of deodorant, the baking of cookies, the creation of new experiences, or simply spending time with loved ones, Christmas, whether you celebrate it or not transcends its religious foundation and instead embraces a single concept - love.
Well, you’re not here to listen to the intro. No … you came for the episode. Before I transition you over, I would like to wish all of my listeners a very Merry Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukah, or whatever holiday you celebrate. May you all find yourselves in the comfort of your loved ones, whether in person or virtually.
I look forward to connecting with all of you in the new year.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
--
This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
--
Have you ever heard of Drunk Shakespeare? It's a hilarious show in which a group of trained actors attempt to recreate a classic Shakespearean play while attempting to keep up with one actor who is intentionally drunk. The spontaneous shifts in direction, altered by inebriated decision-making, forces the actors to not only alter their approach but to cleverly come up with ways of getting the story back on track so that it can progress as intended. My wife treated me to a show a few weeks ago for my birthday and, as a huge fan of the theater, I was delighted, amused, and inspired by what I was witnessing. Making such shifts mid scene is no easy feat and yet these actors were traversing an ever changing landscape with relative ease (or maybe it just appeared that way to the possibly drunken audience).
As an educator, I of course reflected on the experience and thought about any potential lessons that could be used within my own school. While I momentarily considered the possibility of somehow incorporating alcohol into lesson (for the teachers obviously), the reality of such a scandal quickly sobered me back up. Another thought, however, remained. What if we challenged our students to interact with material that they have mastered in new and meaningful ways? The only way these actors were able to shift so easily was because they had perfected the basic skills and thus could challenge themselves by intentionally creating obstacles for which they must adjust. Imagine the possibility if students had to rewrite a scene (or entire story) from the perspective of someone else. What would happen if there was an element missing from a story problem and students had to develop a way to figure that out before moving forward? How might students respond if they were asked to re-imagine a world in which a world power no longer existed?
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
.Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
--
Have you heard the news? Inside the Principal’s Office has released a book! A best selling new release on Amazon!
This book is perfect for any current or aspiring educational leader. Broken down into 40 weeks, this book is filled with reflections and practical advice from three educational administrators and provides space for reflection to facilitate growth.
Join other leaders from around the world who have already ordered theirs to join in on upcoming book studies and workshops. Order your copy on Amazon today!
--
In this episode, I chat with Katie Kinder who has been an educator since 2006. She believes that life is fun, and learning should most definitely be fun. As a teacher of the year, top five district finalist, OKC Rotary Teacher of the Month, a guest on the Oklahoma State Department's EdTalk series, and a top 100 educator in Oklahoma on Twitter, Katie has learned a trick or two in the classroom. In fact, she has curated her experience into developing a brand new version of her role as a professional development specialist and has recently released her first book, “Untold Teaching Truths” now available on Amazon.
During our conversation, Katie and I took the time to reconnect since our last conversation back in February. In that discussion, she mentioned how she would like to transform her role as a PD specialist into something different as she wanted teachers to see strategies in action. She realized that things aren’t always pretty and that educators should see the process and not just the product. Well, someone must have been listening because that is exactly what she is now doing. Extending on this idea, Katie also released her first book that she hopes will help teachers navigate the struggles that we all face. In fact, she talks about avoiding burnout by steering clear of all the small battles but really honing in on three key areas - engagement, safety, and kindness. We even threw some other ideas out into the ether to see if those too would come true.
Want to hear more? Let’s go.
Connect with Katie
Twitter - @KatieKinder1
--
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
.Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
--
Typically, these Pause to Ponder segments feature my own thoughts and reflections regarding all things education. This time, however, I thought I would do something different. During the final week of October, I was fortunate enough to spend time with fellow leaders at the Illinois Principal Association (IPA) Conference. It was there that I collected responses around a simple question. What did you learn during the pandemic and how have you used this to become a better leader? What follows is part 2 of a two-part series featuring the voices of educators from around the state of Illinois.
Enjoy.
--
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
--
In this episode, I chat with Sandra Donaghue, who has served in education for over 30 years. She has been a teacher for 16 years, a principal for 15 years, and has served as an Instructor for the Principal Qualifications Course for 10 years. In addition to education, Sandra loves music and musical theatre. She has taught dance for years and even performed in musicals while in high school. Sandra is a Code Breaker Ambassador and works closely with Matthew Joseph on a number of projects and is currently co-authoring a book on leadership.
During our conversation Sandra brought up a powerful sentiment - everyone with whom we interact should walk away better because of the experience. While this may sound a bit conceited, the truth is that we should strive to improve those around us at every opportunity. We discussed how this could look with the students in our building by adopting a lens of possibility and allowing them the opportunities to become empowered participants within their schools. Sandra encourages educators to step out of their comfort zones, the real reason why we continue to practice antiquated approaches, and to engage in some reflection activities to identify areas of improvement. Yes, it requires relationships. Yes, it requires vulnerability. Yes, it may be challenging. But it is so well worth it.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
--
Typically, these Pause to Ponder segments feature my own thoughts and reflections regarding all things education. This time, however, I thought I would do something different. During the final week of October, I was fortunate enough to spend time with fellow leaders at the Illinois Principal Association (IPA) Conference. It was there that I collected responses around a simple question. What did you learn during the pandemic and how have you used this to become a better leader? What follows is part 1 of a two-part series featuring the voices of educators from around the state of Illinois.
Enjoy.
--
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
--
Have you heard the news? Inside the Principal’s Office has released a book! A best selling new release on Amazon!
This book is perfect for any current or aspiring educational leader. Broken down into 40 weeks, this book is filled with reflections and practical advice from three educational administrators and provides space for reflection to facilitate growth.
Join other leaders from around the world who have already ordered theirs to join in on upcoming book studies and workshops. Order your copy on Amazon today!
--
In this episode, I chat with Trelane Clark, the principal at Hooks Elementary School in Chelsea, Massachusetts, a city adjacent to Boston. She has been serving in education for 25 years in public, private, urban, and suburban schools. She believes that building relationships is central to the work that educators must do. Her personal mission is to stay grounded in faith while learning through life's experiences that empower her to empower others. Trelane’s professional mission is to inspire educators to Teach from the Heart, model Resiliency, lead with Integrity, Value relationships, and ensure Equity for all. She serves as the Vice President of Black Women Education Leaders, Inc. and was a contributing author to Women Who Lead Featuring School Principals Vol. 2.
During our conversation we discussed the importance of shifting away from deficit thinking not only for our students but for ourselves as well. When we begin to focus on our abilities and begin operating within our purpose, anything is possible. The same is true for our students. While we can focus on their gaps in learning, we can also identify the strengths that they are bringing into our classrooms. If self-doubt prevents success, then we not only need to shift our thinking but that of our students. Trelane also talks about the need to look for the silver linings and to have joy in the work that we are doing. Yes there is much that is wrong but there is also plenty that is right. We close out the conversation by discussing the need to know students’ names, strengths, and stories. Do you know all of your students? Can you identify them by name? Can you identify something about each one?
Let’s jump in to hear more about this challenge and how Trelane is countering the narrative.
Connect with Trelane
Twitter: @treclarkleads
Website: www.treclarkleads.com
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
--
This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
--
I decided to go in a different direction this week and record a pure episode meaning no script ... no planning ... no ... well ... anything. I sat down and recorded this episode the night before it was due to air. And to be honest, as uncomfortable as the experience was, I feel that my thoughts were not filtered through my writing voice but instead reflected my speaking voice. But I guess you will be the judge of that.
This episode focused on a concept that I recently heard while listening to John C. Maxwell about engaging in challenging conversations. He talked about the need to have both care and candor and that the absence of either will not lead to positive outcomes. This hit home as I have found myself questioning why those within my organization are seemingly avoiding difficult conversations and what we can do to shift those practices.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
--
Have you heard the news? Inside the Principal’s Office has released a book! A best selling new release on Amazon!
This book is perfect for any current or aspiring educational leader. Broken down into 40 weeks, this book is filled with reflections and practical advice from three educational administrators and provides space for reflection to facilitate growth.
Join other leaders from around the world who have already ordered theirs to join in on upcoming book studies and workshops. Order your copy on Amazon today!
--
In this episode, I chat with Jillian DuBois, a 2nd-grade elementary educator in Clearwater, FL who has been in the field of education for over two decades. She is the published author and illustrator of Liv’s Seashells, Road to Awesome:A Journey for Kids, and Look at YOU, Piper Lou!, and is the Optimistic Originator of Imparted Joy, LLC.
Jill’s passion is to initiate and infuse joy to those in education by focusing efforts on listening, serving, and growing alongside colleagues and friends. She uses her voice to foster hope for student equity and empathy.
Jillian believes each day is a FRESH opportunity to listen, be slow to criticize, and be quick to empathize. Keep dancing and dreaming with JOY.
During our conversation, she shares that she is just an ordinary teacher who gets to do extraordinary things with extraordinary people. She began the conversation by sharing a personal story of educating her own child at home when his school was not providing him with the approach he needed to be successful. The experiential learning opportunities she curated for him fostered a different approach to teaching that she has fully embraced and implements within her own classroom. Jill talked about letting go of our own fears when it comes to student autonomy and shares her solution for eliminating boredom from classrooms.
Ready to hear an extraordinary conversation between two ordinary educators? Let’s go.
Connect with Jillian
Twitter: @JillDuBois22
Insta: jilliande
FB: jilliandee
www.linkedin.com/in/jill-dubois
Web: www.impartedjoy.com
--
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
--
Have you heard the news? Inside the Principal’s Office has released a book! A best selling new release on Amazon!
This book is perfect for any current or aspiring educational leader. Broken down into 40 weeks, this book is filled with reflections and practical advice from three educational administrators and provides space for reflection to facilitate growth.
Join other leaders from around the world who have already ordered theirs to join in on upcoming book studies and workshops. Order your copy on Amazon today!
--
This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
--
During this reflection, I share my recent experience of truly connecting with my staff during a moment of absolute transparency and vulnerability. Through this, I realized that we all, even educational leaders, need to be able to communicate what need from others and how they can support us when we are struggling. We are so accustomed being the supporter, that we often forget how to be supported. So while you are out there looking for the best way to show your appreciation for your principal, consider asking what they need and honoring that request. I guarantee you that it be much more appreciated than another mug.
--
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
--
Have you heard the news? Inside the Principal’s Office has released a book! A best selling new release on Amazon!
This book is perfect for any current or aspiring educational leader. Broken down into 40 weeks, this book is filled with reflections and practical advice from three educational administrators and provides space for reflection to facilitate growth.
Join other leaders from around the world who have already ordered theirs to join in on upcoming book studies and workshops. Order your copy here today!
--
In this episode, I chat with Chuck Moss. He has over 25 years in education having served as a teacher and administrator at the elementary middle, and high school levels.
Chuck currently serves as the Director of innovation and development for Dinwiddie County Schools where he works with staff to bring new ideas to the classroom and create meaningful learning experiences for students of all ages.
His why is simple: “Bring out the best in people so they can bring out the best in others.”
During our conversation, Chuck talks about leading from a place of experience. In fact, he returned to the classroom so that he could learn about the technology that he now directs in his district. We also dive into a pivotal question for educators, am I creating learning. Are we developing the systems, processes, and approaches, regardless of the environment (meaning remote or in-person), that fosters learning? Or are we making excuses for operating in uncomfortable situations? Challenging questions for challenging times.
Connect with Chuck:
Twitter - @dcpsmoss
--
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
Let’s get started.
--
In this episode, I chat with Darrin Peppard an author, publisher, speaker, and consultant focused on what matters most in leadership and education. Darrin is an expert in school culture and climate as well as coaching and growing emerging leaders. He is the author of the best selling book Road to Awesome: Empower, Lead, Change the Game.
Darrin was named the 2015 Jostens Renaissance Educator of the Year, as was the 2016 Wyoming Secondary School Principal of the Year. Darrin was inducted into the Jostens Renaissance Hall of Fame in 2019.
As a ‘recovering’ high school principal, Darrin shares lessons learned and effective strategies from over 25 years in public education to help leaders (both adults and students) to become more effective and positively impact the world around them.
During our conversation, we talked about … well … everything. We discussed the teacher shortage that seems to have been exacerbated by the pandemic and the realization of a different generation that maybe we do not need to push ourselves to utter exhaustion in order to be effective at our jobs, something our current system has not yet caught up with and is becoming less and less attractive to younger educators. We explored the need to shift our focus from catching and punishing the wrong to recognizing and celebrating the achievements. Darrin urges leaders to ask themselves to determine if they are investing their time in energy in actions aligned with their mission and vision or simply putting out fires.
Ready to hear two administrators have a candid conversation about education? Let’s go.
Connect with Darrin
Socials - @DarrinMPeppard
Website - https://roadtoawesome.net/
--
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
Let’s get started.
--
In this episode, I chat with Dr. Cristóbal T. Saldaña who serves as an assistant principal at Los Fresnos High School in deep south Texas. This is his twentieth year in education. He is passionate about student success and mentoring budding leaders. He recently launched the Building Leaders Podcast and is the author of One Step Edu, his blog.
During our conversation, we talked about encouraging students to notice the voices that are missing, to explore the reason behind the silence, and how those practices can, and do, impact them today. Cris pointed out that many educators are afraid to teach these other perspectives because they do not want to get in trouble or get it wrong but suggests that developing a safe space not only for your students but with your administrator will foster these conversations. He also reminds us that we should continue to harvest the power of connections that we have built through technology and allow our students to connect with others from around the world.
Want to know more? Let’s go.
--
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
Let’s get started.
--
Hey listener, are you a principal in Illinois? If so, I hope that you’re planning to be in attendance at this year’s Illinois Principal Association Conference in Peoria from October 24th through the 26th. With keynotes by Gerry Brooks and Luis Cruz and tons of informational sessions from educators all over the state, including yours truly, it is a can’t miss event. And you know what, I will be recording a series of Principal Ponderings live from the event. So, if you’re going to be there and you want to connect, just let me know. Okay, let’s get into today’s episode.
--
In this episode, I reconnect with Jennifer Haston-Maciejewski, who works at Greenfield Central High School as an alternative placement teacher and behavior specialist/coach. She is also a trained yoga, mindfulness, and meditation instructor; and is a contributing author in several books. Jennifer sits as the vice president on the board of directors for the Coalition of Schools Educating Mindfully. She is a nature therapy practitioner and is currently converting an old school bus into a tiny home on wheels for herself and her family of 6 to travel in during the summer.
During our conversation, Jennifer reflected on her past as one of “those students.” You know the ones. The ones who are never absent and always question the rules. She pointed out that we, as adults, need to know the why behind rules and so do our students because it needs to make sense. We continued by exploring some of the current trends in education and cautioned about developing learned helplessness. Yes, we need to love on our students, and we need to trauma informed. But we also need to ensure that all of their needs are being met. Jennifer pushes educators a little further when she challenges that many of us reflect on the easy questions. That we post and share the good in our professions but are we spending time reflecting on the tough questions … the ones that will really push us outside of our comfort zones.
Ready to be challenged by one of those students? Then let’s go.
--
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
--
Connect with Jennifer
Twitter: @mrs_haston
Instagram: wanderinggypsy6
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
--
In this episode, I chat with Santiago Meza, an elementary school principal in California who has served the educational community for more than 15 years. He and his wife have been married for 22 years and have two children - one in middle school and one who will be starting high school this year. Meza is known for leading and living with patience and grace, something that he attributes to being a brain surgery survivor. When he isn’t leading his school, he enjoys drawing, listening to music, and reading his bible.
During our conversation, we explored his uncommon approach to leading which stems from a simple question - why don’t we do for adults what we do for students? He points out that administrators often urge their staff to demonstrate love and caring to their students yet fail to extend those same courtesies to their staff. How can we expect people to do what we want when we fail to lead by example? Join us as he shares some practical tips for shifting our conceptions and approaches to leadership.
Enjoy.
--
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
--
Santiago's Contact Information:
Twitter - @santiagoAM115
Instagram - @santiagoAM115
Linked In - Santiago Meza
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
Let’s get started.
--
This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
--
Stop chasing success. What does that even mean? Why would we stop pursuing the very thing that results from working towards our goals?
Confused? So was I.
Listen as I reflect on the multitude of emails that I received citing this very same mantra and the revelations that I have had along the way including one during the recording of this very episode.
--
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
Let’s get started.
--
In this episode, I chat with Alfonso Mendoza, an Instructional Technologist & Google Innovator from South Texas with 15 years of experience in education. He has a Masters degree in Educational Technology along with a graduate certificate in E-Learning and a graduate certificate in Technology Leadership in Education. Alonso is a servant leader and am always looking for ways to help my learning community use the power of technology which he facilitates through his show, My Ed Tech Life. Be sure to check it out when you get a chance.
During our conversation, we talked about one Alfonso’s passions, technology. In addition to sharing his top 3 tools that we should all be using when we return to our school, we discussed the need to take risks and to step outside of our comfort zones. Technology, for many, can be intimidating and but that our vulnerability helps to build community especially when we learn and grow from one another. A fellow Code Breaker, Alfonso and I also had the opportunity to get to know one another a little better and realized that we had much in common. And don’t miss his clever acronym for memorizing the elements plants need for survival. Why would you need to know that? Think million dollar question on a game show.
Ready to learn something new? Let’s go.
--
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
--
In this episode, I chat with Dr. Traci Nicole Smith, a current college instructor, former public-school teacher, instructional coach, and Director of Special Education who has transformed the lives of countless families for over two decades through her educational expertise and intuitive wisdom. In 2020, she created The Institute For Conscious-Driven Living to assist individuals in helping/healing professions learn how to identify triggers, heal core wounds, balance energies, and elevate their vibrations. Rather than react, Traci teaches others how to use external triggers as an avenue for deep inner healing to live a more liberated and authentic life. She resides in New Orleans, Louisiana, which is a nationally recognized city known for its school reforms in public education yet is still struggling with its own issues.
During our episode, Traci dropped plenty of truth bombs and did not hold back. In fact, if you’re listening to this in your car, I want to warn you that much of what she says may result in you wanting to stand up and applaud. For obvious reasons, I ask that you refrain from doing so. If you, however, are listening to this in a public place, feel free to do so and then direct those who are staring at you to this episode. I’m sure they’ll thank you later. Our focus for this episode was the toxic positivity that infiltrates teacher spaces and does much more harm than good. Traci wastes no time attacking those ideologies and behaviors that we have come to accept as normal but then question why we are tired, unhappy, and struggling. Take a listen and then find a way to make your own joy.
Contact Traci:
Twitter: @theedepistolary
IG: tracinicolesmith
FB: Traci Nicole Smith
LinkedIn: Traci Nicole Smith, Ph.D
Website: www.tracinicolesmith.com
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
Let’s get started.
--
This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
--
We are embarking on the 244th anniversary of America's independence. While this is a time of celebration for many across the country, it is also a time of difficulty for many others. This celebration of freedom is a reminder that not all were granted freedom and that we are still struggling with the reality that freedoms often evade a great portion of the population today. In this episode, I reflect on my own struggles and coming to terms with this holiday. I also share an abridged version of Douglass' speech "What to a Slave is the 4th of July?"
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
--
In this episode, I chat with Melinda Arnost, a witty K-12 Intervention Specialist that is always thinking outside of the box. This curly-haired educator loves everything about teaching minus the paperwork and standardized tests. Melinda has her master’s degree in education, is a personal trainer for students with unique abilities, and is an autism guru. She has a passion for building relationships with her students and colleagues and can embrace inclusion in any type of setting. Melinda started an adaptive nonprofit ice skating program for individuals with unique abilities and runs marathons while pushing her pal, Annie, in a HOYT running chair. She believes people, regardless of their lack of ability, should feel included, supported and loved.
Melinda lives in the woods with her husband who is an automotive enthusiast in Ohio. When she is not writing or teaching, she is busy running extreme distances, painting murals or trying to build her own secret garden
During our conversation we talked about relationships. Yes, relationships. But not just between students and teachers but between teachers and interventionists. Melinda shared how many of the disconnects that we see with our diverse learners are due to the lack of communication and being on the same page. We also talked about the power of inclusion and what happens when ALL students are able to receive the tools needed to learn in the same spaces. Melinda talked about how educators fear the labels that students carry and judge them before they even enter the class and how connecting with other staff and students can help to dispel those misconceptions. And maybe … just maybe … we redefined what PD should look like.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
--
Connect with Melinda
Instagram: Empoweringinclusiontoolbox
Facebook: Empowering inclusion
Check out her book here
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
--
Before we jump into today’s episode I wanted to tell you about a super exciting event that I have coming up and I would love for you to be in attendance. As I mentioned in the intro to the show, I am the co-host of Inside the Principal’s Office, a web series that runs live on the first and third Saturday of each month. During the show my co-host, Michael McWilliams, and I bring on other educational leaders and discuss the most pressing issues and topics facing us today. We also have a facebook group where educators can connect and learn from each other.
Well this summer, we are planning to host an event where we can get together in person. That’s right. Not another zoom. Not another google meet. But live. Even better? Its only $35! So join us in Dallas for a networking reception on Friday, July 30th followed by a day of activities on Saturday, July 31st. Stop by our twitter page, join us on facebook, or check out an upcoming episode for more information.
I look forward to finally meeting you.
--
In this episode, I chat with Matthew Joseph, who currently serves as the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in Leicester Public Schools. He has been a school and district leader in many capacities in public education over his 27 years in the field such as the Director of Digital Learning and Innovation, elementary school principal, classroom teacher, and district professional development specialist.
During our conversation, we talked about conflicting parallels that exist with educational leadership. We, as administrators, encourage teachers to adopt a growth mindset and to take risks in their classrooms and yet we utilize punitive evaluation systems that often discourage the very behavior we would like to see. Matthew insisted that we need to develop a system that balances both accountability and innovation so that teachers can move from lessons to experiences and would be more willing to celebrate the attempts of their students as opposed to being focused solely on results. We also discussed the power of reflection … to know oneself so that we can walk in our purpose.
--
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
--
This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
--
Before we jump into today’s episode I wanted to tell you about a super exciting event that I have coming up and I would love for you to be in attendance. As I mentioned in the intro to the show, I am the co-host of Inside the Principal’s Office, a web series that runs live on the first and third Saturday of each month. During the show my co-host, Michael McWilliams, and I bring on other educational leaders and discuss the most pressing issues and topics facing us today. We also have a facebook group where educators can connect and learn from each other.
Well this summer, we are planning to host an event where we can get together in person. That’s right. Not another zoom. Not another google meet. But live. Even better? Its only $35! So join us in Dallas for a networking reception on Friday, July 30th followed by a day of activities on Saturday, July 31st. Click here to register
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I am a true believer in constructing our own curriculums. I do not believe that we should be tied to a textbook published by a company backed by lobbyists pushing their own agenda. These biased approaches limit the amount of information that our students can access and produce skewed perceptions and understanding of the world around them. I spent years designing and building my own curricular materials so that it not only addressed the standards students were expected to master but also connected with my students' interests and experiences. Although it was a challenge, it was well worth seeing them excel in school. What would happen if we deconstructed our current curriculums and built something new? Join me as I explore this very concept.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
--
Before we jump into today’s episode I wanted to tell you about a super exciting event that I have coming up and I would love for you to be in attendance. As I mentioned in the intro to the show, I am the co-host of Inside the Principal’s Office, a web series that runs live on the first and third Saturday of each month. During the show my co-host, Michael McWilliams, and I bring on other educational leaders and discuss the most pressing issues and topics facing us today. We also have a facebook group where educators can connect and learn from each other.
Well this summer, we are planning to host an event where we can get together in person. That’s right. Not another zoom. Not another google meet. But live. Even better? Its only $35! So join us in Dallas for a networking reception on Friday, July 30th followed by a day of activities on Saturday, July 31st. Stop by our twitter page, join us on facebook, or check out an upcoming episode for more information.
--
In this episode, I chat with fellow Code Breaker, Christine Ravesi-Weinstein who currently serves as a high school Assistant Principal in Massachusetts and previously worked as a high school science department chair for four years and classroom teacher for 15. Diagnosed with anxiety and depression at 23, Christine began her journey towards mental wellness. She began a non-profit organization in June of 2017 aimed at removing the stigma of mental illness and promoting physical activity as a means to cope with anxiety.
During our conversation, we took a deep dive into anxiety and explored ways in which educators can both support students experiencing an anxiety attack as well as proactive measures to reduce the possibility of triggering them. Christine took the time to explain the difference between being diagnosed with anxiety and being anxious, a common misunderstanding that leads to misinformation. We also spent some time exploring how social media not only impacts our students but can, and has, impacted us as educators as we strive to emulate that which we see in our virtual spaces.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
--
Connect with Christine
YouTube
Website
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
Let’s get started.
--
This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
--
The school-to-prison pipeline has been a conversation that has reverberated through our educational system for some time. This episode captures some of my thoughts and reflections about this shameful reality and how I played an active role in perpetuating the very systems of intolerance and injustice that I have dedicated myself to dismantling. Join me as I share some of the practices that existed in my schools, some of which may exist in yours, that ultimately contributed to some of my students finding themselves involved in the judicial system.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
Let’s get started.
--
In this episode, I welcome back Cait O’Connor, a 9th & 12th grade English teacher in upstate New York. Cait is a mental health peer and fierce advocate who is heavily passionate about social justice, antiracism, and anti-ableism. She also believes in combating weight bias and promoting size diversity and representation in the classroom and beyond.
We wanted to honor National Mental Health Awareness Month by diving a little deeper into some of the concepts that we discussed previously while also examining some new perspectives around mental health. We begin by discussing the concepts of experts and comparing lived experiences with earned certifications. Cait also points out that, despite the old adage that sticks and stones may break my bones … you know the one … that words actually do carry plenty of power and thus we need to be cognizant of how we utilize terms. The casual misuse of medical diagnoses to commodify everyday behavior contributes to the misinterpretation and misunderstanding of real problems facing many people. This conversation touches on a lot of topics but, as always, ends with some ideas and suggestions for moving forward and doing the work.
I hope that you enjoy this episode and remember that its okay not to be okay. And if you’re struggling, find someone to talk to. There are a few resources in the show notes if you need them.
Enjoy.
--
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.
--
This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
--
Before we jump into today’s episode I wanted to tell you about a super exciting event that I have coming up and I would love for you to be in attendance. As I mentioned in the intro to the show, I am the co-host of Inside the Principal’s Office, a web series that runs live on the first and third Saturday of each month. During the show my co-host, Michael McWilliams, and I bring on other educational leaders and discuss the most pressing issues and topics facing us today. We also have a facebook group where educators can connect and learn from each other.
Well this summer, we are planning to host an event where we can get together in person. That’s right. Not another zoom. Not another google meet. But live. Even better? Its only $35! So join us in Dallas for a networking reception on Friday, July 30th followed by a day of activities on Saturday, July 31st. Stop by our twitter page, join us on facebook, or check out an upcoming episode for more information.
I look forward to finally meeting you.
--
Celebrating the one year anniversary of the show, this episode reflects on three positives that have resulted from the creation of the podcast - the documentation of my evolution as an educator, the finding of my true voice, and the desire to expand my understanding of others. I spend some time thanking those that have helped to me to launch this journey including Mike and Josh from the Punk Rock Classroom Podcast as well as Chey and Pav from the Staffroom Podcast.
--
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.
I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, and an educational consultant.
--
Before we jump into today’s episode I wanted to tell you about a super exciting event that I have coming up and I would love for you to be in attendance. In addition to this show, I am the co-host of Inside the Principal’s Office, a web series that runs live on the first and third Saturday of each month. During the show my co-host, Michael McWilliams, and I bring on other educational leaders and discuss the most pressing issues and topics facing us today. We also have a facebook group where educators can connect and learn from each other.
Well this summer, we are planning to host an event where we can get together in person. That’s right. Not another zoom. Not another google meet. But live. Even better? Its free! So join us in Dallas for a networking reception on Friday, July 30th followed by a day of activities on Saturday, July 31st. Stop by our twitter page, join us on facebook, or check out an upcoming episode for more information.
--
In this episode, I chat with Hedreich Nichols, an author, educator and consultant helping educators and districts amplify the voices of all students. Hedreich’s YouTube series and podcast, SmallBites, further helps campuses amplify student voices by focusing on equity in education. Between SmallBites and her work as a writer, Hedreich works to help educators create more culturally responsive classrooms and campuses. Her Cherry Lake trade titles "What is Antiracism?" and "What is the Black Lives Matter Movement?" provide teachers
with materials to help students understand systemic inequities; and her upcoming Solution Tree Title provides educators with guiding principles to help them become more culturally responsible.
As a speaker at conferences like VASCD, MASCD, CUE, ISTE, etc. Hedreich provides educators with inspiration to move beyond conversations around race; giving them hands-on, research-based strategies that can be immediately implemented.
Hedreich received her Master of Education in educational technology at Texas A&M
University.
During our chat, we discuss “The Work” … you know … ensuring equitable spaces, disrupting systems, countering the narrative … that work. We took a hard look at some of the painful and uncomfortable truths about the role of systemic racism in education and discussed meaningful and practical approaches to begin unraveling engrained practices and developing long-term solutions. Hedreich’s use of a football analogy helps to clarify why these conversations are so hard for so many and her tips and strategies may cause us to reflect on long-held approached to doing this work. So, if you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and get some work done, this is the episode for you.
--
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like and subscribe. The show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and several of your other favorite platforms.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with the host and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
--
Connect with Hedreich
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, and an educational consultant.
--
Hey listeners! Before we jump into the show I wanted to tell you about The EQuip to Achieve EQ and Remote Learning Summit, which will be held from April 8th through the 11th. This is a can’t-miss opportunity for those seeking strategies, information, and inspiration on everything from parenting and teaching in the digital age, to addressing social isolation through the lenses of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)—and you don’t have to leave your house to attend.
We weren’t prepared for the impacts of COVID-19 on our education system, but this virtual event promises to bridge the gaps and equip and empower attendees with the knowledge and skills to do better in 2021 and beyond.
Now here’s the best part. Registration for this four-day event will normally cost you over $200. But if you use the link found below, you can get full access to this entire conference for only $100. That’s over 50% off! So be sure to register today by using the link in the show notes or on any of my other sites.
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In this episode, I chat with Michael Weingarth, a biological parent, a foster parent, and an educator who founded the first neuropsychological tutoring and test prep company in 2009. Most of Michael's research and work is about addressing learning challenges faced by bright students, specifically in math, writing, reading, science, and test prep with or without diagnosed learning disabilities. You can find more of his work at pillarsoflearning.com or read him tweeting into the void at @LearningPillars on twitter.
Now, I’m going to warn you before we get started. This episode is heavy. Essential … but heavy. During our conversation, Michael talks about his journey with Twice Exceptional Learners and how he quickly realized that since all of our students are unique they present unique challenges and that we should avoid the prescriptive approaches so often presented as we attempt to incorporate SEL, Mindfulness, and other holistic educational initiatives into our curriculum. Instead, he argues, that context should drive content and we must be wary about teaching students to simply acknowledge and accept the situations in which they are in. Michael takes a deep dive into brain’s processing and points out that this information should be streamlined but due to various reasons, it is overly complicated and thus not readily accessible by all educators. Be sure to check out the show notes to link with all of the resources he shares throughout the discussion.
Ready? Let’s go..
--
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like and subscribe. The show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and several of your other favorite platforms.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with the host and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
--
Links & Resources
Follow Michael on Twitter
Check out his website
denasimmons.com
Behave by Robert Sapolsky
Executive Function & Child Development by Marcie Yeager
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, and an educational consultant.
--
Hey listeners! Before we jump into the show I wanted to tell you about The EQuip to Achieve EQ and Remote Learning Summit, which will be held from April 8th through the 11th. This is a can’t-miss opportunity for those seeking strategies, information, and inspiration on everything from parenting and teaching in the digital age, to addressing social isolation through the lenses of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)—and you don’t have to leave your house to attend.
We weren’t prepared for the impacts of COVID-19 on our education system, but this virtual event promises to bridge the gaps and equip and empower attendees with the knowledge and skills to do better in 2021 and beyond.
Now here’s the best part. Registration for this four-day event will normally cost you over $200. But if you use the link found below, you can get full access to this entire conference for only $100. That’s over 50% off! So be sure to register today by using the link in the show notes or on any of my other sites.
Click here to register for the EQuip to Achieve Virtual Summit Registration.
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This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like and subscribe. The show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and several of your other favorite platforms.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with the host and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, and an educational consultant.
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Livia Chan is an educator who is passionate about community, teaching, leading, and lifelong learning. She truly believes in the power of connection and thoroughly enjoys building relationships by reaching out with kindness and gratitude. Livia lives by the belief that it is through every interaction that we have the opportunity to appreciate and uplift others to help make their day a brighter one. Her other passions include family and ringette as a volunteer coach, Executive member, referee, and player.
For over 20 years, Livia has continued to experience the joy of teaching in the Greater Vancouver area in BC, Canada and loves her role as a Head Teacher and classroom teacher. Previously, she served on the District Staff Development Team in Learning Technologies supporting K-12 educators. Currently, Livia is honored to be the Digital Content Editor and Ambassador for the Teach Better Team and loves being a part of this family! Her motto is “Working together to better ourselves, each other, and the world around us.”
Let’s get better.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like and subscribe. The show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and several of your other favorite platforms.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with the host and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
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Find Livia here
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/liviachanl/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/LiviaChanL
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/liviachanl/
Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/liviachanl/
Voxer - https://web.voxer.com/u/liviachanl
Other - https://livchan.com/
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, and an educational consultant.
Let’s get started.
--
This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
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Hey listeners! Before we jump into the show I wanted to tell you about The EQuip to Achieve EQ and Remote Learning Summit, which will be held from April 8th through the 11th. This is a can’t-miss opportunity for those seeking strategies, information, and inspiration on everything from parenting and teaching in the digital age, to addressing social isolation through the lenses of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)—and you don’t have to leave your house to attend.
We weren’t prepared for the impacts of COVID-19 on our education system, but this virtual event promises to bridge the gaps and equip and empower attendees with the knowledge and skills to do better in 2021 and beyond.
Now here’s the best part. Registration for this four-day event will normally cost you over $200. But if you use this link you can get full access to this entire conference for only $100. That’s over 50% off! So be sure to register today by using the link in the show notes or on any of my other sites.
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Welcome to the Women's History Month episode. Instead of trying to mansplain women's history month, I wanted to instead dedicate this episode to the amazing women in my family. Join me as I highlight the achievements and lessons that I have learned from my grandmother, mother, wife, and five daughters.
I would also encourage you take some time to recognize and appreciate the women in your life and, if you happen to be a woman, yourself as well. You deserve it.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like and subscribe. The show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and several of your other favorite platforms.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with the host and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, and an educational consultant.
--
Hey listeners! Before we jump into the show I wanted to tell you about The EQuip to Achieve EQ and Remote Learning Summit, which will be held from April 8th through the 11th. This is a can’t-miss opportunity for those seeking strategies, information, and inspiration on everything from parenting and teaching in the digital age, to addressing social isolation through the lenses of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)—and you don’t have to leave your house to attend.
We weren’t prepared for the impacts of COVID-19 on our education system, but this virtual event promises to bridge the gaps and equip and empower attendees with the knowledge and skills to do better in 2021 and beyond.
Now here’s the best part. Registration for this four-day event will normally cost you over $200. But if you use this link, you can get full access to this entire conference for only $100. That’s over 50% off! So be sure to register today by using the link in the show notes or on any of my other sites.
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In this episode, I chat with Clement Townsend, a Sports Journalist who has spent close to two decades in front of the camera on local news, cable, and the internet. His career took him to several markets including San Angelo, Texas; Mobile, Alabama; Lynchburg, Virginia; and Chicago, Illinois. Clement has covered numerous big events throughout his career such as the Super Bowl, NBA All-Star Game, and multiple college football National Championships. Clement is the author of “How to Become a Broadcasting Star” and the founder of Broadcasting Career Mentor (BCM). BCM provides media training for youth across the country and offers in person training and virtual media training through the Video Journalism Pro Online Course.
During our conversation, we discussed ways to use media as a platform in which students can blend various academic skills and apply them in a real world setting. He challenges that such programs should not be considered as extras but instead should be essential. As we push our students to higher order thinking skills, he urges educators to transform students into not just consumers of information but creators. Clement recognizes that teachers may be hesitant to incorporate multimedia into their lessons citing that some lack the skills while others lack the support necessary to take such risks. Despite this, he insists that educators start small and allow students to flourish. As educators, it is not our job to know everything but instead we need to facilitate our students’ learning and sometimes that means growing together.
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like and subscribe. The show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and several of your other favorite platforms.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with the host and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, and an educational consultant.
Let’s get started.
Hey listeners! Before we jump into the show I wanted to tell you about The EQuip to Achieve EQ and Remote Learning Summit, which will be held from April 8th through the 11th. This is a can’t-miss opportunity for those seeking strategies, information, and inspiration on everything from parenting and teaching in the digital age, to addressing social isolation through the lenses of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)—and you don’t have to leave your house to attend.
We weren’t prepared for the impacts of COVID-19 on our education system, but this virtual event promises to bridge the gaps and equip and empower attendees with the knowledge and skills to do better in 2021 and beyond.
Now here’s the best part. Registration for this four-day event will normally cost you over $200. But if you use the link found in the show notes, you can get full access to this entire conference for only $100. That’s over 50% off! So be sure to register today by using this link.
This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
Black History Month may seem like a decades old celebration that is deeply rooted in our past but the reality is that it has only existed formally for less than 40 years. That may be surprising considering the extensive struggles that African-Americans have had in this country. As we become more aware of that troubling history, however, more and more people are beginning to question whether or not we need a Black History Month or if its presence does little more that contribute the marginalization of black history.
During this episode, I explore the history behind Black History Month and question its role in our educational system today. I acknowledge the pushback by those who stress the need to move beyond a singular month and offer a suggestion for expanding our teaching of black history throughout the year. And I conclude with my hopes for how Black History Month may in fact evolve into something greater.
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like and subscribe. The show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and several of your other favorite platforms.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with the host and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, and an educational consultant.
Let’s get started.
In this episode, I chat with Katie Kinder who has been an educator since 2006. She believes that life is fun, and learning should most definitely be fun. As a teacher of the year, top five district finalist, OKC Rotary Teacher of the Month, a guest on the Oklahoma State Department's EdTalk series, and a top 100 educator in Oklahoma on Twitter, Katie has learned a trick or two in the classroom, so be sure to check her out, have some fun, and hook your students from day one!
During our conversation, we discussed the importance of allowing students to see themselves in their work. While Katie is a huge fan of Edgar Allen Poe, she also knew that her students should be exposed to poets such as Maya Angelou especially when so many of her students didn’t even recognize this prolific author. Like so many others, she pushes back on the idea of doing things the same way simply because and even challenges those using the current pandemic as an excuse for not making needed change. Katie puts actions behinds her words of “don’t expect your kids to do what you aren’t willing to do yourself” by trying to develop a new district-wide approach to PD - one that would turn her classroom into a living workshop where teachers could witness the implementation of strategies in real-time.
I guarantee this episode will have you hooked. Enjoy!
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like and subscribe. The show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and several of your other favorite platforms.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with the host and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Click here to register for the EQuip to Achieve Virtual Summit Registration
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, and an educational consultant.
Let’s get started.
This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
In this episode, I explore the meaning behind names and the perceptions some apply to them. Some names like Amari, Jabari, Latrice, and Malek are founded in ancient African languages yet conjure negative and stereotypical images of the people to whom they refer. I share a story in which I pushed back against parents stamping their children with names that would almost undoubtedly make them a target for racial profiling and the colleague who gave me something to think about. The conversation turns towards cultural assimilation and the practice of conforming to a dominant culture, one often rooted in eurocentric beliefs and customs, in order to be accepted. We end with a proclamation to claim and to love our names and either their rich, ancient histories or the uniquely crafted names that give the opportunity to develop their own meanings and legacies.
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like and subscribe. The show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and several of your other favorite platforms.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with the host and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, and an educational consultant.
Let’s get started.
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In this episode, I chat with Cait O’Connor, a 9th & 12th grade English teacher in upstate New York. Cait is also a mental health peer and fierce advocate who is heavily passionate about social justice, antiracism, and anti-ableism. She also believes in combating weight bias and promoting size diversity and representation in the classroom and beyond. She can also identify all 50 capitals.
During our conversation, we dive into the very uncomfortable topic of mental wellness but Cait is quick to remind us that our discomfort is someone else’s life. She points out that medical conditions have been commodified and that we are quick to use, or should I say misuse, commonly accepted labels but actively avoid addressing these very real situations. In fact, Cait pushes back on widely accepted practices because they focus on the wellness aspect but do not consider the illness behind the behaviors. Most of us approach wellness with a limited set of tools despite there existing a myriad of truths and experiences. Why don’t we, she asks, embrace the same idea of differentiation for addressing wellness as we do with instruction. Cait insists that we need an overhaul and to really examine the educational settings and instructional practices that do not promote a safe environment for all students. We have done a lot of listening around this topic, when will we start acting on it?
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I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like and subscribe. The show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and several of your other favorite platforms.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with the host and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, and an educational consultant.
Let’s get started.
This is a special crossover episode with Dr. Sam Fecich, host of the EduMagic Podcast, and will be airing simultaneously on both of our shows. If you don’t know Sam, she is a professor of education at Grove City College where she teaches preservice teachers about educational technology or special education.
During our conversation, we each shared 2 takeaways from the first half of a very interesting school year. Sam explored the very real fact that online teaching and traditional teaching are vastly different and that we need to be mindful of the unique needs of each as we launch into instruction. She also pointed out the need for ensuring accessibility, for both forms of teaching, if we expect students to succeed. Sam continued by challenging so called norms by encouraging teachers to set boundaries and focus on self-care. In fact, a potential 30-day challenge emerged from this idea on how we can commit to pushing back against toxic positivity. Of course I too shared my two ideas by reminding educators that they are not alone in the challenges they are facing as we are all navigating uncharted waters. And I continued to anchor my belief in the potentially cliched, but no less important, concept of Maslow over Bloom. We must take the time to build strong foundations, especially in a time of remoteness and often disconnectedness.
We dropped so many names in this show including Chey and Pav of the Staffroom Podcast, Traci Browder of the Intelligogy Podcast,LaKeisha Carroll of the Kickin it With Kee Podcast,Michael McWilliams and Hamish Brewer, two amazing principals.
Be sure to check out Edu Magic and all of the other amazing shows that we referenced and of course, if you have done so already, be sure to subscribe and rate this show on whatever platform you are using.
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like and subscribe. The show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and several of your other favorite platforms.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with the host and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, and an educational consultant.
Let’s get started.
In this episode, I chat with Dawn Harris, a passionate and energetic educator who lives by the motto, “Relationships First.” In her roles as a secondary English Language Arts Educator, Gifted and Talented Teacher, and Associate Professor of Teacher Education, Dawn continually strives to bring authentic and engaging learning experiences to students of all ages. Throughout her career as an educator, Dawn has taught in urban, rural, and suburban districts meeting the needs of children from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. In addition to general ELA coursework, Dawn’s classroom teaching experience also includes teaching English as a second language, creative writing, film studies, and response to intervention instruction. Dawn’s professional teaching experiences have been showcased in scholarly journals and at local, regional, national, and international conferences. Dawn’s first book, Plan Like a Pirate, is set to release in 2021.
During our conversation, we discussed the power of creating equity committees as we attempt to give students a full educational experience. To do this, however, we must question how racism affects those around us by attempting to understand their perspectives. It’s important to note that this takes work and that mistakes will happen along the way. Dawn recommends several ways to move forward including hosting watch parties to discuss the plethora of virtual professional development now readily available.
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like and subscribe. The show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and several of your other favorite platforms.
This podcast is featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe. The show can also be found on CodeBreakerEdu.com, a site dedicated to disrupting the status, challenging social norms, and having critical conversations.
Be sure to connect with the host and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, and an educational consultant.
Let’s get started.
This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, this episode examines some of his quotes in the context of America today. Join me as I reflect on recent events and what they revealed about the truth of our current society and what this means for us as educators. What can we do to ensure that Dr. King's dream moves closer to reality? How do we remain encouraged during these challenging times?
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like and subscribe. The show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and several of your other favorite platforms.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with the host and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, and an educational consultant.
Let’s get started.
In this episode, I chat with Dustin Pearson, a 7 year educator in suburban Kansas City, Missouri who teaches high school special education. He is a devout believer and practitioner of relationship building with all stakeholders and uses differentiated instruction, PBL, Inquiry, and career based practices to prepare his students for post-secondary success. Dustin is also a leader, writer, learner, and implements a holistic child approach that is based on reflection, mindfulness, and compassion. He is happy to share that he will begin his doctoral program in Educational Leadership this summer.
During our conversation, we talk about the importance of providing students with the opportunity to develop self-advocacy so that they can navigate society, build relationships, and work as a team regardless of where their journey goes beyond high school. We also explore various options beyond the traditional approach of attending a 4-year college as we recognize the diverse talents that our students possess and finding the destinations that best fit their needs. Equity enters the conversation as we discuss how student success can, and should, be defined according to individual student desires and not applying a single approach to all students.
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like and subscribe. The show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and several of your other favorite platforms.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with the host and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, and an educational consultant.
Let’s get started.
This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
So before we jump into this episode, I wanted to share a special holiday promotion that my friends over at Kick It Apparel are currently running. For a limited time, you can get customized gear at some amazing prices. I’m talking $25 hoodies, $15 tees, and $10 masks. These are the same people who hooked me up with my awesome Counter Narrative hoodie. Check them out at kickit.store and tell them that Charles sent you.
This episode is dedicated to the upcoming year. We probably all agree that 2020 was pretty bad, but if we think back I'm sure that we could identify opportunities that we may have missed because we were dealing with the chaos that surrounded us. It is my hope that all of you take two simple steps to ensure that you can capitalize on the opportunities that will undoubtedly be present during the upcoming year.
First, be as specific as possible when creating your goals. A measurable goal is much more likely to be met than some generic statement. After all, how will you know if you actually succeed?
Second, find someone who will help to hold you accountable. It is easy to convince ourselves to give up but that becomes much more challenging when trying to persuade a trusted colleague, friend, or relative.
Because I believe in practicing what I preach, I conclude the episode by sharing my three goals and inviting all of you to help hold me accountable. That's it. It's out in the world so I either have the choice of meeting these goals or not ... all while knowing that I have shared this publicly. Yikes! What have I done? Oh well...
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like and subscribe. The show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and several of your other favorite platforms.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe. I'm also happy to announce that the podcast can now be found on CodeBreakerEdu.com so go check out the amazing work as they continue to amplify the voices of educators.
Be sure to connect with the host and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, and an educational consultant.
Let’s get started.
This is a special episode for a special day. See, I don’t know when you’re actually listening to this episode but I can tell you that today, well the original air date, is December 25th, Christmas Day. And for that reason, I wanted to do a little something different.
Now, and I feel that I need to say this before someone attempts to get politically correct, my original intention was to showcase various holidays and their respective traditions. However, when called upon for support, these individuals graciously stepped forward and offered to lend their voices to this special episode. It just so happened that each of them celebrated Christmas.
This episode features some of my friends as we reflect on what Christmas means to us, recall some our fondest Christmas memories, and share how we carry on traditions today. I can honestly say that I had a great time recording this session as we laughed, and cried while not only growing closer together but realizing those innate connections that exist within all of humankind. Whether it was the receiving of deodorant, the baking of cookies, the creation of new experiences, or simply spending time with loved ones, Christmas, whether you celebrate it or not transcends its religious foundation and instead embraces a single concept - love.
Well, you’re not here to listen to the intro. No … you came for the episode. Before I transition you over, I would like to wish all of my listeners a very Merry Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, or whatever holiday you celebrate. May you all find yourselves in the comfort of your loved ones, whether in person or virtually.
I look forward to connecting with all of you in the new year.
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like and subscribe. The show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and several of your other favorite platforms.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with the host and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, and an educational consultant.
Let’s get started.
This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
In this episode, I adopt a common social media practice and offer my "Wrapped 2020." Sharing my top 3 highlights of the year, I attempt to find meaning in each and encourage my listeners to do the same.
1. Don't allow the competition with others minimize your accomplishments.
2. Always help others become better versions of themselves.
3. Cherish your time with loved ones but do not become so busy that you forget the others.
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like and subscribe. The show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and several of your other favorite platforms.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with the host and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, and an educational consultant.
Let’s get started.
In this episode, I chat with Craig Randall who has had an eclectic educational career. He started as an elementary school counselor then worked a year in the classroom with students who had severe behavior issues, before taking a major detour into small college basketball coaching for a number of years. Taking another significant detour, Craig and his wife Michele decided to fulfill a dream by working at international schools. Craig taught in Warsaw, Poland while also pursuing his principal certification. He moved into school administration, first as an assistant principal and then principal as they worked their way around the globe. Along the way, not terribly aware of it at the time, he was developing what became Trust-Based Observations. He and his family returned to the US after a decade overseas and he wrote Trust-Based Observations, which came out in September, and now he is busy striving to change the world of teacher observations to a model of support that fosters risk taking and growth.
During our conversation, we talk about the dreaded teacher observations. To be honest, this is one of those things that neither teachers nor administrators enjoy. And that is precisely why Craig set out to do them differently. He points out that teaching is an art and should be treated as such. Traditional observational approaches place pressure on accountability and leads to teachers playing it safe instead of being innovative and creative. Instruction becomes more about checking off boxes than authentic learning opportunities.
Listen as Craig shares some practical tips and suggestions for revamping this outdated and ineffective approach to improving teacher practices.
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like and subscribe. The show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and several of your other favorite platforms.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with the host and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, and an educational consultant.
Let’s get started.
This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
The world of social media education is often filled with grandiose ideas. Of educators of all statuses, from educelebrities to those fresh to the space, spreading the most recent and trending concepts. These topics typically push back against traditional approaches and thus usually result in impassioned conversations and debates. As one of these educators, I delight in knowing that there exists such a space to have these much needed conversations. However, it is also important to note that there are plenty of individuals who speak these bold ideas while in these space yet fail to abide by their own recommendations. Those who preach but don't practice. Those who don't walk their talk.
During this reflection, I share my thoughts on this phrase and how I have used to it to develop the foundational of my administrative ideology. I also spend time examining areas that administrators often fail to act on their own suggestions and the impact that this can have on their school communities.
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like and subscribe. The show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and several of your other favorite platforms.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with the host and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Until next time.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, and an educational consultant.
Let’s get started.
In this episode, I chat with Andre Daughty’s who’s educational journey truly began after hearing Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu state, “If you observe children, they will teach you how to teach them.” That phrase shifted Andre’s philosophy of education. By observing the students in his own classroom at the elementary, secondary, and postgraduate levels, he differentiated curriculum and projects based on his students’ interests. His workshops and professional development seminars involve high energy, practical ways to use today’s strategies, collaboration, and fun stories to help connect the content to the attendee’s lives. He enjoys inspiring all through workshops, speaking engagements, seminars, and embedded coaching experiences.
During our conversation, we reflect on the impact that the pandemic is having on education by exploring several questions. Why would we compare this year to others? What is it, exactly, that we are pushing? Why are we trying to normalize this? While we do not propose to have answers to these divisive ponderings, we do our best to offer our own insights to develop appropriate responses. We also address, head on, the very heart of this podcast by challenging common notions about our urban students. Andre insists that we look beyond the deficiencies and instead explore the roots reasons that so many of our students are behind. Only when we acknowledge and accept the historical inequities can we begin to see the current reality.
I hope that you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it.
I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like and subscribe. The show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and several of your other favorite platforms.
This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.
Be sure to connect with the host and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.
Take care.
Connect with Andre
Twitter - @andredaughty
YouTube
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Its that time to give thanks. To be appreciative for all that you have. However, in our current setting, that is much easier said than done.
In this episode, I stress the importance of being thankful despite the chaos that seems to be ever present in the world around us. It is easy to identify all of the wrong in our lives but, upon careful examination, we can almost always identify those positive elements, those for which we should be grateful.
This episode also takes a short dive ... yes ... not a deep dive ... into mental health. This often overlooked consequence of the pandemic has resulted in numerous psychological breakdowns and has now begun to impact those who have never dealt with these issues.
Whatever your plans for the upcoming holiday season, please be safe.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal, and an educational consultant. In this episode, I chat with Tracy Scott Kelly, a ten year veteran of teaching Special Education in California. He has taught grades K-12, and is also both an Adjunct and Full Time Lecturer at the University Level where he works with aspiring General Education and Special Education Teachers. Tracy has earned a B.A. in Economics, an M.A. in Special Education, and is a doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership. He has even edited six books as he continues to write his own dissertation on the shortcomings of Special Education. During our conversation, Tracy shares his own educational story and how his academic struggles developed a passion for helping students experiencing similar issues. He points out that many school missions and visions sound great on paper but questions if their actions support their words. Tracy, like so many others, speaks out on the facade that is school reform and confesses that little has actually changed. He believes that this is due to educators being forced into positions of managers as opposed to leaders. Tracy encourages us to stop waiting and to start doing ... to speak up and provide the supports to push back against the norms. I hope that you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it. Follow Tracy Scott Kelly on Twitter
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, and an educational consultant.
Let’s get started.
This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
In this episode, I reflect on a quote that I recently shared with my staff, "You have the power to create change." Far too often we wait for change to happen, we hope that others will make changes for us. If we expect lasting and meaningful shifts to occur, we must not only focus our efforts on systemic changes but we must also embrace the power each of us has to begin implementing change within our own spaces.
In what ways can you model change within your classroom or school? How will you push back on traditional methods that no longer serve the needs of our students?
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, and an educational consultant.
In this episode, I chat with P. Sloan Joseph an instructional leader with over seventeen years of experience working with grades K4-12 in the areas of school & classroom culture (diversity, equity, inclusion, engagement) and technology. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (SC State University) and a Master of Arts in School Administration (Gardner-Webb University). Her career has included being a Business Education teacher, Title I Facilitator, New Teacher Mentor and Administrator. Sloan is currently the Instructional Technology Coach at Greer Middle School, where she facilitates training for students, parents/guardians, and staff. She is a co-organizer for Edcamp Greenville and co-creator of #BreatheEDU, a platform assisting school and district leaders with creating racially inclusive & equitable learning environments. She is a member of the Teach Better Team Speakers Network, and a member of SCASCD Emerging Leader Class of 2020. Sloan is also the host of Greater is in Me, a podcast centered around her life as a wife, mother, and educator. The purpose of the podcast is to inform, inspire, and influence listeners to fulfill the greatness that exists within. Greater is in Me is available on iTunes, Google Podcast, Anchor & Spotify.
During our conversation, Sloan addressed a common thread in education today - relationships, but helped to deepen our collective understanding by encouraging us to consider building a rapport with students. Relationships are simply connections and can be either positive or negative. Rapport, however, is dependent upon mutual trust and respect, something she reminds us that needs to be curated over time. Sloan also connects this to diversity in that we need to be cognizant of our own privileges, both earned and unearned, and to learn how to respect the innate differences that exist between all of us. She suggests that we listen to varying perspectives, even if we do not agree and that maybe, just maybe, we could help to address the teacher shortage by changing what our students see in front of them each and every day. How are you showing up?
I hope that you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it.
Connect with Sloan!
Instagram: @greaterisinme
Twitter: @psloanjoseph
Podcast: https://anchor.fm/greaterisinmepodcast
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, and an educational consultant.
Let’s get started.
This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
In this episode I reflect on the need for deep, systematic change to address the current needs of education. The COVID-19 pandemic provided us with an opportunity to look at education in a very different way and to consider the myriad of possibilities on how we could best improve an antiquated system. Although innovative approaches were adopted, they are struggling to be maintained because the current system does not support them. Unless we address the foundational educational system, we face the very real possibility of returning to structures that we know do not work for all students.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
In this episode, I chat with Kwame Sarfo-Mensah, a 14-year veteran urban educator and the founder of Identity Talk Consulting, LLC., an independent educational consulting firm that provides professional development and consulting services to K-12 school districts, educators, colleges & universities and educational non-profit organizations. He is also the author of two books: "Shaping the Teacher Identity: 8 Lessons That Will Help Define the Teacher in You" and "From Inaction to 'In Action': Creating a New Normal for Urban Educators".
As a staunch ambassador and advocate for teacher empowerment, Kwame has spoken at numerous national education conferences and worked diligently to support the recruitment and retention of teachers of color in the education system. In January 2019, he was selected to be in the inaugural cohort of the InSPIRED (In-Service Professionals Increasing Racial and Ethnic Diversity) Fellowship, an initiative organized by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education for veteran teachers of color to recruit students of color to teach in Massachusetts. As an InSPIRED Teaching Fellow, Kwame facilitated professional development workshops for aspiring teachers at universities Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.and has served as a guest speaker for non-profit teacher pipeline programs such as Generation Teach and Worcester Public Schools’ Future Teachers Academy.
A proud graduate of Temple University, Kwame holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics and a Master's Degree in Elementary Education. He was honored as the 2019 National Member of the Year by Black Educators Rock, Inc. for his unwavering commitment to the advancement of the teacher profession. Kwame's work has also been featured in Edutopia, Education Post, WGBH News, The Educators' Room, LLC., and Medium.
During our conversation we engaged in a controversial, yet needed conversation around the idea that educational systems were not designed for students of color. Kwame discusses the need for teachers to actually begin developing content rich, culturally responsive lessons so that all of our students are prepared to transition into higher ed or the workplace. He stresses that students of color are often not being developed as critical thinkers and thus contributors to society but instead being conditioned for compliance and obedience. Kwame suggests taking inventory of our students' talents and developing opportunities for them to tap into that potential as opposed to adhering to narrow definitions of achievement. We also discussed the concept of advocacy and standing up for the students in our care. That it is our job, our duty to recognize our value and worth so that we are not intimidated to speak on behalf of our students when there exists injustice.
Follow Kwame here
Shaping the Teacher Identity: 8 Lessons That Will Help Define the Teacher in You
From “Inaction” to “In Action”: Creating a New Normal for Urban Educators
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations. I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal, and an educational consultant.
This episode is a pause to ponder segment. These biweekly sessions will allow me to share with you my personal thoughts and reflections on a wide spectrum of topics as they relate to education. It is my hope that you will be able to take something from these segments and apply it in a meaningful way as you continue to do amazing work. Remember, while we all have different roles, we all have a single job, educating our students.
In this reflection, I consider how we seem to be stuck in a seemingly never ending cycle of battling systems of oppression. How is it possible that after so many years and with so much reform, we are still having the same conversations? Well maybe that's part of the problem. We need to move beyond simply having conversations, of talking about ideal situations and the forces that preventing that from becoming a reality. Maybe we need to stop waiting for someone else to save us and to instead take targeted and intentional action.
Listen as I share examples from history that have resurfaced in today's society and my call to speak up and act out. Afterall, nothing changes if nothing changes.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal, and an educational consultant.
In this episode, I chat with Aviva Levin, a passionate podcaster who loves interviewing educators about their practice as the host of “Lesson: Impossible – An Exploration of Educational Innovation”. She was a teacher in Canada for ten years, and is now a grad student as well as an enthusiastic volunteer and professional development presenter in Washington State.
During our chat, we acknowledge that there are issues within education and explore the ideas of rebuilding within the system or designing something new and innovative. We also discuss how lonely it can be when we push back against common practices but how we can find like minded individuals and use those connections to help make necessary changes. In exploring the obstacles in changing the narrative, Aviva points out that there is often a disconnect between the experiences of our educators and that of our students. Teachers strive to bridge that gap but are fearful because of doing it wrong or even being ostracized by peers for not adhering to norm. Despite this, she encourages everyone to live their values, understanding that not everyone will agree with them. She also suggests developing solutions, something that can be done by starting small within your own space, and not simply pointing out the problems that exist.
I hope that you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it.
Be sure to follow Aviva here:
Facebook - https://facebook.com/lessonimpossible/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/avivalevin
Instagram - https://instagram.com/lessonimpossible/
Linked In - https://linkedin.com/in/aviva-levin-8483511a7
Website: http://lessonimpossible.com
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal, and an educational consultant.
In this episode, I chat with Carly Spina, an educator with 15 years of experience in Multilingual Education, including her service as an EL teacher, a third-grade bilingual classroom teacher, and a district-wide EL/Bilingual/Dual Language Instructional Coach. She is currently serving 8 schools (EC-8) in a linguistically rich community of over 60 languages and over 800 active EL students. Spina has engaged in the successful co-creation of several parent outreach programs, Title I tutoring programs for students in grades 3-5, mentoring programs for middle school students, co-teaching initiatives, and more. She is deeply passionate about equity and advocacy for multilingual learners and fights for access and inclusive opportunities for kids and families. Spina actively fights against food insecurity in the community she serves. She has spoken at various national conferences and events and has received several awards over the years, including the Illinois Education Association Reg Weaver Human & Civil Rights Award in 2015 and the Distinguished Service Award for Excellence in the Team Category for EL Community Engagement in 2019. She was the WIDA Featured Educator in April 2019 and was named a Paul Harris Fellow in July of 2019. Spina is an active member of the EL/Bilingual community on social media and enjoys networking and growing with teachers and leaders across the country. She is currently working on her first book with EduMatch Publishing.
During our chat, we talked about the need for us to change the systems in which we operate. She shared her experiences working with parents of linguistically diverse students and the importance of amplifying their voices, not speaking on their behalf. Spina also examined the varied definitions of parental involvement as they shift due to cultural differences. Maybe this is a reflection of perspective and not attitude. We also discussed methods of engaging the community, beyond simply checking off tasks, and instead embedding into our everyday practices. She encourages educators to embrace their statuses as change agents and recognize that there are no small wins. In fact, incremental gains lead to monumental success.
I hope that you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it.
Be sure to follow Carly on Twitter @MrsSpinasClass and check out her district at #Glenview34.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.
I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal, and an educational consultant.
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In this episode I chat with Chey & Pav, co-hosts of The Staff Room Podcast and djs of the weekly radio show, The Drive. This is a first for these two experienced teachers from the greater Toronto area in Ontario, Canada as they have never been a guest on someone else’s show. Pav Wander, also known as Wander Woman, is now serving in an elementary school. She served five years as a middle school science and math teacher in the same school that she attended as a student. Chey, on the other hand, hails from Ottawa, but has served as a language and PE teacher for just over 20 years in the same middle school as his co-host.
During our chat, they share how they began their podcasting journey by simply allowing their passion for education to flourish in other arenas. By speaking with, not at, Chey and Pav have not only developed an impressive network of educators that have undoubtedly benefited but they have also learned and grown through this process to become better educators themselves. We also discussed the power of building relationships and how shared experiences, such as those that we are currently experiencing with this global pandemic, help to strengthen and validate the work that we are doing. The conversation continued as we explored how educators can, and should, amplify their voices, which can be done through so many formats and mediums. As a bonus we get to hear the background story of why Chey is known as the Gym Guy.
Enjoy.
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Check out Chey & Pav here
The Staff Room Podcast:
TwitterPodcast
The Drive:
TwitterShow
Check out these great shoutouts
www.schoolrubric.com
www.voiced.ca
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For more information about the host, visit his website or connect with him on Twitter.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Years ago, producer Chana Joffe-Walt started reporting on one school in New York. She thought the story was about segregation and inequality in public schools. But the more she looked into it, the more she realized she was witnessing something else. She was seeing the inordinate power of white parents at this school.
This episode shares three themes that presented themselves to me as I listened to this five-part series hosted by The New York Times Company - that very few people are willing to put in the work necessary to address equity; that equality means leveling the playing field and that usually translates to those with more typically receive less while those who have often received less begin to receive more (sacrifice for greater good); and that issues become real when they begin to impact those in power.
This reflective piece highlights not just my struggle as an educational leader combating systemic issues of racism and oppression but with my own understanding of the often hidden forces driving these systems and my eventual acceptance these are more than just misguided notions.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
In this episode, I chat with Casey Jakubowsi, an educational researcher out of New York. Although he was born in Buffalo, New York, Casey and his parents moved throughout the state because of his father’s work. Casey received undergraduate degrees from Fredonia State University, Binghamton State University, and University of Buffalo before completing his doctoral degree at Suny Albany where he studied educational leadership with a focus on rural education. He started his academic career in rural education and spent a large amount of time working with those living in the commonly unknown spaces between the various small cities in upstate New York, an area vastly different from the populous urban areas that make up much of the southern portion of the state. Casey even took these experiences and transformed them into his book, “Thinking About Teaching.” You may also be surprised to know that he is an Eagle Scout.
During our chat, we discuss the commonly held misconceptions about rural education, that they are “backwards” or “deficient.” Casey pushes back against these beliefs pointing out an urban normativity that prioritizes a different set of standards. In fact, he points out that the struggles that so many schools are experiencing with adapting to this forced change of remote learning are not new for many rural schools because they have become resourceful after spending decades adapting to issues not often present in urban settings. Casey also shares the need to provide wrap around services for our students and their families and how we define and provide resources for education. He even provides three great suggestions on how we can all improve the educational experience for everyone.
Enjoy.
Find a copy of his book here.
Follow Casey on Twitter @CaseyJ_edu
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
Despite being told that it's not always necessary to ask for permission, I often found myself granting permissions for what I thought was clearly established expectations. For that reason, I decided to begin our school year with my five Principal Permissions.
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Permission to learn and grow.
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Permission to take risks.
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Permission to fail.
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Permission to love.
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Permission to have fun.
It was my hope that these permissions would clarify any misunderstanding that I believed in the expertise of my staff and that I wanted them to be the amazing educators that I knew that they could be. I did not want them to feel as if they were constrained by policies and politics.
They have taken full advantage of these permissions and have produced some amazing results.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support
In this episode, I chat with Jennifer Appel, an educator, author, coach, speaker, co-founder of Award Winning Culture, and Chief Heart Officer for the Teach Better Team. She is also the author of “Award Winning Dog.” Jennifer is driven to create an environment where all students are able to learn and become passionate about serving others. Through her leadership, her school was awarded national and international awards for creating a culture of excellence through kindness, service, and empathy.
During our chat, Jennifer discusses how she was leading a school that was over capacity and how she implemented a comprehensive approach to SEL using the Character Strong program to address the school culture and climate that was beginning to buckle under the weight of so many people. She shares some practical tips such as her school’s “house rules” of character, excellence, and community as well as the importance of maintaining a positive attitude. Jennifer also stresses the fact that everyone can do this work by starting simple and focusing on just one thing.
Enjoy.
Connect on Twitter: @jennifermappel @awcpodcasting
Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/Award-Winning-Dog-Jennifer-Appel/dp/1735058505/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=award+winning+dog&qid=1596753891&sr=8-2
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In this word of chaos, it is easy to become overwhelmed. It is easy to look around at all that needs to be done and be tempted to give up or burn yourself out by tackling so much that nothing gets accomplished. I know because this is how I felt not too long ago. As I listened to stories of racial tensions across the country, as I received conflicting guidelines about how to keep me and my family safe, as my phone was consistently providing me the latest updates yet providing no answers or guidance, I found myself in a dark place. I was burnt out. I cared but I didn't know what to do. I didn't know how to move forward.
I recorded this episode because I figured that there are many out there who feel the same way. Maybe you have found your way out or maybe you are on the brink of collapsing. Either way, this episode is for you.
Allow yourself the luxury of doing just one thing. Find that one thing that is both important and that you can control. Start small.
We know that successes, no matter how small, flood our systems with dopamine, a feel good chemical. That encourages us to take another step in pursuit of another success. And the system continues. The problem is when we devote our time and energy to those things that we cannot control and thus never experience success.
Remember this, small successes turn into monumental accomplishments.
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In this episode, I chat with Suzanne Dailey, a proud instructional coach in the Central Bucks School District, the 3rd largest in Pennsylvania. Here she has the honor and joy of working with elementary teachers and students in 15 buildings. Suzanne is Nationally Board Certified, a Fellow of the National Writing Project, and has a Masters Degree in Reading. She is dedicated to nurturing and developing the whole child and teacher. Suzanne lives in Doylestown, Pennsylvania with her husband, two children, and English Bulldog.
During our chat, Suzanne shares a much needed and timely concept of teaching happier by infusing joy into classrooms. She discusses the need for modifying traditional approaches to professional development by leveraging teacher voice and choice to focus on their individual needs and learning styles. Suzanne acknowledges the struggle of infusing the human element into remote teaching but also stresses the importance of teachers and leaders to show up in the best way we can for those we serve and to continue showing them love, compassion, and support.
Enjoy.
Twitter:
@DaileySuzanne / #CBSDPD / #CBDLP
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It appears that our time has come and gone. For a brief moment, educators were recognized for the myriad of tasks that we complete on a daily basis. We were thanked for not just providing an education but serving as counselors, nurses, parents, and so much more. This is, of course, until we bucked back against the system.
In an attempt to get the country reopened and revitalizing the economy, there has been increased pressure for schools to open fully. This would require staff and students to return to campuses despite their seemingly to be no logical possibility while also adhering to the guidelines set forth by the CDC. To make matters worse, we have no become targets of verbal attacks and threats from the highest levels of our government. From being told that we are indoctrinating our students with falsehoods in an attempt to diminish their patriotism to threatening the funding that allows millions of students to receive a high quality education, we have become a target by those pushing for a return to normal.
In this brutally honest, yet candid episode, I share my personal insights into the current state of education.
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In this episode I chat with Joshua Buckley who is a high school social studies teacher in Mesa, AZ and also serves as the president of his local teachers’ union. He is married to an awesome principal and has two children, one who is about to start their sophomore year in college and the other getting ready to tackle remote learning as a 4th grader.
When not talking about government and economics with his seniors, he advocates for educators and education in Mesa and Arizona. In the last few years he has co-chaired a state wide ballot initiative on education funding, helped his district organize successful campaigns around bonds and overrides, knocked on doors for several pro-education candidates, and has worked to bring educator voices into the decision making process in his district. Joshua is also the co-host of Punk Rock Classrooms, a podcast dedicated to bringing the punk rock ideas of passion, unity, and DIY to schools.
During our chat, we discuss that schools should be places where all students succeed and thus the importance of using our voices to fight back against systems that deny our students access to their fullest potential. He insists on being loud because that is how change happens. Josh and I also talk about the need for putting ourselves in uncomfortable situations by trying something new as continuous growth for educators is essential.
Twitter:
@JoshRBuckley
@PunkClassrooms
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One thing that struggling schools cite as their most frustrating obstacle is the lack of parental involvement. Schools consistently suggest that parents must not care about their students' academic success because they do not make the time to be involved by attending events or meetings. There even exists research and statistics touting that the lack of progress in schools is due, in large part, to the intentional absence of parents. There is a serious issue with this narrative. During the recent COVID-19 outbreak and resulting shift to remote learning, it became abundantly clear that parents played a very active role in their students' learning. The problem wasn't their involvement, it was our definition of an involved parent.
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In this episode, I chat with Lisa Gaede, an educator who is excited to begin her 30th year in education as a Speech and Language Pathologist in an elementary school. Although she was born and raised in Winona, MN, she currently lives with her family in a small town in Wisconsin where she commutes an hour, each way, to work everyday. Lisa is remarried to Paul, has 1 son and 4 stepsons. When she is not working, Lisa loves to exercise, read, crochet, get tattoos, practice her ukulele, and snuggle with her dogs!
During our chat, we address the steps that Lisa took to step outside of her comfort zone. She credits her connection with Sarah Johnson, co-author of Balance Like a Pirate, on Twitter. She shares how she realized that one must love themselves before they can love others. Lisa provides tips on developing an attitude of gratitude and the importance of consistently demonstrating positivity both in and out of school.
Enjoy.
References:
Twitter - @chattygaede
Book References:
Balance Like a Pirate by Jessica & Sarah Johnson
Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
Podcast References:
Unlocking Us by Brene Brown
In Awe by Sarah Johnson
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
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With so many conversations surrounding the issue of racism, there is a lack of actionable advice on how to actively address racism. Listen as I share 5 practical tips to combat racism.
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Be a Partner
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Be A Student
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Be Honest
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Be A Role Model
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Be Resilient
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In this episode, I chat with Jeffrey Millner, the assistant principal of Thomas Dell High School in Virginia. He has served as an educator for 22 years as both a teacher for exceptional students and as an administrator in both rural and urban settings. A lover of sports, Jeffrey coached softball and baseball and even received the Most Improved Player Award while playing 1st base at St. Paul’s College in Lawrenceville, VA. He has also participated in several 5K & 10K marathons. Jeff enjoys reading and spending time with his son.
We chat about how he uses job shadow days at his school as a means to wrap his arms around the community. Providing students with an opportunity to investigate potential jobs can help save time and thus money in schools which help parents already struggling financially. We also discuss the power of student voices in helping to drive the “why” behind our initiatives. Once students get it, allow them to work with other students.
Enjoy.
Twitter - @JAMillner
Instagram - @JeffMillner
LinkedIn - @JeffMillner
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Pandemics and protests? The world in which we are living is vastly different then what it was a few short months ago. Some educators are now faced with closing out the school year while simultaneously helping their students navigate the chaos surrounding them. It is no surprise that so many feel lost and are seeking advice on how to best address the situation with their students as well as provide support and guidance. This episode focuses on three things that I believe all students, especially those who are marginalized and disenfranchised, need not only now but always.
Listen as I share how I applied the concepts of aspiration, access, and advocacy at my own school to help our students find success.
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Tara Desiderio is a K-5 Principal at Wescosville Elementary School in the East Penn School District in Pennsylvania. She has served as an educator for more than 20 years with 12 of those in administration. Tara strives on building strong positive relationships with students and adults and finds joy in helping them do the same.
In this episode we focus on the power of building strong positive relationships not just within schools but with parents and the community as well. Tara points out the importance of meeting our parents where they are at and not forgetting about the using your own voice during the digital age. We also dive into owning our mistakes when failing to meet the mark.
Find Tara here
Twitter: @Tara_Desiderio
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Serenity, Courage, Wisdom.
Three simple yet powerful words.
Reflecting on an experience in which I took my daughter for her high school graduation item pick-up, I recount how these three words helped to shape my message to her.
This episode is for all of you who are struggling. It is okay not to be okay. It is not okay to give up.
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In this episode, I chat with Elijah Carbajal, an innovative educator who believes in challenging the norms by creative authentic learning environments by immersing his students in the content. Imagine finding gold doubloons and secret messages from Blackbeard and the excitement of his actual arrival. This is just a taste of how this educator is helping to change the narrative for education.
Elijah is an educator and blogger currently living and working in Aztec, NM. His activism includes mental health and suicide awareness, as well as advocacy for student equity, safety, and positive student relationships. In his spare time, Elijah loves to create music, exercise, and watch The Office while hanging out with his cat, Nala.
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Did you know that our brains are hardwired to consistently scan our environments for changes? When we notice something, whether consciously or not, that is a perceived threat, our brains immediately begin releasing chemicals to modify our physical state in preparation to respond. This episode will discuss those changes, how they impact our students' abilities to learn, why some are more susceptible than others, and practical steps that we can take to both minimize potential situations and how to best respond when they occur.
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Heather Shaw has been an educator for over 20 years serving as both a teacher and a Vice Principal. She is currently teaching English and AP Language. Heather is also the mother to 4 boys, the youngest of whom is a senior in high school.
In this episode we discuss our diverse learner population and the importance of providing them with opportunities to showcase their learning through passion projects.
Links:
Twitter: @mshaw27
Instagram: @shawschaos
School website: https://www.sanjuan.edu/
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
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A brief introduction to The Counter Narrative Podcast.
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This episode covers my "Three Enlightened Minutes" for The Staffroom Podcast hosted by Chey and Pav out of Toronto. In it, I discuss moving beyond hastags, or shifting from discussion to action. With the COVID-19 outbreak, so many educators are discussing needed changes but this is the ideal time to put things into place ... and not just temporarily.
Take a listen and let me know what you think.
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Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thecounternarrative/support