Freestyle Fridays: Recent Episodes
NJEA HCR
In Hip-Hop, a core traditional practice of the culture - is to remix. To re-imagine anew, classic melodies and lyrics for the present time and generations.For Freestyle Friday, we sought to transform the classic workshop template into a podcast format in order to advance the work of racial and social justice. This work seemed ever more urgent in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Welcome, to Freestyle Fridays.
SEASON ONE FINALE!
We go out with a bang this week, having a live discussion during a convention during Juneteenth 2021. Our moderator, Gabriel A. Tanglao, joins us as one of our guests as we dive into the future and how we all can stay R.E.A.L.
We will return for a new season sometime in 2022!
We are nearing the end of this season of our show, but we refuse to take our foot off the gas. This week we are joined by two additional guests who will each teach us the meaning of Uprising, and how to stay in good trouble. (Original Recording June 19th 2021)
Guest:
Chigozie Onyema - Co-Founder of the Maroon Project; Newark Civilian Compliant Complaint Review Board Memeber
Guest:
T.J. Whittaker - Jew Jersey English Educator; Co-Founder MAPSO Freedom School
We are back for a new episode, and this week we are joined by two phenomenal guests to discuss Black Women and their role as educators and leaders. There is so much to unpack: How are Black Women treated in the education space? What are the everyday struggles for Women of Color in the classroom? How can we empower them to become leaders in all aspects of the industry?
So many questions, so little time! So let's dive right in.
Joining us this week:
Mrs. Turquoise LeJeune Parker is a current Racial and Social Justice teacher. She also serves as VP of the Durham Association of Educators.
Petal Robertson is the President of Montclair Education Association. (Note - she was President at the time of this recording)
Host: Ikechukwu Onyema
National Guest: Turquoise LeJeune Parker
Local Guest: Petal Robertson
www.real.njea.org
Recorded live during the convention in New Jersey, this episode was recorded from a Live Zoom session with a number of active participants. We talk about what an Anti-Racist Teacher is, what prompted us to become one, and how we can further the cause of Advocacy right here at home. Join us, for this weeks Freestyle Friday
NOTE As this was recorded during a conference, there may be references to events that have happened prior to this recording.
Guests:
Terry Jess - History and Ethnic Studies Teacher, Washington EA
Jim Boise - NJEA Field Representative, Region 3 Office
This week we sit down to chat about current Climate change and what we can do to combat it.
We are joined by Sam Kapoi, a native Hawaiian worldwide sailor and voyager. Accompanying him is Rachel Arens, Environmental Science educator at Omaha Public Schools and Albert Einstein Dinstiguished Educator 2020-2021 Fellow with NASA's Science Engagement and Partnership Division.
While the pandemic seems to be abaiting, there is still plenty to reflect on regarding it's impact on our students. For this episode, we want to focus on a specific group who were already in need of additional care and attention: Students with Special Needs.
Joining us today is Stephanie Tellez, a Special Education teacher in California Teachers Association (CTA), and a member of NEA Leaders for Just Schools Facilitator. Accompanying her is Dr. Tiffanie ThrBak, NJEA Minority Leadership and Recruitment Committee Chair.
Join us for this weeks discussion....
We are back for a new episode, and this week we are prepared to tackle a very important and ongoing discussion. During the height of the pandemic, Asian and Muslim communities saw a dramatic increase in racial and cultural violence and oppression. How does one react as a member of one of those communities? How do we as a country move forward?
To answer that and many other questions, we look to two phenomenal educators:
Estella Owoimaha-Church is a Theature Arts teacher in Los Angeles, and a Global Teacher Prize finalist in 2017. Her work has taken her all over the world and we cannot wait to her what she has to say.
Nagla Bedir is a Social Studies Instructor in Perth Amboy, helping all her students grow as individuals with open minds . She is also the founder of "Teaching While Muslim". Her experiences will be invaluable in the discussion today.
Host: Ikechukwu Onyema
National Guest: Estella Owoimaha-Church
Local Guest (New Jersey): Nagla Bedir
This is it. Our first episode.
Recorded during a National Convention early on in the pandemic, we sat down with Erika Strauss-Chavarria, an educator of 10+ years, a board member of "Racial Justice Now", as well as co-founder of "Columbia Community Care".
But that's not all! We also had the pleasure of chatting with Christina Jacquez, an educator over over 10 years and founder of the non-profit orginization "Circles for Healing".
Host: Ikechukwu Onyema
National Guest: Erika Strauss-Chavarria
Local Guest (New Jersey): Christina Jacquez