In today’s episode we connect with Jen Jackson, the Principal at AUL Denver. Jen brings so much insightfulness to our discussion and provides concrete examples of what it looks like to change the system to support our teachers. She reminds us how important joy is for learning and why we must have a deep well of grace to be successful. Jen also challenges all of us to move into advocacy, not just for the students we serve, but for all kids.
In today’s episode we sit down and connect with Stephanie Brown. She sets us up with great takeaways as we move into a new school year. Stephanie talks about why focusing on teachers matters and how that in turn impacts our students. As a counselor, turned principal, turned district leader, she comes from a strong relational lens, and uses strategies as a leader that she used as a teacher.
Just us as we spend time reflecting on some of our big takeaways from the previous four episodes.
Today we sit down with Jack Ludlam, an amazing photographer who shares his story with us. Jack’s experience as a student is one that is so familiar for so many students, they want to go North when the system is trying to push them in a different direction. He reminds us that imagery is part of learning, we’ve been using it for millenia to show our experiences and emotions. Jack gives us different examples for how we can use photography to continue to help our students tell their stories and encourage learning.
We are back!! In today’s episode we sit down with Pi'ikea Kalakau-Baarde, who is the Program Manager for a community facing, grant funded program focusing on getting public school students in Hawai’i college and community ready.
In today’s episode we sit down with Jaci McCormack, the Chief Executive Officer of Rise Above. Jaci shares with us her own personal story as a student and how it inspired her to create a non-profit that gives Native youth the opportunity to write their own futures. She identifies that it’s so hard to teach students when we don’t know where they come from and that we must remember that some students show up to school who are just surviving. Jaci reminds us that we must focus on creating relationships and meeting kids where they are at.
In this episode we connect with Rachel Parker, an Assistant Principal from Colorado. She dives into the vulnerabilities that exist for students and teachers by working within a system that has siloed the SEL and academic world. Rachel reminds us that the inequity that exists in education is trauma, and so many families have been without a voice for years. She shares so many stories with us from her experiences and encourages all of us to use our authentic self in our area of practice.
Just us as we spend time reflecting on some of our big takeaways from the previous four episodes.
In this episode we connect with Dr. Ulcca Joshi Hansen. Ulcca reminds us that if we want to look forward and change this system, we must start by first looking back and understanding how we got here. She shares her knowledge about the history of our educational system and we explore how that history has left so many students with the belief that they are not smart. Ulcca also highlights that we must focus on our sphere of influence and not be afraid to make changes in the systems we directly work in.
In today’s episode we connect with Carrie Mueller, the State Director for Best Buddies Iowa, as well as Gavin and Natasha, a Best Buddies pair. Carrie highlights why inclusion matters in schools and reminds us that everyone needs a friend. Gavin and Natasha share how Best Buddies has changed their lives and how focusing on fostering relationships has the potential to truly change the world.
