In this episode we sit down and talk with Dr. Jackie Joseph-Buzek and Lorin Terrell, M.Ed. They share with us their experiences as being parents of neurodiverse students. Jackie and Lorin highlight the joys and struggles that come with navigating the school systems that surround their children. They also talk with us about how those experiences have inspired them to create a charter school, Windmill, that focuses on educational spaces where all students belong.

Moving Towards Movement: in today’s episode we have a great conversation with Tracey DeMaria. Tracey helps define sensory integration and regulation, words that are being used more mainstream in education these days. She talks about the need for our system to become more developmentally respectful in regards to the self-regulation expectations we set on students, and reminds us we all need co-regulation.

In today’s episode we sit down and connect with Dr. Jon Conte. Jon shares his expertise on the impacts of trauma as it pertains to “trauma-informed” and what a truly trauma-informed environment means for those in education. He shares with us that the power of the empathic connection is so strong for students in schools, yet can also create the vulnerability of the empathic strain on the teachers. Jon highlights that providing a space where teachers can openly process their experiences, is vital in combating burnout.

In today’s episode we connect with Zaretta Hammond. She shares her story of true lived learning partnerships and why they are so important in the educational setting. Zaretta stands shoulder to shoulder with teachers and students to build their capacity to engage in the productive struggle. She highlights why the focus of educators needs to be expanding our students' ability to be learners who gain knowledge, not just information.

In this episode we sit down and connect with Dr. Monica McHale-Small. Monica shares with us her experience as a Superintendent and how that has impacted her lens on the larger educational system. She highlights the importance of supporting the whole child; especially when thinking about students with specific learning disabilities. Monica also talks us through the challenges that come with navigating the special education realm as a parent.

In this episode we are joined by Chris Barfield. Chris is such a great story teller and shares with us how using sports helps the students he and his team work with at their school. He highlights the importance of dosing the stress appropriately to match the developmental level of the students; knowing students show up in different places. Chris also reminds us that we need to remember for many of our students, school has been a place of negative experiences and it’s our job to help rewrite their scripts.

In today’s episode we sit down and connect with Tu David Phu. Chef Tu shares his personal story about why understanding the connection between schools and food matters. When you have consistent access to food that provides nourishment it’s easy to minimize just how important it is for learning. Chef Tu reminds us that the playing field is not equal and we must advocate for free access to healthy foods for all students at school.

Welcome to season three of Education Suspended! We kick off this season with Justin Toomer. Justin dives into the role curriculum should play in opening doors and uncovering new content. He highlights the reality that the better school experience students have, the more likely they are to consider becoming educators. Justin reminds us to use data in a way that doesn’t just tell the story that has already been written for so many of our students.