In today’s episode we connect with LeiLani Scott from Mesa Public Schools. I’ve had the honor of working with her for several years now and am alway so impressed by her leadership and ability to push the system forward. In this episode she highlights the importance of building a true culturally relevant PBIS system, supporting our educators, and prioritizing the growth of all students.

In this episode we connect with Christine Corr Kiewra, an assistant professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Christine reflects on lessons learned from her 20 years of experience in early childhood education and how that impacts the way she now supports adult learners. She dives into the importance of wandering and its connection to creating opportunities of wonder.

In today’s episode we sit down with Rodney Robinson, the 2019 National Teacher of the Year. This interview is so motivating! Rodney shares his story with us and teaches us about the difference between equality and equity.

In today’s episode we connect with Veronika Bačová, an educator in Prague, Czech Republic. We have a wonderful time exploring the similarities and differences in our educational systems. Veronika talks about the importance of allowing time for the kids to regulate and play, and the reality that our system needs to continue to prioritize teachers. Veronika Bačová works as a teacher at a primary school and is working towards her PhD on the issues of inclusive education.

Bearing Witness hosted by: Jessica Pfeiffer & Steve Graner LISTEN ON SPOTIFY LISTEN ON APPLE

In this episode we sit down with Coach Shawn Sorsby, the Founder and Executive Director of A Step Ahead Chess. What a fantastic way to close out 2023. Coach Sorsby is so inspiring and the way he is changing student’s lives through chess is amazing. He highlights that losses are lessons and that we should run towards failure in an attempt to continue growing.

In today’s episode we sit down with Joel Pippus, the Project Lead for Push to Heal, which uses skateboarding as a component for treatment and education with high needs students. Joel highlights different ways skateboarding can be used as an education tool and mental health strategy to support growth with students. He shares different ways it promotes regulation and can build executive functioning abilities. Joel’s own personal story directly shines the importance of the continued need to think outside the box for better ways to serve our students.

In today’s new episode we talk with Becky Arndt, who is a Drama Teacher in the Racine, Wisconsin Public School System. Becky shares with us her Actors Tool Box and connects ways we can utilize those tools in other areas of education. She highlights the importance of environments that foster student strengths and belonging. Becky also talks about the important role Specials’ teachers play in education. Becky is a product of the Racine Unified School District and a third generation educator. She is in her eighteenth year teaching and is a strong believer in the power that the arts have on student growth.

In today’s episode of Education Suspended we connect with Dr. Mark Gooden, PhD., who is the Christian Johnson Endeavor Professor in Education Leadership and Chair of the Department of Organization and Leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University. Dr. Gooden talks about the barriers that exist in our ability in education to retain strong teachers of color. He highlights the power of education to be the passport to the future, and how that leads to an obligation for us to make the system better for future generations.

Today we connect with Micaela DeSimone, who works in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Boston University. Micaela shares with us her experience as an educator and the impact burnout had on her. Her story is powerful, shedding light on the experience of so many in education. Micaela highlights steps needed to begin repairing the relationship between our educational system and our educators.

Welcome back to Education Suspended! Today we kick off Season 4 with a wonderful interview with Joe Mailander of the Okee Dokee Brothers. The Okee Dokee Brothers’ music focuses on community and harmony; we explore the importance of those two elements in our schools. Joe highlights the need for exploration, curiosity, and slowness in education. He reminds us that sometimes in order to learn we have to empty out first, unlearn, in order to learn again.