In our last episode of Season Two we connect with William Tucker, who challenges all of us to stop, and ask ourselves, why do we educate? William focuses on shifting our archaic system away from memorization and aims to provide students an educational system that promotes understanding. He specifically specializes in literacy and shares why equipping students with a solid foundation of literacy and comprehension is vitally important to all future disciplines.

In today’s episode we sit down and connect with Malika Ali, the Chief Innovation Officer at the Highlander Institute. Malika’s transgenerational story is rooted in the pursuit of education, and she shares with us how the passion of past generations drives her own desire to empower students. She connects that curriculums need to provide both, windows and mirrors, for students so they can see themselves and better understand how they fit into the world.

In this episode we sit down and dialog with Tiffani Lennon, the Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida. Tiffani highlights how important it is to stand together to change systems and fight for equality. She also shares the impact that living in areas that do not emulate belonging and safety have on our students. Tiffany says that letting teachers be teachers is so important and holds such power.

In today’s episode we connect with my favorite guest, ever. My mom. (Yes, I’m biased). Oma, began teaching in 1958 and she sits down with us and shares some of her biggest lessons learned as an educator. She talks about the importance of having a holistic lens and reflects on how she leaned into her teaching community for creativity and inspiration.

In this episode we have an amazing conversation with Barak Ben-Amots, the Educational Director at Flying Pig Farm. Barak highlights the importance of helping our students and educators reconnect with the land in an attempt to help them reconnect with themselves. He shares some phenomenal examples of how getting students outside promotes learning and regulation. As an educator, he truly understands that no one grows alone, and by getting kids access to nature he has uncovered a new found joy in teaching.

Today we connect with our friend Megan Bartlett, who is truly trying to change the game for our student athletes. Megan highlights why sports are so important and the power that comes when our students are given the opportunity to play. Sports can bring a strong sense of belonging and promote regulation and learning in so many ways. Megan also emphasizes that we must be aware that accessing sport is not equal and shares how her organization is working to level the playing field.

In today’s episode we have a great conversation with Alicia García, the Founder of Circle Corps. Alicia talks openly about the collective healing that needs to take place systemically for our adults in education and encourages all of us to disrupt the patterns that continue to exist. As a restorative justice practitioner, she highlights how utilizing a restorative framework helps create learning environments that increase engagement and give voice and control back to the students.

Today we connect with Jase Williams, the Principal of Henry Hill School in New Zealand. Jase begins the episode by honoring his Māori culture and acknowledging his ancestors that are a part of him and his journey. He highlights four specific things he did to change his classrooms and school and says that for us to change this archaic system of education, we must step away from the system and move outside the box.

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.

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.

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.

In today’s episode we sit down with Dr. Stuart Ablon. Dr. Ablon highlights the importance of empathy when trying to understand where behaviors are coming from. When the system is exhausted and stressed, a vulnerability exists to shift into highly punitive and compliant based consequences. Dr. Ablon teaches us that the issue many of us are facing with our students is that there is a large gap between the skills they are showing up with versus the expectations they are required to meet.

Welcome to Season 2 of Education Suspended! In our first episode of the new season we sit down and talk with the students of AUL Denver. They share their experiences and stories as students and highlight how important a personalized approach is to education. The students address what they would change about our educational system to make it truly equitable and have a consistent theme about the power of relationships in the learning environment.