School Me

Our two part series on billionaires and public education continues. Today, we’re zooming in on the rise of new, well-funded activist groups targeting school boards, banning books, and attacking everything from diversity initiatives to trans student rights. Who’s behind groups like Moms for Liberty and Parents Defending Education? What is “dark money,” and how does it quietly reshape local and national education policy? And who is Leonard Leo, and why is he so influential in this fight? Alyssa Bowen, deputy executive director of True North Research and the director of True North’s Equality Project, explains.

In this thought-provoking discussion, Lisa Graves, founder of True North Research, sheds light on the influence of wealthy donors and corporations over public education. She exposes the historical agenda to privatize schools and weaken unions, revealing their motivations and long-term impact. The conversation highlights the troubling rise of charter school fraud and the ideological push behind the school choice movement. Graves emphasizes the necessity of collective action to protect public education against billionaire-driven agendas and uphold democratic values.

Mentioned in this episode:Join the Movement for Paid Student Teaching

Mentioned in this episode:Tell Congress to protect Medicaid funding - https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/action-center/take-action/dont-slash-medicaid-and-childrens-health-careCall in and share your story - Call 866-426-2631Find out more about Medicaid’s impact in your school district, congressional district, or state.Organize locally using this toolkit: https://www.nea.org/resource-library/toolkit-ideas-organize-locally-protect-students-and-public-schools

Mentioned in this episode:Safe Zone policies - https://www.nea.org/resource-library/safe-zone-school-districtsNEA’s Immigration Resource Hub - https://www.nea.org/resource-library/guidance-immigration-issuesOpen letter to Higher Ed admin - https://www.nea.org/open-letter-protect-speech-college-and-university-campusesLegal resources for immigrant educatorshttps://iamerica.org/legal-help/https://ailalawyer.com/

The Trump administration is waging war against diversity, equity, and inclusion. But what does that mean for educators when it comes to discussing race, equity, and history in the classroom? How can schools continue to foster inclusive learning environments despite these restrictions? Alice O’Brien, general counsel for the National Education Association, walks through your rights, risks, and opportunities to push back against anti-equality policies and fear tactics.

With the rise of social media and constant online communication, bullying is affecting students in new, pervasive ways, and schools are often on the front lines of addressing it. Madeline Micou, a middle school counselor with over two decades of experience in education, shares her insights on the realities of cyberbullying, how it differs from traditional bullying, and what educators and families can do to combat it effectively.

A conversation with Kwame Alexander: a poet, educator, and best-selling author of The Crossover, Booked, The Door of No Return, and so many other books that have inspired young readers across the country. In celebration of NEA’s Read Across America, Kwame has teamed up with NEA for a unique project—bringing literature and music together with a jazz-infused reading of The Crossover. You can hear Kwame’s special 10th anniversary reading at https://www.nea.org/crossover.

In 2020, collective bargaining for public sector workers returned to Virginia after a nearly 50-year ban—a huge win for Virginia educators. But change doesn't happen overnight. Fairfax Education Association President Leslie Houston joins the show to talk about how educators in Fairfax, Virginia came together to create their first collective bargaining agreement since the ban, and what other districts can do to bring similar wins to their schools.

Read more from Mary Ellen about how low pay affects education across the nation, and how unions are helping educators get the pay increases they deserve:https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/dear-educators-youre-still-not-paid-enoughAs the nation’s largest labor union, we stand in solidarity with the Costco Teamsters in their fight for a fair contract. Just as we fight for the rights and dignity of educators and their communities, we proudly stand with all workers demanding the wages and benefits they deserve.