The Counter Narrative: Changing the Way We Talk (and think) About Education

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Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations. I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal, and an educational consultant. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In this episode I chat with Chey & Pav, co-hosts of The Staff Room Podcast and djs of the weekly radio show, The Drive. This is a first for these two experienced teachers from the greater Toronto area in Ontario, Canada as they have never been a guest on someone else’s show. Pav Wander, also known as Wander Woman, is now serving in an elementary school. She served five years as a middle school science and math teacher in the same school that she attended as a student. Chey, on the other hand, hails from Ottawa, but has served as a language and PE teacher for just over 20 years in the same middle school as his co-host. During our chat, they share how they began their podcasting journey by simply allowing their passion for education to flourish in other arenas. By speaking with, not at, Chey and Pav have not only developed an impressive network of educators that have undoubtedly benefited but they have also learned and grown through this process to become better educators themselves. We also discussed the power of building relationships and how shared experiences, such as those that we are currently experiencing with this global pandemic, help to strengthen and validate the work that we are doing. The conversation continued as we explored how educators can, and should, amplify their voices, which can be done through so many formats and mediums. As a bonus we get to hear the background story of why Chey is known as the Gym Guy. Enjoy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out Chey & Pav here  The Staff Room Podcast: Twitter     Podcast The Drive: Twitter     Show Check out these great shoutouts www.schoolrubric.com www.voiced.ca ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For more information about the host, visit his website or connect with him on Twitter.

Years ago, producer Chana Joffe-Walt started reporting on one school in New York. She thought the story was about segregation and inequality in public schools. But the more she looked into it, the more she realized she was witnessing something else. She was seeing the inordinate power of white parents at this school. This episode shares three themes that presented themselves to me as I listened to this five-part series hosted by The New York Times Company - that very few people are willing to put in the work necessary to address equity; that equality means leveling the playing field and that usually translates to those with more typically receive less while those who have often received less begin to receive more (sacrifice for greater good); and that issues become real when they begin to impact those in power.  This reflective piece highlights not just my struggle as an educational leader combating systemic issues of racism and oppression but with my own understanding of the often hidden forces driving these systems and my eventual acceptance these are more than just misguided notions. 

In this episode, I chat with Casey Jakubowsi, an educational researcher out of New York. Although he was born in Buffalo, New York, Casey and his parents moved throughout the state because of his father’s work. Casey received undergraduate degrees from Fredonia State University, Binghamton State University, and University of Buffalo before completing his doctoral degree at Suny Albany where he studied educational leadership with a focus on rural education. He started his academic career in rural education and spent a large amount of time working with those living in the commonly unknown spaces between the various small cities in upstate New York, an area vastly different from the populous urban areas that make up much of the southern portion of the state. Casey even took these experiences and transformed them into his book, “Thinking About Teaching.” You may also be surprised to know that he is an Eagle Scout. During our chat, we discuss the commonly held misconceptions about rural education, that they are “backwards” or “deficient.” Casey pushes back against these beliefs pointing out an urban normativity that prioritizes a different set of standards. In fact, he points out that the struggles that so many schools are experiencing with adapting to this forced change of remote learning are not new for many rural schools because they have become resourceful after spending decades adapting to issues not often present in urban settings. Casey also shares the need to provide wrap around services for our students and their families and how we define and provide resources for education. He even provides three great suggestions on how we can all improve the educational experience for everyone. Enjoy. Find a copy of his book here. Follow Casey on Twitter @CaseyJ_edu

Despite being told that it's not always necessary to ask for permission, I often found myself granting permissions for what I thought was clearly established expectations. For that reason, I decided to begin our school year with my five Principal Permissions.  1. Permission to learn and grow. 2. Permission to take risks. 3. Permission to fail. 4. Permission to love. 5. Permission to have fun. It was my hope that these permissions would clarify any misunderstanding that I believed in the expertise of my staff and that I wanted them to be the amazing educators that I knew that they could be. I did not want them to feel as if they were constrained by policies and politics.  They have taken full advantage of these permissions and have produced some amazing results. 

In this episode, I chat with Jennifer Appel, an educator, author, coach, speaker, co-founder of Award Winning Culture, and Chief Heart Officer for the Teach Better Team.  She is also the author of “Award Winning Dog.” Jennifer is driven to create an environment where all students are able to learn and become passionate about serving others.  Through her leadership, her school was awarded national and international awards for creating a culture of excellence through kindness, service, and empathy. During our chat, Jennifer discusses how she was leading a school that was over capacity and how she implemented a comprehensive approach to SEL using the Character Strong program to address the school culture and climate that was beginning to buckle under the weight of so many people. She shares some practical tips such as her school’s “house rules” of character, excellence, and community as well as the importance of maintaining a positive attitude. Jennifer also stresses the fact that everyone can do this work by starting simple and focusing on just one thing. Enjoy. Connect on Twitter: @jennifermappel @awcpodcasting Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/Award-Winning-Dog-Jennifer-Appel/dp/1735058505/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=award+winning+dog&qid=1596753891&sr=8-2

In this word of chaos, it is easy to become overwhelmed. It is easy to look around at all that needs to be done and be tempted to give up or burn yourself out by tackling so much that nothing gets accomplished. I know because this is how I felt not too long ago. As I listened to stories of racial tensions across the country, as I received conflicting guidelines about how to keep me and my family safe, as my phone was consistently providing me the latest updates yet providing no answers or guidance, I found myself in a dark place. I was burnt out. I cared but I didn't know what to do. I didn't know how to move forward.  I recorded this episode because I figured that there are many out there who feel the same way. Maybe you have found your way out or maybe you are on the brink of collapsing. Either way, this episode is for you. Allow yourself the luxury of doing just one thing. Find that one thing that is both important and that you can control. Start small.  We know that successes, no matter how small, flood our systems with dopamine, a feel good chemical. That encourages us to take another step in pursuit of another success. And the system continues. The problem is when we devote our time and energy to those things that we cannot control and thus never experience success.  Remember this, small successes turn into monumental accomplishments. 

In this episode, I chat with Suzanne Dailey, a proud instructional coach in the Central Bucks School District, the 3rd largest in Pennsylvania. Here she has the honor and joy of working with elementary teachers and students in 15 buildings. Suzanne is Nationally Board Certified, a Fellow of the National Writing Project, and has a Masters Degree in Reading. She is dedicated to nurturing and developing the whole child and teacher. Suzanne lives in Doylestown, Pennsylvania with her husband, two children, and English Bulldog. During our chat, Suzanne shares a much needed and timely concept of teaching happier by infusing joy into classrooms. She discusses the need for modifying traditional approaches to professional development by leveraging teacher voice and choice to focus on their individual needs and learning styles. Suzanne acknowledges the struggle of infusing the human element into remote teaching but also stresses the importance of teachers and leaders to show up in the best way we can for those we serve and to continue showing them love, compassion, and support. Enjoy. Twitter: @DaileySuzanne   /   #CBSDPD   /   #CBDLP

It appears that our time has come and gone. For a brief moment, educators were recognized for the myriad of tasks that we complete on a daily basis. We were thanked for not just providing an education but serving as counselors, nurses, parents, and so much more. This is, of course, until we bucked back against the system. In an attempt to get the country reopened and revitalizing the economy, there has been increased pressure for schools to open fully. This would require staff and students to return to campuses despite their seemingly to be no logical possibility while also adhering to the guidelines set forth by the CDC. To make matters worse, we have no become targets of verbal attacks and threats from the highest levels of our government. From being told that we are indoctrinating our students with falsehoods in an attempt to diminish their patriotism to threatening the funding that allows millions of students to receive a high quality education, we have become a target by those pushing for a return to normal.  In this brutally honest, yet candid episode, I share my personal insights into the current state of education.  

In this episode I chat with Joshua Buckley who is a high school social studies teacher in Mesa, AZ and also serves as the president of his local teachers’ union. He is married to an awesome principal and has two children, one who is about to start their sophomore year in college and the other getting ready to tackle remote learning as a 4th grader. When not talking about government and economics with his seniors, he advocates for educators and education in Mesa and Arizona. In the last few years he has co-chaired a state wide ballot initiative on education funding, helped his district organize successful campaigns around bonds and overrides, knocked on doors for several pro-education candidates, and has worked to bring educator voices into the decision making process in his district. Joshua is also the co-host of Punk Rock Classrooms, a podcast dedicated to bringing the punk rock ideas of passion, unity, and DIY to schools. During our chat, we discuss that schools should be places where all students succeed and thus the importance of using our voices to fight back against systems that deny our students access to their fullest potential. He insists on being loud because that is how change happens. Josh and I also talk about the need for putting ourselves in uncomfortable situations by trying something new as continuous growth for educators is essential. Twitter: @JoshRBuckley @PunkClassrooms