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

One thing that struggling schools cite as their most frustrating obstacle is the lack of parental involvement. Schools consistently suggest that parents must not care about their students' academic success because they do not make the time to be involved by attending events or meetings. There even exists research and statistics touting that the lack of progress in schools is due, in large part, to the intentional absence of parents.  There is a serious issue with this narrative. During the recent COVID-19 outbreak and resulting shift to remote learning, it became abundantly clear that parents played a very active role in their students' learning.  The problem wasn't their involvement, it was our definition of an involved parent.

In this episode, I chat with Lisa Gaede, an educator who is excited to begin her 30th year in education as a Speech and Language Pathologist in an elementary school. Although she was born and raised in Winona, MN, she currently lives with her family in a small town in Wisconsin where she commutes an hour, each way, to work everyday. Lisa is remarried to Paul, has 1 son and 4 stepsons. When she is not working, Lisa loves to exercise, read, crochet, get tattoos, practice her ukulele, and snuggle with her dogs! During our chat, we address the steps that Lisa took to step outside of her comfort zone. She credits her connection with Sarah Johnson, co-author of Balance Like a Pirate, on Twitter. She shares how she realized that one must love themselves before they can love others. Lisa provides tips on developing an attitude of gratitude and the importance of consistently demonstrating positivity both in and out of school. Enjoy. References: Twitter - @chattygaede Book References: Balance Like a Pirate by Jessica & Sarah Johnson Dare to Lead by Brene Brown Podcast References: Unlocking Us by Brene Brown In Awe by Sarah Johnson

With so many conversations surrounding the issue of racism, there is a lack of actionable advice on how to actively address racism. Listen as I share 5 practical tips to combat racism.  1. Be a Partner 2. Be A Student 3. Be Honest 4. Be A Role Model 5. Be Resilient

In this episode, I chat with Jeffrey Millner, the assistant principal of Thomas Dell High School in Virginia. He has served as an educator for 22 years as both a teacher for exceptional students and as an administrator in both rural and urban settings. A lover of sports, Jeffrey coached softball and baseball and even received the Most Improved Player Award while playing 1st base at St. Paul’s College in Lawrenceville, VA. He has also participated in several 5K & 10K marathons. Jeff enjoys reading and spending time with his son. We chat about how he uses job shadow days at his school as a means to wrap his arms around the community. Providing students with an opportunity to investigate potential jobs can help save time and thus money in schools which help parents already struggling financially. We also discuss the power of student voices in helping to drive the “why” behind our initiatives. Once students get it, allow them to work with other students. Enjoy. Twitter - @JAMillner Instagram - @JeffMillner LinkedIn - @JeffMillner

Pandemics and protests? The world in which we are living is vastly different then what it was a few short months ago. Some educators are now faced with closing out the school year while simultaneously helping their students navigate the chaos surrounding them.  It is no surprise that so many feel lost and are seeking advice on how to best address the situation with their students as well as provide support and guidance. This episode focuses on three things that I believe all students, especially those who are marginalized and disenfranchised, need not only now but always. Listen as I share how I applied the concepts of aspiration, access, and advocacy at my own school to help our students find success. 

Tara Desiderio is a K-5 Principal at Wescosville Elementary School in the East Penn School District in Pennsylvania. She has served as an educator for more than 20 years with 12 of those in administration. Tara strives on building strong positive relationships with students and adults and finds joy in helping them do the same. In this episode we focus on the power of building strong positive relationships not just within schools but with parents and the community as well. Tara points out the importance of meeting our parents where they are at and not forgetting about the using your own voice during the digital age. We also dive into owning our mistakes when failing to meet the mark.  Find Tara here Twitter: @Tara_Desiderio

Serenity, Courage, Wisdom. Three simple yet powerful words.  Reflecting on an experience in which I took my daughter for her high school graduation item pick-up, I recount how these three words helped to shape my message to her.  This episode is for all of you who are struggling.  It is okay not to be okay. It is not okay to give up.

In this episode, I chat with Elijah Carbajal, an innovative educator who believes in challenging the norms by creative authentic learning environments by immersing his students in the content. Imagine finding gold doubloons and secret messages from Blackbeard and the excitement of his actual arrival. This is just a taste of how this educator is helping to change the narrative for education.  Elijah is an educator and blogger currently living and working in Aztec, NM. His activism includes mental health and suicide awareness, as well as advocacy for student equity, safety, and positive student relationships. In his spare time, Elijah loves to create music, exercise, and watch The Office while hanging out with his cat, Nala.

Did you know that our brains are hardwired to consistently scan our environments for changes? When we notice something, whether consciously or not, that is a perceived threat, our brains immediately begin releasing chemicals to modify our physical state in preparation to respond. This episode will discuss those changes, how they impact our students' abilities to learn, why some are more susceptible than others, and practical steps that we can take to both minimize potential situations and how to best respond when they occur. 

Heather Shaw has been an educator for over 20 years serving as both a teacher and a Vice Principal. She is currently teaching English and AP Language.  Heather is also the mother to 4 boys, the youngest of whom is a senior in high school.    In this episode we discuss our diverse learner population and the importance of providing them with opportunities to showcase their learning through passion projects. Links: Twitter: @mshaw27 Instagram: @shawschaos School website: https://www.sanjuan.edu/