EP 4 - Early Childhood Education & Literacy

EP 6 - Prioritizing Inclusion within Community

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is a phrase that has been around for a long time. However, these words have been buzzing in headlines and news outlets as Americans grapple with the tragic racial injustices that have plagued our nation since its inception. Coming off one of the toughest years of our lifetime. Covid has brought out the ugly underbelly of hatred and any other ism that you can think of. Our nation seems to be divided at every turn. Yet, spaces or communities that are inclusive of all don’t just happen by chance but takes both internal and external intentionality. We know diversity enriches our neighborhoods, our relationships, and our overall lives. Listen as I speak with, Meredith Copley, a Cobb resident who is making her community more inclusive and raising awareness around racial/social injustices. She is moving the needle of progress in the right direction and stirring up “good trouble”. #goodtrouble #changethenarrative #bethebridge #inclusionmatters #diversitymatters #equityandinclusion #changemaker #womenwholead #communityadvocate #girlliveunleashed #speakupevenifyourvoiceshakes #communitybuilding #livelikenooneelse #momstruggles #momtruth #raisingkidsright #parenting #talkaboutracism #teachantiracism #selfawarenessiskey #learningathome #responsibleparenting #consciousparenting #mindfulparenting #empoweringparenthood #empoweringparents

EP 5 - Equity and Antiracism in Education

2021 will mark the 67 year since the Brown vs. Board of Education was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court establishing that racial segregation in public schools are unconstitutional. However, kids today are still judged by the color of their skin and the lack of value is evident through: “disproportionate student discipline referrals, achievement and opportunity gaps,...overrepresentation in special education and underrepresentation in advanced coursework, among other indicators,” (Brooks,2012).

Our current education system is broken, promising limitless possibilities while perpetuating deep inequities. And in light of the ongoing racial issues within our country, teachers grapple with how to bring about change. Join Megan Robertson and I as we discuss the tireless and often messy work she as a teacher is doing to create a more equitable learning environment that is inclusive of all students regardless of their skin color.

Books shared during this episode: 

1. I am Enough by Grace Byers
2. Emi's Curlym Coily, Cotton Candy Hair by Tina Olajide
3. I'm a Brilliant Little Black Boy by Joshua B. Drummond
4. Crown An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes
5. Dream Big by Deloris Jordan

#educationalequity #changethenarrative #antiracisteducation #inclusionmatters #equityineducation #socialjusticeeducators #teachersforsocialjustice #diversitymatters #educationforall #goodtrouble #educators #equityandinclusion #changemaker #womenwholead #womenineducation #communityadvocate #speakupevenifyourvoiceshakes

EP 4 - Early Childhood Education & Literacy

Right here in one of the wealthiest countries on the planet, 45 million Americans are currently functionally illiterate and cannot read above a fifth-grade level.

What is even more shocking is that there is a wealth of research that shows widespread and chronic reading failure in our communities.

There are significant gaps in reading achievement by race and income, here are some numbers from our communities of color that scored below the basic reading level:

➡︎ 50 percent of Black fourth graders

➡︎ 47 percent of Hispanic fourth graders

➡︎ 49 percent of American Indian fourth graders

America’s literacy crisis has reached epidemic proportions, with millions of children and adults affected each and every year by a never-ending cycle of educational disadvantage.

How do we address this and begin to close the literacy gap? Listen as we speak with Ericka Smith on Early Childhood Education & Literacy.

Early Childhood Resources from this episode:

Learning Spaces

https://www.unitedwayatlanta.org/program/learning-spaces/

Georgia Early Education Alliance For Ready Students

https://geears.org

Office Of Early Learning

https://apsprekapplication.com

Quality Rated Preschool Information

https://families.decal.ga.gov/childcare/qualityrated

Bright From The Start

http://www.decal.ga.gov

Rollins Center For Language & Literacy

https://www.atlantaspeechschool.org/professional-development/rollins-center/

International Dyslexia Association

https://dyslexiaida.org

CDC Milestone Tracker

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html

#podcasther #womeninpodcasting #womenwhopodcast #blackpodcasters #pocpodcast #podcastersofcolor #blackcontentcreators #transparencymatters #getclear #feelaligned #beconfident #beyourbestyou #womenshistorymonth #womenineducation #womeninleadership #shebelievedshecouldsoshedid #notinvisible #seatatthetable #communityadvocate #standupforwhatsright #communityleaders #communitybuilding #blackhistory365 #blackhistoryiseveryday #earlyeducation #blackeducators #speakupevenifyourvoiceshakes #earlyliteracy #earlyliteracymatters #earlychildhoodeducation #specialneedsmom #specialneedsparent

EP 3 - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within School Boards

Our educational workforce is dominated by women. Roughly about 76% of teachers, 52% of principals and 78% of administrative staff are women, however, when you look at the executive office of school boards across the nation these positions are held primarily by men.

Women often times make it to a seat at the county or state school board but their voices are usually challenged or ignored. Listen as we speak with, Charisse Davis, Cobb County Board of Education Post 6, about diversity, equity, and inclusion within Cobb County School District (CCSD).

While she is not the first woman of color to serve on Cobb’s school board after 30 years Mrs. Davis believes she is still fighting the same up hill battles to be included and heard as Peggy Lawson Atkins. Mrs. Atkins was the first minority and disabled person elected to the Cobb County School Board Post 5 in 1992. She paved the way and is a change maker in her own right.

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#podcasther #womeninpodcasting #womenwhopodcast #blackpodcasters #pocpodcast #podcastersofcolor #blackcontentcreators #transparencymatters #getclear #feelaligned #beconfident #beyourbestyou #womenshistorymonth #womenineducation #womeninleadership #shebelievedshecouldsoshedid #localgovernment #notinvisible #seatatthetable #communityadvocate #standupforwhatsright #communityleaders #communitybuilding #blackhistory365 #blackhistoryiseveryday #davisforcobb #blackeducators #speakupevenifyourvoiceshakes

EP 2 - Diversity in Politics

The world we live is characterized by deeply unequal sharing of the burden of adversities between women and men. Gender inequality exists in most parts of the world. However, inequality between women and men can take many different forms. It manifests itself in the unbalanced representations of women and men in various walks of life. One of the most troublesome issues is the extremely unequal representation of women in government and an even greater deficit when it comes to women of color. Join us as we speak diversity in politics with the first African-American Mayor of Tustin, California, Letitia Clark. #womeninpolitics #diversitymatters #representationmatters