RethinkingEDU

Ted Dintersmith is at the forefront of education change. He's a filmmaker, author, and community activist. He's been political appointee, and is actively working toward making the education sector more dynamic and responsive to the needs of society. In this conversation, we highlight Ted's work and amplify his voice showcasing some of what he believes need to come next in school. Plugs include It's Time to Rethink Our Approach to Preschool, Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, and Have You Heard Podcast with Jack Schneider and Jennifer Berkshire. Music by Ketsa.

In part 2 of Mike's conversation with Dr. Courthney Russell, Jr., we dive into a deep conversation around equity and health in schools. If we were to really center health and longevity and thriving, wouldn't we center the wellness of our young people? Doc unpacks what a health and wellness centered education experience could look like for students and communities. Music by Scott Holmes.

Dr. Courthney Russell, Jr. (Doc) has an unusual path as an educator. Spending most of his youth in Atlanta, Doc is a social entrepreneur, civil activist, and libertory educator. He works to center the voices of those experiencing homelessness, those who are oppressed, and those whose voices are often ignored. He began this work as a medical doctor, and continues with a slew of social endeavors including WeUp CBO, A2H2, RandR Vision, and his very own podcast called the Humanize Podcast. In this special knowledge drop episode, Doc and Mike talk about his story and the intersection of health and wellness with education. This is part 1. Music by Scott Holmes.

As the United States continues to rethink teacher preparation, New Graduate Schools of Education (NGSEs) are becoming increasingly common. One of these schools is the High Tech High GSE located in San Diego, CA. Dr. Sarah Fine and Carol Battle are doing the important work of preparing teachers through HTHGSE's San Diego Teacher Residency and cultivating the critical community relationships that make the program a beacon for the rest of the country. Plugs include the Alder GSE, Sposato GSE, The Spirit of Our Work by Cynthia Dillard, and the HTHGSE Deeper Learning Conference. Music by Ketsa.

At Eagle Rock School & Professional Development Center in Estes Park, CO, teacher preparation is a critical element of the school's mission and work. Director of Professional Development Sarah Bertucci oversees this program in partnership with national non-profit Public Allies. Each year, Eagle Rock brings on a new cohort of fellows who can earn their Colorado teaching license through the school's alternative licensure program. In this episode we talk with Sarah about the program's mission, goals, and approach. Plugs include the Teacher Powered Schools Conference, What School Could Be, Cultivating Genius by Gholdy Muhammad, and Open Way Learning. Music by Ketsa.

Teach for America (TFA) was founded in 1990 to address underachievement in American schools. Since this time, TFA has become a lightning rod for positive and negative commentary about how to address change in schools and how to prepare teachers to meet the needs of students. In this conversation, we chat with Eric Sarb and Andy Alcaraz, two TFA alumni. They highlight their experiences in the corps and we reflect on what these experiences could mean for the future of teacher preparation. Plugs include What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akhad, All About Love by bell hooks, Deep Work by Cal Newport, The Descendants, and the BIPOC TFA experience account on Instagram. Music by Ketsa.

The vast majority of teachers experience their preparation programs at a tradition university under the guidance of a dedicated group of Faculty. Dr. Carol Watson is one of the Faculty members at Kutztown University. Dr. Watson talks with us about her approach to preparation programming, some of the experiences she shares with her students, and the research that underpins this approach. Plugs include Deliberate Optimism by Debbie Silver, Words Their Way, White Fragility by  Robin DiAngelo, Help Us Begin by Jen Cort, and FieldTrip.com. Music by Ketsa.

As teachers continue to leave the profession in large numbers, preparation of existing and new teachers is something we must consider. Join us over the next month as we explore teacher preparation programs from four different perspectives around the country. Here's are some of our pre-series thoughts to give you an idea of what's to come in this insightful series. Music by Ketsa.

In the final installment of our mini-series on equity, belonging, and inclusion we chat with Dr. Patti Hess, the Director of Pupil Services for a school district in Connecticut. Patti's past work as a school social worker helped inform and prepare her to oversee all of the special education services in her district. Our co-host team chats with Patti about this work, what high quality inclusion looks like and why inclusion is directly tied to both belonging and equity. Plugs include HomeByMe and all the amazing special education teachers out there, or as Patti says, all "Inclusion Champions". Music by Ketsa.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage school experiences for teachers and students around the world, questions of belonging in classrooms become increasingly critical for educators and administrators to grapple with. In this episode the co-hosting team chats with Shahrzad Missaghi. Originally from Iran, Shahrzad's life story is a fascinating example of the importance of belonging for all students. This is the second episode of our series on Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion. Plugs include Mason's Greatest Gems by Chelsea Lee Smith and Elaheh Bos, The Lighthouse Effect by Steve Pemberton, Cultivating Genius by Gholdy Muhammad, a new translation of Les Misérables by Victor Hugo, and singer/songwriter Tim Ward, Jr. Music by Ketsa.