RethinkingEDU

With some schools already back in session, and many reopening task-forces looking at Labor Day in the not too distant future, the daunting task of reopening schools is upon us. Join our co-hosts as we break down some of the fundamental issues surrounding the reopening of schools. We talk about mask wearing, CDC guidelines, our system's complicated relationship with childcare, and much more. Plugs include the Multitude podcast collective, Great Battles For Boys (but, really, anyone) by Joe Giorello, Nepris, and Full Focus planner. Music by Ketsa.

Jenny Delacruz is an author, publishing company CEO, YouTube channel star, and counselor. Her Philadelphia-based publishing company, Cobbs Creek Publishing, specializes in children's books that "promote emotional intelligence and critical thinking skills." In this episode, co-host Matt Downing talks with Jenny about her work and how things have changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation touches on Jenny's newest book: Momma, Can I Sleep with You Tonight? Helping Children Cope with the Impact of COVID-19, her Story Time With Ms Melange YouTube channel, and how being of Haitian descent launched her work as an author and storyteller. Music by Scott Holmes.

Listen as co-host Mike Dunn sits down with Henry Fairfax, the Head of School at the Revolution School in Philadelphia, PA. Revolution is a boutique school serving a diverse group of Philly-based students. It was founded as a way to radically transform education. With this goal in mind, Henry and his team have showcased what's possible with a nimble, thoughtful approach to rethinking eduction. Plugs include Most Likely To Succeed by Tony Wagner and Ted Dintersmith, Range by David Epstein, Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds, and your local bikeshop like Keswick Cycles. Music by Scott Holmes.

Listen in as our co-hosts have a conversation with Eva Mejia, the Chief Program and Strategy Officer at Big Picture Learning, and Zelia Gonzales, a recent graduate of the Met Sacramento and a current Cornell University student. Our conversation uncovers some of the power of Big Picture for young people like Zelia, how BP students students are known, given opportunities to connect learning to their interests, and set on a future trajectory that is unique and bountiful. Plugs include Big Bang Summer Fest, Books With Brothers, Rebel Ventures Network, The Body Is Not An Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor, Education Elements, and Atomic Habits by James Clear. Music by Ketsa.

In this episode, our co-hosts sit down with three amazing guests doing great work with rural schools, teachers, and policy. We talk with Gary Funk of the Rural Schools Collaborative, Allen Pratt of the National Rural Education Association, and Hailey Winkelman of the I Am A Rural Teacher Campaign. Listen in as we uncover some of the work the groups are taking on to address the issues rural teachers face, while also bringing to light countless success stories. Plugs include American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins, Bandlab, Common Sense Media, National Novel Writing Month, Pleistocene Park, Audible, and Defunctland. Music by Ketsa.

As we approach mid-summer, talk across the country has focused on the logistics and inner-workings of reopening schools amidst a pandemic. In this episode our co-hosts talk about some of the conversations we've been part of and how we are all trying to wrap our brains around the intricacies of reopening in the next couple of months. Plugs include Headrush Learning, the Black Scholars Podcast, Equity by Design, and Rewiring Education by John D. Couch. Music by Ketsa.

As an educator, finding people that you resonate with is critical to your mental health and ongoing efforts. On a long walk in Australia, Stephanie Howell and Lance Key decided that a collaboration would be fruitful endeavor and haven't looked back since. Stephanie and Lance are Google Certified Innovators, Tech coaches, and hosts of the podcast Get Inspired and Innovate. In this episode, we talk with Stephanie and Lance about engaging with like minded educators and the importance of building one's network to continue to inspire and innovate in your work. Plugs include Kiva.org, TED's podcast Pindrop, CK12.org, Global Dignity, myViewBoard, Edulastic, Global Google Educator Group, and Fairtest.org. Music by Ketsa.

Podcasting has become a groundbreaking medium for sharing stories and information on a range of topics. In this episode, we talk with the founder of the Education Podcast Network, Chris Nesi. Chris is the host of the House of Edtech and the co-host of Podcast PD. The conversation touches on the value of the podcast as a platform for sharing ideas, and a space for educators to come together to reimagine their schools, practices, and ideas. Plugs include GoSynth, EdPuzzle, Voice Record Pro, and Black Owned Philly Restaurants. Music by Ketsa.

In our second Knowledge Drop episode, co-host Matt Downing sits down with Raj Lewis, the director of a residential men's program. Raj and Matt dive into the impact our systems of education has on those experiencing poverty. They talk about meeting individuals where they are on their life path, encouraging quality of life assessments in social work, and how these ideas might impact K-12 education. Plugs include Iowa BIG, Trellis For Tomorrow, Tools for Conviviality by Ivan Illich. Music by Scott Holmes.

In one of the best conversations yet, the team drops some tough questions into the lap of Getting Smart's Tom Vander Ark. Tom shares his thoughts on schools opening this fall, the wide range of work he's involved with, and a treasure trove of schools to check out in the world. Plugs include Chris Emdin's IG, Tom's vegetarian cooking IG, the Green School in Bali, Slidesyearbook, OERcommons, How to Be Heard by Celine Coggins, and so much more. Music by Ketsa.