In this brief solo episode, Jen unpacks new learning that she has gleaned from the Courageous Conversations training: Beyond Diversity. She shares insights and ideas for educators to continue to do this work and specifically speaks to her role as a white educator and the importance of white educators showing up for the work by naming their identities and recognizing the role that they play in systemic racism. She also discusses ways that schools can create Equity Teams to move from reflection to...
Nov 05, 2022•19 min•Season 2Ep. 3
In this short episode, Jen and Techa are glad to be back and starting Season 3 with a conversation on entering the new school year amidst all that we have experienced and continue to navigate. They catch up with a few of the things happening in their worlds. They also provide the Namasteach audience with hope for a positive new school year and remind us to approach our work with open hearts and minds. May you come to know that work Which emerges from the mind of love Will have beauty and form. M...
Aug 18, 2022•22 min•Season 3Ep. 1
In this dynamic episode, Techa and Jen have a conversation with Spencer George, writer, teacher, artist, and folklorist. Spencer shares her experiences writing about the intersectionality of folklore, storytelling, and empathy and specifically the roles that stereotypes play in limiting our stories and thus limiting our transformative power. Sharing her own journey as well as a multitude of resources, Spencer enlightens listeners to the possibilities that are available to all of us when we embra...
Mar 28, 2022•54 min•Season 2Ep. 28
In today’s episode, Techa and Jen connect for a deep and meaningful conversation with wellness coach and advocate Rose Schieck. Rose is the founder of Mamastewell, a coaching business that supports mothers in various phases of their journey. Rose shared wisdom about the importance of slowing down, self-awareness, and cultivating self-love and compassion. She gave many ideas about reclaiming and reframing our wellness journeys and meeting our own needs so that we can show up for others. Finally, ...
Mar 06, 2022•47 min•Season 2Ep. 21
Educated, Empowered, Resilient: Welcome to 2022 In this brief episode, Techa and Jen welcome back guests for the new year and share what they have been up to. Techa has been engaged in a lot of activism work around the Anti-truth education legislation in SC and shares ways to get educated and involved in your state. Since January 2021, 36 states have introduced bills or taken other steps that would restrict teaching critical race theory or limit how teachers can discuss racism and sexism and iss...
Jan 31, 2022•23 min
In today's episode, Techa and Jen go deep with a special guest and educational revolutionary and badass, LaTisha Vaughn. LaTisha has been in education for 25+ years and has worked in the classroom, administration, non-profit sector, consultant, and so much more. For her full bio, check out the link below. Today LaTisha shares with Techa, Jen, and the Namasteach community the importance of self-care and how to impact education from the ground up and from the top down. She believes that sometimes ...
Sep 27, 2021•43 min•Season 2Ep. 14
In this episode, Techa and Jen share with Educators 6 tips to remember as we start this new school year. In addition, they want to wish you all the best as you start your school year in your various settings and a reminder that you are not alone. We are all in this together.
Aug 22, 2021•13 min
“Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Howard Thurman Today's episode of Namasteach is a beautiful compilation of wisdom as Techa and Jen welcome Elizabeth Lesser to the show. Elizabeth talks about the need to hear the other story and how our humanity lies in the common ground of “otherness”. She discusses the human journey of living into who you are meant to be. Sharing about ...
Aug 08, 2021•55 min•Season 2Ep. 14
In this episode, Techa and Jen take some time to step back and welcome summer vacation, and reflect on the past year. They talk about the need for educators to continue to do the activism work needed to make our schools equitable places for all children to learn and thrive. They also explore ways to fuel ourselves to show up for the work, specifically around the recent debate -Critical Race Theory (CRT). The episode explores how we will integrate lessons (like setting boundaries, reimagining our...
Jun 29, 2021•43 min•Season 2Ep. 21
In this episode, Techa and Jen have the pleasure of interviewing English Language Acquisition Coach Jen Hunter on her philosophy on education, especially during these times of Covid. Jen Hunter shares her diverse experience from teaching to coaching to writing to parenting and everything in between. At the heart of all the work that she does, Jen believes in the importance of connections, equity, and fun. Hosting flash mobs and dressing up like a penguin are just a few examples of how Jen has in...
Apr 25, 2021•33 min•Season 2Ep. 15
In this episode, Techa and Jen had the honor of interviewing Todd Scholl, a 25-year educator and the founder of Teachers Aligned. Teachers Aligned was born to address the public education system's misalignment and the suffering expressed by many teachers. He wanted to connect educators in activism and contemplative practices. Through Todd’s work, he aims to support human flourishing and realign education systems to develop compassion and reduce suffering in both educators and students. As Todd s...
Mar 15, 2021•35 min•Season 2Ep. 3
In this episode, Techa and Jen have the honor of interviewing Rosalynne Duff. Rosalynne is an educational activist, Ph. D student and all-around spiritual badass. Ros shares her wisdom on ideas of cultivating contemplative practices and reckoning with who you are from an equity lens. Her words are medicine, and her ideas are inspirational. Join Jen, Techa, and Ros for this mic drop worthy conversation around things that really matter and how to unveil yourself as an educator and human being. Ros...
Feb 14, 2021•29 min•Season 2Ep. 14
In this episode, Techa and Jen celebrate a year of the Namasteach Podcast and reflect on all of the happenings since the show's Inception. They discuss ways teachers and school staff continue to show up for their students amid the pandemic and the collective frustrations they hear from colleagues worldwide. Finally, they unpack the importance of rewriting stories and looking at things from a different lens. They listen to you; they see you, feel you, and are you; we are all in this together....
Feb 01, 2021•28 min•Season 1Ep. 3
In this short episode, Techa brings us a few tidbits of wisdom. Reminding us of the meaning of EQUANIMITY. These days many educators feel alone, isolated, and unimaginable amounts of stress and anxiety. Here at Namasteach, Techa and Jen always want you to know that we see you, we hear you, and we hold space for you. Techa offers a short mindfulness practice to help us return to a place of stillness and rest. Our minds and bodies need this to keep us healthy, well, grounded, and at ease in the co...
Jan 10, 2021•19 min•Season 2Ep. 2
In this brief episode Jen revisits appreciative inquiry, focusing on the principle of the language we use and how it creates our reality. She invites us to reclaim and reframe our educational experiences by reflecting on the language we use and suggests ways to re-dedicate the experience we want to have.
Dec 07, 2020•10 min•Season 2Ep. 2
In today’s brief episode, Jen and Techa reflect on the times we are all living in and the upcoming holiday season. They are right there with listeners—not necessarily adding words of wisdom—but feeling the feels and the weight of teaching and living through what seems like a never ending pandemic and offering tools to help us remember and return to what matters most. In our current reality, many of us are experiencing many moments of stress and frustration, Techa and Jen remind you that you can ...
Nov 23, 2020•12 min•Season 2Ep. 1
In this Episode, Techa reminds us how important it is to remember who we are and how not to allow the stress of the Pandemic to take us away from ourselves. She shares tidbits that serve as reminders about the things that can help to bring you back to YOU.
Oct 30, 2020•23 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Description: In this brief episode Jen reminds listeners to practice relentless self care and to focus on filtering our experiences teaching amid the Covid19 pandemic through the Appreciative Inquiry model. She asks listeners how they are prioritizing their self care and what is working in their current reality? What we appreciate appreciates and during this time of things "not working", it is crucial that we take an asset-based approach to our situation to empower us to move forward with the bi...
Oct 13, 2020•9 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Jen and Techa examine this next phase of the pandemic, the idea of reopening schools, and the anxiety that educators are feeling. They provide helpful tips and strategies to support our healing and remind us the as educators, we are not alone and do not have to suffer in silence.
Aug 11, 2020•28 min•Season 1Ep. 11
The Namasteach Podcast welcomes Harry and Rachel Cole, co founders of Bauhaus Montessori in New Orleans. Harry and Rachel share their journey of creating their own school and navigating its inaugural year being set in the presence of a dual pandemic. Their journey is inspiring, and their wisdom is enlightening as they remind us to design the lives we want and find educational settings that are in alignment with who we are and who we want to be. Website to Nola Montessori https://nolamontessori.o...
Jul 02, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In this Episode of the Namasteach podcast, Techa unpacks ways that the community can become more involved in our schools. We are all feeling the impact of living amid a pandemic and the systemic inequities that have existed in our country for centuries are now being seen. Our school is a microcosm of society. School climate is a direct reflection of our society as well as our community. Techa discusses ways that our communities can address some of these societal challenges to support students im...
Jun 27, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In this episode, Jen and Techa discuss ways that educators and individuals can show up during this dual pandemic--the Covid19 pandemic and the pandemic of systematic racism and racial injustice. They reflect on recent world events and how we as individuals are seeing now more than ever how truly interconnected we are. The episode ends with a guided practice to remind us of our human connection and also serves as a call to action to make this work sustainable in our lives and in our classrooms. T...
Jun 10, 2020•27 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Description: In this brief but poignant episode, Jen and Techa reflect on ways they are processing the shifting educational landscape during the global pandemic. They offer tools that they have created to help them stay present during this time in the hopes that they will support listeners. If you would like to be a part of the conversation on our changing educational landscape during this era, please email namasteach@gmail.com Check out Still Soul Studio for Techa’s weekly Virtual Sunday Commun...
May 06, 2020•15 min•Season 1Ep. 7
The Namasteach podcast welcomes Danielle Parker, an adolescent Montessori guide, yoga teacher, and small business owner. Sharing her unique educational journey, Danielle liberates educators by reminding us that the teaching journey is a practice that ebbs and flows. From failure to perseverance, Danielle also reminds us that our weaknesses are truly road maps to our super powers, and how vulnerability creates connection. Danielle's radiant energy and authenticity will inspire listeners. We will ...
Apr 10, 2020•28 min•Season 1Ep. 6
The Namasteach Podcast welcomes our first guest Maria Palma. A Massachusetts native, a Spanish teacher and department head of 18 years, a mama of two, and a social justice activist. Maria Palma shares her wisdom and insights. In this episode, we delve into her guiding principles of education, how she supports herself and others during the COVID19 pandemic, how she finds the balance of being a teacher and a mom, and most importantly staying present and finding joy. This is an episode you won't wa...
Apr 08, 2020•26 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In this episode, Jen and Techa invite educators to explore the idea of retreating for Spring break and beyond. Sharing ways to truly cultivate inner calm during this unprecedented time in our lives. How can we create boundaries and sanctuaries within our current reality in the midst of a pandemic. Connect with Jen and Techa at namasteach1@gmail.com let us know how you are creating space to retreat and rejuvenate during this time. A personal retreat is a fantastic tool to recharge and set your li...
Apr 05, 2020•30 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In this episode you will experience Equanimity. Techa will lead you in a 15 minute guided meditation teaching you how to remain grounded and flexible in the midst of intense emotions.
Mar 31, 2020•19 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In this episode, Jen and Techa discuss the ways life has shifted as we face a pandemic. They discuss how in these uncertain times, we have an unprecedented opportunity to truly remember what's important.
Mar 21, 2020•21 min•Season 1Ep. 3
In the introductory episode, listeners will learn the purpose of the podcast and the importance of focusing on the whole educator
Feb 08, 2020•5 min•Season 1Ep. 1
