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...
Jul 04, 2020•8 min•Season 1Ep. 5
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 w...
Jun 26, 2020•28 min•Season 1Ep. 5
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
Jun 19, 2020•10 min•Season 1Ep. 4
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 re...
Jun 12, 2020•24 min•Season 1Ep. 4
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 ...
Jun 05, 2020•10 min•Season 1Ep. 3
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 imp...
May 29, 2020•29 min•Season 1Ep. 3
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.
May 22, 2020•13 min•Season 1Ep. 2
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 ...
May 15, 2020•36 min
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...
May 08, 2020•18 min•Season 1Ep. 2
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/...
May 01, 2020•21 min•Season 1Ep. 1
A brief introduction to The Counter Narrative Podcast.
Apr 12, 2020•2 min
This episode covers my "Three Enlightened Minutes" for The Staffroom Podcast hosted by Chey and Pav out of Toronto. In it, I discuss moving beyond hastags, or shifting from discussion to action. With the COVID-19 outbreak, so many educators are discussing needed changes but this is the ideal time to put things into place ... and not just temporarily. Take a listen and let me know what you think.
Apr 05, 2020•3 min
