The Counter Narrative: Changing the Way We Talk (and think) About Education podcast

Episode 130: Pause to Ponder - Wakanda Worries

The #BlackPanther franchise has been a source of #inspiration for many fans of the #MCU. But what happens when a potentially damaging & divisive message is portrayed?

Nov 18, 2022•18 min•Ep. 130

Episode 129: Interview with Connie Hamilton

In this episode, I chat with Connie Hamilton, who has served as a teacher, coach, principal, and central office leader. She continues to devote her time to supporting teachers and leaders to implement quality instructional methods through her collaboration with educational organizations and the numerous books she has written. During our conversation, we explored allyship across difference through the lens of a white female. While I know that this may initially sound controversial, we wanted list...

Nov 11, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 129

Episode 128: Pause to Ponder - Lacoste ... Black or No?

Jean Lacoste was a French tennis player and business man who went by the nickname "The Crocodile" which ended up serving as the iconic logo on his clothing line. He was an accomplished tennis player having won several cups and was considered the number one player in the world in both 1926 and 1927. Lacoste even earned a bronze medal in the 1924 Olympics. Despite all of the accolades and public recognition, there exists a lingering mystery that still causes debates within some circles today. Was ...

Nov 04, 2022•13 min•Ep. 128

Episode 127: Interview with TaRael Kee

In this episode, I chat with TaRael Kee, an Assistant Principal at Collinsville High School, a site-based trainer for the American School Counselor Association, and the Past-President of the Illinois School Counselor Association. He is the Founder of The Kee to Success YouTube Channel/Podcast and Successful Shopping Online Store. TaRael is also a published author. He was named the Collinsville School District e-Educator of the Year (2017), recognized by College Board in (2018), received the Lind...

Oct 28, 2022•42 min•Ep. 127

Episode 126: Pause to Ponder - Principal Appreciation 2022

Leadership can be lonely ... but only if you are doing it wrong. Join me in this reflection as I urge our educational leaders to use this time to build their networks so that they are not moving through this journey alone.

Oct 21, 2022•11 min•Ep. 126

Episode 125: Interview with Starr Sackstein

In this episode, I chat with Starr Sackstein, a recovering perfectionist who is an assessment reforming enthusiast. Currently, she is the COO of Mastery Portfolio, an Edtech Startup committed to helping schools move to Standard-Based communication. Additionally, she works with teacher teams to engage students in the learning process, advocate for personal growth, and effectively use student data to drive instruction. Starr was a high school English and journalism teacher for 16 years, a lead Hum...

Oct 14, 2022•49 min•Ep. 125

Episode 124: Pause to Ponder - It's All Relative

As parents, we all want to believe that our children are special, that they are unique, and that they are smart. But how would you respond if you were told that the level of your child's intelligence would be contingent upon those with whom your child went to school? That say, for example, your child would be considered gifted at one school because your child's academic abilities were beyond those of your child's peers but would qualify for special education services in another setting because t...

Oct 07, 2022•14 min•Ep. 124

Episode 123: Interview with John Whalen

In this episode, I chat with John Whalen, a leading Restorative Practices pioneer in both theory and application. He has trained thousands of teachers, staff, and students throughout the United States. He is an innovator in professional development and training. John has spoken at numerous national education conferences including ASCD Empower, ASCD Leadership Conference, the ESEA Conference, National Association of Community and Restorative Justice Conference, the Music City SEL Conference, and ...

Sep 30, 2022•53 min•Ep. 123

Episode 122: Pause to Ponder - Where Have All the Folktales Gone?

Folktales are a central part of our educational systems ... especially in the early grades. However, these tales reflect the Eurocentric ideologies that drive these institutions causing a large part of our population to abandon and forget the stories rooted in their respective cultural pasts. What can we do to reverse this trend?

Sep 23, 2022•15 min•Ep. 122

Episode 121: Interview with Shaun Woodly

In this episode, I chat with Shaun Woodly, a decorated K-12 teacher, university professor, and author whose deep passion and research have allowed him great success as an educator and entrepreneur. He is the architect behind the educator movement “Teach Hustle Inspire” and has written the best-selling book “MC Means Move the Class: How to Spark Engagement and Motivation in Urban and Culturally Diverse Classrooms”. In both education and life, Dr. Woodly believes in having fun! He educates with lo...

Sep 16, 2022•41 min•Ep. 121

Episode 120: Pause to Ponder - The Duality of Resiliency

Resiliency is often used to describe strong individuals ... those who push through the toughest of obstacles and emerge victorious. For many, it has become a badge that is worn with honor - a symbolic representation that they were able to overcome. But what if resiliency isn't always necessary? What if, resiliency is the necessary byproduct of functioning in a dysfunctional world? In this episode, I explore this concept as it relates to our students and their families and question whether or not...

Sep 09, 2022•17 min•Ep. 120

Episode 119: 7 Mindshifts for Educational Leaders

In this episode I chat with three phenomenal guests. T.J. Vari, Connie Hamilton, and Joseph Jones have experience as building and district school leaders. They have authored or co-authored nine books, including their most recent publication with Corwin Press, 7 Mindshifts for School Leaders. T.J. Vari is the Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools and District Operations in the Appoquinimink School District in Delaware. He’s also a co-author on 5 books for school leaders, including two Cor...

Sep 02, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 119

Episode 118: Pause to Ponder - O say can you see...

America is many things and none of those things are mutually exclusive. Why then, do we often apply that same principal to those who respond differently to patriotic symbolism? In this episode, I explore some of the history behind our nation's anthem and why I struggle with supporting it considering the language it contains. Does that make me Un-American or less patriotic?

Aug 26, 2022•16 min•Ep. 118

Episode 117: Interview with Dan Wolfe

In this episode, I chat with Dan Wolfe, an educational leader who has served in Pasco County, Florida for more than 20 years. During this time, he has held roles as a teacher, instructional coach and administrator. He is currently an Assistant Principal at Sunray Elementary. Dan was selected as Pasco County’s District Teacher of the Year in the 2011-2012 school year and he is a part of the district’s Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Committee that recently established Pre-K through Grade 12 S...

Aug 19, 2022•54 min•Ep. 117

Episode 116: More than Cliches?

Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations. I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office. -- Vote for my session,...

Aug 12, 2022•12 min

Episode 115: Interview with Vernon Wright

In this episode, I chat with Vernon Wright, an entrepreneur, speaker, life coach, consultant, and leader. He has over 18 years of experience in education working in large, urban school districts and has previously served in the roles of teacher, teacher leader, campus leadership team member, and district-level support. Vernon has shared his experiences as a speaker numerous times over the years at the campus, district, regional, state levels, and beyond garnering acclaim and accolades from recog...

Aug 05, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 115

Episode 114: Pause to Ponder - Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

What happens when you are torn between leaving a company and serving your community? Listen as I share my decision to walk away after 10 years of working at the same company.

Jul 29, 2022•12 min•Ep. 114

Episode 113: Interview with Jed Stefanowicz

In this episode, I chat with Jed Stefanowicz, a Digital Learning Coach in Walpole, Massachusetts who provides job-embedded professional development and instructional coaching for academic technology. Through conferences, workshops, and coaching, Jed aims to engage and build staff/student digital learning capacity, keeping the focus on practice over product. As a 25 year elementary educator, speaker, blogger, and current Massachusetts Teach Plus Policy Fellow, Jed shares his passion for effective...

Jul 22, 2022•47 min•Ep. 113

Episode 112: Pause to Ponder - Tell Your Story

What is your story? Have you shared it? What is a lesson that you learned? Have you shared it? What we often consider normal just may be someone else's breakthrough. It is our duty to put out this information so that we can continue improving our field.

Jul 15, 2022•10 min•Ep. 112

Episode 111: Interview with Rabia Khokar

In this episode, I chat with Rabia Khokar, an elementary teacher in Toronto and an education and equity consultant at Rabia Teaches. She is also a PhD student at the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education. Her research interests include equitable education, curriculum, and children’s literature. Rabia is passionate about ensuring schools are inclusive spaces where all students with their multiple and intersectional identities are reflected, represented, included and seen through an asset base...

Jul 08, 2022•41 min•Ep. 111

Episode 110: Pause to Ponder - The NY Yankees and Teacher Retention

Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations. I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office. -- This episode is a pa...

Jul 01, 2022•14 min•Ep. 110

Episode 109: Interview with Zachary Korth

Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations. I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office. -- In this episode, I c...

Jun 24, 2022•40 min•Ep. 109

Episode 108: Pause to Ponder - My Hopes for Juneteenth

Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations. I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office. -- This weekend marks t...

Jun 17, 2022•15 min•Ep. 108

Episode 107: Interview with Carmen Daniel

In this episode, I chat with Carmen Daniel, the Owner and Founder of Dare 2 Dream: College & Career Consulting in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Carmen is a third-generation teen mom and first-generation college graduate. She believes that in order to break the generational curses and a perceived deficit thinking plaguing underrepresented students and communities, that educational policies, leadership, and financing, must be free of systemic racism and oppression. As a graduate of the Cleveland Height...

Jun 10, 2022•41 min

Episode 106: Pause to Ponder: Race-Based Grading

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Jun 03, 2022•18 min

Episode 105: Podcast Collaboration with Conceptually Speaking

Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations. I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office. -- This episode is a po...

May 27, 2022•49 min•Season 6Ep. 21

Episode 104: Pause to Ponder - Be A Man!

Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations. I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office. -- This episode is a pa...

May 20, 2022•17 min•Season 6Ep. 20

Episode 103: Interview with Dr. LaQuanta Nelson

In this episode, I chat with Dr. LaQuanta Nelson, a former guest of ours on Inside the Principal’s Office and The Boss (you’ll hear more about that later). She has served in education as a mentor, motivational speaker, teacher, assistant principal, and principal over the last 17 years and currently serves as Principal of Magnolia Middle School in Moss Point, Mississippi. Dr. Nelson believes in empowering scholars and all educators on their journey to greatness. She has found a true passion in wo...

May 13, 2022•39 min•Season 6Ep. 19

Episode 102: Pause to Ponder - Star Wars & Mental Health

What do Star Wars and Mental Health have in common? Apparently a lot more than I originally thought. Though I am a fan of the series and recognized the iconic quotes that can easily be attributed to most areas of life, I never stopped to consider their connection to mental health. Considering that I recorded this on May 4th and that May is Mental Health Awareness Month, it made sense to combine the two into an episode. Thank you to MensLine Australia that wrote the article which inspired this ep...

May 06, 2022•18 min•Season 6Ep. 18

Episode 101: Interview with Anurupa Ganguly

Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations. I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office. -- In this episode, I c...

Apr 29, 2022•46 min•Season 6Ep. 17

The Counter Narrative: Changing the Way We Talk (and think) About Education

Episodes