Warriors of Education Podcast

Season 2 Episode 6: One Man's Quest To Revolutionize Education, A Conversation With Principal Amen Rahh

In S2E6 I speak to Principal Amen Rahh,  a principal, speaker, author and a leader in the education revolution. A proud Compton native he has transformed the educational experience through his creation of a unique house system (in the spirit of Harry Potter!) by building an aspirational culture using 4 major values: advocacy, friendship, courage and motivation.  He has partnered with the LA Clippers,Think Watts, Apple, Planet Fitness and many more organizations all to better his school community.  We also talk about his recent book called Revolutionary School Culture: The 6 Principals of Unlocking Your School's Hidden Treasure.

Amen Mandela Rahh is known as the Revolutionary Principal for how he has built and founded University Pathways Public Service Academy "The U" an urban public school in South Central Los Angeles. Principal Rahh distinguished himself in the classroom and as an educational change agent. As a middle school teacher in Watts, CA, he was selected as the turnaround teacher which ultimately helped him obtain his position as dean of students. As a principal, he founded one of the most highly-regarded schools in the area by students and parents.

Currently, Principal Rahh is one of the most engaging speakers for transforming the way schools serve their at-promise student populations in America.

Season 2 Episode 5: Why Self Care For Teachers Is More Important Than Ever: A Conversation WIth "The Deviant Teacher "Nancy Ynchaustegui

On S2E5 I speak to Nancy Ynchaustegui, also known as The Deviant Teacher, about her journey from 8th grade science teacher and teacher of the year to becoming a self care coach with an emphasis on healing your mind and body so you are at your best in in your life and in front of the classroom.

Nancy is a health and fitness coach that helps busy people prioritize their well being unapologetically so that they can feel like themselves again or for the first time ever. She is also a middle school science teacher that inspires her students to create a life they love. She had the honor of being named teacher of the year for 2019-2020. Nancy’s goal is to share her knowledge and expertise with as many people as possible and help them apply it to their lives, because their health journey is unique. When not in her classroom or with her students, you’ll either find her on the dance floor, in nature, or on a plane.

Check out Nancy's website http://www.thedeviantteacher.com/  

You can also find her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedeviantteacher/ and on Facebook @thedeviantteacher 

 

Season 2 Episode 4: Working Together To Create Equity In Education: A Conversation With Kaliris Salas-Ramirez

In E4S2 I speak to Kaliris Salas- Ramirez, a neuroscientist, professor at CUNY School of Medicine and a parent whose efforts have been focused on racial justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. We speak about her tireless efforts to bring equality in education for her children and the difficult conversations that are necessary about how race plays into education, with the goal of elevating the voices of marginalized communities.

Kaliris Y. Salas-Ramirez is at the CUNY School of Medicine as Distinguished Medical Lecturer. There she conducts research on sex specific interventions for cognitive decline as a result of illicit or therapeutic drug exposure.  As the co-chair of the Inclusive Excellence Council at CSOM she has begin to integrate conversations of equity and bias for students, faculty and staff supporting the school’s anti-racist mission. She is a board member for the non-profit Future of Science and wants to champion, engage and empower early career researchers with evidence-based resources to improve the research endeavor. There she leads the “anti-racism in STEM” workgroup. Finally, when Dr. Salas became a Mom that empowered her to go beyond being a student advocate, but to become an organizer and activist fighting for equity in public education. Her sons fuel her work in the Department of Education as a parent leader and activist. She has received awards for her activism and service to her institution as a leader in equity and is the president of her local school board. Dr. Salas aspires to use her platform as a neuroscientist, Puerto Rican, woman and mother to support anti-oppressive work and changing systems. 

*** There is strong language in this episode not intended for children

 

Season 2 Episode 3:Working Through Teacher Burnout: A Conversation With "The Burned In Teacher" Amber Harper

In S2E3 I speak to Amber Harper known as "The Burned In Teacher" about her work as a coach and inspiration to teachers who have experienced burn out. We talk about how burnout became a leading concern amongst teachers during the pandemic. " I stand by the belief that we must look at burnout as an opportunity for growth and change, not a sentence of misery. I can share my story and what led me to create Burned-In Teacher and some simple first steps teachers can take to process their burnout, rather than fight against it."

Amber Harper is an educator, author, speaker, podcaster, and Teacher Burnout Coach.  She’s the founder of www.burnedinteacher.com, author of Hacking Teacher Burnout, host of The Burned-In Teacher Podcast. Amber is dedicated to empowering burned-out teachers to believe that they deserve and can achieve a happier and more fulfilled career and life with her 8-step BURNED-IN process. You can find her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn under The Burned In Teacher.

 

 

 

Season 2 Episode 2: Teaching Near the Front Lines Of The George Floyd Trial: A Conversation With Minnesota Teacher Jessie Rodriguez

In S2E2 I speak to Jessie Rodriguez, a 4th Grade Teacher at a charter school around the corner of the murder and trial of George Floyd. She talks about her first year at this new school, handling the pandemic under the shadows of the George Floyd murder, protests and trial.  "It was important to separate facts from opinions. We talked about how the situation was handled and we put ourselves in their shoes".

Jessie Rodriguez is a  25 year old teacher from California (Los Angeles). She went to Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff Arizona. Her first 2 years of teaching was in Phoenix Arizona at a title 1 school. I have taught 4th and 5th grade. I moved to Minneapolis Minnesota in May 2020. She is  currently working at a title 1 Charter School in Minneapolis, 5 blocks from where George Floyd was murdered.   The grocery store that he was murdered at is my students local grocery store, buildings that were burning, were my students buildings. Protests happened on the streets outside their buildings and the national guard was posted on the corner of their streets..  Recorded on May 24, 2021

Some of the resources she speaks about are:The Headspace App for Mindfulness, and https://www.pbs.org/parents/talking-about-racism

Her Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/msjrod4thgrade/

Episode 1 Season 2 Creating Space and Speaking Your Truth:A Conversation With The AfroEducator Alexis Shepard

In the first episode of Season 2, I speak to "The AfroEducator" Alexis Shepard from South Carolina about her experience as a coach and an educator  dealing with the pandemic and creating conversations around racial inequality. Her ideas range from " creating space to process trauma" as well as how to present to your district/administration on how to invest in curriculum that addresses implicit bias

Alexis Shepard is a veteran educator from South Carolina. She has 9 years of experience in the elementary and middle school settings. Alexis is no stranger to burn out. After multiple encounters with burn-out, a desire to take steps towards more personal and professional development began the journey of teacher self-care and wellness. She created The AfroEducator to facilitate connections with like minded educators.  She champions teacher self-care through education, reflection, and dialogue.  Alexis believes that by sharing stories, she can inspire and empower teachers to teach and live authentically.

You can find her at @theafroeducator on instagram, https://www.facebook.com/theafroeducator,@theafroeducator on twitter and her website www.theafroeducator.com

 

Episode 38: How Do Teachers Teach With Less Turbulence: A Conversation With Author And Teacher Meredith Newlin

In our final episode in Season 1 of Warriors of Education we speak to Meredith Newlin, a teacher, blogger, author, and creator of The Transformed Teacher a podcast and online community dedicated to "help motivate and inspire educators to rediscover—and keep— their joy for the teaching profession".  We talk about how teachers can practice self care in this very turbulant time and where they can find inspiration through community. She is also the author of the book Captured Fireflies: Truths, Mistakes, And Other Gifts Of Being an English Teacher, which explores her own journey from teacher to practitioner.

Meredith Newlin is in her 16th year teaching . She has written unit plans for blogs such as the Duke University Teachers Workshop and has presented at Teacher Self-Care Conference and the Educators 2 Educators Reboot Conferences. She is also currently a Mental Health Changemaker Fellow for ASSET Education. Check out her website: https://www.thetransformedteacher.com

We will see you back for Season 2 in January!

Episode 37:Making The Unions More Social Justice Orientated: A Conversation With Fairfax Virginia's Janette Corcelieus

In today's episode of Warriors of Education I speak to Janette Corcelius, a music educator and activist from Fairfax Virginia. Her county/district was one of the few that made the  radical choice during Covid to say they would not go back at all until there is a cure. She speaks about getting away from electoralism and neoliberalism and the need to fight on the ground because "withholding our labor is the best way to get things done."  

Janette Zahia Corcelius is a general music teacher, chorus director, & CALM instructor (Children & Schools Achieving Lifelong Mindfulness) for Fairfax County Public Schools. She's been teaching for 6 years and involved in activism for 11+ years.  She is an at-large board member of the Fairfax Education Association (FEA). She was also an integral part of creating a UCORE (United Caucuses of Rank & File Educators) chapter in Virginia called VCORE. She is also a national facilitator for National Educators United (NEU).  She is an advocate for the fine & performing arts, equity in public education, mental wellness, and social justice causes. 

 

Episode 36: When It's Time To Walk Away: A Conversation With Florida Teacher Ashley Craig

On today's episode of Warriors of Education I speak to Ashley Craig, a teacher from Orlando Florida who after 5 years of dedicated work decided to walk away from public education due to the treatment of teachers especially during Covid.  Between unsafe conditions and the constant pressure of testing she felt enough was enough. She has decided to use her voice to advocate for the teachers who remain through media coverage and social media.

Ashley has been a teacher for Orange County Public Schools for 5 years and is moving into an education related field.

Episode 35: Keeping The DOE And The Union Accountable: A Conversation With August Leppelmeier

On today's episode of Warriors of Education I speak to August Leppelmeier,  a social studies veteran teacher and activist with The New York City Department of Education He speaks about fighting to keep a democratic union and advocate authentically for each other. He urges public education allies to support S.7378 / A.10363 in the New York senate and assembly, respectively, to properly fund the schools in this time of crisis. 

August has been teaching in the schools since 2001, after a year of teaching as a college adjunct. He did graduate studies at the New School, Queens College and Adelphi University. He has been a member of the MORE caucus of the UFT since its founding in 2012 and was involved in its formation. Recorded on October 20,2020.