Warriors of Education Podcast

Episode 14: A Family's Perspective- A Conversation with the Franciamore Family about Teaching and Learning Through The Pandemic

Today we speak to James and Nnenna Franciamore who are both educators; James works in the NYCDOE as a special educator  and Nnenna as an adjunct faculty in the college of Education at GCU; she also teaches pre-k3. They are the parents of 3 children who attend NYC public schools. Their family mantra is Faith & Fun. They love God and love people and hope as a family to spread love and light in their community and to everyone they meet. We talk about the benefits and challenges of both teaching and raising their kids during this time. Recorded May 27,2020.

Episode 13: Being an Administrator in the Age of Covid- A Conversation with Joanna Cohen

Today's conversation is with Joanna Cohen, an assistant Principal at an elementary school in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. We talk about the struggles of her students and their families from an immigrant community, how they are dealing with the corona virus and food insecurity and how she and her team are partnering up to help these families in need.

Episode 12: Teaching During the Pandemic in Eugene, Oregon with Judith Tacchini

Todays episode features Judith Tacchini an 8th grade language arts teacher at Cascade Middle School in Eugene Oregon. Judy comes from a family of educators and public servants. We speak about Oregons process of planning for distance learning for all, finding hope in this foreign educational Landscape and the potential impacts of this disruption in the future of education. Recorded on May 6th,2020

Episode 11-Activists On The Front Line: A Conversation with #RedforEd Arizona leader Rebecca Garelli

In todays episode I speak to Rebecca Garelli, a leader in Arizona Educators United, and a major figure in the #RedforEd movement. We speak about her activism work as well as where the movement stands during the current situation.

Rebecca Garelli has been a professional middle school science and math educator for 16 years. She started here career in Chicago and was an active member of the Chicago Teachers Union(CTI) for 11 years. Upon moving to Arizona in 2017, she co-founded the grassroots educator group Arizona Educators United (AEU) in March of 2018 and continues to serve as a Lead Organizer. Rebecca also organizes with a newly formed national grassroots educator group called National Educators United (NEU), and is focused on coordinating national actions and hosting national Town Halls regarding a safe return to school, equitable distance learning, fighting austerity, and building statewide educators groups. You can learn more about NEU efforts: 

FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nationaleducatorsunited/

Web: nationaleducatorsunited.org

Twitter: @NEUSolidarity

IG: neusolidarity

Episode 10: Conversation with Comedian, Solo Performer and Teacher Susan Jeremy

In todays episode we meet Susan Jeremy an at home special needs teacher, as well as an an award winning solo performer, playwright and character specialist who has been featured in festivals such as Montreal’s Just For Laughs, Charleston’s Piccolo Spoleto Festival, Dublin’s Gay Theater Festival, Edinburgh Fringe, and Vancouver’s Comedy Festival. We talk about how her experiences as a teacher have contributed to her shows and how she is dealing with remote learning these days.    You can find out all about her at www.susanjeremy.com.

Episode 9: A Conversation with Lori Burris:union president and organizer of the Oklahoma teacher walkout

Today we speak to Lori Burris, President of the Mid Del Association of Classroom Teachers- the local union in Oklahoma.  She is 29 year veteran teacher of special needs children and a local activist who was a major figure in the Oklahoma Teacher Walkout of 2018.  We talk about the conditions that led to the walkout, what they accomplished as well as how teachers in Oklahoma are dealing with the pandemic.

Episode 8: A Conversation with Katy Cocovinis, educator and executive director of New York Allstars

In this episode we have an in depth conversation with Katy Cocovinis a professional teaching artist, and entrepreneur  Katy is the founding member of New York All Stars, where she leads performing arts programs and trains aspiring young performers pursuing professional opportunities. We discuss the advantages of remote learning and how the epidemic is affecting small businesses. Check out New York AllStars  at https://newyorkallstars.org

Episode 7: A Conversation with NYC Special Education Teacher and Union Activist Ryan Bruckenthal

In today's episode we discuss the state of education and the personal stories of Ryan Bruckenthal a public school special education teacher in New York City. He is a union activist in the United Federation of Teachers and the Movement of Rank-and-File Educators in New York City. 

Episode 6: Conversations with Brooklyn teacher and organizer Patrick Johnson

Today we speak to Patrick Johnson a high school biology teacher teaching in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn,NY.  He is an activist and organizer as well as a candidate for NYC Council. We talk about the struggles of remote learning on lower income communities. You can find out about his child-centered and people powered campaign at PatrickForBrooklyn.com

Episode 5: A Conversation with Fanny Sosenke, private school teacher in Manhattan

Todays conversation is with Fanny Sosenke a 37 year veteran teacher currently working at The Chapin School- an all girls private school on the Upper East Side of NYC. We discuss what it's like to be teaching in a private setting as well as the pros and cons of remote learning during the pandemic. You can also catch Fanny in our documentary film Warriors of Education! Recorded on April 10,2020.