Have you ever wondered why the rich and powerful seem to have so many opinions about public education, especially when neither they nor their children have attended public schools? This is the first of a two-part series exploring how the rich and powerful are cashing out on public education. Today, we’re looking at the big picture: the historical, decades-long agenda by wealthy donors and corporate interests to privatize schools, weaken unions, and limit what educators can teach. Our guest is Lisa Graves, founder and Executive Director of True North Research.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Join the Movement for Paid Student Teaching

Learn more about Read Across America, and access the calendar: https://www.nea.org/readacrossamerica

Check out Simon B. Rhymin' : https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/read-across-america/find-your-book/simon-b-rhymin

Courtney Dooley & Tameka Mays are a teacher and paraeducator team who’ve spent 2 years together in their math and science classroom in Newcastle, DE. They share their tips about the teacher/paraeducator relationship and how to get the most out of it while supporting students.

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Tricia Lucie & Whitney Barber share school year preparation tips from the perspectives of a classroom teacher and a paraeducator. This dynamic duo exemplifies a supportive and successful teacher-paraeducator relationship.

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Candace Gautney, a high school testing coordinator in Tallahassee, FL, and a 15 year educational professional, talks about gauging student progress and ways new educators can reach out to their coordinators for support within instruction and testing environments.

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Melody Andrews, a high school English teacher and student leadership mentor in Dumfries, VA, talks about working with student leaders in the classroom and providing them with the tools they need to help them in the future.

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Andrea Beeman, an 18-year paraeducator from Maple Heights, OH, shares the ins and outs of professional development for ESP and the benefits of PD.

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Erika Fehr, a general elementary school paraeducator in Helena, MT, talks about the virtue of patience and keeping that tranquil mindset in the classroom.

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Willie Shelby, a literacy specialist from Montgomery, AL, talks about engaging young readers in the classroom and helping them to nourish that love of reading for life.

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Saul Ramos, a 20 year paraeducator from Massachusetts, shares his path to leadership as an ESP and practice as a paraeducator.

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Kadrien Wilson, only three years out of college and teaching 3rd grade in NC, shares her advice for new career educators and tips as a new and young professional.

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Felicia Raney, a language arts teacher from Camden, OH with 21 years under her belt, shares her advice about the importance of union memberships for early career educators and being active in your union.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Pensions, Explained for Educators - https://www.nea.org/resource-library/pensions-explained-educators

Frequently Asked Questions about Pensions - https://www.nea.org/resource-library/frequently-asked-questions-about-pensions

Jada Jackson, a current mathematics coach from Columbus, OH and 21 year classroom veteran, discusses tips to help teachers get through that “mid-year slump.”

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Callie Marksbary, an elementary school educator in Lafayette, IN, and Patty Barrette, director of professional development at North Dakota United, discuss ‘The Model Code of Educator Ethics’ and navigating the use of social media and technology for new teachers.

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Jermaine Guinyard, a former college athlete from Ohio State turned physical education teacher and coach, discusses how sports can play a key role in student academic success – not just a great foundation for physical health.

David May, a middle school teacher from San Bernardino, CA with 9 years of teaching under his belt, shares tips and techniques for connecting with students, and when educators can show their personality. Are you allowed to smile before December? School Me dives into the answer.

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Michelle Holloway, a special education teacher from Mobile, AL, discusses getting through the first day of school and quelling those first day jitters.

Annette Romano, a veteran educator with 31 years of experience from New York, shares tips for lesson planning for new and early career educators.

Carmen Hill, a career school nurse who’s covered K-12, talks about taking on leadership roles within your school as an education support professional.

Rebecca Gamboa, a fifth grade teacher with 22 years of experience from Illinois, discusses the best practices for connecting with disadvantaged students and how to get those students involved in the classroom along with their families.

Rebecca Marquis-Cihak, a 26-year classroom veteran from Sacramento, CA, talks about change and growth in the classroom as well as transforming professionally and along-side technology throughout your career.

Rodney Jordan, a new assistant principal in Fairfax, VA, discusses the relationship between new administrators and new educators and offers his insights on transitioning from a teaching position to an administrative position.

Check out NEA.org/SeeEducatorsRun for more information about taking the first step toward holding public office.

Corinna Owlsey, an 8th grade history and science teacher from Springfield, Illinois, shares her tips for practicing self care as an educator and why it’s important to start early in your career.

Cheryl Dembroksi, a former Maryland kindergarten teacher, shares the top five things new educators should do this summer to make the most of time off and prepare for the school year ahead.

Cassandra Daniels, from Columbus, OH has taught K-8th grade in her 17 year career, discusses dealing with behavioral challenges in the classroom.

Toby Murphy, who’s spent 10 years as a language arts teacher in New Jersey, addresses hindsight bias – he’s traveling back to the beginning of his career to find out what he wishes he knew then and what he might do differently if given the chance.

Robert Rodriguez, a 15-year educator and now special education teacher from San Bernadino, CA, talks best approaches and strategies when it comes to having difficult meetings with parents.

Carol Peak, an education support professional from Ventura, CA, talks about the critical role ESP play as part of the education team and how both early career and new ESP can find their voice.

Java Robinson, currently a second grade teacher from Montgomery County, MD with 25 years of experience, discusses forming positive relationships with students and parents.

Mitzie Higa, currently a curriculum coordinator and new teacher mentor with 17 years of classroom experience, shares her insights about working with the administrators in your school and making sure they have your back.

April Reisma has almost 13 years of teaching under her belt; she started teaching but took a break for another career. Now back to teaching, she shares perspectives gained during her time away.

Dan Jordan, an elementary school teacher from Seattle, discusses how to incorporate humor in the classroom and use as a relationship builder and learning tool.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Report of the NEA Task Force on Artificial Intelligence in Education
• Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence in Schools
• aiEDU

Michele Johnson, currently a middle school principal in Prince George’s County MD, shares tips for parent meetings, adding insight as both a classroom teacher and administrator.

Zach Patterson, a math and pre-engineering teacher in Ohio, talks about surviving his first year in the classroom, and offers a fresh look about finding your passion.

LaShone Allen, a 19-year classroom veteran from Charlotte, North Carolina, shares her experiences and how she found the best mentors to help her in her career.

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In this episode of our School Me podcast series, Cheryl Martin, a veteran educator from Arizona, discusses best techniques and strategies for classroom management

Christopher Ho, currently a student activities coordinator on the big island of Hawaii, addresses challenging moments on the two-way street known as respect – with students, parents, and administrators.

Rowena Shurn, an 11-year veteran educator from Prince George’s County, MD, talks about tips for making it past the crucial 5 year mark in teaching.

See photos from the kitchen, the transcript, and more here.

Learn more about the ESP Bill of Rights campaign: http://nea.org/espbillofrights 

Defending the right to learn about our country’s full history naturally includes defending the right to learn about Black history. As certain politicians seek to ban books by Black authors and ban courses that teach the truth about the Black experience in America, we are fighting back to ensure all students have access to an honest education. One of NEA’s partners in this work is Color Of Change, a racial justice organization committed to building power and making justice real for Black people. Today’s guest, Rashad Robinson, is the President of Color Of Change.

Read the report, "The Legal and Pedagogical Case for Culturally Responsive and Racially Inclusive Public Education for All Students".

Danielle's Book Recommendations:

   - Schoolhouse Burning by Derek Black

   - Engines of Liberty by David Cole

   - The Lie That Binds by Ellie Langford

 

Read Mary Ellen's latest article, The Mental Health Crisis Among Faculty and College Staff.

Also, see The Mental Health Crisis on College Campuses.

They say that the best way to prevent a strike is to prepare for one. So how can educators successfully avoid striking, while also having their demands met? Leah VanDassor, president of the St. Paul Federation of Educators, and executive board member Quentin Wathum-Ocama discuss how St. Paul, MN educators prepared for their recent negotiations, and how you can use their example as a helpful guide for your upcoming bargain.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Tell Congress to protect Medicaid funding - https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/action-center/take-action/dont-slash-medicaid-and-childrens-health-care
• Call in and share your story - Call 866-426-2631
• Find out more about Medicaid’s impact in your school district, congressional district, or state.
• Organize locally using this toolkit: https://www.nea.org/resource-library/toolkit-ideas-organize-locally-protect-students-and-public-schools

Learn more about Community Schools at NEA.org/CommunitySchools