Books over Bars – Details, episodes & analysis

This episode kicks off a tech series focused on accessible technology in secure schools. Hosts Kaylah Holland and Anthony Martini dive into preparing devices for the new school year and introduce BreakFree Base, a brand new online community. If you're a tech specialist in this space, you won't want to miss this!

Reach out to us at podcast@breakfree-ed.org

Shownotes:

NIST password guidelines

BreakFree Base: breakfree-ed.org/base

One new thing:

AI educational platforms: DreamBox Learning Edmentum Zearn

VR platforms: ClassVR TransfrVR

In this episode we’re joined by poet Sha’Condria "iCon" Sibley and Christopher, a winning student from our 2021 Words Unlocked contest. Words Unlocked is a nationwide poetry initiative and contest sponsored by BreakFree Education during National poetry month in April for students in juvenile justice facilities.

Music from this episode was created by students and staff at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Los Angeles in 2016.

Sharnette Sims, Principal of the Consuela B. York High School, located inside the Cook County adult jail, offers some terrific tips on leadership, including how she ‘calls people in’ instead of ‘calling people out.’

A group of tech-educators share what it takes to get the internet up and running inside of youth facilities, and ensure the technology gets used to make school engaging and meaningful, not simply as a tech-based substitute for packets.

Henderson Lewis, outgoing Superintendent of New Orleans Public Schools, talks about how he sees his work in New Orleans–and ensuring that students held in detention get a quality education–as a part of the larger civil rights struggle.

A group of students from a juvenile facility in Missouri remind us how important it is to offer them choice, to trust in them, and see them as capable.

Robert Alexander, a tradesman turned teacher shares how he and a group of students designed and built a Tiny House, inside of a youth facility. You can access photos of the tiny house under "Podcasts" on our website at https://www.breakfree-ed.org/edupalooza-content.

David Domenici is the Executive Director of BreakFree Education and a longtime juvenile justice and education advocate. He joins us to talk about the many different people that play a role in a young person finding success in the juvenile justice classroom.

This episode is PART ONE of diving deep into the critical questions you need to ask before introducing new tech into your secure school environment. Hosts Kaylah Holland and Anthony Martini guide you through allowing technology into juvenile justice spaces while also keeping kids safe and secure online. Don't miss this essential guide for any tech specialist working in juvenile justice!

Shownotes:

Hapara

BreakFree Base

NoteBook LM

In this episode of Learning Lab, Christina and Kaylah sit down with Melissa Jeanty, assistant principal at Maya Angelou Academy at New Beginnings, Washington D.C.’s long-term youth facility.

Together, they explore how Melissa and her team have built a powerful culture of celebration and acknowledgment — one that helps students see themselves as capable, valued, and part of a caring community. From monthly award ceremonies and birthday shoutouts to everyday classroom wins, this conversation reveals how simple acts of recognition can transform school culture, sustain educators, and remind everyone why this work matters.

It's a conversation that highlights not only the transformative power of recognition on students but also how these moments of joy and acknowledgment refuel and sustain the adults doing this critical work. Melissa reminds us why showing up to celebrate every win is the cornerstone of effective JJ education.