Explore every episode of the podcast Books over Bars

In this episode of Learning Lab, Christina and Kaylah sit down with Morgan Gilbert, a resource teacher from Future Forward Education and Career Center at Fayette County Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Lexington, Kentucky, for a conversation about relationships, hope, and creating the best possible educational experience for young people in juvenile justice settings.

Morgan shares her commitment to building hope, providing meaningful opportunities, and refusing to accept “no” when there is a path toward something better for students. For her, the focus is on helping young people move forward from where they are today, centered on possibility, growth, and belief in what they can achieve.

Morgan reflects on how energized she has felt since participating in the BreakFree Teacher Fellowship and how that energy has translated into action in her classroom. When barriers have stood in the way of bringing in new materials and resources, Morgan has worked to find solutions, developing plans that address safety and security concerns while continuing to advocate for what her students need.

At the heart of Morgan’s approach are relationships and respect not only with students, but also with staff. She shares why taking the time to build genuine connections across the entire school community helps create a stronger, more supportive environment for young people, and how starting with relationships makes the work of teaching more effective and meaningful. Her determination is captured in a simple declaration: “This is the best year yet, and I won’t let people take that from me.” This conversation is a reminder of what can happen when educators pair hope with persistence and keep pushing to create the classrooms their students deserve.

In this episode of Learning Labs, we sit down with Nicholas Maddron, a teacher with the Collaborative for Educational Services in Massachusetts, for a conversation about relationships, authenticity, and helping young people reconnect with themselves as learners.

Nick shares how he unexpectedly found his way into juvenile justice education and why relationship-building became the foundation of his classroom practice. Throughout the conversation, he reflects on the importance of creating learning environments where students feel respected, supported, challenged, and capable of success.

As the discussion unfolds, a larger theme emerges around what might be called “The Coach Approach” — the idea that educators can encourage and hold students accountable while also refusing to give up on them. Nick talks about communicating high expectations, helping students develop confidence and pride in their work, and creating opportunities for students to take ownership over their learning.

From celebrating student work through his classroom “Wall of Fame” to simply taking the time to genuinely know his students, Nick offers practical insights and heartfelt reflections on what it means to create classrooms rooted in trust, purpose, persistence, and belief in young people.

In this special episode of Learning Lab, we’re sharing a live conversation from BreakFree Education’s Cultivate Series featuring Grammy-winning artist and poet Tarriona “Tank” Ball of Tank and the Bangas. Recorded live at Baldwin & Co. Books in New Orleans, the conversation centers on intrinsic motivation and the ways creativity, identity, and trusted relationships help young people develop resilience, purpose, and belief in themselves. Tank reflects on the role creativity has played in her own journey and discusses the importance of helping young people stay connected to their voice and humanity, even when systems attempt to define them otherwise. The episode also features student poems from Words Unlocked, BreakFree Education’s national poetry initiative. This conversation offers a powerful reminder of the healing, connection, and possibility that can emerge when we create space for young people to tell their stories and be fully themselves.

In this special episode of Learning Lab, we’re sharing a live conversation hosted by David Domenici featuring Arne Duncan and Cedric Hawkins from Chicago CRED on the transformative role restorative practices can play in schools, communities, and juvenile justice spaces. The conversation examines how restorative practices can reduce violence, strengthen relationships, and create environments where young people feel valued, supported, and seen for their full humanity. Arne and Cedric reflect on the importance of building systems rooted in trust and dignity, particularly for youth impacted by trauma and the justice system, and discuss what it takes to create communities focused on healing rather than harm. This episode offers a powerful look at how restorative practices can transform not only classrooms and schools, but the broader systems and relationships that shape young people’s lives.

In this episode of the Learning Lab, Christina and Kaylah sit down with Kimberly McKenzie, a teacher in a mid-level security facility, to explore what she calls a “why not” mentality in education. From hatching chicks and raising classroom animals to integrating AI and student-led inquiry,

Kimberly shares how creating experiences—not just lessons—builds engagement, responsibility, and real-world skills. This episode highlights how curiosity, care, and creative “side quests” can transform learning, even within the structure of standards and testing.

In this episode of the Learning Lab, Kaylah chats with Rachel Lewis, a New Orleans-based educator and leader with deep experience in trauma-informed care, restorative practices, social-emotional learning (SEL), and special education. In this conversation, Rachel reframes SEL as essential skill-building—not “soft skills,” but the tools young people need to advocate for themselves, regulate emotions, and navigate conflict.

She shares practical strategies for embedding SEL into daily classroom routines, from greeting students at the door and starting class with emotional check-ins to creating cool-down corners and modeling vulnerability as adults. Rachel also explores why SEL must be taught when students are regulated.

When practiced consistently, emotional regulation becomes like muscle memory—something students can access when they need it most. This episode highlights how building connection, teaching emotional language, and intentionally creating space for SEL can transform classroom culture and support meaningful growth for young people.

In this episode of Learning Lab, Christina and Kaylah sit down with Jackie to talk about what it means to show up with honesty, consistency, and dignity in juvenile justice classrooms. Jackie shares her journey into JJ education as a special education teacher and reflects on the importance of being real with students—naming hard truths, challenging limiting beliefs, and reminding young people that needing help is part of being human.

The conversation explores rejecting labels, honoring students as still-developing individuals, and teaching self-advocacy through consistent care and presence. Jackie’s approach is a powerful reminder that when educators meet students where they are and show up every day, real growth becomes possible.

In this episode of Learning Lab, Christina and Kaylah sit down with Chyrl Johnson, a cosmetology teacher at Macon YDC in Georgia Preparatory Academy, to explore parent engagement rooted in empathy, respect, and humanity.

Chyrl shares how treating students the way she would her own children shapes everything. Through monthly phone calls, letters home, and joyful family engagement events, she shows how consistent, caring outreach strengthens trust, increases student engagement, and sparks meaningful conversations between students and their families. Chyrl reframes parent outreach not as an obligation, but as a meaningful responsibility, grounded in the belief that families deserve to be part of their child’s story, even in secure settings.

This episode is a powerful reminder that when educators treat students as humans and families as partners, everyone benefits.

Christina and Kaylah sit down with Kimberly Molidor, an ELA teacher at the Academy for Academic Excellence Henry Wade campus, to explore multi-level teaching and the power of thematic units. Kimberly shares how flexible design, student choice, and shared themes create one cohesive classroom where students can work at different levels while moving toward common goals.

From starting small with short thematic units to identifying standards that span grade levels, this episode offers practical strategies—and encouragement—for educators navigating the complexity of multi-level classrooms.

In this episode of Learning Lab, Christina and Kaylah talk with educator Katharine Jones about the critical process of Cultivating Relationships with Secure Care. Katharine illustrates how when adults are intentionally aligned, the result is significantly calmer, more predictable classrooms for students. The conversation highlights practical alignment strategies, including establishing consistent routines, creating clear channels for daily information exchange, and explicitly sharing expectations with students so they always know what to anticipate. This practice reduces student frustration and builds trust. Katharine shares her powerful philosophy of treating every challenge as a creative opportunity, reminding us that successful partnership begins when we shift the mindset from "Don't tell me how I can't do it, tell me how I can." This episode champions a "village" mindset, emphasizing shared goals and offering concrete first steps for teachers seeking to build stronger, more unified relationships with their secure care staff.

In this episode of Learning Lab, Christina and Kaylah sit down with Ben Wiebesiek, a graphic design teacher at Lookout Academy in Colorado. Together, they explore how Ben's classroom turns student designs into real-world business assets, fostering professional skills and dignity.

Ben shares how he uses the critique process, working with authentic clients, to teach students the essential life skill of receiving and applying feedback. The conversation goes beyond design mechanics, diving into how Ben guides students to challenge misconceptions about artistic symbolism, particularly regarding colors and shapes often misidentified as gang signifiers.

Ben reminds us that by validating students’ creative choices and allowing them to explore deeper meaning, we foster resilience, professional communication, and the powerful self-expression necessary for students to feel their unique vision is seen and understood.

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.

In this episode, we sit down with Melissa Duncan, a passionate science teacher at Cammack Children's Center in West Virginia.

Melissa shares why she was drawn to Juvenile Justice education and why she believes JJ education is the best kept secret. We explore how she implemented the BreakFree initiative, Unseen. We discuss how engaging in hands-on work that is reviewed and celebrated by an authentic audience (including winning a national contest!) allows students to feel profoundly seen, challenging the negative narratives often placed upon them.

It’s a conversation about breaking misconceptions, building confidence, and activating the hidden potential of students.

In this episode, we sit down with Heidi Loening, a passionate art teacher at Travis Hill School in New Orleans. Heidi shares how she uses her classroom as a space to build a strong community and a sense of safety for her students.

We’ll also hear about Travis Hill’s annual Youth Justice Action Month (YJAM) showcase, where students share their work and stories with the wider community. Together, these practices highlight Heidi’s commitment to creating spaces where young people feel seen, heard, and valued—not just through self-expression, but through authentic opportunities to belong and be recognized.

Here's an example mood meter such as the one Heidi discusses

Travis Hill School YJAM Event Info

Book Link: Troublemakers: Lessons in Freedom from Young Children at School

In this episode, we sit down with Jessie Storrs, a teacher librarian at a youth detention facility. Jessie shares her "ask for forgiveness later" approach to innovation, including how she used board games in the library to build crucial social-emotional skills and foster student connection.

We discuss the importance of introducing students to new opportunities and how genuine teacher passion is the key to unlocking student engagement. Join us as Jessie reminds us what it takes to make a real difference in the classroom.

In this episode, we're honored to sit down with Amanda Johnson, a dedicated educator from Passages Academy in New York. Amanda shares how she creates a classroom that welcomes students in and empowers them to make it their own. We'll explore her "Real World Fridays" initiative, which turns classroom discussions into platforms for authentic, student-led conversations on big issues.

Join us as we learn from Amanda about leading with a focus on connection and creativity to create a learning environment where students feel seen, heard, and empowered.

What makes a technology program truly successful, especially in challenging, restricted spaces? In this episode of Tech Check, we're taking a '1000-foot view' to analyze the key elements that contribute to a program’s success. We'll break down the importance of devices, software, network infrastructure, and policies, but most importantly, the people who make it all happen. Join us to understand how these elements work together to create a cohesive and effective program.

Shownotes: Nothing this week.

This episode is PART TWO 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 discuss the importance of technology access for students, who needs to be involved, and the best path for getting started when implementing a new technology program.

In this special episode, we showcase the winning podcast segments from BreakFree Education's "Unspoiled" initiative, where students explored America's National Parks through creative storytelling. Listen as young learners from Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Arizona share their research and passion for places like Shenandoah, Yosemite, and Biscayne through engaging original podcasts. These segments highlight how meaningful, project-based learning can spark curiosity and give students an authentic platform to share their knowledge with the world.

Shownotes:

BreakFree Initiatives

In this episode, we're chatting with Chassidy Williams, an Educational Technology Specialist at Harris County Juvenile Probation in Houston, Texas. In this conversation, Chassidy sheds light on the often complex dynamic between school tech coaches, like herself, and facility tech directors. We'll explore the ins and outs of their relationship – is it a mentorship, a partnership, or something else entirely? Chassidy will share insights on the common challenges faced by tech directors in secure settings, and how she helps them navigate those obstacles. We'll discuss the importance of building trust, fostering collaboration, and creating a culture of innovation, even within the constraints of JJ spaces. Join us for 'Tech Without Fear,' a conversation that's sure to provide valuable perspectives for anyone working at the intersection of technology and education in challenging environments.

Ever wondered what it's like to be a teacher AND a tech coach in a juvenile justice school? In this episode of Books Over Bars, guest Ana Roper shares the complexities of educational technology in secure settings as a math teacher and tech coach. Learn about the challenges she faces, the strategies she uses to encourage tech integration, and the ways schools can better support teachers in using technology effectively.

Shownotes:

Desmos: free graphing calculator

NotebookLM

What does it take to prioritize student learning in even the most challenging environments? Join us for a conversation with Gena McGill, a dedicated educator who shares her experiences and insights on creating a student-centered classroom in a highly restricted setting. Discover how Gena advocates for her students, adapts to their unique needs, and fosters a love of learning despite the obstacles.

Can theatre-based practices help unlock the potential of confined youth? In this episode of Books Over Bars, Kaylah and Christina explore the innovative collaboration between Blake Tobey, a teaching artist, and Jodie Morgenson, a teacher in a juvenile justice school. Discover how they brought theatre-based therapeutic practices into the classroom, the impact it had on students, and the valuable skills these activities foster. Gain insights into this unique approach and learn how it can be adapted to empower youth in your classroom!

Shownotes:

Augusto Boal - Games for Actors and Non-Actors & Theatre of the Oppressed

Rehabilitation Through the Arts

Viola Spolin - Theater Games For the Classroom

“Lone nut” exercise link

Lesson Plans

How do you create a school culture where teachers thrive and students excel? Join us as we speak with Simone Garwood, a dynamic principal who shares her insights on fostering continuous improvement, holding teachers accountable with compassion, and building a school community where everyone feels valued and supported.

Show notes:

Hidden Opportunity: Youth in Detention

Intro and outro music created by students at J.C. Montgomery School in King County, CA; Mastering by NEONMYST

How can we create truly innovative tech programs within the unique environment of secure schools? In this episode of Books Over Bars, Kaylah and Anthony welcome Derek Gagnon, DYS Director of IT for the Collaborative Educational Services in Massachusetts, to explore the challenges and opportunities of bringing cutting-edge technology to juvenile justice education. Derek shares his expertise in fostering innovation, navigating security concerns, and building programs that empower students and educators. Derek provides practical advice, leaving listeners with the adage of 'trust, yet verify.'

Shownotes:

safedoc (prevents collaboration in Google Workspace)

Senso

Managing Wi-Fi networks while enrolling Chromebooks

Magicschool MagicStudent

TransfrVR (Derek’s one new thing)

ClassVR

Intro and outro music created by students at J.C. Montgomery School in King County, CA; Mastering by NEONMYST

Ready to break down the barriers between your classroom and the real world? Join us as we talk with Ruth Edge, an inspiring educator who has mastered the art of connecting her students with authentic audiences in the community. Discover how Ruth's innovative approach fosters student engagement, builds real-world skills, and makes learning relevant and meaningful.

Show notes:

9 years by K.E. (student poem)

Out of Akron (student poem + artwork)

Get ready to reimagine English class! Join Kaylah Holland and Christina Campbell as they chat with Bill Laforme, an incredible English teacher from Massachusetts, about innovative ways to engage students and create unique experiences in the classroom. Discover how Bill sparks creativity and fosters a love of literature in his students.

Show notes:

Unworldly Winners

Jason Reynolds (Author)

Rime of the Ancient Mariner

Bill’s news clippings:

A Look At Lynnfield In The American Revolution

Christmas 1941: A Surreal Time For Lynnfield

Are There Ghosts In The Old Meeting House?

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

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

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.

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.