Explore every episode of the podcast School Me

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

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

Mentioned in this episode:

• Safe Zone policies - https://www.nea.org/resource-library/safe-zone-school-districts
• NEA’s Immigration Resource Hub - https://www.nea.org/resource-library/guidance-immigration-issues
• Open letter to Higher Ed admin - https://www.nea.org/open-letter-protect-speech-college-and-university-campuses
• Legal resources for immigrant educators
  • https://iamerica.org/legal-help/
  • https://ailalawyer.com/

The Trump administration is waging war against diversity, equity, and inclusion. But what does that mean for educators when it comes to discussing race, equity, and history in the classroom? How can schools continue to foster inclusive learning environments despite these restrictions? Alice O’Brien, general counsel for the National Education Association, walks through your rights, risks, and opportunities to push back against anti-equality policies and fear tactics.

With the rise of social media and constant online communication, bullying is affecting students in new, pervasive ways, and schools are often on the front lines of addressing it. Madeline Micou, a middle school counselor with over two decades of experience in education, shares her insights on the realities of cyberbullying, how it differs from traditional bullying, and what educators and families can do to combat it effectively.

A conversation with Kwame Alexander: a poet, educator, and best-selling author of The Crossover, Booked, The Door of No Return, and so many other books that have inspired young readers across the country. In celebration of NEA’s Read Across America, Kwame has teamed up with NEA for a unique project—bringing literature and music together with a jazz-infused reading of The Crossover. You can hear Kwame’s special 10th anniversary reading at https://www.nea.org/crossover.

In 2020, collective bargaining for public sector workers returned to Virginia after a nearly 50-year ban—a huge win for Virginia educators. But change doesn't happen overnight. Fairfax Education Association President Leslie Houston joins the show to talk about how educators in Fairfax, Virginia came together to create their first collective bargaining agreement since the ban, and what other districts can do to bring similar wins to their schools.

Read more from Mary Ellen about how low pay affects education across the nation, and how unions are helping educators get the pay increases they deserve:

https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/dear-educators-youre-still-not-paid-enough

As the nation’s largest labor union, we stand in solidarity with the Costco Teamsters in their fight for a fair contract. Just as we fight for the rights and dignity of educators and their communities, we proudly stand with all workers demanding the wages and benefits they deserve.

Learn more about the Washington Education Association’s Apprenticeship Residency in Teaching https://www.washingtonea.org/events-training/residency/

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

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

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

Mentioned in this episode:

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

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.

Learn more about Community Schools at NEA.org/CommunitySchools

Mentioned in this episode:

• https://www.nea.org/individuals-with-disabilities
• Course: “Disability Representation: Historical Perspectives and the Impact of Media”. The course is free for NEA members and $39.99 for non-members. https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/professional-learning/resources/disability-rights-and-inclusion-online-learning-opportunity
• Disability-friendly Language:  Words Matter! Disability Language Etiquette | NEA

In this episode, we explore the invaluable partnership between Education Support Professionals (or ESPs) and new and aspiring educators in schools. Our guests, Joie Moore, an ESP from Ohio, and Demetrius Dove, an aspiring educator from Georgia, share their insights and experiences in fostering strong partnerships within the school community.

View photos of the class in action and more from NEA Today here.

Read more about AP African American Studies: https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/what-really-happens-ap-african-american-studies

 

Read the latest article about the gun violence epidemic from NEA Today: https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/we-can-change-educators-take-gun-violence

Also mentioned in this episode:

• https://www.nea.org/gunviolence
• Educationvotes.nea.org
• NEA Action Center
• Donate to the NEA PAC

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Center for Educator Wellness and Learning

Mentioned in this episode:

• https://www.nea.org/student-debt-support
• https://www.neamb.com/products/nea-student-debt-navigator

Mentioned in this episode:

• Take the Rise Up Pledge: https://www.glsen.org/riseup
• Ask Congress to Rise Up: https://act.glsen.org/a/congress-rise-up-2023
• Rise Up Proclamation Map: https://maps.glsen.org/rise-up-proclamations/
• State and Local Rise Up Proclamation toolkit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jEaB3suSlfuX42aBc1xSeR54_hEiLfWcocuz2Rt8qro/edit

Student behavior is a major challenge for educators these days, and it’s more important than ever to learn how to respond to those behaviors in a compassionate, effective, and safe way. To discuss these strategies, Rosa DiPiazza, a school psychologist and behavioral specialist in Delaware, joins the show.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Find "A Land of Books: Dreams of Young Mexihcah Word Painters" on this year's Read Across America Calendar!  
• Take action on book banning - https://educationvotes.nea.org/bannedbooks/
• Pen America - https://pen.org/
• Every Library - https://www.everylibrary.org/
• Learn more about Duncan and his books - https://duncantonatiuh.com/

Parents, guardians, and family members are essential parts of every school community—Their involvement can not only improve the learning experience for students but also the working conditions of educators. To discuss how family engagement can be a game changer for educators, Maria Miranda, current UTLA Elementary Vice President, joins the podcast.

Teachers are making $3,644 less, on average, than they did 10 years ago, adjusted for inflation. In this episode, two guests who were part of successful efforts to win higher pay for educators in their states share their experiences, strategies, and insights on how they and their fellow union members achieved victory, and share how you can do the same in your state.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Member-to-member organizing article: https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/educators-are-stronger-together-0

From free speech rights to religious freedom, equal access to education, and the delicate balance between privacy and safety, the legal intricacies and real-world implications of Supreme Court rulings cannot be understated. Alice O’Brien, NEA’s General Counsel, returns to the show to discuss the recent Supreme Court decisions that have had major effects on our country and what they mean specifically for educators and students.

Mentioned in this episode:

 Read the full Educator Advocacy Rights report: https://www.nea.org/advocacy-rights

Alice O'Brien, NEA’s General Counsel, is back to give an update on Florida's "Don't Say Gay" and "Don't Say They" laws, and discuss which states have been following in its footsteps by introducing their own discriminatory laws.

Each year, the NEA searches the country for school support staff who are going above and beyond for their students, their school, and their communities, and names one outstanding member as the National Education Support Professional (ESP) of the Year. Pamella Johnson, a Behavioral Interventionist from Washington state, was given this prestigious honor in 2023. Learn about the path that led to her career in education, how she became NEA’s ESP of the Year, and what she’ll be focused on this year as a spokesperson for ESPs and issues affecting ESP nationwide.

• Article: Standardized Testing is Still Failing Students
• https://www.mciea.org/
• https://www.edcommonwealth.org/

Follow Jess Hawk on social media:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@myteacherface
• https://www.instagram.com/myteacherface/

Leslie Hu, a Community School Coordinator in San Francisco, discusses the benefits of the community school model, how it differs from traditional public schools, and how educators can start transforming their own schools into vibrant community hubs.

How does special education connect to a safe, welcoming, and inclusive school? In this episode, Leonne talks with life skills and peer tutoring special education teacher Niels Pasternak (Eugene EA) to answer this question. Niels is also the Chair of the OEA Special Education Committee and the Executive Director of Educational Equity Now. For Niels, special education is all about inclusivity, serving all students, and helping all students feel like they fit in. To do this, he recommends focusing on students' needs, strengths, and interests. Neils also points to approaches like differentiated instruction and Universal Design for Learning because when it comes to education, one size doesn't fit all. Leonne and Niels also discuss the power of life skills and peer tutoring programs in their schools. Finally, Niels explains the work of the OEA Special Education Committee, the OEA Educator Empowerment Academy, and the member resources provided by both.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Center for Educator Wellness and Learning

Celebrate diverse readers and diverse stories with Read Across America! https://readacrossamerica.org/

Pre-K is more than just daycare — it prepares students for a lifetime of learning. Amber Pagan, a Pre-K teacher in Kansas, discusses the importance of Pre-K education, the rigor of pre-k curriculum, and the professional skills required to teach our youngest students each day.

Mentioned in this episode:

Rethinking Schools

The Zinn Education Project

Too Dope Teachers and a Mic Podcast

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• View the CASEL SEL Framework
• Self-Reflection Exercise
• The CASEL School Guide
• NEA's SEL Resources 

Find  resources to support LGBTQ+ students from GLSEN here: https://www.glsen.org/

Get more information about micro-credentials here. 

Learn about NEA's Aspiring Educators Program here. 

Find every episode of this series and relevant resources here.