Rock the Schools with Citizen Stewart

David Roberts aka D¬Black and host of Rock The Schools, Chris Stewart discuss education reform and how we must mentor Black students to control their narrative. David Roberts aka D-Black performs “I Apologize” live on Rock The Schools today. His spoken word piece,“I Apologize” went viral with hundreds of thousands of hits on social media. The character that D-Black portrays in “I Apologize” turns the blame on the community as the source for mediocre behavior. D-Black talks about a renewed sense of pride, forgiveness and respect for self and removing every roadblock that stands in the way of success. The conversation is directed to “rappers” who are a powerful influence on young people. The lesson here is to teach students to take control of their actions to get a better result. Chris gets into a deep conversation with David Roberts about what he should be doing to help him further this critical message.

Since her appointment as Commissioner of Education in 2010, Dr. Brenda Cassellius has endeavored to enact comprehensive education reform that will benefit every child throughout Minnesota. Her straightforward, community-driven approach toward providing the best education possible has resulted in a remarkable list of accomplishments. Under her leadership, the Minnesota Department of Education applied for and received a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law, allowing for a better, fairer, more accurate and supportive accountability system. MDE was awarded a $45 million Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge grant to further develop and strengthen early education efforts. The department was also awarded a $28.2 Federal Public Charter Schools grant to design and implement high-quality charter schools. A respected educator throughout her profession and across partisan lines, Commissioner Cassellius was critical in passing new alternative licensure; principal and teacher evaluation laws; as

The Terror attack in Orlando, FL ignited Beth to explain how school policies that promote neutrality perpetuate intolerance. See Beth’s article “A Place of Solidarity and Empowerment http://bethhawkins.org/2016/06/a-place-of-solidarity-and-empowerment/

"Sherryln Thompson is a busy wife, mother of 3, entrepreneur, and coach/ministry leader. Most of her time and energy are spent loving on her 9, 4, and 3 year old children but when she gets a moment to herself, away from the kids and work, she loves to dance." Sherryln Thompson has a great story to tell as a mom who has a special needs child, and how she went to battle advocating for him to get a great education in the public school system. Her story will uplift and encourage parents to to get involved in their child's education and not leave it up to the public education system thinking it works for your child. By observing her child's behavior when she picked him up school, she began to question what was going in the classroom all day. Unbeknownst to Sherryln, her education activism gene kicked in and she took action. Hear her story of how she ultimately found the right school with teachers that love her son.

Rock The Schools host Chris Stewart and Craig Rice engage in a deep discussion about how teachers can help develop the next wave of brilliantly talented and extraordinary students. Craig Laurence Rice is a long established educator, diverse entertainment executive, an award-winning producer and director nationally recognized for his distinguished career in the television and film industry.

Principal Hashim Yonis shares his perspective from his experience as a principal of a cultural specific charter school and the success of educating students that are at the bottom in terms of every success measurement in their public school experience. His conversation centers around a fundamental belief that all children can learn. Hashim accredits his success to his 7th grade teacher, Ms. Kobe who believed in him and loved him so much that she never gave him a pass to not learn. Ms. Kobe, inspired Hashim to become an educator.

This week, Rock The Schools will feature its most listened to podcast, episode 48, Controversy in St. Paul Public Schools with Beth Hawkins. In this episode, host Chris Stewarts talks to award-winning education journalist, Beth Hawkins in a discussion surrounding racial disparities for African-American students. Rock the Schools continues to dominate the education reform conversation around the nation. Rounding out the top 5 most listened to podcasts to date are episode 49 with Rashad Turner, episode 42 with Peter Cook, episode 43 with Alexander Russo and episode 44 with Rachel Dolezal.

Rock the Schools host Chris Stewart in an open discussion with John White, Louisiana State Superintendent of Education on how he implemented education reform in his state, Common Core, standardized testing and teacher accountability. What can other states learn from Louisiana?

Rock The Schools host Chris Stewart honors Prince’s legacy with a deep discussion with special guest jazz saxophonist Walter Chancellor, Jr., about advocating for music education in schools. Not long after his arrival in Minneapolis, Walter performed and recorded with Prince, earning a platinum record for his participation on Prince’s “Emancipation” CD.

Rock The Schools hosted by Chris Stewart talks to law school Professor, Dr. Nekima Levy-Pounds about what needs to happen now to reform education. The education system is broken. From lack of teacher accountability, school to prison pipeline, unions that have stripped parents of their rights to make decisions about their child's education and much, much more. Professor, civil rights attorney and activist Levy-Pounds' call for Education Justice Now.

In an unscripted, raw and authentic conversation with civil rights icon Dick Gregory, host of Rock The School Chris Stewart, uncovers thoughtful and valuable historical events that have shaped this country. In the words of Dick Gregory, his truth, as extreme as it may sound, can be easily be researched online. Fast forward to today, his truth told through the decades is being played out in the lives of African Americans today. You are invited to use the hashtag #RTSDickGregory to share your thoughts and comments.

Rashad Turner, a leader of the Black Lives Matter movement in St. Paul, MN and a 2016 candidate for his Masters in Educational Leadership at Saint Mary's University, talks about why he decided on education as his platform in pursuing the Minnesota State Representative seat for district 65A.

Host Chris Stewart welcomes award-winning education journalist Beth Hawkins to Rock The Schools to talk about the recent controversy surrounding racial disparities for African-American students. Two groups of protesters are expected to show up at the St. Paul School District’s board meeting tomorrow to demand change.

There are 74 million children under the age of 18 in the United States. And the unfortunate reality is that for many of these children, the public education system is broken.

Host of Rock The Schools Chris Stewart talks with Students First Founder, Michelle Rhee about how an excellent education shapes a child’s future and how she impacts the lives of marginalized students.

Ray Ankrum, Executive Director of Riverbed Charter School has a “Students First” mantra and discusses why it is important to always put the needs of each student first to get positive academic results.

Rock The Schools with Citizen Stewart, host Chris Stewart discusses the impact of identify on education with Rachel Dolezal.

Rock The Schools host Chris Stewart discusses the state of education journalism, the lack of education coverage in the presidential election, and the TFA 25th Anniversary Summit with nationally acclaimed education journalist, Alexander Russo.

Host of Rock The Schools, Chris Stewart and Education Reform Leader, Peter Cook discuss two major education reform stories in the news: The NY Times article about a teacher at Success Academy who was captured on video yelling at a black student; and news outside of New Orleans of a high profile cheating scandal.

Rock the Schools host, Chris Stewart engage with Matt Kramer on a discussion about his past 10 years as Co-CEO of Teacher for America. They discuss how school board elections work, how many people know the candidates and how students engage with content and how much content is driven by the student’s interest. The conversation goes deep into issues of race in America and how it intercepts a students’ education.