All Of The Above Podcast

In a nation that prides itself on being a beacon of democracy, should the pledge of allegiance still be practiced in our public schools? Jeffrey walks us through the complex history of the pledge as we re-examine this classic schoolhouse tradition. But first, we take a look at recent education headlines about teachers of color getting low evaluation scores, a teacher tweeting for help to deport her students, and a new initiative in CA to close the opportunity gap. Subscribe now and join us for All of the Above—a web series about education and hosted by real educators! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aota/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aota/support

Teach for America is one of the most impactful and controversial organizations in education today. Is it championing equity and opportunity or is it undermining the teaching profession? We are joined by two powerhouse educators who are TFA alum - Tanya Franklin and Marcus Hughes - to unpack the debate over Teach for America. But first, we begin the episode with a review of recent education headlines about parent dress codes, Elizabeth Warren’s plan to tackle student debt, and a new online community college launching in CA. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aota/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aota/support

How can the story of one California high school inform our national discussion about school segregation? A new film explores how a once-integrated high school has become the most segregated in town. We bring filmmaker Pablo Miralles on to discuss his new film “Can We All Get Along? The Segregation of John Muir High School.” But first, we begin the episode with a review of recent education headlines about pathetic teacher feedback, a tragic case of bullying, and a new effort to crack down on anti-vaxxer efforts in CA. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aota/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aota/support

Educators love to say “it’s all about the kids,” but are they telling the truth when they say this? Manuel makes the case that this statement is a big lie and that educators really only care about doing things their way. We unpack the “it’s about the students!” trope and examine the extent to which classrooms and districts make space for student voice and input. But first, we begin the episode with a review of recent education headlines about teenage pregnancy, teaching consent in the #MeToo era, and making use of those unwanted cafeteria lunches. Subscribe now and join us for All of the Above - the web series about education, hosted by real educators! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aota/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aota/support

Is there anything more important in a school than having effective leadership? Without it, teachers can’t thrive in their role, systems erode, and everyone in the building has their talent stifled. So, what does it take to be an effective principal today? We invite two dynamic school principals - Amen Rahh of the University Pathways Public Service Academy and Susana Ansley Gutierrez of the Santee Education Complex - to dive into the principalship. But first, we begin the episode with a review of recent education news about that infamous college admissions scandal and the debate about homework. Subscribe now and join us for All of the Above — a new web series about education and hosted by real educators! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aota/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aota/support

Schools are more racially segregated today than they have been since the time of the landmark Brown v. Board decision. How did this happen? Jeffrey breaks down the path towards today’s separate and unequal schools and we debate whether or not there’s a way out of this mess. But first, we begin the episode with a review of recent education news about a lack of preparation for California’s new science assessment, a move by an overcrowded state university to boost admission standards, and a troubling rise in homelessness among K-12 students. Subscribe now and join the conversation! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aota/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aota/support

The latest buzz in education circles is trauma-informed care, but too few educators really understand what that means or looks like in practice. Given what we know about trauma and its impact on our students, what needs to happen in our schools to support our students who have been impacted by trauma? We bring on trauma-educator Chavonne Taylor and social emotional learning director David Adams to explore trauma-informed practices. But first, we begin the episode with a review of recent education news about mental health training for teachers, political extremists as guest speakers, and a PE initiative that seems to have backfired. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aota/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aota/support

It’s no secret that many of our highest-need schools face a revolving door of teachers—particularly inexperienced and ineffective ones. How can we work to ensure that our best teachers get placed where they are needed most? We bring on literacy coach and Nationally Board Certified Teacher extraordinaire Geneviève DeBose Akinnagbe to explore teacher quality in high-need schools. But first, we begin the episode with a review of recent education news about racism in high-performing suburban schools, a new study linking bullying to the 2016 election, and the somewhat troubling graduation rates at CA state universities. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aota/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aota/support

Behind every great educator is an origin story. In this episode, we explore why we decided to become teachers in the first place and we reflect on how one’s educator “origin story” impacts their work in the field. But first, we begin the episode with a review of recent education news about bias behind terms like “urban,” a plan to help formerly incarcerated students pay for community college, and a study that links school retention to violent crime. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aota/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aota/support

Have school administrators forgotten what it’s like to be in the classroom? Classroom veteran Manuel Rustin airs out some common teacher complaints and administrator vet Jeffrey Garrett responds. But first, we begin the episode with a review of recent education news about restorative justice practices, Boston’s valedictorians, and universal pre-K in California. Subscribe now and join us for All of the Above—a web series about education and hosted by real educators! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aota/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aota/support

How do students today feel about the constant pressure to attend college? We sit down with some dope high school seniors to gain their perspectives about the modern “college or bust” climate of today’s schools. But first, we begin the episode with a review of recent education news about firearm training in PE classes, corporal punishment in today’s classrooms, and a push to take nutrition OUT of school lunches. Yes, you read that right. Subscribe now and join us for All of the Above—a new web series about education and hosted by real educators! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aota/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aota/support

In the wealthiest nation on earth, why do we STILL have schools in crisis? We begin this episode with a review of recent education news about ADHD diagnoses, a big financial aid boost in CA, and a BIG geography fail in DC. We’re then joined by three heavyweights in the field of education from the Partnership for L.A. Schools for an honest conversation about why school transformation is so difficult. If schools are a bedrock public institution and we already spend billions on them, then why have we had such a hard time nationally helping our most struggling schools improve? Join us for All of the Above—a new web series about education and hosted by real educators! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aota/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aota/support

Schools are quick to implement and enforce dress codes, but how do these policies impact students’ experiences at school? We begin this episode with a review of recent education news before sending it over to a school library for a revealing talk with students about how dress codes impact their schooling. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aota/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aota/support

We begin this episode with a review of recent education news and then we take a deep dive into the controversy surrounding school choice. With American schools more segregated than they were before Brown v. Board, are school choice measures addressing inequity or are they making segregation worse? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aota/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aota/support

Are narrow definitions of “success” causing students to ghost their teachers? We begin this episode with a review of recent education headlines about teacher wages, grade inflation, and defrauded student loan borrowers. We then take a deep dive into the hidden dangers of setting high expectations devoid of authentic love and understanding. What’s the right balance between preaching “college and career” and acknowledging that success looks different for different people? Join us for All of the Above—a new web series about education and hosted by real educators! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aota/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aota/support

SEASON 2 PREMIERE! Are standards and assessments killing education, or are they the engine of equitable teaching and learning? We launch our second season with a review of recent headlines in education followed by a deep dive into the common core state standards. How are standards and assessments impacting our classrooms? Where do you stand in the standards debate? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aota/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aota/support

We cap the end of our first season of All of the Above with a panel discussion about the never-ending debate over dress codes and school uniforms. The episode begins with quick headlines from the world of education, including a look at how a wave of lawsuits in state courts are fighting for equity in education. We have a special guest for our Show and Tell to discuss the problematic narratives around attending junior college, and Jeff finishes the episode with an assessment of the conflicting ways we talk about how our schools are performing. Stay tuned for season two, which will bring a leaner and meaner format as well as a new segment featuring students. Subscribe now so that you don’t miss out! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aota/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aota/support

In Episode 7 of All of the Above we take on the latest developments in American schooling, from teachers running for office this November to a recent challenge to Obama-era affirmative action guidelines. The episode begins with a look at recent headlines, including a new study that paints a bleak picture regarding wages for child care workers. In the “Show and Tell,” guest contributor Mimi Dao reflects on the importance of teachers revisiting their practice and ensuring that they are meeting the individual needs of their current students. For the “Seminar” we examine the educational outcomes of students in foster care and explore how teachers and schools can better support this population of learners. Our guest is Tremale Berger, a former foster youth who now serves on the board of United Friends of the Children, an organization dedicated to supporting foster youth around the Los Angeles area. Manuel closes out the episode with his assessment of teacher turnover and attrition. --- Send in a voice message:

In Episode 6 of All of the Above we take on the latest developments in American schooling, from radical changes in math curriculum to the increasing criticism of online charter schools. The episode begins with a look at recent headlines, including a new study that reveals a racial divide in the suicide rate among young children. In the Show and Tell, guest contributor Nadia Elhawary reflects on the ways in which white supremacy is quietly maintained in our schools. For the Seminar we tackle the issues of school safety, campus climate, and restorative justice after Parkland. Our guests are Mauro Bautista, an accomplished high school principal in Los Angeles, and Julija Zubac, manager of Restorative Communities at the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools. Jeffrey closes out the episode with his Assessment of the glaring inequities within the phenomenon known as summer loss. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aota/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aota/support

In Episode 5 of All of the Above we take on the latest developments in American schooling, from school desegregation plans in New York City to the connection between Starbucks’ implicit bias training and our own classrooms. The episode begins with a look at recent headlines, including a review of the political stand taken by state teachers of the year during their recent visit to the White House. In the Show and Tell, Manuel looks back on what may turn out to be the most impactful school year in our recent history. For the Seminar we celebrate the six-month anniversary of All of the Above by taking a look back at some key highlights of previous episodes. Jeffrey closes out the episode with his Assessment of the the vital role played by our schools’ unsung heroes. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aota/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aota/support