All Of The Above Podcast

This Week: Happy New Year to the AOTA family. Manuel and Jeff are back in the studio post winter break and doing a roundup of lots of headlines since we’ve last been with you.  We got the insanity coming out of Harvard with them chasing a Black, woman president out over racist nonsense. We got a new survey showing that teachers are feeling better about the profession and want to learn more about AI before using it. We got cops in MA coming into a middle school to ban a book after an anonymous complaint about a book about a gender queer young person. And not to be outdone, we have a Palestinian American official in the USDOE resigning in the face of Biden’s escalating support for Genocide in Gaza.  Manuel and Jeff discuss it all! Get your All of the Above swag, including your own “Teach the Truth” shirt! In this moment of relentless attacks on teaching truth in the classroom, we got you covered. https://all-of-the-above-store.creator-spring.com  Passing Period is an AOTA podcast extra that gives us a chance to

This Week: It’s alphabet soup this week! The State of OK bans DEI in schools, using the 14th Amendment and made up ideas about promoting one race as superior to another, and pronoun mandates. And a new study out of Stanford says that our concerns about AI causing an increase in student cheating are not supported by their data, which shows student cheating as flat… at two in three saying they’ve engaged in cheating behavior in the last month.  Manuel and Jeff discus. Get your All of the Above swag, including your own “Teach the Truth” shirt! In this moment of relentless attacks on teaching truth in the classroom, we got you covered. https://all-of-the-above-store.creator-spring.com  Passing Period is an AOTA podcast extra that gives us a chance to check-in, reflect, and discuss powerful stories in between our full episodes.  Watch, listen and subscribe to make sure you don't miss our latest content! Website: https://AOTAshow.com Stream all of our content at: linktr.ee/AOTA   Watch at: YouTube.com/AlloftheA

There is so much work to be done to create the type of joyous and just schools that our students deserve, and each day seems to bring yet another trauma or challenge to contend with. To help us unpack and find a path forward during these challenging times, we chat with Kass and Cornelius Minor, two titans of dope teaching who together lead the Minor Collective. We explore Kass’ new book Teaching Fiercely, reflect on Cornelius’ celebrated 2018 book We Got This, and explore the potential of radical hope and community in building a more humanizing school system. But first, Jeff and Manuel take a look at recent headlines in education including one study about white families moving away from Asian families in order to avoid academic competition and an AP story examining the work of Louisiana’s unapproved private schools. → Get your Teach the Truth T-Shirt here! → View this episode on YouTube! AGENDA 0:00 - Welcome! 10:17 - White Flight and Asian Students 23:14 - Diplomas for sale? 38:12 - Kass and Cornelius Minor

This Week: Oh Texas… sigh. Will we ever get good news about education coming out of the Lone Star State? Today is not that day. The TX Board of Ed approves new science textbooks, but only after clear modifications to the curriculum that include bending to the oil and gas industry’s propaganda around the uncertainty of climate change, and right wing Christian desires to have their version of creationism taught in science class. Also, a story our of Maryland shows us a glaring example of the chilling effect on educators who use their personal social media to speak basic truths about the genocide and ethnic cleansing taking place in Gaza right now. Manuel and Jeff discuss. Get your All of the Above swag, including your own “Teach the Truth” shirt! In this moment of relentless attacks on teaching truth in the classroom, we got you covered. https://all-of-the-above-store.creator-spring.com  Passing Period is an AOTA podcast extra that gives us a chance to check-in, reflect, and discuss powerful stories in between

This Week: By 2031 nearly 3 in 4 jobs will require some postsecondary education. What does this mean for public education? And a new law in CA makes it one of a handful of states requiring teachers to integrate media literacy into instruction to spot fake news. But with no money for training, and no additional resources for training, librarians and media specialists, and more, will this have the intended effect, or just be another unfunded mandate? Manuel and Jeff discuss. Get your All of the Above swag, including your own “Teach the Truth” shirt! In this moment of relentless attacks on teaching truth in the classroom, we got you covered. https://all-of-the-above-store.creator-spring.com  Passing Period is an AOTA podcast extra that gives us a chance to check-in, reflect, and discuss powerful stories in between our full episodes.  Watch, listen and subscribe to make sure you don't miss our latest content! Website: https://AOTAshow.com Stream all of our content at: linktr.ee/AOTA   Watch at: YouTube.com/Al

The crisis is ongoing and our students are seeing the horrific videos of death and destruction in Gaza. To address this issue with care and provide some much needed perspective, we invited teacher extraordinaire and former AOTA Show guest Dr. Sawsan Jaber back on the show. The daughter of Palestinian refugees, Dr. Jaber is a National Board Certified teacher and one of the founders of the Arab American Education Network (AAEN). She’ll help us explore the ongoing crisis through the lens of teaching and learning in American schools today. But first, Jeff and Manuel take a look at recent headlines in education including a collection of lawsuits against social media companies alleging that they’ve created overwhelming mental health needs among students, and an early look at whether ChatGPT may be useful in teaching students to find their voice as writers. → Get your Teach the Truth T-Shirt here! → View this episode on YouTube! AGENDA 0:00 - Welcome! 7:52 - States, schools unite to sue social media companies 20:05

Being a school administrator has never been easy, but today’s education climate has made the work of many school leaders downright unsustainable. With ongoing narratives of so-called learning loss, a return to test-centered teaching, political shenanigans at local school boards, and the apparent deprioritizing of culturally responsive teaching and SEL, how can principals sustain themselves and do right by their students and staff? This week we’re joined by Dr. Tonikiaa Orange, the Director of the Principal leadership Institute as well as the Culture and Equity Project at UCLA Center X!! She helps us examine the role of school leaders in today’s challenging climate. But first, Jeff and Manuel take a look at recent headlines in education including a nationwide ban on cell phones in UK schools and an ongoing controversy surrounding the Scholastic Book Fair. → Get your Teach the Truth T-Shirt here! → View this episode on YouTube! AGENDA 0:00 - Welcome! 9:23 - The U.K. bans cell phones in school 25:45 - Scholasti

This Week: We got some great feedback from the audience after our last episode about Palestine, Israel, and the manufactured controversy around ethnic studies. In particular today we’re responding to comments from a Jewish member of the AOTA family who had some great questions for us. It’s a reminder that we may not always agree, but we can do so from a place of love and respect. And, something that barely made headlines this week, the state of California passed a new law requiring elementary schools to teach cursive. Really? Manuel and Jeff discuss! Get your All of the Above swag, including your own “Teach the Truth” shirt! In this moment of relentless attacks on teaching truth in the classroom, we got you covered. https://all-of-the-above-store.creator-spring.com  Passing Period is an AOTA podcast extra that gives us a chance to check-in, reflect, and discuss powerful stories in between our full episodes.  Watch, listen and subscribe to make sure you don't miss our latest content! Website: https://AOT

This Week: As graphic images and stories of the march towards ethnic cleansing in Palestine and Israel saturate the largely one-sided American media landscape, we dig into the weaponization of accusations of antisemitism against the expansion of ethnic studies here in California. Whose stories get told in America’s schools, and whose don’t? How do we confront the strange bedfellows of right wing, white supremacists and right wing, pro Israeli occupation forces who join together to suppress ethnic studies and limit the teaching of truthful history in our schools? In addition, we have an important update on a Texas school district that continues to punish a Black student for wearing his natural hair.   For more discussion on how schools should discuss the occupation and apartheid in Israel and Palestine, and how schools can support Arab and Muslim students generally, check out our episode with Dr. Sawsan Jaber. Watch or listen here. Get your All of the Above swag, including your own “Teach the Truth” shirt!

Brooklyn’s in the house!! This week we talk to high school English teacher, NYU doctoral student, and NCTE diversity committee member LaMar Timmons-Long about how he cultivates a vibrant classroom experience that stands firmly in the intersection of justice and joy. How does one navigate the multitude of oppressive systems and bring justice-oriented pedagogy and practice to the classroom? And why should other dope educators out there consider dipping their toes into academia by pursuing doctorate degrees? But first, Jeff and Manuel take a look at recent stories in education including a warning issued by scientists about the threat of “anti-woke” education policies and a new study detailing privacy dangers and security risks in common EdTech tools. → Get your Teach the Truth T-Shirt here! → View this episode on YouTube! AGENDA 0:00 - Welcome! 6:35 - Scientists speak out against anti-woke laws 20:22 - EdTech privacy dangers 37:05 - LaMar Timmons-Long on dope teaching! 1:07:38 - Students stand up against flag b

This Week: As a federal government shutdown looms, we dig into the often overlooked potential impacts on the education landscape, from Head Start Programs to student loan repayments. Also, in a fascinating profile of “compromise” that stands in contrast to the total insanity of what’s happening in places like Florida, Virginia recently passed new Social Studies standards that provide a provocative case study into the dramatic shifting of the national narrative to the right that reveals the corrosive effect these policies are having nationwide.   Get your All of the Above swag, including your own “Teach the Truth” shirt! In this moment of relentless attacks on teaching truth in the classroom, we got you covered. https://all-of-the-above-store.creator-spring.com  Passing Period is an AOTA podcast extra that gives us a chance to check-in, reflect, and discuss powerful stories in between our full episodes.  Watch, listen and subscribe to make sure you don't miss our latest content! Website: https://AOTAshow

Back for a second time! The illustriously dope Dr. Gholdy Muhammad comes back to All of the Above today to fill us in on all the wonderful things that she’s been up to since her first appearance a few years ago. Then, she serves up a lesson on the importance of joy in education! Gholdy breaks down her latest work, Unearthing Joy, and helps us explore what the concept of joy means and what role it should play in teaching and learning, especially at a time of heightened right-wing attacks on education. But first, Jeff and Manuel take a look at recent headlines in education including varying approaches to addressing student absences and a potential funding cliff headed our way as relief funds run out. → Get your Teach the Truth T-Shirt here! → View this episode on YouTube! AGENDA 0:00 - Welcome! 8:05 - Students suspended for being absent 21:36 - School funding cliff ahead? 37:07 - Dr. Gholdy Muhammad and Unearthing Joy! 1:20:36 - Foster youth in CA get free college DO-NOW STORIES: Many schools find ways to sol

This Week: An NYC principal threatens to punish students with suspension, cancellation of social activities, and more, if they follow dangerous social media accounts. The Instagram accounts contain bullying, threats against students, and other racist and humiliating messages specific to the school.  It raises big questions about the ethics and constitutionality of such a move, as well as the risks and benefits of anonymous social media use for minors.     Also, next weekend - Sat 9/23 - we are BACK with our full episodes for the new school year, kicking off with the incredible Dr. Gholdy Muhammad, who will be with us to talk about her newest book Unearthing Joy and the current state of the fight for educational justice for Black and Brown youth.  It’s going to be dope, so mark your calendar.  And, check out her first appearance with us here, if you missed it! Get your All of the Above swag, including your own “Teach the Truth” shirt! In this moment of relentless attacks on teaching truth in the classroom, w

This Week: Last week we talked about the wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing nature of the CA Gov’s letter to school leaders with “guardrails” for Ethnic Studies curriculum. This week we discuss the UC Ethnic Studies Faculty Council’s clap back letter, and the raw truth it tells about the right wing, anti-Arab intrusion into ethnic studies.  Also, as conservative anti-trans policies expand across CA districts, teachers are faced with the impossible choice to follow state and federal law, or increasingly harmful district policy.   Get your All of the Above swag, including your own “Teach the Truth” shirt! In this moment of relentless attacks on teaching truth in the classroom, we got you covered. https://all-of-the-above-store.creator-spring.com  Passing Period is an AOTA podcast extra that gives us a chance to check-in, reflect, and discuss powerful stories in between our full episodes.  Watch, listen and subscribe to make sure you don't miss our latest content! Website: https://AOTAshow.com Stream all of our cont

This Week: An elementary school in Florida puts all the Black kids in an assembly to talk about the problem with their data, start a competition to get test scores up, and win McDonalds. How could this go wrong? It’s a fitting example of what can happen when the pressure to close equity gaps in test scores meets race-neutral policies absent any historical context on how we got here in the first place. Also, the California Gov’s administration issues a letter ostensibly in defense of the coming Ethnic Studies requirement, but is it a capitulation to right wing extremists? Get your All of the Above swag, including your own “Teach the Truth” shirt! In this moment of relentless attacks on teaching truth in the classroom, we got you covered. https://all-of-the-above-store.creator-spring.com  Passing Period is an AOTA podcast extra that gives us a chance to check-in, reflect, and discuss powerful stories in between our full episodes.  Watch, listen and subscribe to make sure you don't miss our latest content! W

This Week: The school year has begun in much of the country, and for the rest, the gears are turning on all that infamous beginning-of-year PD and meetings to launch the work. We dig into an article by Chalkbeat Chicago looking at the impact of principal autonomy on student achievement, and expand the convo to a broader look at the conditions for success - or lack thereof - in place for educators across the country. There’s so much we spend on stuff that’s so not effective, while we get so little time to do the work we need to do in order to serve students well from the first day of school. Manuel and Jeff discuss! Get your All of the Above swag, including your own “Teach the Truth” shirt! In this moment of relentless attacks on teaching truth in the classroom, we got you covered. https://all-of-the-above-store.creator-spring.com  Passing Period is an AOTA podcast extra that gives us a chance to check-in, reflect, and discuss powerful stories in between our full episodes.  Watch, listen and subscribe to make

This Week: States across the country are banning the teaching of truthful history, and replacing it with the likes of the white supremacist, historical fantasy, propaganda videos we saw go viral this week from Prager U. These patently offensive videos feature a blue eyed Columbus excusing slavery as something to be seen as "no big deal," and a Santa Claus-ified Frederick Douglass extolling the virtues of the founders of the US government for patiently sacrificing the end of slavery as a masterful strategy in the name of building free America. Pure insanity.   And, Manuel and Jeff discuss a new article in LA School Report, which again frames the public discourse about what’s happening in our schools as a “crisis in teaching quality.” Is the premise solid? What does this kind of reporting mean for the national debate around our schools? What should we be talking about, and how should we frame the discussion in the press? Get your All of the Above swag, including your own “Teach the Truth” shirt! In t

This Week: In just the last 8 days there have been so many utterly insane stories capturing the escalating right wing attacks on public education and the marginalized communities our nation’s schools serve, it’s hard to know where to begin this week. To start, here’s the 9 most egregious stories (and there’s more!) we mention in this week’s episode: Temecula school board adopts social studies curriculum, avoids fine but faces civil rights inquiry California school board battles over LGBTQ+ rights intensify after transgender vote in Chino HISD to eliminate librarians and convert libraries into disciplinary centers at NES schools Texas A&M University president resigns after Black journalist’s hiring at campus unravels Texas A&M suspended professor accused of criticizing Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in lecture The lessons Florida public school students will learn from PragerU Kids The Creators of Florida’s Black History Standards Get an F on Their Homework Florida’s Black history standards

Cultivating high-quality teachers of color doesn’t begin and end with recruitment. From revisiting credentialing practices to creating spaces for BIPOC teachers to pursue National Board Certification, the effort to diversify the teaching profession is complex and ongoing. This week we explore such efforts with Dr. Christopher Davis, a Teacher Representative on the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing who also works in the National Board Resource Center at Stanford University as a support facilitator for teachers pursuing National Board certification. He brings a whole lotta dopeness to the conversation around diversifying the teaching profession! But first, Jeff and Manuel take a look at recent headlines in education including one study attempting to quantify the impact of positive teacher-student relationships and another study examining the impact of economic integration on students’ decision to pursue elite degrees. → Get your Teach the Truth T-Shirt here! → View this episode on YouTube! AGENDA

This Week: A study out of the UK suggests that the “best” way to teach might look differently from subject to subject. Shocker, we know. But the interesting part is that the results might be counterintuitive in this era of common core math, and more progressive pedagogy aimed at achieving college readiness for all. Also, this week the Biden administration announced plans to fix administrative flaws in the income driven repayment plans for federal student loan borrowers, automatically crediting them with payments the system previously missed, and forgiving billions in debt. It’s great… and it’s just really, really hard to understand. Manuel and Jeff discuss.  Click here to register for the Human Restoration Project’s Conference to Restore Humanity 2023!  Use the code AOTA at checkout and save $25, plus, you’ll be supporting this show! Get your All of the Above swag, including your own “Teach the Truth” shirt! In this moment of relentless attacks on teaching truth in the classroom, we got you covered. https://a