Ep. 113: Equipping Young People To Lead

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EQ: How are young people around the world being equipped to address important social issues of our times?

Guest: Alisara (Ally) Christensen is from Bangkok, Thailand and the Jump! Foundation

Ally shares her experiences growing up in international schools and her passion for youth development. The Jump! Foundation offers a range of hands-on, experiential workshops to empower and equip students for exploring social issues, and specifically increasing their awareness on diversity, equity and inclusion. Although surprising for some, these conversations are somewhat new in international education. However, with access to technology and social media conversations about race and justice are now coming to the forefront of the conversation. We also explore the ever-evolving language around these issues of opportunity access. We finish the episode discussing the importance of having youth be the drivers of the conversation and bringing them along for the work rather than doing the work of change for them.

Resources:

Do Your Fudging Homework:

Ep. 113: TexYikes--Advocacy Has No Borders

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EQ: What the hell is happening in Texas and why should we care?

In today’s episode, Hope and Megan discuss the anti-abortion bill in Texas and how it is impacting not only citizens in Texas, but communities around the Country. They start the episode with a new segment “Does it Venn?” where they coin the term Preventative Outrage. This conversation moves into discussing what is happening, what does this law do, and who does it disproportionately impact. They also discuss what is now happening across the country do to the inaction by the SCOTUS on this case, and predict that we might be seeing more of these laws being passed. Hope and Megan end the episode talking about how advocacy has no borders, and despite not living in Texas, there is still an obligation to advocate. There is a list of resources linked here where you can get involved and help from a distance. 

Related Resources:

Do Your Fudging Homework:

Ep. 112: On Proximity To Power w/ Author Tiffany Bluhm

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EQ: What is the role of women in religious communities to call out the patriarchy and fight against injustice in 2021?  

Guest: Tiffany Bluhm, author of Prey Tell: Why We Silence Women Who Tell the Truth and How Everyone Can Speak Up. She is a sought after speaker, writer, and podcast co-host of the popular podcast Why Tho, a show answering the existential and nonsensical questions we ask ourselves, with author and speaker, Ashley Abercrombie. More information can be found at her website.

In this episode we discuss the role of conservatism  that dominates conversations about gender equality, especially in religious spaces. The role of women (specifically in Christian contexts) in enabling the patriarchy because of things like “niceness at the expense of being honest” but also the power they have to dismantle misogyny. We cannot wait around for someone to “give women permission.” Instead we need to examine our proximity to power and do something with it.

🥂 All those teachers that are back in the classroom, showing up and teaching their students, all through a global pandemic

👎🏻Texas for passing their law essentially banning abortions and denying women access to their Health Care

Do Your Fudging Homework:

  • Hope: Get a copy of Prey Tell even if you aren’t religious or check out her podcast Why Tho?

  • Tiffany: Consider our own proximity to power

Ep. 111: Back to School, Go To School Board Meetings!

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EQ: How can we better understand the anatomy of a school district in order to access levers of power & be more effective advocates in our local schools?

Hope and Megan and joined by 2 special guests, Bethany Rivard and Wendy Smith. Bethany is an award winning English Language Arts & Theater teacher at Fort Vancouver High School. Wendy is a classroom teacher and on the Vancouver Public Schools Board director. In this episode, they discuss the anatomy of a school district including who you should reach out to when you have concerns, the best way to connect with your school board members, and why you should attend and participate in school board meetings.

If you’re interested in running for local office reach out:

Do Your Fudging Homework:

Ep. 110: Back to School-- Love It Or Leave It Edition

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EQ: What did you LOVE from the 20-21 school year you’re going to keep doing this year? What are you happy to LEAVE behind?

In this episode, Hope and Megan continue the conversation that they started in Ep. 109. This time focusing on what lessons do they want to take with them from the last 18 months of pandemic teaching, and what do they want to leave behind in the past? Once again the ladies use listeners’ thoughts, ideas, and opinions to help shape the conversation in this episode. The conversation covers topics such as Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in the classroom, creative approaches to teaching content, what the benefits were of being forced to use technology, and the relationships that are built within the walls of a school building. Throughout the episode they also discuss the idea of not wanting to “go back to normal” and rather re-define what a post pandemic education could look like.

Do Your Fudging Homework:

  • Hope: Reach out for support/help/ideas. Find the experts that are doing this well and use them to help, especially in times of stress and anxiety.

  • Megan: Make your own love it/leave it list for yourself and with your fam. Reflect and be intentional with what you don’t want to carry with you anymore, and what lessons you have learned from this that you want to take forward.

Ep. 109: Back to School, Mail Bag Edition

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EQ: What concerns, questions, ideas, or fears do you have for the upcoming school year?

Today’s episode is the start of our Back to School series. First, we’re going to discuss listeners' ideas, concerns, questions, and fears shared with us. We appreciate everyone who took the time to send us your thoughts.

Then, we’re going to  record an episode specifically targeting educators returning to the classroom--we’ll dig into creative ideas and ideally leave you with some hope & inspiration for the weeks ahead. Lastly, we’ll dive into the anatomy of a school district and levers of power with a guest who is a teacher, union activist, and school board member! We’re really excited for the episodes ahead.

This conversation is an exploration of what “normal” school years mean and what our listeners are thinking about as we head into fall. While we may not be full-blown quaranteaching, we are returning to school this fall with a pandemic hovering over our shoulders. 

Related Sources:

A special thanks to all our listeners who contributed to this conversation via Slack, Twitter, and Facebook. We appreciate your engagement!

Ep. 108: Hot Reader Summer

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EQ: What can woke-aspiring individuals do to have a hot reader summer (hint: read books)?

Megan and Hope are joined by Lincoln High School Librarian, Kristen Sierra. They sit down to discuss all of the best reads and what has been at the top of their list. From easy vacation reads, books to read as a family, and books to push your thinking and learning, they cover it all in this episode! Check out a previous conversation with Kristen about Decolonizing Your Bookshelf.

Vacay Reads/Easy Reading:

Young Adult:

Nonfiction Favs:

Something You Can’t Help But Love

Something Every Teacher Should Read:

Things to Read as a Family:

Ep. 107: Hot Teacher Summer

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EQ: What are you doing for YOUR hot teacher summer?

The 3 Interchangeable White Ladies are back together and in studio for the first time since pre-Covid times! Hope and Megan are joined by none other than the amazing Annie, who gives an update on her life and the major changes that have happened since the last time that she was on the Podcast. The ladies discuss how Covid provided time and space to reflect on your own happiness, and also learn how to honor the things that serve you and let go of the things that don’t. The back half of the episode is dedicated to celebrating the time honored tradition (can something be called a tradition if it’s the first time we are doing it?!) of Hot Teacher Summer! They talk about what they are doing to relax and unwind and have the best summer after a hellish year!

Champagne and Real Pain:

🥂Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

🥂Nurses and Doctors who are putting in all of the work 

🥂People who are fighting hard to be empathetic coming out of Covid and people who are fighting to advocate for people experiencing housing insecurity

Do your Fudging HW:

Hope

Annie

Ep. 106: On CRT with Dr. Lee-Ann Stephens, 2006 MN Teacher of the Year

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EQ: Is Critical Race Theory currently being taught in K12 schools, and if not, should CRT curriculum be adopted in k-12 education?

For part 2 of our conversation we are excited to be joined by our guest Dr. Lee-Ann Stephens, Minnesota Teacher of the Year 2006, has been an educator for 31 years with K-12 teaching and leadership experience. She currently serves as a teacher on special assignment with the St. Louis Park Schools in Minnesota, as the High Achievement Program Coordinator and the advisor for Students Organized for Anti- Racism. She is an affiliate with Pacific Educational Group: Courageous Conversations about Race, an Advisor for Integrated Schools, and she has been appointed by Governor Walz to the Education Commission of the States, a partner with education policy leaders to address issues by sharing resources and expertise. Follow Dr. Stephens on Twitter: @MNTOY2006

In this episode, Dr. Stephens defines critical race theory and delineates the five tenets of CRT:

  1. Permanence of Racism--so embedded in society it seems natural & is often invisible

  2. Counter Storytelling--sharing stories that are counter to the dominant narrative

  3. Interest Convergence--Civil Rights victories occur when White People benefit. In other words when interests converge.

  4. Critique of Liberalism--challenges the notion of neutrality, objectivity, colorblindness, & meritocracy

  5. Whiteness of Property--According to legal CRT scholar Harris, property functions on 3 levels: the right of possession, the right to use and the right to allocate. Furthermore, the right to transfer, enjoy and exclude.

We then discuss whether or not CRT is currently being taught anywhere in the US in K-12 classrooms how some folks confuse critical race theory and culturally responsive/reflective teaching and whether or not it should be. 

Check out Dr. Stephens’ Writing & Podcasting:

Champagne & Real Pain:

🥂Fight for Honesty in Education

👎🏻Shame on these people: Linda Ader, Erick Johnson, and David Weinberg who are running for Peninsula SD No. 401 on false narrative about CRT & comprehensive sex education

Do Your Fudging Homework:

Ep. 105: Critical Race Theory & Other Things White People Don’t Understand

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EQ: How is the panic around Critical Race Theory indicative of white nonsense and why has it become such an easy target for Conservative Politicians?

In this episode of IWL, Megan and Hope dig into the kerfuffle that is the recent critical race theory (CRT) debate. Built on nonsense and white fragility, CRT is now a phrase donning the lips of many a well-meaning but poorly informed person. Armed with fear and misunderstanding, some communities are demanding school boards institute bans and establish parameters for how teachers teach history (and other related topics). From “why are folks mad” to “are we actually teaching CRT in our classrooms”, these IWLs share their own understanding of the topic and where they are still learning, growing or feeling confused.

Referenced in this episode:

Do Your Fudging Homework:

Ep. 104: Interrupting Whiteness One Zoom Session At a Time

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EQ: Why do we need racial affinity groups to combat racism and how do they lead to sustainable change?

Guests: 

  • Emily Meadows is an LGBTQ+ consultant and published author specializing in international schools. If you missed our conversation on creating inclusive spaces, go download Episode 99.

  • Tamara Friedman is a NBCT, school leader, and classroom teacher. She works towards implementing culturally relevant and anti-racist pedagogy in her classrooms and currently teaches 4th grade at The American School of the Hague.

In this episode we discuss the distinctive ways that racism and white supremacy manifest in an international school context. While commonly appearing in the form of deflection because the school is “diverse”, explicit anti-racism work is long overdue. Our guests, Emily and Tamar,  share their journey to establishing the Whiteness Accountability Group for International Educators including how it is rooted in volunteer participation, leading through vulnerability and story-telling, and collective leadership. Additionally, they discuss the need for accountability to each other, group participants, and to people of color.

To understand the purpose and framing of racial caucusing, check out the following documents: 

Do Your Fudging Homework:

Ep. 103: Meet Us at the Corner of Evangelical Fundamentalism & Tiktok

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EQ: To what extent should we pay attention to the intersection of white supremacy, religious fundamentalism, crazy, and Tiktok? 

In this episode of IWL, Hope and Megan delve into the weirdness that is the intersection of Tiktok, the Far-Right and Evangelical Fundamentalism.  Is the vaccine a mark of the beast? Is the Hunger Games hand signal a camaraderie between anti-vaxxers? How did “persecution culture” become a thing? How are private social media companies limiting or banning the spread of misinformation and lies? 

Lastly, these IWLs try a new segment to honor the end of the school year and #throwback to HS yearbooks--School Year Superlatives!

Related Resources:

Do Your Fudging Homework:

Ep. 102: Cancel Culture is Fake Moral Panic

EQ: What is the difference between Cancel Culture and Consequence Culture and how should each be utilized to promote justice and equity in the world?

Guest: Nate Bowling--2016 WA STOY, King of Cancel, and host of the Nerd Farm Podcast, the second hottest show in the Channel 253 network. 

After a quick temperature check with “Yeah, No, Yeah”, Megan, Hope, and Nate dive into defining cancel culture. From shunning to medieval mob justice, cancel culture is often touted as unfair and extreme. The team discusses  various iterations such as call-in culture, consequence culture and what it means to remorse, reconciliation and accountability. In the end, they that those crying “stop cancelling me” are just whining about accountability in an era of social media and public consciousness that calls out sexism, racism, and bigotry more than ever before. Dr. Seuss really isn’t cancelled. Trump still has access to social media platforms. Matt Ygelsias is still alive and well on Substack. Folks with power and privilege are painting this era in moral outrage. When in fact, the outrage should be at the injustices that run rampant through our community. “If we can hold 14 and 15year old Black males who make mistakes accountable for the rest of their lives, then college educated white folks can afford to lose jobs.”

Additional Resources:

Champagne & Real Pain:

🥂  Nikole Hannah Jones, The 1619 Project

🥂 All companies and corporations not being afraid to be called out for “cancel culture” and react in an expedited way (Ben and Jerry’s!)

Do Your Fudging Homework:

  • Megan: Pay attention to redistricting/panic of the 2020 elections and impact on voter suppression

  • Nate: Don’t engage in debates over cancel culture. You have a right to guard your time and energy.

Ep. 101: Honoring AAPI Heritage Month

EQ: How can we intentionally highlight, honor and celebrate AAPI folks (contemporary or historical) during the month of May?

On this episode of IWL, Hope and Megan discuss the history of AAPI Heritage month and unpack the often problematic erasure of Asian history in the United States. We begin by discussing the term “AAPI”, where it originated, and the case to stop its use.

Megan shares her history and identity in the Asian American community and both women discuss the problems and harm of the idea of the “Model Minority” myth and emphasize the importance of educating ourselves about all parts of Asian American and Pacific Islander history in order to better inform how we can be allies moving forward. Hope and Megan share ideas for how to celebrate and honor this month both in the classroom as well as in our day to day lives.

Related Links:

Do Your Fudging Homework:

  • Please take the time to learn the stories and histories of the many different people and cultures that make up the label Asian American Pacific Islander. 

Ep. 100: A Centennial Celebration with Special Guest Author S.K. Ali

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EQ: How can we normalize the representation of Muslims in literature and support storytelling that tackles Islamophobia, increasing empathy across cultures and religions? 

For IWL’s special 100th episode Hope and Megan are joined by the very special guest, S.K. Ali. Ali is the author of Saints and Misfits, a 2018 William C.Morris award finalist, and Love from A to Z, an NBC Today Show’s “Read with Jenna” Book Club selection. During this episode they discuss the importance of representation of POC  in literature, specifically around Muslim characters. Ali shares about her journey to becoming an author and reflects on her intentionality of de-centering the white gaze in her writing. 

Author and books recommended in the episode:

  • Randa Abdel-Fattah - Does My Head Look Big in This?

  • G. Willow Wilson - Alif the Unseen

Related Links:

Do your fudging HW:

Ep. 99: Deliberatively Inclusive-An Interview with Inclusion Consultant Emily Meadows

EQ: How can schools and educational systems be better allies and create more inclusive spaces and policies for LGBTQ+ youth?

In this episode, Megan and Hope dialogue with Emily Meadows, an LGBTQ+ consultant and published author specializing in international schools. Throughout the episode, they discuss the ways school leaders can be intentional in efforts of inclusion, specifically with supporting LGBTQ+ students. Emily reflects on common mistakes in educator allyship and shares practical advice for schools on their journey to developing supportive, accepting school communities. Follow Emily Meadows on Twitter. 

Related Links:

Champagne & Real Pain:

🥂 Stella Keating testifying 

👎🏻 The targeting of Asian Americans in hate crimes

👎🏻 NCAA and the inequities between the mens vs women’s tournament

Do Your Fudging Homework:

Ep. 98: #ReadLessBasic Book Club--Caste by Isabel Wilkerson

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We’re joined by Nerd Farm podcast host, Nate Bowling and Middle School Humanities teacher, Crissy Calera for this discussion of Caste, our #readlessbasic book club choice. We’re also delighted to include recordings from Megan’s students as they share their encounters with the text. This rich and challenging book is more complex than this hour of conversation could capture. After listening to the podcast, please check out the episode released on Nerd Farmer Podcast. #NerdFarmReads and Caste in K-12 & Policing

We also encouraged you to read some of the following sources:

Ep. 97: Make Space for Intersectional Conversations This Women's History Month

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Essential Question: How can we intentionally highlight, honor and celebrate “forgotten” women in history (WOC, Trans women, Indigenous, etc.) during Women’s History Month

In this episode Megan and Hope reflect on the lessons they learned during Black History month and  discuss the origins of Women’s History Month in the US. It was thanks to Jimmy Carter that in 1980 the week of March 8 was officially proclaimed  Women’s History Week. Then, Congress passed a resolution that eventually expanded it into a Month. More importantly on a global scale people around the world celebrate March 8 as International Women’s Day.  This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Choose to Challenge” and the organizers have said, “A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day. We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world.” Post historical context, the IWLs analyze what it means to “choose to challenge”, including who has paved the way for women’s rights and who are a few unsung heroes we all should know more about. Lastly, Megan and Hope commit to challenging the status quo and #beinglessbasic this month (and all year long!)

Related Links:

Where to Spend Your Money This Month:

Finish reading by March 13 for the #readlessbasic book club conversation!

Finish reading by March 13 for the #readlessbasic book club conversation!

Follow us on Twitter @IWL_Podcast or find us on Facebook

Ep. 96: Moving Beyond Tropes--A Discussion about BHM in Schools

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Essential Question:  How can you move your work with BHM out of whitewashed ideals and into a less basic space?

In this episode, Megan and Hope discuss the importance of Black History Month, why it’s still needed and how teachers should continuously embed the stories and histories of Black people all year long. 

Decentering whiteness and white comfort at this time of the year is crucial for any educator but especially those who tout their anti-racist identity. Many of us are taught that there is a Villain, Victim, and a Hero in every story. White people have been taught our whole lives that they are the heroes, and if they can’t be the heroes then they are the victims. White allies need to be comfortable accepting that they are not the heroes in the antiracism story and that in fact, they have been the villains to the BIPOC experience for centuries.  White people need to actively work to not center whiteness or white comfort. 

Resources referenced:

Who to follow on social media:

Do Your Fudging Homework:

  • Hope: Continue to integrate BHM into your lessons this month and don’t give up on this aspect of the work even in a pandemic.

  • Megan: Go follow Garrison Hayes - and then do/read what he recommends. His Instagram is good, but his Tiktok is better. Garrison Hayes - TikTok - Insta @garrisonh

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Book Club Reminder:

Pick up a copy of Caste by Isabel Wilkerson to join the collab book club between The Nerd Farmer Podcast and IWL.

  • Tweet about the book with either #nerdfarmreads or #readlessbasic

Follow us on Twitter @IWL_Podcast or find us on Facebook

Ep. 95: IWL Crossing--On Returning To School in Tacoma

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Tacoma Public Schools plans to return all grades to some in-person classroom teaching next month. Frankly, the “plans” sound more like “wishes,” “hopes,” “fingers crossed,” “it sure would be nice…” So, what do teachers think about that, and what should parents be asking?

Megan, Hope, and Auntie Evelyn join up again to discuss the latest news on the return to school for Tacoma Public Schools. There are only three months left in the school year–do we use them for something entirely new (which could be a super-spreader event daily), or use the time to get everything organized so that schools really can be on track to return in the fall? It’s not an easy question to answer, and well-intentioned people will have wildly different opinions based on risks, family situations, and experience.

Relevant Readings:

Do Your Fudging Homework:

  • Call/email the City Council

  • Call/Email the school board

  • Call/email the Superintendent Carla Santorno—csantor@tacoma.k12.wa.us

    • Deputy Superintendent Josh Garcia—jgarcia2@tacoma.k12.wa.us

  • Post on Social media and tag the school district and Superintendent.

  • Get your friends to do the above