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Episodes
The relationship between stable housing and student success
December 5, 2011 (12:55)
Michael Power is a career educator, Manager of Educational Programs at Tacoma Housing Authority (THA) and author of the booklet, “Reading with Children.” Power is working to ensure “that the children of our families (in public housing) do not become our clients as adults.” Schools say they can’t do it all. THA, along with a host of community partners, is stepping in to fill the at-home gap to stabilize 50 McCarver Elementary School families who were recently homeless or at risk of being homeless. Power expands on data that show a strong correlation between stable housing and student success. He believes we can do more, including targeting the needs of individual families and holding parents accountable.
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“No end in sight”
November 28, 2011 (12:33)
Troy Christensen is the administrator of homeless programs for Pierce County, former chair of Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness, and former chair of Washington State Coalition for the Homeless who fears that we are living in a seemingly endless cycle of budget cuts that leave an increasingly large number of families homeless. Christensen says that the majority of people needing homeless services are seeking help for the first time. Christensen wants “for everyone in Washington state to have the opportunity to live in a safe, decent, affordable home and for every child to have the ability to not have to worry about where they’re going to sleep that night and to have a place where they can do their homework and a place where they can be adequately fed, bathed and stay warm.
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Be a “treasure hunter” for kids’ success
November 21, 2011 (12:34)
Scott Markowitz, is a 4th grade teacher at Christensen Elementary School in Franklin Pierce School District in Tacoma who became interested in the idea of using developmental assets in his teaching. Developmental assets are individual resources that young people have available to them that help them have positive experiences and become successful adults. Having caring adults supporting them and feeling safe in their schools and neighborhoods are examples. On a mission, he discovered the non-profit Kids at Hope already had a way to bring these assets to teaching. “It’s a paradigm, not a program,” Markowitz says. He says using Kids at Hope has changed his vision of his students and changed the culture of his school. Markowitz feels it is his job to look for students’ assets as a foundation for their learning, incorporating their future visions of themselves and teaching perseverance that supports their dreams.
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Use data to give all students individualized education
November 14, 2011 (12:05)
Beth Sigall, attorney, special education advocate, and mother of three children, (including one with autism), believes the aim of the school district should be to put every special education advocate out of business. She was inspired to become an advocate when she saw the distress of another parent trying to decipher the special education law in front of her. After ten years of advocating for her and others’ children, Beth has seen how beneficial the individual education plan process is for students in special education. She says that all students deserve that level of attention and focus on outcomes. This means knowing what each student’s goals are and how effectively they’ve met them over the year, and putting less emphasis on inputs, like seat time and credits taken. You can read Beth’s blog at schoolhousewonk.wordpress.com.
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“Reach all students at all levels and propel them”
November 7, 2011 (29:20)
Greg Eisnaugle is the principal of Lincoln Center, a college prep program designed for underprivileged students at Lincoln High School. Inspired by a 60 Minutes story on KIPP Academy, Eisnaugle modeled and implemented KIPP’s successful formula to close the achievement gap at Lincoln Center. Eisnaugle believes that a key teaching strategy is to reach all students at all levels and propel them to greater heights. Listen in as Principle Eisnaugle discusses some changes he would make, including an extended school day and school year for students..
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Advocating for children with disabilities
October 31, 2011 (21:13)
Vicky McKinney is the program director for the parent training information and training program at Partnerships for Action and Voices for Empowerment. She started her journey in advocacy when she adopted a foster child whom she later learned had been diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Realizing that there was little support or information for parents of children with specific disabilities, bringing awareness to what McKinney believes to be an ignored issue became her personal mission. Through her work, McKinney establishes her strong belief in parent activism and empowerment. Listen in as McKinney discusses her journey and what parents can do to advocate for their children.
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Ending social promotion to reduce achievement gap
October 24, 2011 (33:17)
Robert Brown, a 39-year teaching veteran, believes that Tacoma’s social promotion policy in the primary grades has to end if we’re to reduce the achievement gap. “Tacoma has a notorious problem with promoting kids with a 0.0 grade point average from middle school to high school,” he said. For Brown, encouraging students to read outside of the classroom is a part of the solution to get kids on and beyond grade level.
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We’re still talking about it
October 17, 2011 (28:22)
Stephanie Wood-Garnett, the Director of Teacher and Principal Evaluation for the Center of Educational Leadership at the University of Washington, is taking on issue that has been discussed since the early 1960s, students of color being disproportionately placed in special ed. Listen in as Wood-Garnett shares some shocking facts (a third of all U.S. prisoners used to be in special ed) and possible solutions.
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Not criminalizing those in need
October 10, 2011 (31:04)
Tamara Johnson is a new mother and the Program Director of Youth ‘N Action, an organization under the University of Washington’s Division of Public Behavioral Health and Justice Policy. She is also a former gang member who uses her life experiences to help bring the youth voice to public policy, serving at risk young people ages 14 to 22.
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Cultural competency and the opportunity gap
October 3, 2011 (30:18)
Latino Action Group liaison to Tacoma’s Vibrant Schools committee, Liesl Santkuyl, discusses giving Latino parents a voice and suggestions for how we can close the opportunity gap. One way Santkuyl believes we can end the opportunity gap is by ensuring teachers and other educational staff be culturally competent.
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Teachers as advocates for student success
September 26, 2011 (30:37)
Teach for America alumnus and Teachers United founder, Chris Eide, discusses ways in which policies like LIFO (Last In, First Out) affects students, the importance of teachers advocating for their students and how we can improve student performance.
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Helping parents, solving problems
September 19, 2011 (28:49)
Adie Simmons, Director of Washington State Office of the Education Ombudsman, says her office “helps parents navigate school district systems and form relationships that make all the difference in keeping children in school.” The folks at OEO assist parents with issues such as special education, bullying, cultural and language barriers, and even voting.
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Empowering all parents to have a say in the school system
September 12, 2011 (22:52)
Miguel Blanco is the president of the Pierce County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, principal with Blanco Media Group, publisher of El Aquila (a bilingual newspaper circulated in the Pierce County area) and father of two young children. He is also an education activist who believes that the achievement gap can be closed using several methods, including addressing language barriers.
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How can we make sure this is an environment where everyone is welcome?
September 6, 2011 (15:56)
Jennifer Kubista is the Director of the Department of Student Life, a new department in the Tacoma Public Schools system that focuses on ending bullying and harassment. Listen in as she discusses ways to end bullying and answer the question “How can we make sure this is an environment where everyone is welcome?”
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Warren Smith, Sr. and the opportunity gap
August 29, 2011 (48:33)
Former school board and State Board of Education director, Warren Smith, Sr., discusses how he believes we can close the education opportunity gap.
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Parents have a voice in bargaining
August 22, 2011 (17:39)
Two Bellevue parents discuss parent involvement in bargaining with the teacher’s union and the school district.
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5 ways we can improve kids’ academic performance.
August 1, 2011 (40:16)
Lynn Letz is a second grade teacher at Delong Elementary School in Tacoma who believes there are 5 things we can do to improve children’s academic performance.
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Teaching students how to advocate for themselves
July 25, 2011 (19:51)
Rashad Norris is the outreach director at Highline Community College. By teaching students how to advocate for themselves, Rashad is closing the education opportunity gap one student at a time.Listen now.
When a parent has dyslexia too
July 18, 2011 (19:15)
Sophie Maines, single mother of a 5-year-old boy whom believes she and her son are dyslexic. Although her son is making great progress in school, she worries she won’t be able to help her son with his schoolwork when the time comes.. Listen now.
Transcript available
Every kid meets standard
July 11, 2011 (22:45)
Josh Garcia, the assistant superintendent with Federal Way Public Schools states, “We just made a commitment to have an honest conversation with our community about what we are actually teaching our kids and whether or not they’re actually learning it.” Garcia says “Our goal is that every kid meets standard.”Listen now.
Transcript available
You can’t do it alone
June 27, 2011 (34:53)
Versa Alexander, a 33-year veteran teacher/counselor and lifelong NAACP member, who also tutors “10 little people” at Tacoma’s Gray Middle School once a week. She believes all kids can succeed regardless of anything.
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Transcript available
Putting the “T” back in PTA
June 20, 2011 (14:27)
Corinne Patten is a PTA legislative chair at her children’s schools. After hearing rumors that some teachers were troubled by some elements in the PTA’s legislative agenda, Corinne reached out to understand their concerns – and to put the “T” back in PTA. Listen now.
Transcript available
So I wonder, ‘Is it me? Or is it the schools?’
June 13, 2011 (35:01)
Jessica Hatley is the mother of a toddler and high school student who is struggling to find a good home for her family and a good school so her bright high school daughter can be successful. A former gang groupee and victim of domestic violence, Jessica is doing everything she can to be a good model for her kids. Listen now.
Transcript available
The Importance of an Organized Community
June 07, 2011 (51:02)
Melvin Tate is a retired educator and administrator who formed PAID – People Advocating Involvement in Democracy, sighting how important it is to have people of color and women at the table where decisions are made that affect their lives.Listen now.
Transcript available
Santa’s Not Going to Come to My House
May 23, 2011 (23:57)
Former bus driver Diane Formoso cried for two hours after a kindergartener told her, “Diane, Santa isn’t coming to our house this year because my mommy has to pay the rent.” That was 40 years ago. Now through Caring for Kids, Diane ensures hundreds of Pierce County families are fed, clothed and housed so their kids come to school ready to learn. Listen now.
Transcript available
Time to Stop Studying and Take Action
May 16, 2011 (22:13)
Ala Talo is the Executive Marketing Director at Stafford Elementary School for Hearts for Kids, an after-school enrichment and academic program. Talo, a Pacific Islander and mother of four, is on a mission to empower other Pacific Islanders to take action after watching so many children fall behind in school. Listen now.
Transcript available
An Advocate for My Son
May 09, 2011 (19:36)
Alicia Clapp is a single mother of four boys in public schools in Pierce County. Alicia explains how it took considerable effort to create a line of communication between her high school son and two of his teachers, stating “I felt they thought I didn’t care and wouldn’t push the issue. At that point I needed to let them know that I’m an advocate for my son and will continue to be.”
Listen now.
Transcript available
Helping Teachers Succeed
May 02, 2011 (33:22)
Lera Moore and her boss, Trina Westerlund, of CHILD – Children’s Institute for Learning Differences – discuss how they use their backgrounds to help teachers get the information and resources they need to help all learning styles.Listen now.
Transcript available
Secrets to Effective Teaching
April 25, 2011 (22:16)
John Campbell, father, former school board member, and current teacher in Steilacoom Historical School District divulges some secrets to effective teaching.Listen now.
Transcript available
More Than a Dropout
April 18, 2011 (6:17)
Solomon Simmons defies stereotypes of a typical high school dropout. Soft spoken and to the point, Simmons had attended private school, where he was performing on grade level. When he transferred back to public school, he eventually dropped out.
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Transcript available
Taking Her Children’s Education Into Her Own Hands
April 11, 2011 (35:08)
Renee Harris and her husband researched the available options and chose the best school with the smallest class size and the best teacher for her children. Renee protects her children from her local Tacoma neighborhood school and takes their education into her own hands.
Listen now.
Transcript available
Seeing Progress:Felicia Reeves, Part 2
April 4, 2011 (22:02)
Felicia Reeves is shaking things up by not allowing racial profiling to hinder her grandchildren from achieving academic success. Follow up with Felicia Reeves’ granddaughter’s progress. Surprise, granddaughter has dyslexia, too
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Transcript available
Providing the Best Education for His Son
March 28, 2011 (20:06)
Edward Loftin, a small business owner and a single parent, shares the secrets he discovered to ensure the best education for his only child, despite the obstacles of losing his young wife, battling drug addiction, choosing a bad relationship resulting in jail, and homelessness.
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Transcript available
Building Partnerships with Parents
March 25, 2011 (38:49)
Trise Moore, Family & Community Partnership Director in the Federal Way School District, says, “I believe it is a lot easier to leverage the love of a parent who just doesn’t know what to do or how to do it than it is to consistently find other adults to put into the life of a child to get them (parents) to feel like they can do what we believe and want them to do.”
Listen now.
Transcript available
At Hope, Not At Risk
March 22, 2011 (40:20)
Wally Endicott, Head Hope-ologist at Kids at Hope and former high school teacher, believes that all kids can succeed – no exceptions. Wally talks about the “Four Aces” we can give kids to help all kids succeed.
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Transcript available
Moving Kids Beyond Gang Life
March 14, 2011 (18:18)
Dennis Turner, former gang member able to speak Korean and English at a young age, tells how he gave up in kindergarten after being labeled “deficient.” Now Dennis is doing whatever it takes to help youth stay out of gangs – and in school – while pursuing his doctorate.
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Transcript available
24/7 Advocate for Her Kids
March 7, 2011 (34:23)
High energy, uber-involved and tenacious, Alison Meryweather, lives with her husband and children in Issaquah. Alison quit her job to advocate 24/7 for her children’s education to ensure they GET to college.
Listen now.
Transcript available
Save Our Effective Teacher
March 1, 2011 (12:19)
When one of their beloved teachers faced being laid off due to lack of seniority last year, Mount Tahoma students rallied to his defense and testified before Tacoma School board in February 2010 requesting the board keep their effective teacher. Listen now.
Transcript available
Educating Seven Grandchildren: Felicia Reeves part one
February 1, 2011 (9:18)
Felicia Reeves is a Tacoma woman raising seven of her grandchildren and trying to ensure that they all get a great education. Listen to her frustration as she tries to get all of them reading at grade level.
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Transcript available
All Children Want to Learn
February 1, 2011 (10:19)
Velma Wright is the owner of a Tacoma preschool and kindergarten who teaches reading and math at her preschool, even though the state doesn’t require it.
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Transcript available
No Consistent Standards Across School Districts
February 1, 2011 (3:06)
Vicki Sobacek moved from Bothell with her son and his two children and was surprised to discover that her grandson was repeating classwork in his new school that he did last year in Bothell. Listen now.
Transcript available
Consistent Standards for All
February 1, 2011 (30:50)
Scott Allen, the president of the Washington State PTA, discusses why having a consistent framework across states lines and within schools here in Washington state is necessary.
Listen now.
Transcript available
Importance of Early Intervention
February 1, 2011 (38:55)
A mother realizes has her daughter privately evaluated for dyslexia after her teacher tells her not to worry. As it turns out, her daughter did have dyslexia and now Lynn Gilliland is on a mission to educate educators and administrators in her school and others about dyslexia and the importance of early intervention. Listen now.
Transcript available
