Why We Matter

Today we are joined by two visionary creative leaders, brothers Peter & Paul Reynolds, for a conversation about the immense power of harnessing the creativity of young people. Join us to learn more about their stories, and to dive into the creativity of change-making. Learn more: https://www.reynoldstlc.org/

Today's spotlight episode features AJ Williams, Senior Corps Team Leader with City Year New York.  Tune in to hear more about AJ's journey to City Year, his experience serving with City Year New York, insight into recent convenings he's attended with City Year, and his plans for a future in education.

Join us for a conversation about with City Year alum, Robert Barnett, the co-founder of the Modern Classrooms Project and author of Meet Every Learner's Needs: Redesigning Instruction So All Students Can Succeed - out tomorrow, February 5th! Together, Robert and Jonathan dive into the model of the Modern Classrooms Project and Rob's journey with City Year and in public education. You can learn mor...

Join us on Why We Matter for an inspiring conversation with Pablo Muñoz, Managing Director of Muñoz & Company Educational Consultants. Pablo joins us as an expert in education leadership, having served as a teacher or administrator for over 30 years, and a superintendent for 16 years. Listen to learn more about Pablo's inspiring story and his extensive leadership experience. To learn more about Pa...

Today's spotlight episode features Sam Schraver, City Year Boston '23 and Care Force '24, currently serving as a Care Force Project Leader. Follow Sam's journey to City Year, his experience serving with Care Force, and his exciting plans for a future in education.

Today we are joined by Principal and Co-Founder of Merchant McIntyre Associates, the leading federal government relations agency serving exclusively nonprofit institutions and organizations. Today's conversation discusses Mark's new book, "The Power of With." "The Power of With" is a #1 National Bestseller. The book is a concise and entertaining manual to help entrepreneurs and business executives...

Today we meet Shajena Cartagena, Assistant Principal of Literacy at DC Public Schools. Shajena touches on her experience as a City Year corps member in Washington, DC, where she continued her career. Tune in to learn more about her experience finding purpose, passion, and joy.

This episode was recorded on December 17, 2024. Today we are joined by Sonali Nijhawan, Director of AmeriCorps State and National for an inspiring conversation covering her service and leadership journey. Sonali touches on her personal experience serving with City Year and her subsequent career in education and national service. Tune in for an energizing episode full of hope and inspiration.

Join us for a conversation with Kate Cochran, Managing Director of the National Partnership of Student Success Hub. Tune in to learn more about the important work of the NPSS, and the critical impact student success coaches add to schools and communities across the country. Together, we dive into the impact of this work on both local communities and young people in service positions. To learn more...

Join us for a conversation with City Year Columbus alum, Dr. Jena Pugh. Dr. Jena shares with our listeners her journey to City Year, the skills she developed through service, and how her unexpected "gap year" led to graduate school and a successful career in higher education. To learn about Dr. Jena's work as a graduate school strategist, please visit her website: https://www.drjenapugh.com/ . To...

Today we meet with Eric Chapman, Principal of O.W Erlewine Elementary School to discuss his decades of leadership in Sacramento public schools. Eric dives into the benefit of whole child education and development.

Join us for a conversation with Jenn Hoos Rothberg, Executive Director of Einhorn Collaborative. Together, we discuss Jenn's nearly two decades of leading the foundation and her personal and professional experiences that have deepened her understanding of the power of human connection, service, and their transformative legacy.

Today we are joined by Gage Barringer, a second year AmeriCorps member serving with City Year Greater Boston. Gage shares with us their journey to City Year, and some of his lessons learned, memorable moments, and inspiring reflections from his service experience. Tune in for a moving episode.

This week on Why We Matter, Kelly Corrigan, New York Times Bestselling Author and host of the Kelly Corrigan Wonders podcast, joins us for a conversation on the need for bravery in our dearest relationships.

Today we meet with Tasha Booker, Senior Vice President of External Engagement at City Year. Tasha discusses her journey to City Year through education and service, and shares a few of her memorable stories from her time as Executive Director of City Year Columbus.

Today on Why We Matter we have the chance to meet René Sebastian Cisneros- the Team Leader for City Year at Mattapan’s Young Achievers Pilot School. 

In this week's episode, we feature New England Revolution coach, Coach Knighton. Coach Knighton shares his incredible journey from professional player to coach and how he remains committed to giving back to his community. Tune in to hear his inspiring story of dedication, leadership, and supporting the next generation. This episode is brought to you by Santander Bank.

Join us for a conversation with Major General John Barry, President & CEO of Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. John joins us with extensive experience in public service. From serving in the United States Air Force for over 30 years as a combat veteran, fighter pilot, to becoming the Superintendent of Aurora Public Schools, and more.

Join us for a special edition episode discussing City Year’s new Student Success Coach Playbook for Program Developers. You can learn more about the playbook by following this link:   https://www.cityyear.org/impact/research-publications/city-year-publications/   To contact Jennifer about the playbook you can email here: jboyce@cittyear.org   To learn more about the NPSS:  https://www.partnerships...

Meet Stefanie Vestal, a City Year Providence and DC AmeriCorps Alum and City Year Staff Alum! Stef shares with us her impressive career in service, from her time serving in Providence and Washington, DC, to her time working as staff for City Year DC, to her experience at the Clinton School of Public Service and her current tenure as Director of Strategy and External Affairs at the Little Rock Scho...

Tom Brady, former Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), recalls his extensive public service experience, from serving as the Director of DoDEA during the COVID-19 pandemic, to his experience working with City Year AmeriCorps members in DC, Providence, and Philadelphia and his personal and professional commitment to national service.

Today on Why We Matter we meet with City Year's Vice President of Communications, Joe Zappala, for a conversation on the art and power of storytelling, especially in the service and education fields.

Join us for a conversation with Tim Quinn, Founding CEO, Michigan Leadership Institute and Founding Managing Director, The Broad Academy for an important conversation about leadership, service, and meaningful relationships with students.

For this edition of our Spotlight series we welcome City Year Boston Alum, Kevin Dua. Kevin served with the Boston corps in 2009 and is now a highschool humanities teacher. Join us for a conversation about Kevin's service and the pathway it led to his career in teaching.

September is National Attendance Awareness Month. To commemorate, we invited Dr. Bob Balfanz for a conversation about chronic absenteeism and the critical value student success coaches add to classrooms across the country.