Project: School Dad

Featured Guest: Dr. William Hayes, CEO of Boys' Latin of Philadelphia Charter School Season 1 Finale Leadership is more than managing a school—it is about creating a culture where every student, educator, and family feels valued, empowered, and connected to a shared purpose. In the Season 1 finale of Project: School Dad Podcast , host Eric Gardner sits down with Dr. William Hayes , CEO of Boys' La...

In this episode of Project: School Dad Podcast , Eric Gardner sits down with Karen Williams , Assistant Principal at William Kelley Elementary School, for a meaningful conversation on family connection, community partnerships, and what it truly means to build bridges between school, home, and community. Titled “Family Connection: Community & Partnerships,” this episode explores how schools can...

EP. 5 — The Voices of the Community: "Parent Voice, Student Success — A Legacy of Partnership" Featured Guests: Casandra Chase, Nicole Figueroa, & Terri Ayers In this episode of Project: School Dad , we center the voices of parents and caregivers as critical partners in student success. Featured guests Casandra Chase, Nicole Figueroa, and Terri Ayers bring powerful perspectives on what it mean...

How do identity, representation, and belonging shape a student’s ability to learn and thrive? In this episode of Project: School Dad Podcast, host Eric Gardner is joined by acclaimed journalist, author, and educator Ernest Owens for a thought-provoking conversation on Strength & Identity. Together, they examine why affirming students’ identities is not optional—it is foundational to creating c...

What does it truly mean to do what works for children? In Episode 3 of Project: School Dad , Eric Gardner is joined by The Intellectuals —a collective of educators, advocates, and community leaders committed to learning, reflection, and transformative change in urban education. Together, Tivona Baht-Yisrael, Eric Gardner, Zea Wallace, and Horace Ryans III engage in an honest conversation about cul...

What does it take to create a school where Black and Brown students feel truly seen, supported, and challenged to reach their full potential? In this episode of Project: School Dad Podcast , host Eric Vaughn Gardner sits down with Dr. Khary Moody for a timely conversation about mentorship, belonging, and the transformative power of Radical Advising in urban schools. Together, they explore how cult...

From Desegregation to Displacement: The Erasure of Black Educators In this episode of Project: School Dad , Eric Gardner sits down with educator and professor Darren Rainey for a powerful conversation about the historical displacement of Black educators and the lasting impact of their absence on Black students and school culture today. Grounded in the works of Leslie T. Fenwick, Adam Fairclough, a...