Struggle for Change

Valerie Sun (@mllevalsunshine) interviews Susan Fitzpatrick Burris (@parispanache08) about the concept of being a teacher. Susan explains the process of letting go of the traditional notion that •teachers are keepers of knowledge and learning to let her high school students have agency and ownership in their learning process. She includes an anecdote of student critique that helped her realize the...

Jen Young (@msyoung428) speaks with Traci Bonde around the struggles with mental health as a person of color in education. As a social justice advocate and 4th-grade teacher, she realized how exhausting it can be to be a voice for social justice while also transitioning from private to public school teaching. Her struggles with mental health and trauma have also felt more present during the isolat...

Sarah Hollingsworth and Clara Ngo (both math/science teachers at Hillbrook School) talk with Emily Hendricks about all things identity, social justice, anti-racism and what it's like to try and integrate it all in teaching and working with students and faculty at an independent school.   Check out these referenced sources: “Showing Up for Racial Justice”  Mike Fishback  “The Big 8” of Identity Kim...

Gully LaValle, Director of DEI at Hillbrook School, and Emily Hendricks (@eh48) discuss the reality of creating and supporting a DEI framework in educational institutions.  What are its challenges and opportunities? For further resources and educational opportunities, check out comprehensive Gully's list of resources in supporting social justice and DEI work: https://bit.ly/2AB0OaO.

Valerie Sun (@mllevalsunshine) interviews Rebekah Remkiewicz (@RemScience) about the connection between a person’s name and identity. She shares an elementary school experience that affected her and helped her realize the need to pronounce students’ names correctly and with the correct accent. Follow Rebekah’s blog at www.eduawesomeadventure.com, listen to the podcast she hosts with her children,...

Valerie Sun (@mllevalsunshine) interviews Dr. Eddie Gonzalez @DrEddiesClass) around the struggles he has faced during this pandemic in providing empathy for students and parents. Also, Eddie discusses how evident the learning gaps can be in some demographics and how important it is for educators to stay flexible and current in how they connect and interact with students, no matter the age or subje...

Part 2: Doreen Bonde talks deeply about her and her school board's initiatives in supporting the mental health of employees.   @doreenbonde: Doreen @tr_bo: Traci

Doreen Bonde talks deeply about her and her school board's initiatives in supporting the mental health of employees.   @doreenbonde: Doreen @tr_bo: Traci

Traci Bonde (@tr_bo) interviews Diane Main in this second segment, shedding light on the importance of being open about mental health, defining labels and the courage it takes to do so in an educational setting.   Diane's blog: about.me/dowbiggin Twitter: @dowbiggin

Traci Bonde (@tr_bo) interviews Diane, shedding light on the importance of being open about mental health, defining labels and the courage it takes to do so in an educational setting. Diane's blog: about.me/dowbiggin Twitter: @dowbiggin

Emily Hendricks interviews Hannah Cousino (her sister!) about the (sometimes) stressful choices involved with curating your child's education.   Twitter: @eh48 Instagram: @soundteaching

Emily Hendricks interviews Greg Stamos, a seasoned educator, around the challenges of working at an independent school.  At Hillbrook School in Los Gatos, CA, professional and personal growth is heavily supported, leading to the struggle of making time for "all of the things" in this universal reality of work/life balance. Greg has awesome photos: https://500px.com/gregstamos   Twitter: @eh48 Inst...

Valerie Sun, Ed. D. (@mllevalsunshine) interviews Kim Voge (@kvoge71) about her experience shifting from classroom teacher to TOSA...and back again! Tough stuff.  Check out Kim's blog at bit.ly/techsassy.