EDU Café

🎙️ New EDU Café Episode Alert! This week, we’re joined by Dr. Mary Rice and Joaquín Argüello De Jesús, who bring their unique journeys as educator and social worker into a powerful conversation about what sustains teachers and students. They share stories of growing up and working in schools that often overlooked well-being—and how those experiences now shape the way they prepare future teachers....

✨ Episode 2 in our Promising Practices for Teachers series is here! ✨ We continue the three-part conversation with Kelly Murphy on bringing art therapy and active meditation into classrooms. This episode "Art Therapy and Active Meditation in Action" dives deeper into how these practices look when they come alive with students and teachers. From creative expression to mindful movement, Kelly shar...

Leadership in education can be deeply rewarding, but also isolating, exhausting, and overwhelming. In this new episode of the EDU Café Podcast, we sit down with Jeff Simmons, Superintendent of IDLA, and Mike Caldwell, Founder of LinkedLeaders, to explore a challenge that too often goes unspoken: leadership wellness. Jeff and Mike talk about why wellness is not a “nice-to-have” for school leaders,...

🌟 New on the EDU Café Podcast! 🌟 We’re kicking off our Promising Practices for Teachers series with the first of three conversations featuring Kelly Murphy. Across these conversations, Kelly shares how art therapy and active meditation can be powerful tools for both students and teachers to support wellbeing, foster creativity, and create space for resilience in the classroom. This first episode...

🎧 New Hot Off the Blog episode 🎶 This episode of EDU Café features Dr. Rebecca Itow's blog post called “Keep a Swing in Your Step and a Song in Your Heart: Music as Self-Care for Educators” which was originally posted on our partner NGLC's blog. Rebecca dives into how music can support educator wellness in practical, joyful ways: Using music to transition between classes, tasks, or roles as a re...

☕️ New EDU Café episode is live! 🎙️ Women in LeadHERship: The Bold Moves We Make In this conversation, Jodie Buenning of Buenning Strategies talks with Amy Dujon of Community EDU about what it really means for women to lead boldly, and the risks, the resilience, and the relationships that carry us forward. Grab your favorite cup of coffee or tea and tune in! #EDUCafé #Podcast #WomenInLeadership #...

Grab your earbuds — the next episode in our HOT OFF THE BLOG series is ready to listen to on the EDU Café Podcast! This episode features a post published on our partner -- Next Generation Learning Challenges -- blog by Dr. Carey Borkoski, Dr. Brianne Roos, Dr. Kenita Williams, MPP, EdD, and Taylor Ann Gonzalez, M.Ed, TI-RYT, CTIWL called "Learning from Discomfort in Education: Balancing Safety and...

 Via our HOT OFF THE BLOG series, we’re bringing our blog posts to your favorite podcast app. 🎧 “Are You an Educator on Fire? AI Can Help You Chill Out” by Vickie Echols, originally published with NGLC at https://www.nextgenlearning.org/articles/are-you-an-educator-on-fire-ai-can-help-you-chill-out

Today, we’re diving into Policy & Pedagogy: The Educator’s Dilemma, exploring the tension between rules on paper and the real lives of students and educators. In our latest episode, Dr. Katie Colina, Dr. Dominique Smith, and Sarika Simpson discuss how policy often lags behind what students actually need — and what it takes for educators and leaders to bridge that gap with compassion, creativit...

In this EDU Café episode, Digital Promise's Dr. Quinn Burke, Dr. Sharin Jacob, and Keun-woo Lee discuss the integration of computational thinking and literacy in education, particularly for young learners. They explore the importance of these skills in today's technology-driven society, the role of educators in curriculum design, and the development of resources to support teachers. The conversati...

This EDU Café podcast episode focuses on the importance of wellness for educators, emphasizing a framework that supports individual, collective, and systemic wellness in educational settings. The speakers discuss the significance of mindfulness, community building, and trauma-informed practices, highlighting the need for safety and healing as priorities in schools. They also explore strategies for...

In this episode of EDU Café, the speakers delve into the multifaceted nature of discomfort, exploring its definitions, implications, and the relationship between discomfort and safety. They discuss how discomfort can lead to personal growth and the importance of framing it as a necessary part of the learning process. The conversation also highlights the collective responsibility in creating safe s...

In this EDU Café podcast episode, hosts Yaritza Villalba and Victor Hicks explore the transformative power of project-based learning (PBL) in STEM education. They discuss how PBL empowers students to become problem solvers and engage deeply with content, particularly in culturally responsive ways. The conversation highlights innovative project examples, the importance of building relationships wit...

This EDU Café podcast episode features Peter Boyle from Center for the Future of Arizona and two students exploring personalized learning, highlighting their favorite classes, the impact of personalized learning on their education, and the importance of collaboration and goal-setting. The students discuss the challenges of traditional grading systems and offer insights on how schools can better su...

In this episode of EDU Café, Dr. Kathryn Kennedy interviews Vicki Echols about the intersection of AI and education, focusing on wellness for educators. Vicki shares her journey as a school transformation coach and discusses the challenges and opportunities in promoting mental health in educational settings. The conversation explores the potential of AI to enhance productivity, support educator we...

In this episode of EDU Café, Dr. Kathryn Kennedy interviews Claire Romzek, the Magnet Coordinator at Lead STEM Academy, discussing the transformative role of project-based learning in STEM education. Claire emphasizes the shift from traditional teaching methods to a facilitator role, where teachers guide students through authentic learning experiences. The conversation explores assessment strategi...

In this episode of EDU Café, Deion Jordan and Nikki Wallace discuss the transformative power of personalized competency-based learning (PCBL) and project-based learning (PBL) in education. They explore the integration of biomimicry and synthetic biology into STEM curricula, emphasizing the importance of real-world problem-solving and community engagement. Nikki shares her experiences with students...

This EDU Café conversation explores the growing recognition of wellness in education, particularly the role of directors of wellness in schools. The panel discusses the definition of wellness, the importance of a holistic approach, and the challenges of implementing such roles effectively. They emphasize the need for a focus on both students and educators, advocating for a comprehensive strategy t...

In this episode of the EDU Café podcast, Dr. Kathryn Kennedy speaks with Alejandra Ramos Gómez about her new book of poems Imperfecta and the importance of mental health, storytelling, and self-care in the educational community. They discuss the challenges of navigating trauma, the role of art in healing, and the significance of setting boundaries to prioritize personal well-being. The conversatio...

In this episode of the EDU Café podcast, host Dr. Kathryn Kennedy speaks with Alejandra Ramos Gómez about her experiences as an immigrant and how these experiences shape her poetry and work as an educator. They discuss the complexities of immigration, the importance of representation in literature, and the search for identity and dreams as an immigrant. Alejandra shares her mission to create authe...

In this episode of the EDU Café podcast, Dr. Kathryn Kennedy speaks with Alejandra Ramos-Gomez about the complexities of women's identity, the impact of gender violence, and the importance of reclaiming one's cultural roots. Alejandra shares her personal experiences with femicide, the resources available for advocacy, and the generational shifts in feminist perspectives. The conversation also delv...

In this episode of the EDU Café podcast, host Dr. Kathryn Kennedy sits down with Alejandra Ramos Gomez, a poet, writer, and education consultant, to delve into the theme of identity as explored in her debut bilingual poetry book Imperfecta . Alejandra shares her personal journey of growing up on the border, the challenges of colorism, and the power of poetry as a tool for healing and self-expressi...

In this episode of the EDU Café podcast, we delve into the critical topic of self-care and burnout prevention for nonprofit staff, particularly those serving youth and caregivers in underserved and underrepresented communities. Join host Kathryn Kennedy as she engages with Francisco "Tito" Santos Silva, Jonathan Santos Silva, and Shomari Jones, who share their insights and experiences in fostering...

This EDU Café episode is focused on empowerment through healing and understanding and responding to race-based trauma with guests Dr. Tia Madkins, Dr. Nicole Howard, and Shomari Jones. They explore how race-based trauma impacts educators and students, and discover strategies to foster resilience and equity in learning environments. Through personal stories and expert insights, this discussion high...

In this episode of the EDU Café podcast, we explore the vital role of wellness in online school environments. Join us as we delve into strategies for promoting social and emotional learning, featuring expert insights from the counseling team at Stanford Online High School. Discover how educators worldwide are supporting student well-being through innovative practices, and learn practical tips to e...