Head of the Class

Last week, The New York Times published an interesting article, “Who Runs the Best U.S. Schools? It May Be the Defense Department.” Author Sarah Mervosh, in a report from Fort Moore in Georgia, which is home to five of these schools, takes an in-depth look at how these schools perform. These schools tend to perform higher than the national average: Department of Defense schools outscored every jur...

In this episode, Kristi and Christina discuss the weaponization of religion in public education as it is gaining traction anew, taking cues from the conservative movements of the 1970’s and 1980’s, but this time with the added amplification of far-right conservative media and the ability for anyone to reach millions of people 24/7 through social media. Joined by former pastor Rachel Dennis, this e...

In this episode, Kristi & Christina have a conversation with Tiffany Van Der Hyde, Executive Director of the Virginia non-profit We the People for Education, about what is happening with public education in Virginia with Governor Glenn Youngkin. As parents rights is clearly the rallying cry for the 2024 election, presidential candidates are taking their cues and talking points from national gr...

In this episode, Kristi and Christina interview Ashley Thrasher, a parent from Crook County, Oregon, who shares how her district's beloved and award-winning Superintendent has been pushed out by newly-elected far-right extremist "Mama Bear" school board members.  This conversation addressed the exodus of highly qualified professionals from our public schools due to election of far-r...

In this episode, Kristi and Christina interview Daisy Gardner, author of a recent article in The Nation ,   "The 'Parental Rights' Fanatics Have Descended on LA," discussing her experience with the burgeoning far-right extremism in Los Angeles and adjacent school districts. The conversation addresses the misconception that major metropolitan areas may be immune from the culture...

In this episode, Kristi and Christina discuss polling data, focus group data, and other research mechanisms that demonstrate what America's parents actually want in our public schools. Contrary to what the far-right extremists and their news media portray, most parents want to focus on learning outcomes, not culture war distractions. Visit us at ourschoolsusa.org or on Instagram ( @ourschools...

In this episode, Kristi & Christina talk with the Ridge Network (@ridgenetwork) out of the Pennridge School District in Pennsylvania about what is happening in their school district with far-right consultant Jordan Adams and  his company, Vermillion, and the overhaul of the District's curriculum, despite the concerns of the majority of parents. A cautionary tale of how far-right extremism...

In this episode, Kristi and Christina discuss when the adoption of curriculum, like American Birthright Standards, by far-right school boards has unintended consequences, such as jeopardizing eligibility to play college athletics. It's a tale of the NCAA, social studies, and a Colorado school district.  Visit us at ourschoolsusa.org or on Instagram ( @ourschoolsusa ). Support Our Schools USA....

In this episode, Kristi & Christina discuss the controversial adoption of  PragerU Kids materials as supplemental curriculum in Florida public schools, highlighting several unbelievable examples of historical inaccuracies and portrayals in this edutainment content. Visit us at ourschoolsusa.org or on Instagram ( @ourschoolsusa ). Support Our Schools USA. Text OURSCHOOLSUSA at (855) 575-7888 or...

In this episode, Kristi and Christina discuss the teacher shortages impacting districts across the United States. From increased class sizes to lack of electives for students, this episode explores the effects of far-right policies and messaging on public school employee morale and working conditions, which directly impacts student learning. Visit us at ourschoolsusa.org or on Instagram ( @ourscho...

In this episode, Kristi & Christina discuss the Florida Board of Education's policies that effectively ban AP Psychology being taught in Florida schools. By instructing Florida superintendents that teaching content on sexual orientation and gender identity is illegal under state law,  nearly 30,000 students and their families will be robbed of course schedules and college credit opportuni...

In this episode, Kristi and Christina unpack the most recent Moms for Liberty tweet and position that there should be no mental health care in public schools (or health care at all). Joined by Ahmanise Sanati,   a regional director for the National Association of Social Workers, and current Licensed Clinical Social Worker for one of the largest school districts in the country,  what the absence of...

Inspired by an Instagram follower's request, Kristi & Christina discuss ways that you can organize around school board issues to be on the offense, rather than the defense. Visit us at ourschoolsusa.org or on Instagram ( @ourschoolsusa ). Support Our Schools USA. Text OURSCHOOLSUSA at (855) 575-7888 or visit ourschoolsusa.org/donate to donate today.

In this episode, Kristi and Christina discuss a proposal being set forth by House Republicans that could bring cuts to the national free and reduced lunch program, which would result in families not receiving free lunch.  Visit us at ourschoolsusa.org or on Instagram ( @ourschoolsusa ). Support Our Schools USA. Text OURSCHOOLSUSA at (855) 575-7888 or visit ourschoolsusa.org/donate to donate today.

In this episode, Kristi and Christina talk about the Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction's recent comments that have come under fire as well as what happens when inexperienced people with a lack of expertise manage and set policy for public schools. Visit us at ourschoolsusa.org or on Instagram ( @ourschoolsusa ). Support Our Schools USA. Text OURSCHOOLSUSA at (855) 575-7888 or visi...

In this first episode, Christina (the former school board member) and Kristi (the former public school teacher and parent) discuss the rise of far-right groups in the anti-public education space like Moms for Liberty.  Visit us at ourschoolsusa.org or on Instagram ( @ourschoolsusa ). Support Our Schools USA. Text OURSCHOOLSUSA at (855) 575-7888 or visit ourschoolsusa.org/donate to donate today.