Making After-School Cool Podcast

Today’s episode of the Making After School Cool podcast is the first part of a two-part series which highlights our CASE for Kids Case Debate project . It features my conversation with Jimi Morales, the Project Coordinator for Case Debates. CASE Debates funded by Harris County Department of Education, is a collaboration between CASE for Kids and the Houston Urban Debate League (HUDL). Although thi...

This episode of the Making After School Cool podcast features the initial experiences of Out of School time professionals during initial stages of the COVID pandemic. During this time of uncertainty, many Out of School time professionals had questions regarding COVID, as well as how to provide safe services for the youth. To learn about the adaptation’s programs had to make, Ms. Helen Spencer cond...

This is a preview of episode # 103 of the Making after school cool podcast. During this preview you will hear my conversation with Helen Spencer, who is a doctoral student with the University of Houston. Ms. Spencer discussed her work concerning the experiences of Out of School time professional during the peak of COVID 19.  During her interviews, she heard personnel working in the after-school fi...

This episode of the Making After School Cool podcast features a discussion with Dr. Deborah Appleman, professor at Carleton College and author of the recently published book Literature and the New Cultural Wars. We examine the challenges those who write and teach secondary literature face in today’s current climate of scrutiny and disagreement. During this podcast you will learn more about the fol...

This is a preview of episode # 102 of the Making after school cool podcast. During this preview you will hear a discussion I had Dr. Deborah Appleman, professor of educational studies at Carleton College, regarding the difficulty of teaching Literature in today’s current state of divisiveness and politics.  Dr. Appleman is the author of the recently published book Literature and the New Cultural W...

This episode of the Making after School Cool podcast focuses on Spotivity. Spotivity is an interactive search, mapping, and education app that helps students and parents make the best decisions about their after-school activities. To discuss Spotivity is its founder Montana Butsch. During this podcast you will learn the following: Why are extracurricular and after school activities beneficial to s...

Today we are previewing episode 101 of the Making After School Cool podcase which highlights Spotivity, a one-stop online site that connects and tracks secondary students’ participation in after school activities. Spotivity supports after school programs to increase enrollment and participation rates but also enables kids and their parents to make the best decisions about how to best use their tim...

This is our 100th full episode of the Making after School Cool podcast and I am excited to have colleagues of CASE for Kids to share in the impressive achievement. The topic of today’s episode focuses on the startup of after schools’ programs as we begin a new school year.  According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the more positive outlets students have at school the b...

This episode of the Making After School Cool podcast features a discussion concerning students’ self-esteem. The way students see themselves as it pertains to the world around them will influence how they feel and respond in different situations. Self-esteem includes a person’s level of confidence, security, sense of belonging and competence level. To discuss resources to address students’ self-es...

Today we are previewing episode 99 of the Making After School Cool podcase which features a discussion regarding students’ self-esteem. Youths’ self-esteem relates to the way students see themselves as it pertains to the world around them and how they respond in different situations. Self-esteem includes a person’s level of confidence, security, sense of belonging and competence level. To discuss...

Attracting young adults to work with programs supporting youth is important yet can sometimes be difficult to achieve. However, when agencies can identify and engages young adults to  play a role in the coordination of youth services then the benefits can be positive, and the programs become more appealing to school aged students. Therefore, this episode  of Making After School Cool Podcast focuse...

Attracting young adults to work with programs supporting youth is important yet can sometimes be difficult to achieve. However, when agencies can identify and engages young adults to  play a role in the coordination of youth services then the benefits can be positive, and the programs become more appealing to school aged students. Therefore, this preview episode 98 of Making After School Cool Podc...

There are certain characteristics which are often assigned to leaders; however, the most common trait is their ability to move others towards the direction of accomplishing a task. Episode 97 of the Making After School Cool Podcast focuses on  creating a culture of leadership. During this installment, I will be discussing, with my guest Pete Hall, elements concerning leaders and leadership qualiti...

There are certain characteristics which are often assigned to leaders; however, the most common trait is their ability to move others towards the direction of accomplishing a task. Therefor this preview of Episode 97 of the Making After School Cool Podcast focuses on  creating a culture of leadership. During this installment, I will be discussing, with my guest Pete Hall, elements concerning leade...

Teenagers can be a particularly challenging age group to work with and educate. Studies have shown that this age group thrives best in a nurturing environment. By keeping pre-teens and teenagers’ brain active will strengthen the neural pathways that are vital for long-term learning. To discuss the topic of teaching the adolescent brain is my guest Dr. Lori Desautels During this episode you will le...

Today is a preview of episode 95 of the Making After School Cool podcast where we discuss the topic of teaching with an understanding of adolescent brain.  My guest today is Dr. Lori Desautels who is an assistant professor at Butler University where she teaches both undergraduate and graduate programs in the  College of Education . Because of her work, she has been able to attract the foremost exp...

Today’s episode of the Making After-School Cool Podcast focuses on current issues appearing in education.  As Educational practices continue to evolve,  there remains the question of “are the methods we now use to educate our youth keeping pace with the educational evolution?” Research has shown that when students actively participate in lessons, they are more engaged and their academic performanc...

Today we are previewing episode 95 of the Making After-School Cool Podcast which focuses on current issues appearing in education.  As Educational practices continuously evolve,  there remains the question of “are the methods we now use to educate our youth keeping pace with the educational evolution?” Research has shown that when students actively participate in lessons, they are more engaged and...

In honor of the historic work they do, today’s episode of the Making After School Cool podcast highlights the Houston Area Urban League. As they celebrate 54 years of existence, the Houston Area Urban League advocates for and provides social services to disadvantaged people of all races, gender, age groups, and/or disabilities. During this podcast you will learn: The types of services provided by...

This preview of episode 94 of the Making After School Cool podcast honor of the historic work of the Houston Area Urban League. As they celebrate 54 years of existence, the Houston Area Urban League advocates for and provides social services to disadvantaged people of all races, gender, age groups, and/or disabilities. To speak on services being provided by the Houston Area Urban League is today’s...

There are numerous problems negatively influencing communities across the country. However, developing a strategy to address these concerns can be complex and overwhelming.  Community advocacy is when a person or organization brings to light civic issues to policymakers, politicians, and the local citizenry to create change. Therefore, today’s episode of the making after school cool podcast highli...

Today we are previewing Ep 93 which focuses on community advocacy and highlights the Collective Agency for Youth. There are numerous problems negatively influencing communities across the country.  Community advocacy requires the collaboration of a wide range of people focused on solving social issues. In the Houston area anorganzation doing such work is the Collective Agency for Youth.  To speak...

The topic for this week’s episode focuses on the importance of building your networking skills. Building a network is important because it helps you locate individuals who can assist you with connecting and developing potential opportunities for success. Regarding school based after school programs, School administration, faculty members, custodians, bus drivers, local community members and parent...

This is a preview of EP 92 which will focus on the importance of building networking skills. Building a network is important because it helps you locate individuals who can assist you with connecting and developing potential opportunities for success. In regards to school based after school programs, administrators, faculty members, custodians, bus drivers, local community members and parents are...