Eric Gardner

Project: School Dad

Education EN ↓ 7 episodes

Project: School Dad is a research-driven podcast and storytelling initiative exploring the impact, urgency, and underrepresentation of Black male educators in American schools. Blending personal narrative, historical analysis, and honest conversation, the podcast examines how representation, belonging, mentorship, and culturally responsive teaching shape the academic and emotional experiences of Black and Brown students. Through interviews with educators, advocates, scholars, parents, and community leaders, Project: School Dad amplifies stories that challenge inequity, restore erased narrative...

Author

Eric Gardner

Episodes

Leadership and Community - Featured Guest: Dr. William Hayes 02.07.2026 52:36

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...

Family Connection: "Community & Partnerships" - Featured Guest: Karen Williams 25.06.2026 49:06

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...

Voices of the Community: "Parent Voice, Student Success — A Legacy of Partnership." Featured Guests: Casandra Chase, Nicole Figueroa, & Terri Ayers 18.06.2026 49:15

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...

Strength & Identity - Featured Guest: Ernest Owens 11.06.2026 1:11:13

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...

Being Reflective: Culturally responsive pedagogy: “What Works” featuring: "The Intellectuals" 04.06.2026 1:13:40

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...

Mentorship That Moves the Needle: Radical Advising in Urban Schools - Featured Guest: Dr. Khary Moody 28.05.2026 1:00:50

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...

Belonging & School Connection - Featured Guest: Darren Rainey 12.05.2026 1:07:40

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...