Struggle for Change

In this episode, Emily (@eh48) catches up with former students, Vivaan and Noah ( featured in Episode 24 ), who are high school seniors now. They discuss a variety of topics, including college applications, the difference going to college will make for them, and the adventure that their future holds. Listen in to see how they’re doing and the golden nuggets they share!

In this episode, Emily (@eh48), Traci (@tr_bo), and Valerie (@mllevalsunshine) discuss the struggles faced in education with the new White House administration, more specifically, the removal of schools and churches as safe havens with an executive order. Meanwhile, school districts and universities in California are messaging the families to affirm that they are indeed space places for students....

This new season starts with Emily (@eh48), Traci (@tr_bo), and Valerie (@mllevalsunshine) on video via Tik Tok & YouTube. We’re trying something a little different with the addition of video and we’ll continue the discussion of the struggles folks face. Of course, the podcast version is still available, too, wherever you listen! In this episode, we discuss a post that was made by @TheSpeechPro...

Join us as we discuss AI's impact on education access and how it may or may not meet the needs of our most vulnerable citizens. Are you an education professional or a student struggling? Email us at struggleforchangepodcast@gmail.com. We would love to hear your story. Visit our website: struggleforchange.com . Find us on Instagram: @struggleforchangepodcast . Find us on Facebook: @struggleforc...

Emily and Valerie talk with Laura, a HS English teacher at Sonoma Academy, around unique approaches to instilling mindfulness in students and embedding wellness in the day-to-day school schedule. We also ponder about trapped bats in houses and Taylor Swift electives.

Chris, the creator of High Five Movement joins us in a conversation to talk about his wellness practices for himself and the implementation of wellness/positive practices in the classroom. He shares the importance of fueling our bodies with nutritious food to have energy to do the necessary things as it can greatly impact our mental and emotional wellness. Lastly, the positive connections we make...

Here is a throwback to March of 2020, when Traci sat down with Diane Main in a heart-felt interview addressing her personal struggles with mental health as an education professional. Diane's OG Blog. Note: This version has been re-mixed and re-mastered! Help us keep creating by donating to our podcast . 50% of donations go toward the Dean Ledford Foundation . Are you someone with a story about...

It’s not just authors feeling the pressure of book-banning movements. Through this current uptick in school and public library censorship, students are missing opportunities to hone their critical thinking skills as readers and teachers facing barriers to providing a well-rounded curriculum for students. In honor of Banned Books Week 2023 , Emily shares some tidbits around the history of book cens...

Join us as for a meaningful conversation around normalizing mental health management as an education professional. Tory shares with us his own raw and honest approach to managing mental health, and how it has made him a stronger educator and more-grounded human. We hope you find some strategies that you can apply tomorrow. Are you someone with a story about a struggle related to education? Submit...

Join us for a conversation with school media specialist and librarian Mary, who left the elementary classroom to better support teachers in a changing tech landscape. After 20 years or so in the elementary classroom, Mary took advantage of an opportunity to transition to the school Media Center as a librarian, where she supports teachers with innovative, (mostly) tech-centered and relevant approac...

A conversation with Ashley, a public middle school teacher, doing her best to meet students where they are, both emotionally and academically. She struggled last year with her 8th-grade students not meeting the academic standards to proficiently "graduate." Most importantly, we talk about the awesome ways in which she HAS achieved success in helping students do their best and be their be...

Emily Hendricks (@eh48), Traci Bonde (@tr_bo), and Valerie Sun (@mllevalsunshine) transport you to a Zen space known more commonly as a wellness room that was piloted at #FallCUE and brought fully to life at #SpringCUE with the support of Axiom. The space appealed to all senses with activities, décor, and furniture intentionally placed. While that space described was at a conference, the hosts dis...

Here’s the first episode of pocket change, where the discussion is short and sweet, for those with less time to listen. Valerie (@MlleValSunshine) shared the awesomeness of the wellness room at the #SpringCUE Conference in Palm Springs with Emily (@eh48) who wasn’t able to attend this year. They share this innovative model and the need for a wellness room at conferences where attendees can have a...

Emily (@eh48) in California, chats with Brianna in Michigan, who has been passionate about music and was on track to earn her undergraduate degree in music with an interest in becoming a teacher. In her second year of college, her classes were moved online due to COVID safety and restrictions. She pivoted to another passion - cosmetology. Tune in as she shares the stigma of alternative education a...

Emily (@eh48) talks with two of her former students, Vivaan and Noah, who are currently both Sophomores in a fully-online high school ( Stanford OHS ). They discuss some of the pros and cons of online learning, why they decided this school was a good fit and the challenges they face balancing education with other important aspects of life. Additional Resources: https://wehavekids.com/education/con...

In this episode, Traci Bonde (@tr_bo) starts a conversation with Joe Ayala (@joeayala) in regards to his 2022 CITE Conference session about resilient leaders. He shares his process to prepare for the session, the reasons for demonstrating his vulnerability, and the practices he continues with to ensure his mental health. Tune in to find ways to self regulate and to stay grounded. Are you someone w...

Traci Bonde (@tr_bo) kicks off this episode by sharing her professional background and the realization that she needed to create boundaries in order to maintain balance. She shares the small changes she has made and the ways she protects her time and productivity. Emily Hendricks (@eh48) shares the self-care steps she has taken to recharge from different work environments. Valerie Sun (@mllevalsun...

Emily Hendricks (@eh48) begins this episode with a reflection on the difficulties of making a transition and listening to her gut when it comes to making changes. Traci Bonde (@tr_bo) compares transitory steps to the stages of grief. Valerie Sun (@mllevalsunshine) points out that everything we do is hard when it is not part of our regular routine. Join us in this discussion about making changes in...

We’re 3 years into the progression of COVID where some of us feel like it’s a thing of the past and others are still diligently masked and taking precautions. Traci Bonde (@tr_bo), Emily Hendricks (@eh48), and Valerie Sun (@mllevalsunshine) explore the effects of our post-COVID collective “whiplash” that we witness in our classrooms and workplaces, setting boundaries for our own benefit, and the f...

Traci Bonde (@tr_bo), Emily Hendricks (@eh48), and Valerie Sun (@mllevalsunshine) come back together for Season 3, after several months of podcast hiatus, to share the news: We’re still here and we’re still struggling. This short and sweet episode shares thoughts for future episodes. Are you an education professional or a student that is struggling? Email us at struggleforchangepodcast@gmail.com ....

Danielle Rose Bardellini ( daniellebardellini.com ) talks with Emily Hendricks (@eh48) about her latest entrepreneurial endeavor, fireflyschools.com, and how bringing your own passions and creativity as an educator into the classroom is an important part of a joyful learning experience. She also unveils to us the concept of decentralized learning and her philosophy behind “Firefly Schools” and how...

Valerie (@mllevalsunshine) speaks with Jen Young (@msyoung428) about the positive things that have come out because of COVID and distance learning. In a previous episode, she gave us a run-down of her struggle with managing mental health issues while teaching. This is a follow-up episode to see how things are going! She talks about making connections with her students from last year and this year...

In this episode, Traci has an unscripted conversation with Danny Hauger (@DannyHauger). Danny is host of the podcast "Inspiring Teachers Show" (@ShowTeachers), as well as a broadcast professional and high school educator. He talks about about how he found ways to be super positive when we entered the shutdown in March of 2020. He shares his approach to trying to make his course a safe &a...

Traci Bonde (@tr_bo), Emily Hendricks (@eh48), and Valerie Sun (@mllevalsunshine), the creators of Struggle for Change are joined by Doreen Bonde (@doreenbonde), come together in a live conversation around teaching in this crazy new hybrid model. This is our first live podcast video recording via Facebook! Realizing that many teachers may be experiencing the same hesitations, fears, and anxiety an...

Traci Bonde (@tr_bo), Emily Hendricks (@eh48), and Valerie Sun (@mllevalsunshine), the creators of Struggle for Change, come together in an impromptu conversation around teaching in this crazy new hybrid model. This is our first podcast video recording via Zoom! Realizing that many teachers may be experiencing the same hesitations, fears, and anxiety and uncertainty around teaching in this new mod...