Teaching and Leading with Dr. Amy and Dr. Joi

Joi Patterson and Amy Vujaklija discuss the importance of stakeholder involvement in accreditation, emphasizing that accreditation is a team effort involving both internal and external partners. They highlight the necessity of engaging students, faculty, staff, administrators, community members, and alumni. Joi compares stakeholder identification to planning a wedding, stressing the importance of...

Amy Vujaklija and Joi Patterson discuss the complexities of accreditation, emphasizing the importance of assessment and evidence. They highlight the need for clear rubrics, measurable language, and effective feedback loops to ensure continuous improvement. The conversation covers the challenges of data collection and utilization, stressing the importance of actionable data rather than mere accumul...

Joi Patterson and Amy Vujaklija discuss the importance of shared institutional responsibility in accreditation processes, emphasizing that accreditation should not be treated as a last-minute task. They highlight common mistakes, such as isolating individuals and rushing documents, which lead to inefficiencies and stress. They advocate for ongoing, collaborative preparation, including timelines, r...

Amy Vujaklija and Joi Patterson discuss the importance and challenges of accreditation in higher education. They emphasize that accreditation ensures educational quality, public trust, and equity. Amy shares her anxiety about accreditation, while Joi highlights the emotional and logistical burdens it imposes. They note that accreditation involves continuous improvement, transparency, and complianc...

The podcast episode honors Dr. Cheryl Green, who passed away on April 23, 2025, after serving as President of Governor State University for four years. Dr. Green, a passionate educator with over 30 years of experience, received numerous accolades, including the Outstanding Commitment in Education Award in 2023 and the Women in Excellence in Education Award in 2024. In her speech, she emphasized th...

In this episode, we talk to Laurie Hendrickson, a former middle school teacher and current educator. Hendrickson discusses the importance of student participation and technology integration in education. She emphasizes the need for technology to be used within the curriculum with a specific purpose, such as creating digital stories that enhance learning. Hendrickson shares her experience with digi...

In this episode, we talk to Ms. Marshaunda Dixon, director of learning initiatives for Renaissance Christian Academy. We discuss the teacher shortage and lack of diversity in education, particularly among African American teachers. We highlight that while students of color are expected to make up 56% of the student population by 2024, only 82% of public school teachers are white. Dixon shares her...

In this episode, we talk to Gynger Garcia, a former Chicago Public School teacher, who works as a community education liaison at Breakthrough Urban Ministries. She discusses the importance of community-minded education and the benefits of partnerships between universities and community organizations. Breakthrough's programs, including after-school support and a community fresh market, are designed...

Nichelle Cook, educator, licensed attorney, social entrepreneur and neurodiversity disability advocate, discusses the importance of embracing neurodiversity and the challenges faced by individuals with developmental disabilities. She highlights that 12% of employees and 11% of students have developmental disabilities, emphasizing the need for better communication and support. Nichelle shares her p...

In this episode, Dr. Amy Vujaklija and Dr. Joi Patterson discuss leadership in education, emphasizing the importance of student success and diversity, equity, and inclusion. We interview Dr. Angela Diggs, a seasoned educational leader, about her journey from a peer professional to a Director of Special Services. Dr. Diggs highlights the challenges of balancing multiple stakeholders' needs while ma...

Dr. Debbie James interviews Dr. Amy Vujaklija and Dr. Joi Patterson, co-hosts of the "Teaching and Leading" podcast at Governors State University. We discuss our journey from hallway conversations to a podcast during the pandemic. We highlight the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in education and the value of our podcast in elevating educator voices. Dr. Dr. James asks us to share ou...

Dr. Sandy Womack, an Ohio educator and administrator, discusses his passion for transforming urban schools and the importance of assessing performance beyond persistence rates. He emphasizes the need for data-driven approaches, community engagement, and creating a supportive environment for teachers. Womack highlights successful programs like the Real League and the New York Civic Leadership Insti...

Dr. Cheryl Green, President of Governor State University, discusses her leadership journey. Despite challenges like the pandemic and the murder of George Floyd, she emphasizes the importance of higher education and the need for African American females to remain connected to academia. Green shares four pieces of career advice, including the value of self-analysis, generating revenue, and broadenin...

Mayor Joe Woods discusses his dual passions for poetry and public service, highlighting his role as the 12th mayor and second African American mayor of Park Forest. He emphasizes the transformative power of storytelling and the importance of lifelong learning. Woods also addresses the challenges of diversity and equity, offering a poem that critiques the superficiality of diversity without inclusi...

Dr. Phyllis West, Director of Social Justice Initiative at Governor State University, discusses the evolution of respectability politics and the stigmatization associated with African American hair. She recounts her journey from being a high school cosmetology major to an academic, highlighting the societal pressures and personal challenges she faced with her hair choices.

Dr. Rashidah Muhammad, a professor at Governor State University, discusses her inspirational journey in academia, highlighting her admiration for influential Black figures like Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison. Dr. Muhammad credits Dr. Geneva Smitherman, her "literary mother," for providing a pivotal motivational push during her studies. Dr. Muhammad emphasizes the importance of balancing life and w...

Dr. Nicole Bing, an associate professor and speech-language pathologist at Governor State University, is featured on a special Black History Project episode. She shares her journey, highlighting the impact of mentors like Dr. Noma Anderson and Dr. Yvette Hyter. Bing's story underscores the importance of mentorship in the academic and professional lives of Black leaders, leading to her success in t...

Dr. Cheryl Green, the sixth president of Governor State University, discusses her journey and vision for the institution. She emphasizes the importance of diversity in leadership, noting that only 30% of university presidents are female and 5% are women of color. Green highlights her focus on engagement, transparency, and community relations, and her commitment to serving all seven stakeholder gro...

Stephanie Krauss, an educator and mom, shares her personal journey from high school dropout to college graduate. She discusses her book Making It," which aims to prepare students for an uncertain future by focusing on four key "currencies": competencies, credentials, connections, and cash. Krauss emphasizes the need to modernize education, moving beyond just college and career readiness to fosteri...

Shannon Swilley, an experienced educator and advocate for culturally responsive teaching, discusses the importance of understanding students' cultural backgrounds to enhance learning. He emphasizes that teaching is a complex craft requiring empathy, social intelligence, and continuous growth. Swilley's research highlights that while teachers acknowledge the benefits of culturally responsive practi...

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Giesela Grumbach, a social worker and educator. Dr. Grumbach discusses the evolving role of school social workers, emphasizing their importance in providing counseling, home visits, and advocacy. She highlights the significance of social-emotional learning (SEL) standards and the multi-tiered system of support, which includes tier one (prevention), tier two (small g...

Dr. Amy Vujaklija and Dr. Joi Patterson reflect on their podcast's journey, which began during the COVID-19 lockdown in May 2020. We have released a number of episodes, discussing diverse topics through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We highlight the importance of being reflective practitioners, emphasizing self-awareness and impact. Notable guests include psychologists, counselors,...

Dr. Sara Schnoor discusses her research on middle school leaders' perceptions of restorative justice practices. She emphasizes the importance of community and individual accountability in restorative justice, highlighting its benefits in education, healthcare, and other fields. Dr. Schnoor shares her journey from teaching to leadership, focusing on the dynamic growth of middle school students and...

In this episode, Dr. Christopher Dignam, a former K-12 educator and current university professor, discusses his journey in integrating art and science in teaching methodologies. He emphasizes the importance of portraiture, a framework that blends ethnography, phenomenology, and narration, to create a holistic learning experience. Dr. Dignam shares his experiences as a high school principal, where...

In this episode, we discuss the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan and its implementation in schools. Colleen Gjataj, Director of Literacy Pathways at Elmhurst 205 Public Schools, highlights the challenges of improving literacy among third graders, noting that 30% cannot read. She emphasizes the need for high-quality instructional materials and professional development for teachers. Despite reso...