What's Really Going On: A Spotlight on Solutions for Improving Student Achievement in America's Schools Dr. Sonya Whitaker

In this podcast Dr. Sonya Whitaker describes what is meant by performing in the paint. Furthermore she provides concrete examples of the types of strategies leaders should use navigate political waters associated with achieving at high levels.

How likely is it that you are unintentionally demonstrating a level of bias toward another adult or child, but are doing so on an unconscious level? The truth is we don’t know what we don’t know. In this podcast, Dr. Sonya Whitaker seeks to raise our awareness by providing us with practical examples and a theoretical framework for understanding our own actions.

In addition to sharing her personal experiences, she introduces the four levels of racism and the three different types of biases.

Education and Migration. In this podcast, Dr. Sonya Whitaker speaks candidly about education and migration and the fact that many have referred to what is currently happening as a humanitarian crisis. She encourages educators to focus on the word human in humanitarian and to raise awareness about the most effective ways in which to respond to migrant families.

Dr. Whitaker also references a theoretical framework which can be used to aid you in developing policy-related responses to this topic in particular.

This podcast is for any parent or guardian of a child attending any school in America (public or private). Be sure to listen to Dr. Whitaker’s 20 minute podcast before you head out to participate in Parent/Teacher Conferences. In this podcast she addresses what she has coined as The Top Five Questions for Engaging in Critical Conversations with Your Child’s Teachers.

In this podcast, Dr. Sonya Whitaker addresses The Criminalization and Adultification of Black Girls in America’s K-12 Educational Institutions. She shares critical information related to what you need to know and what you have the power to do about it. Dr. Whitaker contends that every educator in America with a black girl in their school or district needs to know the contents of this podcast and the accompanying blog post. More specifically, she wants you compelled to ask yourself as a leader, teacher or school board member, “what am I missing as it relates to this topic?” For more information about Sonya Whitaker, or to obtain access to her previously recorded podcasts and blog posts visit her website at sonyawhitaker.com

After years of experimenting, Dr. Sonya Whitaker noticed a trend that causes her concern and the trend is directly tied to her personal experiences related to limited to no ability to obtain unsweetened ice tea in any of the black communities she frequents. In this podcast she opens up about topics related to black people being disproportionately harder hit by heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity and challenges fast food service providers to make a concentrated effort to engage in practices geared more toward extending the life expectancy rates of African Americans. Dr. Whitakers own grandmother died at the age of 54 due to complications related to heart disease.