Are we all doing enough as parents for our kids' education? (Terri Ruyter, an educator and founding principal of one of the largest public schools in New York)

Welcome to the second episode of the third season of An American, but not really podcast. In this episode I'm chatting with a founding principal of one of the largest New York public schools that is now home to over 700 students - from Pre-K to 8th graders. 

Twenty years ago, right after September 11, Terri Ruyter was tasked with establishing a school in lower Manhattan. Terri worked in schools for close to 40 years as an elementary school classroom teacher, a professor of education, and as a district literacy specialist. With her Masters and Doctoral degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University, she studied inclusive classroom practices for her dissertation. 

Terri believes that the best schools keep children at the center of decision making. That means that all adults involved in the school need to be informed about child development, be careful and close “kid watchers,” and acknowledge the social, emotional and academic skills and ideas that young people bring to the school community. Using an asset-based lens, we can design and facilitate learning experiences that challenge and engage all students and create an environment that provides the space children need to grow and excel. 

In our conversation we cover everything from the current state of public school education in NY and U.S., migrant situation, and how parents can help their kids to develop and enjoy the school experience to the recent trends of parents wanting to compete over elite and private schools at all costs and how it affects kids. We talk about technology use at schools, we're addressing the shortage of teachers, parents' anxiety over kids' academics and college choices and the new norms of shooter drills at school. You might agree or disagree with Terri, but as a parent myself, I found her views and opinions very refreshing, helpful and, most of all, hopefull.

Please review, comment and share your favorite episodes. Your opinion matters and it gives this podcast a boost to reach people who might be interested in learning from these guests - on a professional and/or personal level. Thank you for your support! Follow us on IG @anamericanbutnotreally. Terri Ruyter's IG is here.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thelivesoftheothers/support