Can We Get A Minute?

Rebeca Shackleford, Jenn Ellis
  • 5.0 (2)
  • EDUCATION

"Can We Get A Minute?" cuts through the confusion of education policy to answer the questions teachers are too busy to research themselves. Join Jenn Ellis (a recovering lawyer) and Rebeca Shackleford (a former teacher and principal) as they decode who really calls the shots in our schools. From classroom policies to curriculum decisions, they break down complex education bureaucracy into actionable insights. Whether you're wondering why your school board made that controversial decision or how to effectively advocate for your students, Jenn and Rebeca combine their unique expertise to give you the straight answers you need—all in the time it takes to prep for your next class. Finally, education policy explained by experts who've been in your shoes. For season one, we’ll be talking about school meals, books, AI, college & career pathways, mental health, data & assessments.

  1. 11/19/2025

    Self-Care Isn't Selfish: Taking Care When Times Are Tough

    Teaching has always been demanding work, but right now? It feels especially heavy. Between policy uncertainty, increased expectations, and the weight of supporting students through their own challenges, educators are running on empty. And yet, there's often an unspoken expectation that teachers should just keep going—that taking care of yourself somehow means you care less about your students. In this episode, right before the holiday break, we sit down with Sam Levine, one of the founding leaders of Breathe for Change, to talk about why self-care isn't selfish—it's essential. Sam helps us understand the difference between performative wellness and the deep, sustainable practices that actually help educators show up as their best selves for students. We explore what it really means to take care of yourself when times are tough, why the system often makes self-care feel impossible, and how building these practices isn't just about individual survival—it's about collective resilience. This conversation is a reminder that you can't pour from an empty cup, and that taking care of yourself is actually one of the most important things you can do for your students. Take a breath. You've earned it.   Connect with us:  🌐 https://all4ed.org/  ➡️ https://twitter.com/All4Ed  ➡️ https://www.facebook.com/All4ed  ➡️ linktr.ee/all4ed    All4Ed is a national nonprofit advocacy organization located in Washington, D.C. We are committed to expanding equitable educational opportunities for students of color, students from low-income families, and other marginalized groups. We advance transformation from the classroom to Congress by advocating for federal, state, and local policies and practices that ensure all students graduate high school prepared for college, work, and life.

    42 min

  2. 11/12/2025

    Are We On the Same Team?: District Leadership and Teacher Voice

    For many teachers, it can feel like decisions are constantly being made at the district level—and their job is simply to comply. But what if there's more to the story than top-down mandates? In this episode, we sit down with Thomas C. Murray, Director of Innovation at All4Ed and former teacher, principal and district leader, to bridge the gap between the classroom and the district office. Thomas helps us understand what's really happening behind those decisions that land in teachers' inboxes, why the "why" often gets lost in translation, and how the pressure district leaders face can sometimes create the very disconnects they're trying to avoid. But this isn't just about understanding district leadership—it's about finding ways to work together more effectively. How can teachers make their voices heard in district decision-making? What do district leaders wish teachers understood about their role? And how do we move from a culture of compliance to one of genuine partnership where everyone is truly on the same team? Join us for an honest conversation about the challenges on both sides of this relationship—and how we can build the trust and communication that our students deserve. Connect with us:  🌐 https://all4ed.org/  ➡️ https://twitter.com/All4Ed  ➡️ https://www.facebook.com/All4ed  ➡️ linktr.ee/all4ed    All4Ed is a national nonprofit advocacy organization located in Washington, D.C. We are committed to expanding equitable educational opportunities for students of color, students from low-income families, and other marginalized groups. We advance transformation from the classroom to Congress by advocating for federal, state, and local policies and practices that ensure all students graduate high school prepared for college, work, and life.

    47 min

  3. 11/05/2025

    Beyond Engagement: Parents as Partners in Students Rights

    Every teacher knows family engagement is critical to success for a student, classroom, and school year. But how do we move from talking about parents, to talking with them, and how do we ensure students are truly centered in partnerships with families? In this episode, we sit down with Keri Rodrigues, the Co-Founder and Founding President of the National Parents Union for a conversation on how teachers and parents can better align to cut through conflict and focus where our unified energy is truly needed: to protect students’ rights. Whether you are a parent, teacher, both, or neither - Keri offers critical insight into taping parents as experts in the area they know best: their children. Join us for a conversation that ranges from student-centered advocacy, the TikTok teacher/parent discourse, and the unified power of parent and teacher partnerships. Connect with us:  🌐 https://all4ed.org/  ➡️ https://twitter.com/All4Ed  ➡️ https://www.facebook.com/All4ed  ➡️ linktr.ee/all4ed    All4Ed is a national nonprofit advocacy organization located in Washington, D.C. We are committed to expanding equitable educational opportunities for students of color, students from low-income families, and other marginalized groups. We advance transformation from the classroom to Congress by advocating for federal, state, and local policies and practices that ensure all students graduate high school prepared for college, work, and life.

    47 min

  4. 10/29/2025

    Course Correction: Reimagining Pathways for Real Opportunities

    For over a decade, the pathways movement promised to bridge K-12, postsecondary education, and careers—opening doors for young people far from opportunity. But what if we've been building pathways that actually close more doors than they open? In this episode, we sit down with Charlotte Cahill and Kyle Hartung, Senior Advisors at All4Ed, to explore some uncomfortable truths about where pathways are headed. Too many pathways have become narrowly focused on job training and short-term credentials, funneling students—especially those furthest from opportunity—into linear routes that can lead to dead ends. Charlotte and Kyle challenge us to think bigger: What if we designed pathways that honor young people's complexity and aspirations? What if we stopped presenting false choices between college and career, between purpose and paycheck, between self-determination and economic security? And what would it take to build pathways systems that actually expand opportunity rather than replicate the tracking systems of decades past? Join us for a conversation about the urgent need for a course correction—and what it will take to create pathways that truly serve all students.     Connect with us:  🌐 https://all4ed.org/  ➡️ https://twitter.com/All4Ed  ➡️ https://www.facebook.com/All4ed  ➡️ linktr.ee/all4ed    All4Ed is a national nonprofit advocacy organization located in Washington, D.C. We are committed to expanding equitable educational opportunities for students of color, students from low-income families, and other marginalized groups. We advance transformation from the classroom to Congress by advocating for federal, state, and local policies and practices that ensure all students graduate high school prepared for college, work, and life.

    48 min

  5. 10/22/2025

    Permission Granted, Progress Lost?: What We Risk In an Era of Waivers

    Sweeping waiver proposals are on the horizon in Iowa, Indiana, and Oklahoma—and they could fundamentally change how we track whether all students are being served. When states ask for flexibility, it sounds reasonable. But what happens when that flexibility means losing critical data and dismantling the safeguards designed to ensure transparency and accountability? In this episode, we sit down with returning guest, Anne Hyslop, Director of Policy Development at All4Ed, and Nicholas Munyan-Penney, Assistant Director of P-12 Policy at EdTrust, to unpack what's at stake. What are these states asking to be excused from? What information could we lose? And most importantly, which students are most at risk when oversight disappears? Join us for a clear-eyed look at the trade-offs we're making in the name of flexibility—and what it means for the students who need protection most. Connect with us: 🌐 https://all4ed.org/ ➡️ https://twitter.com/All4Ed  ➡️ https://www.facebook.com/All4ed  ➡️ linktr.ee/all4ed  All4Ed is a national nonprofit advocacy organization located in Washington, D.C. We are committed to expanding equitable educational opportunities for students of color, students from low-income families, and other marginalized groups. We advance transformation from the classroom to Congress by advocating for federal, state, and local policies and practices that ensure all students graduate high school prepared for college, work, and life. Connect with us:  🌐 https://all4ed.org/  ➡️ https://twitter.com/All4Ed  ➡️ https://www.facebook.com/All4ed  ➡️ linktr.ee/all4ed    All4Ed is a national nonprofit advocacy organization located in Washington, D.C. We are committed to expanding equitable educational opportunities for students of color, students from low-income families, and other marginalized groups. We advance transformation from the classroom to Congress by advocating for federal, state, and local policies and practices that ensure all students graduate high school prepared for college, work, and life.

    43 min

  6. 10/15/2025

    After the Storm: Making Sense of Summer's Upheaval

    A lot happened while educators were preparing for the new school year. From the sweeping changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to the Department of Education withholding critical education funding over the summer, it's been a turbulent few months for schools across the country. In this season premiere, we break down what happened, what it means for students and educators, and what you need to know as we head into fall—including concerns about a looming government shutdown that could impact schools even further. Join Jenn and Rebeca as we cut through the noise and make sense of the policy shifts that are currently reshaping education. Note: This episode was recorded before the final determination regarding the government shutdown. Although the shutdown has since occurred, the funding scheduled to be released on October 1, 2025, was successfully distributed to schools before the shutdown took effect. Connect with us:  🌐 https://all4ed.org/  ➡️ https://twitter.com/All4Ed  ➡️ https://www.facebook.com/All4ed  ➡️ linktr.ee/all4ed  All4Ed is a national nonprofit advocacy organization located in Washington, D.C. We are committed to expanding equitable educational opportunities for students of color, students from low-income families, and other marginalized groups. We advance transformation from the classroom to Congress by advocating for federal, state, and local policies and practices that ensure all students graduate high school prepared for college, work, and life. Connect with us:  🌐 https://all4ed.org/  ➡️ https://twitter.com/All4Ed  ➡️ https://www.facebook.com/All4ed  ➡️ linktr.ee/all4ed    All4Ed is a national nonprofit advocacy organization located in Washington, D.C. We are committed to expanding equitable educational opportunities for students of color, students from low-income families, and other marginalized groups. We advance transformation from the classroom to Congress by advocating for federal, state, and local policies and practices that ensure all students graduate high school prepared for college, work, and life.

    44 min

  7. 04/15/2025

    Testing the Waters: Understanding School Assessments as Season 1 Draws to a Close

    In our Season 1 finale, Jenn and Rebeca are joined by Anne Hyslop, Director of Policy Development at All4Ed and former Department of Education appointee, for an illuminating discussion that brings our journey full circle. Building on our earlier conversation about federal data systems, Anne offers rare insider perspective on how standardized assessments actually work, who decides what goes on these tests, and why they matter beyond just measuring student performance. The trio navigates the complex feelings many educators have about testing while uncovering the surprising ways assessment data has historically protected vulnerable student groups. Anne shares behind-the-scenes insights from her time at the Department of Education, revealing the delicate balance between accountability and flexibility in federal assessment policy. As schools are in the midst of testing, this timely conversation equips teachers with the knowledge to engage in these debates from an informed position. Equal parts reflective and forward-looking, this finale captures the essence of our first season - breaking down complicated education policies with clarity, nuance, and a commitment to teacher advocacy. Don't miss this thought-provoking conclusion that sets the stage for more policy adventures when we return! Connect with us:  🌐 https://all4ed.org/  ➡️ https://twitter.com/All4Ed  ➡️ https://www.facebook.com/All4ed  ➡️ linktr.ee/all4ed    All4Ed is a national nonprofit advocacy organization located in Washington, D.C. We are committed to expanding equitable educational opportunities for students of color, students from low-income families, and other marginalized groups. We advance transformation from the classroom to Congress by advocating for federal, state, and local policies and practices that ensure all students graduate high school prepared for college, work, and life.

    51 min

  8. 04/08/2025

    Numbers That Matter: The Secret Power of Federal Education Data

    This week, Rebeca and Jenn welcome Ziyu Zhou, Research & Data Specialist at All4Ed, who transforms what could be a dry topic into an eye-opening conversation about the power of federal education data systems. Ziyu breaks down complex statistical frameworks into accessible insights, revealing how these vast information networks expose inequities that would otherwise remain hidden. The trio explores why these federal systems are irreplaceable national treasures that cannot be duplicated by states or private organizations—providing a continuous, comprehensive view of American education that transcends political boundaries. From discipline disparities to resource allocation, they unpack how these numbers tell human stories and drive real policy change. With current threats to data transparency looming, this timely discussion equips teachers with practical ways to access, understand, and leverage these powerful tools in their advocacy efforts. Whether you've always been intimidated by statistics or simply never realized their importance, Ziyu's clear explanations and passion for education justice make this an unexpectedly engaging episode you won't want to miss. Connect with us:  🌐 https://all4ed.org/  ➡️ https://twitter.com/All4Ed  ➡️ https://www.facebook.com/All4ed  ➡️ linktr.ee/all4ed    All4Ed is a national nonprofit advocacy organization located in Washington, D.C. We are committed to expanding equitable educational opportunities for students of color, students from low-income families, and other marginalized groups. We advance transformation from the classroom to Congress by advocating for federal, state, and local policies and practices that ensure all students graduate high school prepared for college, work, and life.

    44 min
See All (17)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

"Can We Get A Minute?" cuts through the confusion of education policy to answer the questions teachers are too busy to research themselves. Join Jenn Ellis (a recovering lawyer) and Rebeca Shackleford (a former teacher and principal) as they decode who really calls the shots in our schools. From classroom policies to curriculum decisions, they break down complex education bureaucracy into actionable insights. Whether you're wondering why your school board made that controversial decision or how to effectively advocate for your students, Jenn and Rebeca combine their unique expertise to give you the straight answers you need—all in the time it takes to prep for your next class. Finally, education policy explained by experts who've been in your shoes. For season one, we’ll be talking about school meals, books, AI, college & career pathways, mental health, data & assessments.

Information

  • Creator
    Rebeca Shackleford, Jenn Ellis
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Can We Get A Minute?