62 episodes

Join Amber (@MomOfAllCapes) and her kids at their kitchen table, where family discussions are fun and informative! Learn from experts and explore innovative ideas that push for more meaningful, equitable, and compassionate K12 learning experiences for kids, parents, and educators.

Let's K12 Better Amber Coleman-Mortley (@MomOfAllCapes)

    • Kids & Family
    • 5.0 • 34 Ratings

Join Amber (@MomOfAllCapes) and her kids at their kitchen table, where family discussions are fun and informative! Learn from experts and explore innovative ideas that push for more meaningful, equitable, and compassionate K12 learning experiences for kids, parents, and educators.

    Let’s Talk About Redefining Geek with Cassidy Puckett

    Let’s Talk About Redefining Geek with Cassidy Puckett

    What does it mean to be “good” with technology? What are the 5 hidden habits of tech-savvy teens? How can educators and parents support technology learning habits in young people?

    In this episode, we sat down with Cassidy Puckett, assistant professor of sociology at Emory University. Cassidy is the author of REDEFINING GEEK: Bias and the Five Hidden Habits of Tech-Savvy Teens. Cassidy brings us research findings on digital equity; tangible tips for supporting young people of all backgrounds as they navigate (and build) technology; and suggestions on how we adults can reframe our understanding of what is the root cause of the STEM pipeline issue.

    Connect on Social Media:
    Twitter: @CassidyCody | #RedefiningGeekInstagram: @redefining.geekLinkedIn: Cassidy PuckettCheck out Cassidy Puckett’s research, books, and more on her website!


    Additional Resources:
    PBS NewsHour interview: As colleges and universities drop admission tests, what’s the impact on enrollment? Read the book: Redefining Geek Bias and the Five Hidden Habits of Tech-Savvy Teens Use the code UCPSOC for 20% off the book.
    A portion of the proceeds goes to Urban Promise Academy in Oakland, CA!


    Send us your community letters!
    Are you saddled with a troubling situation? Curious to hear what we think about a certain issue? Send us your questions! Your query may end up on the Let’s K12 Better podcast in our community letters section.  Send your celebrations and questions to this form or email us: LetsK12Better@gmail.com! 

    Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/LetsK12BetterMail! 
    *Love our podcast? Rate. Review. Share!


    Music written and produced by Garvey Mortley. 
    The Let’s K12Better podcast is written and produced by Amber Coleman-Mortley, Garvey Mortley, Naima Mortley, and Sofia Mortley.






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    • 1 hr 9 min
    Let’s Talk About Civil Discourse with Joe Schmidt and Nichelle Pinkney

    Let’s Talk About Civil Discourse with Joe Schmidt and Nichelle Pinkney

    “Social Studies is the curriculum of how we live our life.” YES!
     
     In this episode, we sat down with veteran educators Joe Schmidt and Nichelle Pinkney, co-authors of Civil Discourse Classroom Conversations for Stronger Communities.  How do we leverage intellectual discomfort to grow and challenge ourselves and each other? What is the role of civil discourse in the social studies classroom and in other important spaces? Joe and Nichelle discuss how we work together to be better and why we need to build the skills to courageously engage in challenging and transformative conversations.

    Connect on Social Media:
    Follow Joe on Twitter: @madisonteacherFollow Nichelle on Twitter: @msnikki_pPurchase the book or get professional development:
    Purchase the book Civil Discourse Classroom Conversations for Stronger Communities Find the companion website with resources for classrooms and communities  Bring Joe Schmidt and Nichelle Pinkney in for professional development! Joe Schmidt’s website 
    Send us your community letters!
    Are you saddled with a troubling situation? Curious to hear what we think about a certain issue? Send us your questions! Your query may end up on the Let’s K12 Better podcast in our community letters section.  Send your celebrations and questions to this form or email us: LetsK12Better@gmail.com! 



    Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/LetsK12BetterMail! 
    *Love our podcast? Rate. Review. Share!


    Music written and produced by Garvey Mortley
    The Let’s K12Better podcast is written and produced by Amber Coleman-Mortley, Garvey Mortley, Naima Mortley, and Sofia Mortley.



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    • 1 hr 20 min
    Let’s Talk About Empowering Digital Leaders with Jennifer Casa-Todd

    Let’s Talk About Empowering Digital Leaders with Jennifer Casa-Todd

    Social media isn’t going anywhere. And neither is technology. So how do we help kids learn leadership skills and interpersonal skills so they can have successful social media experiences

    In this episode, we sat down with Jennifer Casa-Todd teacher-librarian, author, and co-founder of the Global Education Student Chat to discuss how parents and educators can support young people as they explore the digital space.

    Connect on Social Media:
    Twitter: @JCasaTodd Twitter: @GlobalEdSsChat | #GlobalEdSsChatInstagram: @raisingdigitalleadersCheck out Jennifer Casa-Todd’s books and other publications on her website or via her linktr.ee!

    Learn more about student voice and how to support student leadership on social media on the #GlobalEdSsChat website: https://globaledsschat.com/ 


    Send us your community letters!
    Are you saddled with a troubling situation? Curious to hear what we think about a certain issue? Send us your questions! Your query may end up on the Let’s K12 Better podcast in our community letters section.  Send your celebrations and questions to this form or email us: LetsK12Better@gmail.com! 



    Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/LetsK12BetterMail! 
    *Love our podcast? Rate. Review. Share!


    Music written and produced by Garvey Mortley
    The Let’s K12Better podcast is written and produced by Amber Coleman-Mortley, Garvey Mortley, Naima Mortley, and Sofia Mortley.


    Support the show

    • 46 min
    Let's Talk About Education, Play, and Equity with Karyn Allee, PhD

    Let's Talk About Education, Play, and Equity with Karyn Allee, PhD

    How does chronic stress impact the brain? How does play support pro-social behavior in kids? What are misnomers about Title 1 schools? How can we better equip new teachers working in high-challenge schools so they can meet the needs of the students in their communities? How do we tell the difference between poverty stressors and brain function and learning disabilities or ADD, ADHD?

    Grab a pen and get ready to take notes! In this episode, we sat down with Dr. Karyn Allee, veteran educator and Assistant Professor of Education at Mercer University to discuss education equity, increasing play in schools, and shifting our mindset around how we help schools in communities that are experiencing more challenges. 


    Connect on Social Media:
    Twitter: @karynallee | #PlayInSchoolIsAnEquityIssueInstagram: @KarynAlleeLinkedIn: Karyn Allee, PhDCheck out Dr. Karyn Allee’s publications on ORCID or her Google Scholar Page!
    Resources mentioned in the episode:
    Search for an accredited Early Child Care Center/Preschool via the NAEYC link to help families find good daycare: https://families.naeyc.org/find-quality-child-careHarvard Center on the Developing Child Podcast (The Brain Architects) and Resource Library
    Send us your community letters!
    Are you saddled with a troubling situation? Curious to hear what we think about a certain issue? Send us your questions! Your query may end up on the Let’s K12 Better podcast in our community letters section.  Send your celebrations and questions to this form or email us: LetsK12Better@gmail.com! 





    Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/LetsK12BetterMail!
    Love our podcast? Rate. Review. Share!


    Music written and produced by Garvey Mortley
    The Let’s K12Better podcast is written and produced by Amber Coleman-Mortley, Garvey Mortley, Naima Mortley, and Sofia Mortley.


    Support the show

    • 1 hr 11 min
    Let's Talk About Civics and Youth Voice with Elizabeth Clay Roy, Generation Citizen

    Let's Talk About Civics and Youth Voice with Elizabeth Clay Roy, Generation Citizen

    What is action civics? Why is student voice so important, especially right now? How can we use informed civics and action civics more efficiently together? How can we expand our understanding of what equity in civics could mean?  So many questions!

    Civic education plays an important role in building a more inclusive, participatory, and equitable democracy. In this episode, we sat down with Elizabeth Clay Roy, CEO of Generation Citizen, a national nonprofit committed to providing youth with the knowledge and skills they need to actively participate in our democracy.
    Connect with Generation Citizen on Social Media:
    Twitter: @GenCitizen
    Instagram: @GenerationCitizen
    LinkedIn: Generation Citizen
    Facebook: Generation Citizen
    Get resources to support your young civic participants! 
    Democracy Doesn't Pause resource for educators and familiesGeneration Citizen websiteToo much money in politics, and not enough in democracy by Elizabeth Clay Roy via The HillSend us your community letters!
    Are you saddled with a troubling situation? Curious to hear what we think about a certain issue? Send us your questions! Your query may end up on the Let’s K12 Better podcast in our community letters section.  Send your celebrations and questions to this form or email us: LetsK12Better@gmail.com! 




    Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/LetsK12BetterMail!
    *Love our podcast? Rate. Review. Share!


    The Let’s K12Better podcast is written and produced by Amber Coleman-Mortley, Garvey Mortley, Naima Mortley, and Sofia Mortley.
    Music written and produced by Garvey Mortley


    Support the show

    • 57 min
    Let’s Talk About News and History with David Olson, Retro Report

    Let’s Talk About News and History with David Olson, Retro Report

    What makes current events so important? Where does news intersect with history? How do we find resources to support important civic conversations? What should parents understand about the importance of social studies and civic education, current events, or media literacy? In this episode, we sat down with David Olson, the Director of Education at Retro Report, a non-profit media company dedicated to connecting history to today’s news. Learn more about this wonderful resource and what David has to say about social studies, current events, and media literacy!

    “What’s On Your Mind?” 
    Are you saddled with a troubling situation? Curious to hear what we think about a certain issue? Send us your questions! Your query may end up on the Let’s K12 Better podcast in our community letters section.  Send your celebrations and questions to this form or email us: LetsK12Better@gmail.com!

    We mentioned the following resources:
    Frontline PBS Film - American Reckoning Classroom materials via Retro Report  Education pageSign up for the free webinar “Tools for Teaching Immigration and Migration” scheduled for Wednesday, April 13th from 7 - 8 PM ET. Register here: bit.ly/TeachingImmigration
    Connect on Social Media:
    David Olson on Twitter (@davidjohnolson)Retro Report on Twitter (@RetroReport)

    Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/LetsK12BetterMail!
    *Love our podcast? Rate. Review. Share!


    Music written and produced by Garvey Mortley.

    The Let’s K12Better podcast is written and produced by Amber Coleman-Mortley, Garvey Mortley, Naima Mortley, and Sofia Mortley.


    Support the show

    • 1 hr 8 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
34 Ratings

34 Ratings

mslowe131 ,

Victoria lowe

Awesome so informative and inspirational!! Must listen if you are interested in K-12

K12 is actually K through Life ,

MomOfAllCapes is doing the work we all wish we were doing!

Thank you for doing the work and showing the rest of us the way.

AnthroMama ,

More please!

An invitation into Amber’s beautiful family as she and her children talk about issues k12 are facing. I was introduced to this podcast through her episode about the AAPI community. Amber’s insights at the end of the show along with the endearing commentary from her children leave me no choice but to subscribe.

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