RethinkingEDU RethinkingEDU

Ted Dintersmith is at the forefront of education change. He's a filmmaker, author, and community activist. He's been political appointee, and is actively working toward making the education sector more dynamic and responsive to the needs of society. In this conversation, we highlight Ted's work and amplify his voice showcasing some of what he believes need to come next in school. Plugs include It's Time to Rethink Our Approach to Preschool, Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, and Have You Heard Podcast with Jack Schneider and Jennifer Berkshire. Music by Ketsa.

In part 2 of Mike's conversation with Dr. Courthney Russell, Jr., we dive into a deep conversation around equity and health in schools. If we were to really center health and longevity and thriving, wouldn't we center the wellness of our young people? Doc unpacks what a health and wellness centered education experience could look like for students and communities. Music by Scott Holmes.

Dr. Courthney Russell, Jr. (Doc) has an unusual path as an educator. Spending most of his youth in Atlanta, Doc is a social entrepreneur, civil activist, and libertory educator. He works to center the voices of those experiencing homelessness, those who are oppressed, and those whose voices are often ignored. He began this work as a medical doctor, and continues with a slew of social endeavors including WeUp CBO, A2H2, RandR Vision, and his very own podcast called the Humanize Podcast. In this special knowledge drop episode, Doc and Mike talk about his story and the intersection of health and wellness with education. This is part 1. Music by Scott Holmes.

As the United States continues to rethink teacher preparation, New Graduate Schools of Education (NGSEs) are becoming increasingly common. One of these schools is the High Tech High GSE located in San Diego, CA. Dr. Sarah Fine and Carol Battle are doing the important work of preparing teachers through HTHGSE's San Diego Teacher Residency and cultivating the critical community relationships that make the program a beacon for the rest of the country. Plugs include the Alder GSE, Sposato GSE, The Spirit of Our Work by Cynthia Dillard, and the HTHGSE Deeper Learning Conference. Music by Ketsa.

At Eagle Rock School & Professional Development Center in Estes Park, CO, teacher preparation is a critical element of the school's mission and work. Director of Professional Development Sarah Bertucci oversees this program in partnership with national non-profit Public Allies. Each year, Eagle Rock brings on a new cohort of fellows who can earn their Colorado teaching license through the school's alternative licensure program. In this episode we talk with Sarah about the program's mission, goals, and approach. Plugs include the Teacher Powered Schools Conference, What School Could Be, Cultivating Genius by Gholdy Muhammad, and Open Way Learning. Music by Ketsa.

Teach for America (TFA) was founded in 1990 to address underachievement in American schools. Since this time, TFA has become a lightning rod for positive and negative commentary about how to address change in schools and how to prepare teachers to meet the needs of students. In this conversation, we chat with Eric Sarb and Andy Alcaraz, two TFA alumni. They highlight their experiences in the corps and we reflect on what these experiences could mean for the future of teacher preparation. Plugs include What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akhad, All About Love by bell hooks, Deep Work by Cal Newport, The Descendants, and the BIPOC TFA experience account on Instagram. Music by Ketsa.