Uncommon Voices, Uncommon Visions Valerie N Nyberg

What draws you and keeps you in the classroom? Many days teachers ask themselves this exact question. Dr. Becky Thompson’s vision for teaching is clear: she’s in the classroom to experience those moments of “amazing intellectual work that also [have] some heart in it.” It keeps her coming back, year after year. Join scholar, poet, and activist Becky Thompson and I as we discuss teaching and learning broadly and the role of contemplative practice as a means of fostering...

This fall I had the opportunity to sit down with John Pellman, Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Capital College and Career Academy (CCCA), a new charter school that opened in August 2023 in North Sacramento. CCCA’s mission is to ensure that all students graduate having experience taking both dual enrollment courses and internships so they have a clear understanding of their college and career options in order to make more informed choices. Within that, John teaches a clas...

How does Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. impact your leadership? How can businesses, schools, and individuals seek to embody his dream today? These were two questions asked during a fireside chat at a breakfast I attended this morning. Two local African American leaders/business owners were asked to respond. From their responses, I don't believe that either of them were raised in Sacramento. Interestingly, I found my own experiences fell between theirs. As a per...

Hi there! It's been a while since I've been on the air, so I wanted to reintroduce myself. I'm Dr. Valerie Nyberg, former HS administrator, teacher, and single-parent to three accomplished young men. In this episode, I share my recent experiences traveling and gaining clarity in my work and with my business. My purpose is two-fold, to make a difference in the lives of others, but also to change and heal myself. Join me as I explain what I've been up to in order to achieve th...

Jacob and I get together again to continue our conversation, this time after watching the documentary 1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed on HBOMax (newly renamed Max) to further discussion about race and identity. Jacob and his brothers are Swedish, Irish, Eskimo, Native American (just a smidge), and Black. It’s clear that during our conversation, despite my efforts to ensure that my children can correctly identify themselves racially/ethnically, Jacob is confused about the name of his gr...

May 8 - 12, 2023 is Teacher Appreciation Week. As a product of the public schools, by and large, I wanted to take a moment to recognize and name numerous educators who helped me to become both the person and the educator I am. Today there's a lot of debate about the role education plays in children's lives. Many question the lesson content, the pedagogical strategies and beliefs that inform teachers' approach, and even teachers' worldviews. Teaching is hard. It's...