In this brief solo episode, Jen unpacks new learning that she has gleaned from the Courageous Conversations training: Beyond Diversity. She shares insights and ideas for educators to continue to do this work and specifically speaks to her role as a white educator and the importance of white educators showing up for the work by naming their identities and recognizing the role that they play in systemic racism. She also discusses ways that schools can create Equity Teams to move from reflection to action. This courageous conversation is the first of many, but it is one that is worth listening to for those who want to see our schools be more equitable and safe places for all children and adults alike. Show Notes: Courageous Conversations https://courageousconversation.com/about/ Collectively Renewing the Montessori Curriculum https://montessori-action.org/renewing Robin DiAngelo https://www.robindiangelo.com/ Peggy McIntosh: Unpacking the Invisible Backpack https://psychology.umbc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/57/2016/10/White-Privilege_McIntosh-1989.pdf Charleston Jewish Federation https://www.jewishcharleston.org/ Episode Photo by Jon Tyson

In this short episode, Jen and Techa are glad to be back and starting Season 3 with a conversation on entering the new school year amidst all that we have experienced and continue to navigate. They catch up with a few of the things happening in their worlds. They also provide the Namasteach audience with  hope for a positive new school year and remind us to approach our work with open hearts and minds. May you come to know that work Which emerges from the mind of love Will have beauty and form. May this new work be worthy. Of the energy of your heart And the light of your thought. May your work assume A proper space in your life; Instead of owning or using you, May it challenge and refine you, Bringing you every day further Into the wonder of your heart. – Excerpt from John O’Donohue, “Blessings for a New Position,” To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings (2008)

In this dynamic episode, Techa and Jen have a conversation with Spencer George, writer, teacher, artist, and folklorist.  Spencer shares her experiences writing about the intersectionality of folklore, storytelling, and empathy and specifically the roles that stereotypes play in limiting our stories and thus limiting our transformative power. Sharing her own journey as well as a multitude of resources, Spencer enlightens listeners to the possibilities that are available to all of us when we embrace all parts of our stories and ourselves.  She reminds us to focus on what is important and to open up brave spaces for our students to have conversations that matter. She reminds us that empathy is both a choice and a critical practice and that sometimes our smallest moments are the most impactful.  This is one episode that you do not want to miss. Spencer George is a Writer and Teaching Artist based in North Carolina. She holds a BA in English and Human Rights with a concentration in Creative Writing from Barnard College and is an MA student in Folklore at UNC-Chapel Hill. Her work focuses on the intersection of storytelling, folklore, and empathy in the rural south, with a particular focus on the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina. Her writing has been published in The Bitter Southerner, The Adroit Journal, and Medium, and once received a shout-out in The New York Times. She is the creator and writer of GOOD FOLK, a weekly newsletter about the people and stories of rural America and the American South. Currently, she serves as an ArtistYear Senior Fellow in Creative Writing and the Special Initiatives Assistant at Girls Write Now. Spencer was the 2019 recipient of the Peter S. Prescott Prize for Prose Writing and is at work on a reimagined Southern Gothic novel about young, queer love and the radical power of hope. IG @ spencerggeorge Email: [email protected] and [email protected] .  References and Resources: Ocean Vuong (Poetry) https://www.oceanvuong.com/ Genevieve Hudson https://www.genevieve-hudson.com/ Joan Didion https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/24/fashion/From-Joan-Didion-to-Andrew-Sullivan-some-writers-leave-behind-letters-when-they-leave-new-york-city.html#:~:text=%E2%80%9CNew%20York%20was%20no%20mere,at%20the%20age%20of%2029. Projects about rural and queer South: Amazing oral history podcasts about rural queerness: https://www.countryqueers.com interactive map on American LGBT history: https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/lgbtdivide/#/cover Books Arcadia by Lauren Groff The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt The Empathy Exams and The Recovering by Leslie Jamison Outlawed by Anna North (queer western reimagining) Boys of Alabama by Genevieve Hudson (gender non-conforming author, magical realism about immigration/queerlove/religion in Alabama) The Round House by Louise Erdrich (Native American author, stranger things vibes, heartbreaking but SO good) The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr (incredible debut about the deep South) Low Country by J Nicole Jones (memoir about South Carolina)

In today’s episode, Techa and Jen connect for a deep and meaningful conversation with wellness coach and advocate Rose Schieck.  Rose is the founder of Mamastewell, a coaching business that supports mothers in various phases of their journey.  Rose shared wisdom about the importance of slowing down, self-awareness, and cultivating self-love and compassion.  She gave many ideas about reclaiming and reframing our wellness journeys and meeting our own needs so that we can show up for others. Finally, she reminds us that our emotions are our truest language and shares what brings her joy. This powerhouse episode has a meditative quality, one that you will not want to miss. Rose Schieck is a Yogini Mama, Health and Wellness Coach, RYT 200 hr, Energy Medicine Yoga Level one teacher, Reiki I & II practitioner, creative, and lover of all things local. Rose has taught 'Yoga Supports Recovery' for Yoga in Action since 2017 and is also the owner and operator of Mamaste Well. While Rose has been passionate about supporting others on their path to optimal well-being for many years, becoming a mother ignited a deeper understanding of herself, a clear seeing of her inner workings, and a sincere desire to support other mothers in loving and accepting themselves. Rose believes awareness is the starting point for all behavior change, and acceptance is the key to healing, limiting beliefs, and transcending towards the higher self. Before motherhood, Rose spent nearly a decade working for the InSHAPE program, a cutting-edge wellness program designed to improve the physical and mental health of persons living with severe and persistent mental illness. During this time, Rose developed an intense sense of purpose for being of service to others. Over the last 15 years, yoga has been a very powerful component of Rose’s self-care, personal healing journey, and growth. As a coach and yoga teacher, Rose approaches health and well-being from the perspective that developing a strong relationship to self, having hyper self-awareness, and unconditional self-love; are the key ingredients to vibrant living. Rose brings playfulness, empathy, and compassion to her teaching and a passion for guiding people to their ultimate physical and mental strength. Rose’s greatest joy comes from time spent in the great outdoors with her husband, Hugo, and sons Leif and Axel. The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter: 9780593138762 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books Home - Zach Bush MD Evergreen - Starting - Interconnected Series The Official Website of Dr. Joe Dispenza – Unlimited with Dr Joe Dispenza InSHAPE for Adults with Serious Mental Illness and Obesity InSHAPE Lifestyle Program | Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives for Seniors (PEARLS)—A Depression Management Program for Elderly Adults - PRC (cdc.gov) Connect with Rose Schieck Instagram @mamastewell

Educated, Empowered, Resilient: Welcome to 2022 In this brief episode, Techa and Jen welcome back guests for the new year and share what they have been up to.  Techa has been engaged in a lot of activism work around the Anti-truth education legislation in SC and shares ways to get educated and involved in your state. Since January 2021, 36 states have introduced bills or taken other steps that would restrict teaching critical race theory or limit how teachers can discuss racism and sexism and issues of systemic inequality in the classroom. Jen has been reading a lot and shares new titles.  Using Elena Aguilar's work on resilience, Techa and Jen encourage listeners to find ways to be compassionate and curious as they continue to face challenges in their personal and professional lives.  Having a growth mindset helps us stay strong in the face of adversity and inspires us to keep showing up for ourselves and our students.  https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Onward%3A+Cultivating+Emotional+Resilience+in+Educators-p-9781119364900 https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/map-where-critical-race-theory-is-under-attack/2021/06 https://www.cbsnews.com/video/the-trials-of-critical-race-theory-cbs-reports/ https://abcnews.go.com/US/teachers-protest-bills-targeting-critical-race-theory-race/story?id=79642784 https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/the-best-reads-of-2021 --Brene Brown Atlas of the Heart https://brenebrown.com/book/atlas-of-the-heart/

In today's episode, Techa and Jen go deep with a special guest and educational revolutionary and badass, LaTisha Vaughn.  LaTisha has been in education for 25+ years and has worked in the classroom, administration, non-profit sector, consultant, and so much more.  For her full bio, check out the link below.  Today LaTisha shares with Techa, Jen, and the Namasteach community the importance of self-care and how to impact education from the ground up and from the top down.  She believes that sometimes you need to reimagine your path to make the most impact for yourself and your students and that educators have a moral responsibility to take their seat at the table and use their voice for good.  And if the seat at that table doesn't yet exist, it is their job to create one.   LaTisha believes that the only way things will change in education is if those who are actually in the classrooms advocate for policy change. She also feels that there is an entry point for everyone in this work.  Whether it is antiracism education or hosting parent universities, we must see our work as activism and go above and beyond to impact change.   This is a dynamic episode that you won't want to miss! LaTisha Vaughn's Bio LaTisha Vaughn is an education revolutionary who has exhibited innovation at the classroom level, as a principal, and at a District-level over her twenty-five-year career. Known for developing education leaders, LaTisha has coached and strengthened educational systems in the Midwest, Southwest, and the East Coast through LaTisha Nicole Consulting (Formerly Vaughn-Brandon Consulting). Vaughn is the co-founder of E3:  Educate, Empower, Elevate LLC, an organization that focuses on equitable outcomes for black and brown children and families in the region through increasing the diversity of teachers and leaders in the education and non-profit space and authentically engaging and elevating the voices of parents and children. Additionally, as the Chief Operating Officer for the Tri-County Cradle Collaborative, a backbone Cradle to Career organization, she oversees strategy and primary leadership for the Kindergarten Readiness and High School Graduation Networks to ensure equity and authentic engagement in supporting ambitious goals for all of the children in the Tri-county region (Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties) of South Carolina.    LaTisha received degrees from Missouri State Univ., Park Univ, and Master of Educational Leadership from Georgia State University. Vaughn resides in North Charleston, South Carolina, with her two vivacious daughters. She enjoys traveling to exotic locales, spending time at the beach, and a great book. Resources: Racial Equity Institute (REI) https://www.racialequityinstitute.com/ REI 1---Framework REI 2--Implicit Bias Ibram Kendi https://www.ibramxkendi.com/antiracism-center-2 Ruth King https://ruthking.net/mindful-of-race-training/ Nicole Cordoza--AntiRacism Daily https://antiracismdaily.com/ Embrace Race https://www.embracerace.org/

In this episode, Techa and Jen share with Educators 6 tips to remember as we start this new school year. In addition, they want to wish you all the best as you start your school year in your various settings and a reminder that you are not alone.  We are all in this together.

“Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”  Howard Thurman Today's episode of Namasteach is a beautiful compilation of wisdom as Techa and Jen welcome Elizabeth Lesser to the show.  Elizabeth talks about the need to hear the other story and how our humanity lies in the common ground of “otherness”.  She discusses the human journey of living into who you are meant to be. Sharing about programs at the non-profit Omega Institute and their plans to diversify the campus, Elizabeth also addresses the idea that we are preparing for a new world.  She focuses on how we are the new humans, but there’s all this crud between us and who we are meant to be, and how ours is the journey to rise above the crud and over the clouds to find our sky.  This is an episode that you won’t want to miss. https://www.elizabethlesser.org/ Omega Institute https://www.eomega.org/ Take the Other Out to Lunch Ted Talk https://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_lesser_take_the_other_to_lunch?language=en --

In this episode, Techa and Jen take some time to step back and welcome summer vacation, and reflect on the past year. They talk about the need for educators to continue to do the activism work needed to make our schools equitable places for all children to learn and thrive. They also explore ways to fuel ourselves to show up for the work, specifically around the recent debate -Critical Race Theory (CRT). The episode explores how we will integrate lessons (like setting boundaries, reimagining our classrooms as equitable learning environments, and prioritizing what is essential for us) lessons learned early on in the pandemic. Techa and Jen end by sharing ideas for clearing energy from the trauma of this past year and book recommendations, and always the importance of self-care. Some Resources Dr. Bettina Love https://bettinalove.com/ Through the Night https://www.throughthenightfilm.com/ Brene Brown Podcast & The Gifts of Imperfection https://brenebrown.com/podcast/introducing-unlocking-us/ Summer Reading https://legacy.npr.org/programs/atc/books_music/summer.reading.html https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2021/06/24/summer-books-recommendation https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detailStory=the-hottest-summer-reads-librarian-picks-who-on-npr-books-in-the-news-5152020 CRT https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/takeaway/segments/how-educators-are-talking-students-about-systemic-racism https://www.npr.org/2021/06/20/1008449181/understanding-the-republican-opposition-to-critical-race-theory

 In this episode, Techa and Jen have the pleasure of interviewing English Language Acquisition Coach Jen Hunter on her philosophy on education, especially during these times of Covid.  Jen Hunter shares her diverse experience from teaching to coaching to writing to parenting and everything in between. At the heart of all the work that she does, Jen believes in the importance of connections, equity, and fun. Hosting flash mobs and dressing up like a penguin are just a few examples of how Jen has infused her personality and brought fun into her work. Jen inspires teachers to find out what motivates them and have fun! Jennifer Hunter, M.S, C.A.G.S., is a Mom of two at home and work; she is an English Language Acquisition Coach (Instructional Coach) for the Bilingual Department in Brockton Public Schools in Brockton, Ma. She has had the privilege to teach students K-6 during the school day and undergraduate/graduate-level courses at various educational organizations and a local University in the evenings. Jennifer has traveled worldwide but specifically to both China and Senegal, Africa, to learn more about other cultures and teach English. She is incredibly passionate about creating equity and inclusivity for culturally and linguistically diverse students. Show Notes: Teaching to Empower by Debbie Zaccarin and Michael Silverstone http://www.ascd.org/Publications/Books/Overview/Teaching-to-Empower.aspx Beyond Crises by Debbie Zaccarin, Margarita Calderon, and Margo Gottlieg https://us.corwin.com/en-us/nam/beyond-crises/book276886 Culturally Responsive Teaching by Zaretta Hammond https://www.amazon.com/Culturally-Responsive-Teaching-Brain-Linguistically/dp/1483308014 Flash Mob: https://youtu.be/Sl5chHaHYJc