What More Can I Say?
What More Can I Say?
Maria-Elena Velasquez
Real educators discussing education.
Learning Loss
When the lockdown began in 2020, there were global concerns that students would fall behind due to lost instructional time. There were also doubts about the quality and depth of instruction that students received online. This discussion highlights two teachers' experiences in education during and after the lockdown. Together we explore the following questions: Is "Learning Loss" real? What should we do about it? Who's responsible for supporting students and families that were most negatively impacted by remote learning? Special Guest: Alicia McKean
Dec 14, 2022
36 min
Ed News Update: Uvalde Investigations, Teacher Retention, and Special Ed Inclusion.
M-E discusses the news in Ed:  There has been finger-pointing and lying as investigations in the Uvalde massacre continue. What lies are being uncovered and who is responsible? A man was selected as Teacher of the Year in Gwinnett County but resigned anyway. What are the implications for teacher retention?  Several Special Education students were left out of a San Leandro HS graduation ceremony. How can newer inclusion models prevent this in the future?
Jun 25, 2022
26 min
Books We Love
Suzie and Maria-Elena list the top books that inform their instructional practices. This includes books that can be used for coaching, planning, teaching, and community-building. 
May 14, 2022
34 min
Don't Say Gay! Plus: Is "Drill and Kill" Equitable?
We're back! In this shortened episode we discuss the "Don't Say Gay" bill, and we examine Florida's decision to ban Math curriculum with social emotional components. Later, we analyze a local district that received praised for adopting "drill and kill" curriculum. We ask: Is it more equitable to drill students on the basics, or should we include conceptual work too? 
May 5, 2022
36 min
The School to Prison Pipeline
Interview with Mark and Thomas to reflect on: When and where does systemization begin? What supports are needed for re-integration so that students don’t get stuck in the pipeline? What role does White Supremacy play in the School to Prison Pipeline? How has COVID impacted the School to Prison Pipeline? What action steps can we take to interrupt the process?
Feb 19, 2022
1 hr 12 min
Early Childhood Education
Interview with Kendra and Rashelle as they answer: What is Early Childhood Education? What racial and economic barriers exist for families that seek childcare? How has COVID impacted the kids and teachers? We also explore the "plantation vibes" of childcare, the role of colorism, and why news on Early Childhood Education is hardly discussed.
Jan 29, 2022
56 min
Trauma of TOC
Interview with Dr. Raedell Boateng. We discuss what trauma is, how it manifests, and why it's not interrupted. We also compare her experience as a student to her experience as a teacher, and we identify why those experiencing trauma must save themselves.   Folx present: Dr. Raedell, Suzie, Maria-Elena.
Jan 16, 2022
1 hr 2 min
White Supremacy in Education
Interview with Dr. Susan (Suzie) Hodges to ask: What is White Supremacy? Who does it impact? How does it show up in education? And why do White people have such a hard time acknowledging it?
Nov 22, 2021
56 min