Until the Bell Rings

Trent said it best. “We have a lot of love for the school.” That was the takeaway from today’s episode. I spent some time with three De La Salle graduates – one who attended when it an all boys’ school, one who was in the first class of girls to attend, and one much younger grad who was one of my students and is the child of the other two. That’s right! For the first time ever, I have a whole De La Salle family joining me on the podcast. Thank you to Trent, Norlisha, and Tim for being good sports, for sharing your different perspectives, and for showing support by simply being willing to have a conversation. Which one of our De La Salle experiences can you relate to? Listen to find out!

It feels good to be back! In today's episode Coach E and I talk about what’s going on in the world as it pertains to belonging (or lack thereof), chat about the college application process because it’s that time of year, and I give you an update on what’s going on in the De La Salle world. Based on the changes being made, maybe there is space up front to take another stab at including Director of DEIB on the administration roster? Just sayin.

In today's bonus episode, I am reflecting on my conversation with Etienette with my favorite - poetry! I was reminded that no matter how different we are, there is always common ground. Listen to hear more! 

In this episode I get the chance to step outside of what is familiar to me, and learn about someone else’s experience with navigating a space that doesn’t accept you for who you are, and in some cases, would rather pretend like your reality doesn’t even exist because it’s easier for them.  Today, I am joined by Etienette, another De La Salle graduate, who very patiently teaches me about neurodivergent ableism, transphobia, how those intersect, and how that can impact a student in school, and in life in general.

It's just me today, and I'm excited! Not only am I bring poetry back for this episode, I'm talking about some things that have been in the media lately, that have been handled pretty irresponsibly, and the ways in which I have seen first hand, it negatively affects our students. 

It can be hard to know when to address something, and when to just let it slide. It's even harder in the school building. Today, Coach E and I discuss times we wish administration would have been more straight forward, and times when we completely understood that whatever it was, talking about it wasn't going to help. This all ties in to the case of the missing poster. Well, it wasn't missing - it was folded up under the stairs. You see, one of the things that has been a pleasant surprise is how frequently students have reached out to me during the school year to let me know how things are going, what successes they’re experiencing and where they’re struggling. This week, I’ve heard from so many of them because they're feeling a little frustrated...disrespected, even. Listen to find out why! And if you need visual aides as you follow the conversation, check out @untiltheballrings on Instagram. Love you Cavs! Don't let anybody bring you down ❤️

It’s always good to catch up with former colleagues, and that’s exactly what I did today. Coach E and I were joined by Madison, who formerly taught in the Social Studies department at De La Salle. We got some insight into her experience as a black woman teaching at Lasallian school, and it turns out we shared a lot of the same frustrations. The biggest take away? Listen and find out!!

In today’s episode, Coach E and I welcome a former member of the De La Salle High School administration. If you’ve been tuning in, you’ve heard me talk about the admissions testing day when it was decided to assign testing rooms is a way that would downplay - nay, hide - the number of black students present (this done in an effort to mitigate presumed, inevitable white flight). Well, Jessica was the Director of Admissions at that time, and she was in the room when that decision was made. She has agreed to answer some questions and engage in some honest conversation.

I did that thing, again, where I waited to write the poem until after my conversations with my guest. It was a pleasure to talk to Abby about the issues, and a relief to admit that we don't always have the answers...as much as we'd like to. That doesn't change the importance of asking the questions.

The gist of today's conversation? We don't always have the answers to problems, but that doesn't mean that we should pretend they don't exist.  In today's episode, former student body president Abby joins me and Coach E, to share her experience and observations at De La Salle High School. It was great to catch up, and I realized today that, even though I am no longer in the classroom, I can still provide a safe space for young people to use their voices. This discussion was also a good reminder that my time as a teacher was about love. I am grateful.