Education Matters

Coming into the new year with an eye toward the transition and recovery from COVID-19 brings changes and challenges to education. Here to speak with us on critical issues are statewide policymakers, State Superintendent Catherine Truitt, State Board of Education Chair Eric Davis, Representative Ashton Clemmons, and Senator Kevin Corbin. Guests: Catherine Truitt, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Rep. Ashton Wheeler Clemmons, (D) District 57, Guilford Sen. Kevin Corbin, (R) District 50 Eric Davis, Chair, NC State Board of Education

From supporting social, emotional, and academic development, to providing a safe and supportive environment, Afterschool Programs have been a vital resource for students and their parents, especially during COVID-19. North Carolina is ranked among the top 10 states in afterschool programs and number 1 for parent satisfaction. To discuss more about this report and the work that still needs to be done, we have national and statewide leaders and a parent and director from a local program with us today. Guests: Jen Rinehart, Senior Vice President of Research and Policy, Afterschool Alliance Sheronda Fleming, Ph.D., Director, NC Center for Afterschool Programs Carolyn Ross-Holmes, Program Director, J316 Camp Connect Program Tracy Thorpe, Parent, J316 Camp Connect Program

While each state determines its own teacher licensure and re-licensure requirements, for over thirty years the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards has worked to advance teaching through a voluntary National Board Certification process. North Carolina is the top state in the entire nation when it comes to the number of National Board Certified Teachers employed in our schools. This week we will hear from the head of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards and a district and teacher leader to learn more about why National Board Certification is so important for NC. Guests: Carolann Wade, NBCT, Administrator for Human Capital and National Board Certification, in Wake County Schools Peggy Brookins, NCBT, President and CEO of National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Dr. Kellie Jackson, NBCT, K-12 Certified Reading Specialist, works at GCS as instructional coach and testing coordinator

Schools do a lot more than providing education, they are pillars in communities that also provide students’ and families’ with supports for social, emotional, and physical needs. On today’s show, we will talk with some amazing guests that are making sure the whole child and the community are taken care of, especially during COVID-19. Guests: Julie Paige Pittman, Education Outreach Manager, NC No Kid Hungry Reginald Ross, Operations Consultant at North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and President of the School Nutrition Association Kisha Clemons, 2020 Wells Fargo Principal of the Year Austin Morris, Teacher, Pinecrest High School, Moore County

Classrooms around the world have been looking very different this fall. Between virtual learning, smaller classrooms, and split weeks, learning has evolved into a challenge for many. Here to discuss some of the changes, successes, and the future, are state and local leaders in education.

Programs in career and technical education provide students from middle school through post secondary school an opportunity to learn technical, academic, and career skills. Programs in CTE are crucial, while they help students, these programs also help communities in social and economic development. Here to teach us more are guests with local and state perspectives. Guests: Trey Michael, Director of Career and Technical Education, NC Department of Public Instruction Steve Dutton, Administrator, Career and Technical Education, Anson County Schools Carey Manor Marketing and Public Relations Specialist and former CTE student, Anson County

The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a bright light on the critical need for school support personnel. This past week was National School Psychologists Week, and on today’s show we take the time to highlight the amazing work of our school counselors, psychologists, social workers, and more who are doing so much to help keep our school communities healthy and safe. NC has many incredible individuals in these roles, but as we also know that we can do much more in terms of investments and support to ensure that all students have access to the resources they need. Guests: Yvette Richardson, School Social Worker, Nash-Rocky Mount Schools Leigh Kokenes, 2019 National School Psychologist of the Year, WCPSS Elementary School Psychologist Hallie Moore, High School Counselor, Transylvania County Antonio Blow, Student Services Director, Greene County

The culmination of the Color of Education series this week comes with an exciting launch of the Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity. The Flood Center has been created to connect organizations and people who work to address equity, access, and opportunity in education. We are pleased to be joined by several guests engaged in this work, including Dr. Dudley Flood himself. Guests: Alfred Mays, Senior Program Officer, Burroughs Wellcome Fund and Chair Elect of the Public School Forum Board of Directors Dr. Dudley Flood Dr. Beverly Emory, Executive Director of Leandro Implementation, NC State Board of Education

Today on the show we will discuss racial equity focusing on discipline disparities, the school to prison pipeline, and School Resource Officers. Our goal is to share research, explore what is working and what is not working in various contexts, and consider recommendations for how we support the whole child with an equity lens. Guests: Tyler Whittenberg, Justice System Reform program, Southern Coalition for Social Justice Jovonia Lewis, Durham Public School Board Member Reagan Razon, Student, Enloe High School, WCPSS

Joining us to discuss the Color of Education are speakers and organizers of the event Guests: Dr. William “Sandy Darity, Professor in the Sanford School of Public Policy, Professor of African and African American Studies, Professor of Economics, Duke University Bettina Umstead, Chair, Board of Education, Durham Public Schools Shannon Bowman, University Connections Liaison/Teacher, Centennial Campus Magnet Middle School, Wake County Public School System

We kicked off our third annual Color of Education Summit virtually this week, spotlighting the intersection of race, equity, and education. Joining us to discuss this are speakers and organizers of the event. Guests: Dr. Keisha Bentley-Edwards, Associate Director of Research, Duke University Cook Center on Social Equity Dr. Lauren Fox, Senior Director of Policy, Public School Forum of North Carolina Danita Mason-Hogans, Program Coordinator, Center for Documentary Studies, Duke University Christina Spears, Special Assistant in Wake County Public School System's Office of Equity Affairs

On today’s show we have a range of topics to discuss with two special guests, Dr. Jen Mangrum, Democratic Candidate for State Superintendent, and Catherine Truitt, Republican Candidate for State Superintendent. I’d like to thank them both for their willingness to run for office and spend time with us today sharing their ideas, vision, and plans for the future of education in NC. Their contributions towards education and this state are much needed for our democracy. Guests: Dr. Jen Mangrum, Democratic Candidate for State Superintendent Catherine Truitt, Republican Candidate for State Superintendent

For more than 200,000 homes with students across NC, Broadband access is limited or non-existent. Even when Broadband is available, other barriers to adoption and usage prevent many of our households from being connected. During this pandemic, many students rely on walking to publicly available wifi or buses with Internet access. Districts have been creative with hotspots, park and learns, and other solutions; but they are not long-term or ideal. Overall, this equity issue has been exacerbated during COVID-19 and is leaving some students unable to communicate with their teachers and classmates and struggling to complete school assignments and access digital learning resources as other students with access in their homes. We are also seeing additional divides related to devices and digital literacy. Today, we will discuss the short-term and long-term efforts being made with leaders from different sectors across our state and how we can accelerate the availability of robust, affordable Broadband for all and ho

In last week’s episode, we were able to discuss the need for ongoing STEM investments and exposure to high-quality STEM content, as early as Kindergarten. These discussions bring awareness to the need for collective strategies and intentional collaboration and partnerships within the STEM pipeline. The goal is to ensure that every child has access to high-quality STEM during school and out-of-school time. As we continue these conversations, we will engage educators and program providers, and amplify the voices of youth and young adults. On today’s show, we will discuss with a K-12 STEM educator and a program provider how they are preparing youth to enter a dynamic and ever-changing workforce. At the end of the show, we will hear from youth and young adult participants who have benefitted from high-quality STEM engagement opportunities. Each voice expressed today holds a unique perspective of STEM in North Carolina. Guests: Jose’ Garcia Alvin Powell Itaevia Curry-Chisolm Francis Godoy

The world around us is constantly changing and so is the workforce. It is imperative that youth are afforded opportunities to learn by doing, build skills, connect with mentors and prepare for the jobs of tomorrow. Today, STEM jobs are driving global economic growth, and youth nationwide are getting opportunities to develop an interest in science and gain STEM-related skills. At the North Carolina Center for Afterschool Program’s annual Synergy Conference, we were able to begin this conversation with the STEM Coalition Kickoff Panel. In this two part series, we will continue to discuss the importance of investing in STEM for youth as early as Kindergarten, developing core skills necessary for STEM career pathways, and the impact of STEM on the lives of youth and young adults. Guests: Alfred Mays, Senior Program Officer of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Ron Ottinger, Executive Director of STEM Next Khalia Braswell, Founder and CEO of INTech Camp for Girls

COVID-19 has created changes to the school budget landscape across our state. From creating access to broadband to in-person learning costs, there are new and different short and long-term impacts on the budget. Guests: Cathy Moore, Superintendent, Wake County Public Schools Tony Jackson, Superintendent, Vance County Public Schools

We are now two weeks into the new school year in NC; and educators, students, and families alike are adjusting to a new normal in either a remote or hybrid setting. We will have the opportunity to hear from a Superintendent, principal, and two students on how they are embracing this experience and ensuring that we have an effective culture to support our students, staff, families, and community. Building a culture does not just happen, it takes purposeful and consistent nurturing and engagement to support students in their academic, social, and emotional learning. Guests: Dr. Bob Grimesey, Superintendent, Moore County Schools Dr. Carrie Tulbert, Principal, Iredell-Statesville Schools Jorge Gomex Mancilla, Super Senior, Vance County Early College Ayanna Anderson, Junior, Vance County Early College

This week, K-12 students across North Carolina are going back to school. Our public school students are beginning school under what have become known as Plans B and C — and in most districts, that is either a hybrid or a fully remote learning schedule. As of this taping, students in 60 school districts will begin in a fully remote learning setting. Many school districts have shared that the fall, even if it is conducted all online, will not be like March through June of this past school year, when we were just starting out with remote learning. District and school leaders and educators have had a chance to reflect on the spring, engage in professional learning, and plan for what their students need. While this year is certainly different than any other start of a school year that we can remember, it is very important for us to ensure that student voice is considered and heard through the implementation of our learning environments. During this show, we will do just that - hear directly from students across ou

As families and school districts work to provide academic, social, and emotional learning opportunities and support for their students, afterschool, before school, and summer programs are key pieces for many children. As an integral part of the learning process, programs teach children foundational skills, like communication, teamwork, and problem solving, and prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow. Today, we will focus on the North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs at the Public School Forum of North Carolina and the 21st Century Community Learning Center Program, a federal program led by the Department of Public Instruction across the state. Whether remote or in-person, these programs are essential for our students and are an integral part of an important partnership with families, schools and communities. Guests Dr. Sheronda Fleming, Public School Forum of NC Sheneika Simmons, Public School Forum of NC Dr. LaTricia Townsend, Department of Public Instruction

Supporting and Lifting Up Teachers in the World of COVID-19 While this time of year always seems to involve a great deal of back-to-school talk, this year it is even more so with every conversation involving school plans, district or parent decisions, and imaging what school will be like this year. For teachers, these discussions and issues are at the forefront of their minds, as they prepare for a year like no other. Guests Mariah Morris, 2019 Teacher of the Year Maureen Stover, 2020 Teacher of the Year Matt Smith, Principal of the Year Tamika Walker, NCAE President