A conversation with Kwame Alexander: a poet, educator, and best-selling author of The Crossover, Booked, The Door of No Return, and so many other books that have inspired young readers across the country. In celebration of NEA’s Read Across America, Kwame has teamed up with NEA for a unique project—bringing literature and music together with a jazz…

In 2020, collective bargaining for public sector workers returned to Virginia after a nearly 50-year ban—a huge win for Virginia educators. But change doesn't happen overnight. Fairfax Education Association President Leslie Houston joins the show to talk about how educators in Fairfax, Virginia came together to create their first collective bargain…

Read more from Mary Ellen about how low pay affects education across the nation, and how unions are helping educators get the pay increases they deserve: https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/dear-educators-youre-still-not-paid-enough As the nation’s largest labor union, we stand in solidarity with the Costco Teamsters in their fight for …

Learn more about the Washington Education Association’s Apprenticeship Residency in Teaching https://www.washingtonea.org/events-training/residency/By Annie Lamberto, Jim Meadows, Natieka Samuels

Learn more about Read Across America, and access the calendar: https://www.nea.org/readacrossamerica Check out Simon B. Rhymin' : https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/read-across-america/find-your-book/simon-b-rhyminBy Dwayne Reed, Natieka Samuels

Mentioned in this episode: Pensions, Explained for Educators - https://www.nea.org/resource-library/pensions-explained-educators Frequently Asked Questions about Pensions - https://www.nea.org/resource-library/frequently-asked-questions-about-pensionsBy National Education Association

Check out NEA.org/SeeEducatorsRun for more information about taking the first step toward holding public office.By National Education Association

Mentioned in this episode: Report of the NEA Task Force on Artificial Intelligence in Education Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence in Schools aiEDUBy National Education Association

See photos from the kitchen, the transcript, and more here.By National Education Association

Learn more about the ESP Bill of Rights campaign: http://nea.org/espbillofrightsBy Saúl Ramos, Natieka Samuels

Defending the right to learn about our country’s full history naturally includes defending the right to learn about Black history. As certain politicians seek to ban books by Black authors and ban courses that teach the truth about the Black experience in America, we are fighting back to ensure all students have access to an honest education. One o…

Read the report, "The Legal and Pedagogical Case for Culturally Responsive and Racially Inclusive Public Education for All Students". Danielle's Book Recommendations: - Schoolhouse Burning by Derek Black - Engines of Liberty by David Cole - The Lie That Binds by Ellie LangfordBy Danielle Davis, Natieka Samuels

Read Mary Ellen's latest article, The Mental Health Crisis Among Faculty and College Staff. Also, see The Mental Health Crisis on College Campuses.By Natieka Samuels, Mary Ellen Flannery

They say that the best way to prevent a strike is to prepare for one. So how can educators successfully avoid striking, while also having their demands met? Leah VanDassor, president of the St. Paul Federation of Educators, and executive board member Quentin Wathum-Ocama discuss how St. Paul, MN educators prepared for their recent negotiations, and…

Learn more about Community Schools at NEA.org/CommunitySchoolsBy National Education Association

Mentioned in this episode: https://www.nea.org/individuals-with-disabilities Course: “Disability Representation: Historical Perspectives and the Impact of Media”. The course is free for NEA members and $39.99 for non-members. https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/professional-learning/resources/disability-rights-and-inclusion-online-learning-…

In this episode, we explore the invaluable partnership between Education Support Professionals (or ESPs) and new and aspiring educators in schools. Our guests, Joie Moore, an ESP from Ohio, and Demetrius Dove, an aspiring educator from Georgia, share their insights and experiences in fostering strong partnerships within the school community.…

View photos of the class in action and more from NEA Today here.By Mary Ellen Flannery, Natieka Samuels

Read more about AP African American Studies: https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/what-really-happens-ap-african-american-studiesBy Antoinette Dempsey-Waters, Natieka Samuels

Read the latest article about the gun violence epidemic from NEA Today: https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/we-can-change-educators-take-gun-violence Also mentioned in this episode: https://www.nea.org/gunviolence Educationvotes.nea.org NEA Action Center Donate to the NEA PACBy National Education Association

Mentioned in this episode: The Center for Educator Wellness and LearningBy National Education Association

We’re talking women in leadership with Stephanie Johnson, a South Carolina Reading Interventionist, Fulbright awardee, and former Chair of NEA’s Women’s Issues Committee. Together, we discuss her personal leadership journey as an educator and NEA member, and how every woman has the power to lead–even if they don’t quite recognize it yet.…

Mentioned in this episode: https://www.nea.org/student-debt-support https://www.neamb.com/products/nea-student-debt-navigatorBy National Education Association

Mentioned in this episode: Take the Rise Up Pledge: https://www.glsen.org/riseup Ask Congress to Rise Up: https://act.glsen.org/a/congress-rise-up-2023 Rise Up Proclamation Map: https://maps.glsen.org/rise-up-proclamations/ State and Local Rise Up Proclamation toolkit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jEaB3suSlfuX42aBc1xSeR54_hEiLfWcocuz2Rt8qro/…

Student behavior is a major challenge for educators these days, and it’s more important than ever to learn how to respond to those behaviors in a compassionate, effective, and safe way. To discuss these strategies, Rosa DiPiazza, a school psychologist and behavioral specialist in Delaware, joins the show.…

Mentioned in this episode: Find "A Land of Books: Dreams of Young Mexihcah Word Painters" on this year's Read Across America Calendar! Take action on book banning - https://educationvotes.nea.org/bannedbooks/ Pen America - https://pen.org/ Every Library - https://www.everylibrary.org/ Learn more about Duncan and his books - https://duncantonatiuh.c…

Parents, guardians, and family members are essential parts of every school community—Their involvement can not only improve the learning experience for students but also the working conditions of educators. To discuss how family engagement can be a game changer for educators, Maria Miranda, current UTLA Elementary Vice President, joins the podcast.…

Teachers are making $3,644 less, on average, than they did 10 years ago, adjusted for inflation. In this episode, two guests who were part of successful efforts to win higher pay for educators in their states share their experiences, strategies, and insights on how they and their fellow union members achieved victory, and share how you can do the s…

Mentioned in this episode: Member-to-member organizing article: https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/educators-are-stronger-together-0By National Education Association

From free speech rights to religious freedom, equal access to education, and the delicate balance between privacy and safety, the legal intricacies and real-world implications of Supreme Court rulings cannot be understated. Alice O’Brien, NEA’s General Counsel, returns to the show to discuss the recent Supreme Court decisions that have had major ef…

Mentioned in this episode: Read the full Educator Advocacy Rights report: https://www.nea.org/advocacy-rightsBy Natieka Samuels, Alice O'Brien

Alice O'Brien, NEA’s General Counsel, is back to give an update on Florida's "Don't Say Gay" and "Don't Say They" laws, and discuss which states have been following in its footsteps by introducing their own discriminatory laws.By National Education Association

Each year, the NEA searches the country for school support staff who are going above and beyond for their students, their school, and their communities, and names one outstanding member as the National Education Support Professional (ESP) of the Year. Pamella Johnson, a Behavioral Interventionist from Washington state, was given this prestigious ho…

Article: Standardized Testing is Still Failing Students https://www.mciea.org/ https://www.edcommonwealth.org/By Dr. Jack Schneider, Natieka Samuels

Follow Jess Hawk on social media: https://www.tiktok.com/@myteacherface https://www.instagram.com/myteacherface/By Jess Hawk, Natieka Samuels

Leslie Hu, a Community School Coordinator in San Francisco, discusses the benefits of the community school model, how it differs from traditional public schools, and how educators can start transforming their own schools into vibrant community hubs.By National Education Association

How does special education connect to a safe, welcoming, and inclusive school? In this episode, Leonne talks with life skills and peer tutoring special education teacher Niels Pasternak (Eugene EA) to answer this question. Niels is also the Chair of the OEA Special Education Committee and the Executive Director of Educational Equity Now. For Niels,…

Mentioned in this episode: The Center for Educator Wellness and LearningBy National Education Association

Celebrate diverse readers and diverse stories with Read Across America! https://readacrossamerica.org/By Danielle DuPuis, Natieka Samuels

Pre-K is more than just daycare — it prepares students for a lifetime of learning. Amber Pagan, a Pre-K teacher in Kansas, discusses the importance of Pre-K education, the rigor of pre-k curriculum, and the professional skills required to teach our youngest students each day.By National Education Association

Mentioned in this episode: Rethinking Schools The Zinn Education Project Too Dope Teachers and a Mic PodcastBy Kevin Adams, Natieka Samuels

Resources mentioned in this episode: View the CASEL SEL Framework Self-Reflection Exercise The CASEL School Guide NEA's SEL ResourcesBy Dr. Bloodine Barthelus, Natieka Samuels

Find resources to support LGBTQ+ students from GLSEN here: https://www.glsen.org/By Miller Lashbrook, Natieka Samuels, Alice O'Brien

Get more information about micro-credentials here. Learn about NEA's Aspiring Educators Program here. Find every episode of this series and relevant resources here.By National Education Association

Election Day is rapidly approaching, and educators have a lot on the line this year. Amy Harrison, a special education teacher in her 23rd year of teaching in North Carolina, shares her experiences with getting involved in local and state politics and the tangible effects of educators fighting for their students in the political realm.…

Rahaf Othman is an Illinois high school history teacher with 26 years of experience, who has a passion for helping her students make their voices heard. On this episode, she shares the stories of her students’ activism during the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement and over the years, and how their passions have changed not only their sch…

Collective bargaining and member advocacy empower us to fight for enhancements to student learning and educator working conditions–which in turn benefits our schools and communities as a whole. To help demystify the concept of collective bargaining, we're bringing 3 guests on the show to break down the various tools members have at their disposal t…

Browse the NEW 2022-2023 Red Across America Calendar at http://www.readacrossamerica.org/By Wendy Wan-Long Shang, Natieka Samuels

This episode originally aired in January 2021. For more resources on supporting individuals with special needs, visit https://www.nea.org/disabilities.By Natieka Samuels, April Burch

Check out our LGBTQ+ resources for education, celebration, and resistance here: https://www.nea.org/resource-library/nea-lgbtq-resourcesBy Natieka Samuels, Jaim Foster