Paradigmatic Silences

Commissioner Manveer Sandhu of Travis Unified School District and Michael Essien, Principal in San Francisco engage in a conversation about Public Education. They conver a range of topics including Financial Literacy, Community Schools Strategy, Artificial Intelligence, Learning Loss, and Equity.

3 students, Joshua Boado, Toshi Boado, Maricela Magdaleno and 1 colleague, Ildeberto Ojeda, share their thoughts and interactions with Principal Ben Nakamura of Stagg High School in Stockton, CA. Mr. Nakamura will not be invited back as the leader of that community and the panelists for this episode have strong feelings about his removal. The panelists share what makes Principal Nakamura their favorite.

Dr. Payne shares thoughts on how to improve outcomes for Black students attending Oakland Public Schools. The notions of "down stream" and "up stream" data analysis is explored as a method to improve setting goals and achieving outcomes for students and families. Dr. Payne is assisting with the fight to get Oakland Board of Education members to pass a Reparations Resolutions allocating $10,000,000 for Black students and families.

Principal Victor Tam takes us inside the work he does as an educational leader in a newcomer school for Chinese speaking students. He explores the complexities of the job and the challenges his teachers, students and families face. He shares the uniqueness of his professional learning community's work to deliver quality English instruction while maintaining the student's culture and sense of belonging. He gives us a glimpse into the difficult choices Chinese families face in navigating the educational system. Twitter: @PrincipalTam

Principal Victor Tam takes us inside the work he does as an educational leader in a newcomer school for Chinese speaking students. He explores the complexities of the job and the challenges his teachers, students and families face. He shares the uniqueness of his professional learning community's work to deliver quality English instruction while maintaining the student's culture and sense of belonging. He gives us a glimpse into the difficult choices Chinese families face in navigating the educational system. Twitter: @PrincipalTam

Principal Carla Llewelyn-Vasquez takes us inside the uniqueness of her Spanish speaking newcomer school, Mission Education Center. She explores the importance of her school and the challenges faced with being a transitional school for Spanish speaking students and families. Carla shares some of her primary schooling experiences as a child growing up in Panama. These early experiences helped develop her passion for education and equity.

Principals Charleston Brown, Emmanuel Stewart, Joseph Truss, and Michael Essien share their experiences as equity leaders working to close the opportunity gap. They share personal challenges, commitment to the work, and their insights on systemic oppression. Advice is offered for new Black administrators and to those who are aspiring.

Attorney Dora Dome shares her thoughts on Critical Race Theory and its ability to surface and name issues of race and inequity in our society and within our education system. She discusses the role of Due Process in addressing fairness and equity.

A Senior Policy Analyst for the National Education Assocation discusses Community Schools (Whole Child Framework) as a model to address equity and improve educational outcomes for students, parents, and educators. The success of this model involves parents and organizations advocating for their needs to be addressed through a proven model. Successes in the state of Kentucky and the City of Cincinnati are attributed to what Kyle describes as a "Grass Roots meets Grass Tops" philosophy.

Episode 5: Mrs. Alida Fisher shares her journey and experiences as a parent of 4 children attending school in San Francisco Unified School District. She takes us inside her work as a Special Education Advocate. And, she shares her experiences with Distance Learning as a parent and advocate.

Episode 4 explores Lyndsey's powerul idea of a HIPPOCRATIC OATH FOR EDUCATORS. She shares her thoughts on segregation in schools, the opportunity gap, the role of white parents in improving education, and incorporating Black and Brown voices at the leadership levels in education.

Episode 3 is Part 1 of 2 of a conversation with a Bay Area administrator Mrs. Lyndsey Schlax. You will learn about Lindsey's personal journey as a K-12 student that helped shape who she as an educator and activist. Also, in Part 1 Lyndsey will share her core values and ideas to improve education.

Episode 2: Matt Alexander is a founding member and former principal of June Jordan School for Equity. He empowered students and gave voice to families in a new small school focused on community needs. His school moved from traditional grading to Student Portfolio Defense. In addition, Matt is a community organizer working in the community to change policies and insuring equitable outcomes for marginalized families in the City of San Francisco.

Episode 1 defines the meaning of Paradigmatic Silences and describes who I am as an educator. It explores my experiences as a teacher trying to improve outcomes for Black and Brown students and the frustrations that led me to become an administrator.