Episode 10: When the System Stops Listening | The Good, The Bad, The Ugly – Education Edition

This week on The Good, The Bad, The Ugly – Education Edition, Dr. Sherri looks at what’s happening inside teacher contract negotiations and labor tensions as districts head toward 2026.This isn’t a surface-level news recap. It’s a grounded conversation about what these moments feel like for educators, students, and communities when communication stalls and escalation becomes the only remaining option.🟢 The Good — A tentative contract agreement in Waterbury, Connecticut, shows what progress can look like when districts and educators stay at the table without escalation.🔴 The Bad — In Anoka-Hennepin, Minnesota’s largest school district, teachers have set a potential strike date after months of stalled negotiations. Dr. Sherri shares insight from a direct conversation with Michelle Powers, a member of union leadership.⚫ The Ugly — A broader pattern across districts where contracts may get signed, but trust doesn’t automatically return — and students feel that instability long before adults acknowledge it.Michelle’s full conversation will be the first featured interview on Every Voice Matters, a new podcast launching in 2026 focused on slowing education stories down long enough to hear what’s really happening inside them.This episode isn’t about choosing sides.It’s about choosing sustainability.If you’re an educator, parent, administrator, or community member navigating these moments, this conversation is for you.Host: Dr. SherriSeries: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly – Education EditionProduced by: Education That MattersIn this episode: