STEAM, Advocacy and the Aspirations of Schools with Lya Williams

In this episode of the Healthy Project Podcast, we get into the world of education, representation, and the power of parental involvement with special guest, Johnston School Board candidate Lya Williams. Lya is an engineer turned stay-at-home mother with a passion for STEM and education. She currently serves on Johnston School's SIAC committee. We navigate through topics such as the changing dynamics of school demographics and the significance of STEM vs. STEAM, Lya sheds light on the importance of parents being actively present and involved in their children's education. With personal anecdotes and a dash of humor, this episode is both thought-provoking and heartwarming, highlighting the essential role parents play in shaping their children's academic journey.Shownotes:0:00 - Intro to the episode and introduction of guest, Lya.0:35 - Lya shares her experience with changing school demographics.2:58 - The importance of representation in PTO meetings and parental involvement.4:17 - A personal touch: Lya discusses how her son, Amir, looks forward to her presence in school activities.6:33 - The power of being an involved parent and its influence within the school.8:01 - Lya talks about the importance of not judging by appearance and building connections within the school community.10:28 - The ongoing debate: STEM vs. STEAM. What does the 'A' stand for, and does it belong?12:50 - Lya's personal take on the arts in STEAM and its connection to fields like knitting.14:15 - Diverse forms of creativity: Not everyone is a painter or a builder, but every child has a unique way of expressing creativity.16:24 - Lya's anecdotes on teaching during COVID-19 and the challenges of remote learning.18:52 - An artist's perspective about the inclusion of Arts in STEAM.20:20 - Closing thoughts and where to connect with Lya on social media and her website.21:39 - Outro and thanks to the audience for tuning in.Connect with LyaFacebookXLinkedinWebsiteConnect with The Healthy Project LinkedinInstagramFacebookWebsite ★ Support this podcast ★