Notes from the Backpack: A PTA Podcast

From addressing climate change to destigmatizing mental health, young people are stepping up as leaders to create a better world. Our hosts talked with DeNora Getachew, CEO of DoSomething.org, to learn how we can empower youth to create change. DeNora shares about the causes most important to young people, how they're getting involved and what families and educators can do to encourage service learning.Visit DoSomething.org to learn more and follow @DoSomething on social media.From the Archives: Listen to Raising Kids Who Change the World with Marley Dias.Explore more resources on service learning on National PTA’s Healthy Lifestyles page.

It’s time to think creatively about school reform! Co-CEO of Transcend Education Aylon Samouha joined the show to share the latest in school transformation. Tune in to explore the purpose of education, innovative learning models and the journey towards creating extraordinary, equitable learning environments. Visit TranscendEducation.org to check out the Innovative Models Exchange, Leaps for Equitable 21st Century Learning and more!Follow Transcend Education on social media at @TranscendBuilds.Read “Parents Want More From Their Child’s K-12 Education. Here are Five Ways to Find it.” in PTA’s Our Children online magazine.

How can families partner with schools to ensure their children are enjoying nutritious meals? Our hosts talked with Briana Webster-Campbell, the managing director of Center for Best Practices at No Kid Hungry to get an inside look into the school cafeteria. Briana shares how schools determine what foods to serve, how families can get more involved and why your child’s cinnamon roll may be healthier than you think!Learn more about No Kid Hungry and explore their tools and webinars.Share Our Strength School Meal Finder: Text FOOD to 304-304 to find food sites near you!Explore more tips and resources on National PTA’s Healthy Lifestyles page.

Innovations in rural schools are paving the way for more successful futures for our youth! Tune in as Michael Gonzalez, executive director of the Rural Schools Innovation Zone shares about the challenges rural schools face and how they’re facing them head on. From expanding career and technical offerings to substantial teacher retention bonuses, Mike shares how pooling resources between districts in rural Texas has been a game changer for their students.Learn more about the Rural Schools Innovation Zone and reach out to Mike at [email protected] with any questions.Explore the National School Board Association’s five-part report series, “Educational Equity for Rural Students: Out of the Pandemic, but Still Out of the Loop.”Follow Mike on Twitter at @RSIZ4GMikeG.  

How is the political climate shaping the curricula in schools today? From book bans to censorship, our guest Denise Forte, president and CEO of the Education Trust, delves into the tensions facing education today. Tune in to discover current challenges and bright spots and to explore where we go from here.Dig into EdTrust’s reports “Social, Emotional and Academic Development through an Equity Lens” and “The Search for More Complex Racial and Ethnic Representation in Grade School Books.” Read EdTrust’s article about state-level opposition to teaching honest history. Follow Denise at @Denise_EdTrust and @EdTrust on social media.

From supplemental instruction to grade skipping, there are options when it comes to challenging our most advanced learners, but these opportunities can be hard to access. Brandon Wright, editorial director at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute joins the show to share best practices in gifted education and what families can do if their child would benefit from a more advanced curriculum.Explore the Fordham Institute’s Report Building a Wider, More Diverse Pipeline of Advanced LearnersRead Failing Our Brightest Kids by Brandon Wright & Chester FinnLearn more from Brandon by following him on social media at @BWrightEd or subscribing to his substack here

How do teachers find the most effective ways to engage families? Teachers often learn from their colleagues and even their own experiences as students. In this episode, Dr. Soo Hong, researcher and professor at Wellesley College, highlights the lack of formal family engagement training and the systemic changes needed to support early career teachers.Explore the “Educator Preparation Framework for Family and Community Partnerships” from National Association for Family, School and Community Engagement (NAFSCE) to learn more.Check out Soo Hong’s books, A Cord of Three Strands and Natural Allies, and explore more resources on her website.From the Archives: Listen to episodes from our Teacher Talk Miniseries to learn more about educators’ lives in the classroom.

As new state and local laws target LGBTQ+ students, what can families do to ensure schools treat all students with care and empathy? Teen transgender activist Harleigh Walker and her father, Jeff Walker, join the show to share their advocacy experience. They highlight how harmful policies are impacting school life for kids around the country and what you can do to help.Listen to our previous episode, How to Help LGBTQ Youth ThriveFollow Harleigh Walker on Instagram at @harleighawalkerTune into Jeff’s podcast, Southern Pride ParentingExplore PTA.org/LGBTQ for more resources.

Friendships are a cornerstone of childhood, but some kids have an easier time making friends than others. We talked to psychologist, author and friendship expert, Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore to learn how families can support their children in building and maintaining healthy relationships with their peers. Dr. Kennedy-Moore shares how friendships change and develop as children age and how parents can coach from the sidelines.Check out “4 Ways to Help Your Child Create True Friendships” in PTA’s Our Children online magazine Explore tips from Understood’s resource, “Why Some Kids Have Trouble Making Friends” Follow Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore on social media at @DrFriendtastic and order her books for kids and parents here.

Many parents feel unsure when they should start talking to their children about addiction and even more uncertain about what to say. In this episode, author and educator, Jessica Lahey, offers practical tips and guidance for having conversations about drug and alcohol abuse. She draws on the latest research and her own experiences to share what families need to know to keep their kids safe.Check out “5 Things You Need to Know About Youth Vaping” in PTA’s Our Children online magazineExplore PTA’s newest grant opportunities including funding to encourage tobacco use prevention hereFollow Jessica Lahey on Instagram @TeacherLahey and on TikTok @JessLaheyRead Jessica Lahey’s books The Addiction Innoculation and The Gift of Failure

There is so much children can learn from the great outdoors! We spoke with Bianca Myrick, executive director of the Virginia Association of Environmental Education to learn how families can explore the environment together and raise kids who care for the planet. Bianca shares ideas on how you can replace screentime with green time at home and advocate for environmental education in your child’s school. Explore the Virginia Association for Environmental Education’s website and find your chapter of the Association for Environmental Education here Read “How Your Family Can Be More Green at Home” in PTA’s Our Children online magazine For more resources, explore PTA’s Healthy Earth webpage 

Choosing a summer program that is fun, educational and affordable is no easy task. Brodrick Clarke, VP of Programs at the National Summer Learning Association joined the show to help. He talks about the tools families can use to find high-quality summer programs and offers tips for finding a program that will be a good fit for your child. Resources: Visit DiscoverSummer.org to search for summer programs in your area that have already been vetted by the National Summer Learning Association Explore Smarter Summers, Brighter Futures: A Summer Playbook for PTA and School Leaders Read “Tips to Keep Your Kid Learning this Summer” in PTA’s Our Children online magazine Learn more about the National Summer Learning Association at SummerLearning.org and follow them at @SummerLearning. 

When our kids talk about the latest social media trends, it can feel like they’re speaking a foreign language. Founder and CEO of the Social Institute, Laura Tierney, joined the show to help us understand how we can best support our children in navigating the current social media landscape. She highlights the importance of positive social media education and shares how technology can support our children’s mental health and even their study habits. Resources:  Explore the Social Institute’s family resources and watch recordings of their recent webinars For more information, check out Schools and Social Media: A Survey of NSPRA and CoSN Members from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) Look back at our episode with Dr. Sameer Hinduja, Social Media & Cyberbullying 101  Follow the Social Institute on social media at @TheSocialInst and Laura Tierney at @SoLaur 

While segregation may seem like a thing of the past, it’s still a major issue affecting our schools today. We spoke with Stefan Lallinger, executive director of Next100, to explore why schools aren’t more diverse and how we can advocate for systemic change. He also shares his insight on the upcoming Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action and its implications for the future of K-12 education.Resources: Read the Century Foundation’s article, “The Benefits of Socioeconomically and Racially Integrated Schools and Classrooms” and explore School Segregation in Cities Across America MappedLearn about the Century Foundation’s Bridges Collaborative which is reigniting a nationwide movement for integrated schools and diverse neighborhoodsFrom the Archives: For those of you looking to dive deeper into issues of racial equity in education, listen to our episode with Dr. Shawn Jones Follow Stefan Lallinger on social media at @StefanLallinger

We often ask kids what they want to be when they grow up, but how often do we help them figure out the answer? We invited Jean Eddy, Executive Director of the American Student Assistance (ASA) and ASA’s “Solve It” contest winner and high school student, Elliana Cabellon to talk about career exploration. They share how families can help kids follow their passions, plan for their futures and explore STEM career pathways.Resources: Learn more about career exploration at ASA.org and use the Futurescapes tool with your kids to explore pathways you’ve never considered before!Visit PTA.org/PropellingOurWorld to discover easy and fun design challenges that demystify engineering for students and their familiesRead “STEM Careers: Introducing Kids to Innovation” in PTA’s Our Children online magazine

Is your school district prioritizing Family-School Partnerships? The Director of Family-School Partnerships at Colorado Department of Education, Darcy Hutchins, shares how states and districts can embed best practices into their protocols to ensure strong family-school partnerships. She also offers advice for where families can look for information about policies affecting their own communities.Check out National PTA’s new advocacy resource, Strengthening Family-School Partnerships through Education PolicyExplore National PTA’s updated National Standards for Family-School PartnershipsRead through the Colorado Department of Education’s Framework for Family-School Partnerships and their Promising Partnership Practices

What does it mean to be an advocate for all children and how can you jumpstart your own advocacy journey? We discussed the answers to these questions and so much more with Rosazlia Grillier, a founder and governing council member of the United Parent Leaders Action Network (UPLAN). She shares her own experience, how you can find the leader in you, and how to get connected to a network of advocates and take action.Resources: Learn more about Community Organizing and Family Issues (COFI) at COFIOnline.org and the United Parent Leaders Action Network (UPLAN) at unitedparentleaders.org Read Everyone Wins! TheEvidence for Family-School Partnerships and Implications for Practice, the latest book by Dr. Karen Mapp and Dr. Anne HendersonExplore National PTA’s advocacy resources at PTA.org/Advocacy

Since the start of 2020, it feels like we’ve experienced—or witnessed—one crisis after another. How should we talk with our children about these challenging topics—and how can we cope with them ourselves? We interviewed Dr. Pamela Cantor, founder and senior science advisor at Turnaround for Children to get her advice. She shares how relationships, routines and resilience can help us traverse these tumultuous times. Resources: • Visit TurnaroundForChildren.org for resources and resources focused on whole child development• Follow Pamela Cantor on social media at @DrPamelaCantor and read her articles in Psychology Today• Check out “Racism and Violence: How to Help Kids Handle the News” in PTA’s Our Children online magazine

Do you start sweating when your kids ask for help with math homework? Lots of parents struggle with math anxiety—our child’s and our own—but math is everywhere and it’s our job to help our children embrace it. We sat down with Eugenio Longoria Sáenz, founding director of the Center for Family Math at The National Association for Family, School and Community Engagement (NAFSCE). He shares how you can overcome your own math anxiety and help your child learn how to approach math with curiosity and an open mind. Resources:Visit FamilyMath.org and follow @NAFSCE on social media to learn more Explore National PTA’s STEM+ Families Math Night resourcesCheck out “Have a Math Chat with Your Kids” in PTA’s Our Children online magazine

What goes into a school rating? School ratings often leave families feeling confused, wondering what a singular number tells them about the quality of a school. To get to the bottom of this, our hosts interviewed Jon Deane, CEO of GreatSchools.org who shares how families can use school ratings as a starting point for making informed choices for their child’s education.Resources: Check out this Parents Magazine article, “What Do Public School Rankings Really Mean?”Learn more about GreatSchools.org and their college success awardFollow GreatSchools.org at @GreatSchools

School transitions can be hard—and not just for the kids, but for parents, too! Our guest, child development expert and author, Deborah Farmer-Kris, has tips for making school transitions a little smoother. Whether your child is struggling to get out the door in the morning, experiencing anxiety in the classroom or melting down when they get home, Deborah has advice to ease your back-to-school transition.Resources: Learn more about our guest, Deborah Farmer-Kris at parenthood365.com and enjoy her picture book series with your kidsCheck out the CDC’s tips for Helping Children Transition Back to SchoolFrom the Archives: For those of you with a new middle schooler, check out our episode with Phyllis Fagell for helpful tipsRead “Get Your Routine Back on Track” in PTA’s Our Children online magazine

Our nation is facing an adolescent mental health crisis. Teens are struggling in the classroom and at home. Our guest, Instructional Support Specialist and Social Emotional Learning Lead, Leona Fowler, shares her experiences navigating these challenges and what approaches can equip our kids with the coping skills they need. She discusses how mindfulness and other social emotional learning techniques can improve student wellness at school and at home.Resources:Explore Educators for Excellence’s new report, Voices from the Classroom 2022: A Survey of America’s Educators, for additional insights on student wellness from educatorsVisit PTA.org/HealthyMinds to explore more resources related to student mental health and social emotional wellnessDiscover virtual learning materials brought to you by Phi Delta Kappa at the NSPDK E-Learning AcademyFollow Leona Fowler on social media at @MizBossLady82

Since the pandemic began, the phrase “learning loss” has become a frequently used term in the education field. What kind of “learning loss” are teachers actually seeing in their classrooms and how are they working to address it? Angela Burley, sixth grade social studies teacher and a 2021-2022 Teach Plus Texas Policy Fellow, joins the show to share her perspective on the issue.Resources:Read Angela Burley’s piece in the Dallas Examiner, “Students can’t help being absent because of COVID. We need to help them, not label them chronically absent.”Read another teacher’s perspective on the issue in the ASCD blog article, “Why ‘Learning Loss’ Is So Complicated (and How to Address It Constructively).”From the Archives: Listen to “How is Your Kid Really Doing in School?” featuring Learning Heroes’ Bibb Hubbard.

In the last few years, teachers have faced unprecedented challenges that have left a lot of them feeling burnt out. Experienced educator and activist, Sofia Gonzalez, shares her thoughts on teacher burnout and how systemic changes could make teaching a more sustainable profession.Read the National Education Association’s article, “Getting Serious about Teacher Burnout”Read the Brookings Institution’s article, “How much do teachers struggle with stress and burnout?”Visit PTA.org/ThankATeacher for teacher appreciation resourcesFollow Sofia Gonzalez on social media at @MrsG_P214 and learn more about her nonprofit organization, Project 214

Fostering motivation is an important part of a teacher’s job. Larry Ferlazzo, veteran high school teacher and Education Week writer, shares his insights on how to motivate students. Learn what teachers most want you to know about student motivation and get tips on how to get your child to do their homework, chores and more. Resources:Check out “4 Tips to Keep Kids Engaged in Learning” on PTA’s Our Children online magazineRead one of Larry’s many books, including  Building a Community of Self-Motivated Learners and Self-Driven Learning: Teaching Strategies for Student MotivationFollow Larry Ferlazzo on social media at @LarryFerlazzo and read more of his work on his blog

The college admissions process was stressful enough before the pandemic, now it’s more confusing than ever. Ffiona Rees, board chair of the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), joins us to answer all of your questions. Listen to discover her top tips for supporting your teen as they navigate through the college admissions process.Resources:Check out “College Planning: 6 Questions Every Family Should Ask” on PTA’s Our Children online magazineFrom the Archives: Listen to “How College Ready Are You?” featuring UNCF’s Sekou BiddleExplore more resources from NACAC at nacacnet.org Share your ideas for next season in the 2022 Podcast Feedback Survey

What do your kids know about money? Jen Hemphill, host of the podcast, Her Dinero Matters, shares tips from her experience as an accredited financial advisor and as a mom. Learn how to talk about money with children of all ages and how you can help them to become financially responsible.Resources:Listen Jen Hemphill’s podcast Her Dinero Matters on all major podcast platformsExplore Money As You Grow, a resource from the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau to help parents and caregivers talk to kids about moneyGet more tips to help your child become financially responsible  in “Adulting 101: From Cooking to Credit Cards” on PTA’s Our Children online magazine

Most people can count on one hand the number of Black teachers they had during their schooling. Our guest Sharif El-Mekki is working to change that. Sharif discusses how underrepresentation of Black teachers has repercussions for all of our children, and for Black children in particular. Resources:Visit TheCenterBlacked.org to learn more about Sharif’s work, including opportunities for paid apprenticeships and other teaching experiencesFrom the Archives: Listen to our podcast episode featuring Rodney RobinsonRead “Diverse Teachers Matter,” from the National School Board AssociationFollow the Center for Black Educator Development and Sharif El-Mekki on social media: @CenterBlackEd and @SElMekki

Parents can often feel overwhelmed when they receive their child’s test scores. What do the scores mean and do they even matter? Dr. Andrew Ho, a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, breaks down what you need to know about standardized testing so you can understand what really matters for your child’s learning and development.Resources:Review Andrew’s helpful resource, Questions to Ask About Educational TestsRead “Take The Stress Out of Standardized Tests” on PTA’s Our Children online magazineFollow Dr. Andrew Ho on social media at @AndrewDeanHo

Whether your child is transitioning to a new school or a new country, change can be hard. We can learn a lot from military families who experience these types of transitions more frequently than most. Dr. Keith Mispagel, superintendent of Fort Leavenworth Unified School District, talks with our hosts about helping children adjust to new environments. Resources:Learn more about Keith Mispagel and his school district at usd207.org and follow Keith on social media at @KMispagel Discover resources for military families at militaryfamily.org and militaryimpactedschoolsassociation.org

Celebrity chef, Duff Goldman, joins the show to help you and your family have a blast in the kitchen. Duff shares tips for teaching your kids science while cooking and helping them develop independence and confidence using tools and appliances. The hosts also discuss his parenting style and cooking journey!Resources:Watch Duff’s Happy Fun Bake Time with the whole family and check out Duff’s cookbook, Super Good Baking for Kids Read “7 Tips to Get Kids into Cooking at Home” on PTA’s Our Children online magazineFollow Duff on social media @DuffGoldman 

From people who mispronounce your child’s name to teachers who expect them to explain your family’s holiday traditions to the class, your child may be struggling with the pressure to represent an entire culture. Actress and author Sheetal Sheth joins the show to discuss how families can help kids embrace their identities and explains how she shared her own identity and experience as a mother in her children’s books Always Anjali and Bravo Anjali. Resources:Read Always Anjali and the sequel, Bravo Anjali, with your kidsFollow Sheetal on social media @SheetalShethListen to Talking Race & KidLit with Kwame Alexander to learn more about diversifying your children’s library

Help your child channel their frustrations into social action! This week, our hosts chatted with author and founder of 1000 Black Girl Books, Marley Dias, and her mom, Dr. Janice Johnson Dias, who is an educator and author as well. They share how you can help your child develop their entrepreneurial spirit and enhance their problem solving skills—all while making the world a better place!Resources:Learn more about the 1000 Black Girl Books Campaign and how you can get involvedWatch Marley in the Netflix series, BookmarksFollow Marley on social media @IAmMarleyDias and read her book Marley Dias Gets It Done and So Can YouFollow Dr. Janice on social media @DrJaniceJohnsonDias and read her book Parent Like It Matters: How to Raise Joyful, Changemaking Girls

How can schools do a better job affirming children’s racial identities? Dr. Shawn Jones, psychologist and professor at the Virginia Commonwealth University, joined the podcast to offer guidance on creating schools that better serve students of color. He shares how families can help by talking openly and honestly about their own experiences with race. He also offers suggestions for how white families can be part of the effort to create more affirming schools for students of color.For more advice on talking to your children about race, listen to our podcast episode Raising Kids Who Embrace RaceLearn more from Dr. Shawn Jones in Embrace Race’s webinar, “Managing Racial Stress and Teaching Kids to Do the Same”Read “How To Talk To Your Child About Racism” on PTA’s Our Children online magazineFollow Dr. Shawn Jones on social media @SCTJones and his podcast Our Mental Health Minute @OurMHM

From the cyberbullying risks to dangerous social media challenges, many parents feel terrified when their child enters the world of social media. How can families have proactive discussions about navigating the online world responsibly? Dr. Sameer Hinduja, director of the Cyberbullying Research Center joins the show to share practical tips and respond to some of your most commonly asked questions!Visit cyberbullying.org for lots of helpful resources for parents, educators and students!Learn more about our guest—and reach out to him directly with your own questions—at hinduja.org. You can also follow him on social media @Hinduja  Explore the SEL in Digital Life Resource Center from Common Sense Media Have a conversation with your children about technology using tips from TheSmartTalk.org Thanks to NortonLifeLock, a longtime Proud National PTA Sponsor, for supporting this episode. 

What life skills does your child need to thrive? There’s a lot of learning happening in schools that goes beyond academics. Karen Van Ausdal joined our hosts to talk about Social and Emotional Learning. She shares what Social and Emotional Learning looks like, why it’s important and how families can support.Resources:Explore CASEL’s helpful tools including the SEL Roadmap, the CASEL Guide to Schoolwide SEL and the SEL Discussion Series for Parents and Caregivers (also available in Spanish)Don’t miss CASEL’s videos, What is SEL and Schoolwide SEL: Authentic Family Partnerships Follow CASEL on social media @CASELOrg Read “Teaching Social and Emotional Skills at Home” in PTA’s Our Children online magazineCheck out even more SEL resources at PTA.org/socialemotional

As we enter our second Back-to-School season filled with COVID-19 safety precautions, it’s vital that you stay informed. We invited a special guest, Captain Erin Sauber-Schatz, community guidance subject matter expert for CDC's COVID-19 Response, to share the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Resources:Watch National PTA’s Back to Class Virtual Town Hall hosted in partnership with the CDC.Read through the CDC’s Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools, their Back to School Reminders and information about School Testing for COVID-19 .Listen to the CDC’s five-minute podcast episode Transitioning Back to School or Early Child EducationExplore the CDC’s COVID-19 Parental Resources Kit available in English & SpanishFollow the CDC on social media at @CDCgov

Did your last power struggle with your child leave you feeling burnt out? What if we shifted our mindset around parenting, and stopped trying to make our kids happy all the time? Dr. Shefali, a clinical psychologist and author, whose work has been endorsed by Oprah, joins our hosts to discuss parent self-care. She shares her own parenting experiences and philosophy and offers advice on letting go and learning to live in the now. Resources:Read Self Care in the Time of Coronavirus in Our Children, PTA’s online magazineGet a copy of Superpowered: Transforming Anxiety into Courage, Confidence and Resilience for your child (ages 8-15) Learn more about our expert guest at drshefali.com

Let’s start talking about mental health! For too long, we’ve stigmatized mental health issues and it’s time to have open conversations with our friends and family. We talked to mental health advocate, Allison Raskin, about her personal journey and work to destigmatize these topics. She offers advice for normalizing discussions of mental health in your family and community!Resources:Follow Allison’s mental health social media channel @EmotionalSupportLady and join her Patreon community.Visit NAMI’s webpage to learn more about mental health stigma and pledge to be StigmaFree. For more information about OCD, visit the International OCD Foundation website.

Is your teenager so stressed you worry they’re on the brink of burning out? Teens are still facing the typical pressures of navigating friendships, relationships, college admissions and now a pandemic. Our hosts spoke with adolescent psychologist and best-selling author, Dr. John Duffy, about how families can support their teens during this challenging time. He offers advice and shares how parents can distinguish between typical teenage stress and when it is time to seek help.Resources:Explore relevant resources from Active Minds including their Stress vs. Anxiety page and their tips for Managing Your Anxiety.Get more information about anxiety in Child Mind Institute’s article, “What Are the Different Kinds of Anxiety?”Learn more about our expert guest at drjohnduffy.com  and get a copy of his latest book Parenting the New Teen in the Age of Anxiety.

How can we prepare to meet every child’s needs as they return to school? We spoke with National School Psychologist of the Year, Chandrai Jackson-Saunders to learn how schools can set children up for success and how families can help by focusing on the whole child. She offers concrete strategies school communities should implement to meet the variety of needs children will have in the wake of the pandemic.Resources:The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) has lots of resources available about the return to school, as well as family resources designed to help families like yours!Get even more back to school resources from our partners at Child Mind Institute.As your children return to school, if you’re wondering whether they are just a bit behind or may be struggling with a learning difference, check out Understood.org’s Take Note tools.Learn more about our expert guest at cjsaunders.org.

Teens experience mental health issues at alarming rates. How can you tell if it’s typical teenage angst or something more serious? If your teen is experiencing depression, how can you best support them? We sat down with Dr. Doreen Marshall, VP of Mission Engagement at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (ASFP) to get answers to these questions and more.Resources:Visit AFSP’s website to learn more about suicide prevention and to get tips on how to have a #RealConvo about mental health.Share Seize the Awkward resources with teens and college students in your life to help them navigate these issues.Learn more about depression on Mental Health America’s webpage and use their screening tools to gauge if it is time to seek outside help.Familiarize yourself with crisis resources available including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800 273-8255 and the Crisis Text Line: Text “TALK” to 741741.

It’s time to rewind! Join our hosts Helen & LaWanda as they look back on highlights from our first three seasons. They discuss some of their favorite pieces of advice and share a sneak peek at our upcoming mini-series.ResourcesEpisodes referenced in this compilation include:Middle School: What Every Parent Should Know with Phyllis FagellHow to Handle Homework: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly with Steve SheldonTackling COVID-19 Anxiety Together with Erlanger TurnerNavigating Online Resources During COVID-19 with Merve LapusRaising Kids Who Embrace Race with Melissa Giraud and Andrew Grant-ThomasTalking Race & KidLit with Kwame AlexanderHow to Help LGBTQ Youth Thrive with Ellen Kahn and Jodie PattersonMoney Talks: School Finance 101 with Marguerite RozaThe Truth About School Discipline in America with John KingBeyond Academics: Preparing Your Kids for Life with Linda Darling-HammondLearn more about our show and listen to all of the episodes at www.notesfromthebackpack.com

You may not be aware, but every school has LGBTQ youth and families. Is your PTA using inclusive language and offering affirming programs and activities? We sat down with two guests from the Human Rights Campaign Ellen Kahn, senior director of programs and partnerships, and Jodie Patterson, board chair of the HRC Foundation, to learn how to become better allies to the LGBTQ community. National PTA & HRC have collaborated on this new LGBTQ glossary to help you understand and use affirming language. Discover resources for creating more inclusive school environments on HRC’s Welcoming Schools page Read Jodie’s book The Bold World: A Memoir of Family and Transformation and pre-order Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope Follow the Human Rights Campaign at @HRC and Jodie at @Jodie_GeorgiaNY

When you think of parent teacher partnerships, conferences and report cards might come to mind, but what if we made family engagement more fun? Colleen Ryan, 2019 Toyota Family Engagement Teacher of the Year shares her innovative approach to building partnerships with families. She offers advice for parents and teachers on how to work together to help kids get what they need to thrive. Resources: Read “6 Ways to Be Engaged in Your Child’s Education” in PTA’s Our Children online magazine Discover more about The Passage, the mobile classroom that Colleen and her colleague launched to bring learning to the neighborhood and follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram For more opportunities to learn at home with your kids, check out Wonderopolis a project of National Center for Families Learning

Raising a teenager can be difficult—even under normal circumstances—and COVID-19 has added new challenges. We talked to Dr. Lisa Damour, adolescent psychologist, and high school student Isaac Hurtado, co-host of the hit podcast, Teenager Therapy, to get tips. Isaac shares his experiences and what he’s hearing from other teens as they cope with all that 2020 has thrown at them. Dr. Lisa Damour offers her own professional perspective on these topics, covering everything from remote learning and social media use to anxiety and depression. Resources: Check out these relevant resources on Lisa Damour’s website, including strategies for managing COVID-19 stress and anxiety and tips for raising teenagers Read Dr. Lisa Damour’s New York Times bestselling books, Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls and Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood Follow Dr. Lisa Damour at @LDamour and listen to Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Parenting  Follow Isaac Hurtado and Teenager Therapy on social media at @TeenagerTherapy and listen to Teenager Therapy

Parents dread getting a call from their child’s principal’s office. But maybe It’s time to shift our mindset and think of principals as partners who support our children’s development. We talked with Dr. Tayarisha Batchelor, principal of the Rawson STEAM school in Hartford, Conn., about how families and parent leaders can collaborate with their principal. She shares how she has supported families in her communities during the pandemic and how she helps her staff engage in meaningful family engagement practices.Resources:   The New Teacher Project (TNTP) has released two new resources, the COVID-19 School Response Toolkit, geared towards families, and the 5 Essentials for Engaging Families in Reopening Efforts for school leaders.   Watch our webinar Family Engagement in a Virtual World to learn more about connecting with families during distance learning Check out NAFSCE’s Family Engagement during COVID-19 Survey Results Follow Dr. Tayarisha Batchelor on Twitter at @TstoneTG

Do you want to talk to your kids about race and racism, but not sure where to start? We spoke to Melissa Giraud and Andrew Grant-Thomas, founders of EmbraceRace, to learn how to approach these conversations with young children. Using their professional expertise, and their own parenting experiences, Melissa and Andrew also share advice on raising advocates for racial justice. Resources: Explore the wealth of resources EmbraceRace offers. 16 ways to help children become thoughtful, informed and BRAVE about race is a great place to start! Check out National PTA’s diversity, equity and inclusion resources, including How to Talk about Race & Justice in America Read “How to Talk to Your Child about Racism” in PTA’s Our Children online magazine Follow EmbraceRace on social media at @RaceEmbrace

What can families do to address bullying and how can schools act proactively to prevent bullying altogether? We talked with Dr. Deborah Temkin, the vice president VP Youth Development & Education Research at Child Trends to get answers. She shares strategies for supporting children who are bullied and offers advice to parents who have learned that their child is doing the bullying. Resources: Visit StopBullying.gov for resources related to bullying, including cyberbullying and bullying prevention. Read “Life Lessons: How to Stand up to Bullying with Books” and “Helping Your Child Understand Cyberbullying” in PTA’s Our Children online magazine. Follow Deb Temkin on Twitter @DrDebTemkin 

You probably find yourself thinking a lot about your child’s academics, but what about their engagement in the arts? We interviewed Julian Bass, a two-time PTA Reflections winner, who has gone on to make a name for himself as a filmmaker and visual effects artist. He shares how his own parents supported his artistic journey and how families can encourage their children to follow their dreams. Resources: Get involved with Reflections today by coordinating with  your State Reflections Chair, registering your PTA to join the program or starting with some at-home arts activities! Celebrate National Arts and Humanities Month with National PTA and Americans for the Arts by sharing your artwork in the Show Your Art Challenge on social media using #ShowYourArt2020!  Read Jump-Start the Arts With the Whole Family in PTA’s Our Children online magazine Follow Julian Bass on social media at @TheJulianBass