EquiChats: Amplifying Voices for Educational Equity

Episode 5 discusses chronic absenteeism and ways that districts, school sites, and teachers engage students and families to increase school attendance. Our guest, Julia Bridi, shares her experiences and promising practices from the field. One that stood out to me was the importance of knowing the names, faces, and stories of our students and families. We continue to lean into the discussion about how we humanize data as we move away from conversations about percentages, numbers, and colors on a dashboard. I especially related to Julia’s perspective and specific recommendations.

Hear about Dr. Nancy Frey's journey of being a teacher of students with intellectual disabilities and how she recognized that isolation and segregated settings contributed to being left out of the flow and the mainstream of society, both professionally and personally. Her current research explores the intersectionality of leadership and being able to influence systems that promote equity, that promote belonging and that promote academic excellence. Join us as we explore how our system understands the lived experiences of our students- especially those who are at the margins.

On this episode, we discuss the importance of a sense of belonging, especially while recruiting and retaining Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) teacher candidates and teachers.  Dr. Sheiveh Jones, who is a Human Resources executive director overseeing teacher effectiveness and preparation at the San Diego County Office of Education, shares her story of being a  multi-language learner who was new to the United States and how she experienced school. She further explains how her third grade teacher made a difference in her life by making her feel like she belonged. You’ll hear about efforts to recruit BIPOC teachers and promising practices for short and long term action.

In this episode, Dr. Julie Goldman shares her perspective about how culturally and linguistically responsive instruction is an access point for educational equity.

Get to know the hosts! In this first episode, Valentin Escañuela and Dr. Deborah Hernandez share their "why" and provide an overview of the podcast. Join us as we explore systemic equity challenges and discuss innovative approaches to bring about change. In each episode, we will explore complexities of achieving equity in education, addressing topics such as how to measure impact, using asset-based mindsets, and pursuing a student's sense of belonging. We will engage with experts, educators, and those who dedicate their lives in breaking down barriers and creating a more equitable system for all.