In this episode, Emily (@eh48) catches up with former students, Vivaan and Noah (featured in Episode 24), who are high school seniors now. They discuss a variety of topics, including college applications, the difference going to college will make for them, and the adventure that their future holds. Listen in to see how they’re doing and the golden nuggets they share!

In this episode, Emily (@eh48), Traci (@tr_bo), and Valerie (@mllevalsunshine) discuss the struggles faced in education with the new White House administration, more specifically, the removal of schools and churches as safe havens with an executive order. Meanwhile, school districts and universities in California are messaging the families to affirm that they are indeed space places for students. Join us in our discussion as we talk about hope, support, and the need for community.

This new season starts with Emily (@eh48), Traci (@tr_bo), and Valerie (@mllevalsunshine) on video via Tik Tok & YouTube. We’re trying something a little different with the addition of video and we’ll continue the discussion of the struggles folks face. Of course, the podcast version is still available, too, wherever you listen! In this episode, we discuss a post that was made by @TheSpeechProf on Threads regarding empathy for students who were impacted by the wildfires in Southern California. Listen in to hear our takes!

Join us as we discuss AI's impact on education access and how it may or may not meet the needs of our most vulnerable citizens.

Are you an education professional or a student struggling? Email us at struggleforchangepodcast@gmail.com. We would love to hear your story.

Visit our website: struggleforchange.com.

Find us on Instagram: @struggleforchangepodcast.

Find us on Facebook: @struggleforchangepodcast.

Emily and Valerie talk with Laura, a HS English teacher at Sonoma Academy, around unique approaches to instilling mindfulness in students and embedding wellness in the day-to-day school schedule. We also ponder about trapped bats in houses and Taylor Swift electives.

Chris, the creator of High Five Movement joins us in a conversation to talk about his wellness practices for himself and the implementation of wellness/positive practices in the classroom. He shares the importance of fueling our bodies with nutritious food to have energy to do the necessary things as it can greatly impact our mental and emotional wellness. Lastly, the positive connections we make with our students, helping them turn negative into positive thoughts, and letting them know that we're there for them are all things we can keep doing. Give your students a high five to improve the mood!

Check out High Five Movement to "build resilience, manage stress and anxiety, and develop positive relationships with peers and teachers".

Chris' Favorites

Podcasts:
Dr Sanjay Gupta Chasing Life
Huberman Lab
Joe Rogan (I’m an alien believer)

Books:
The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
Negotiating for Dummies (Life is a negotiation)

Here is a throwback to March of 2020, when Traci sat down with Diane Main in a heart-felt interview addressing her personal struggles with mental health as an education professional.

Diane's OG Blog.

Note: This version has been re-mixed and re-mastered!

Help us keep creating by donating to our podcast. 50% of donations go toward the Dean Ledford Foundation.

Are you someone with a story about a struggle related to education?

Submit an ⁠interview interest form here⁠ or email us at ⁠⁠struggleforchangepodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠. We would love to hear your story.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠struggleforchange.com⁠⁠.

Find us on Instagram/Threads: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.

Find us on Facebook: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.

It’s not just authors feeling the pressure of book-banning movements. Through this current uptick in school and public library censorship, students are missing opportunities to hone their critical thinking skills as readers and teachers facing barriers to providing a well-rounded curriculum for students.

In honor of Banned Books Week 2023, Emily shares some tidbits around the history of book censorship and today's impact on authors and readers alike!

Episode Resources and Further Reading/Viewing:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDppHAzyFew
• https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/06/world/asia/india-textbooks-changes.html
• https://ca.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/the-firey-history-of-banned-books-video/its-lit-season-2/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpKqRC-9Avc&t=883s
• https://guides.library.harvard.edu/c.php?g=1269000&p=9306840
• https://pen.org/report/banned-usa-growing-movement-to-censor-books-in-schools/
• https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/as-book-bans-escalate-heres-what-you-need-to-know/2022/09
• https://ed.stanford.edu/news/stanford-lecturer-explores-rise-book-bans-nazi-book-burnings-school-board-races
• https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/12/books/book-bans-libraries.html
• https://news.northeastern.edu/2022/08/24/banned-books-in-us-schools/
• https://www.freedomtoread.ca/resources/bannings-and-burnings-in-history/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&app=desktop&v=h28316trOYU

Are you someone with a story about a struggle related to education?

Submit an interview interest form here or email us at ⁠struggleforchangepodcast@gmail.com⁠. We would love to hear your story.

Visit our website: ⁠struggleforchange.com⁠.

Find us on Instagram: ⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠.

Find us on Facebook: ⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠.