Teaching and Leading with Dr. Amy and Dr. Joi

Dr. Debbie James interviews Dr. Amy Vujaklija and Dr. Joi Patterson, co-hosts of the "Teaching and Leading" podcast at Governors State University. We discuss our journey from hallway conversations to a podcast during the pandemic. We highlight the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in education and the value of our podcast in elevating educator voices. Dr. Dr. James asks us to share our personal experiences, including career changes and the impact of their podcast on their professional growth. We also discuss their initiative to address teacher shortages by creating a pipeline of diverse educators through a mentoring program. The podcast aims to bring attention to GovState, elevate the profession, and provide solutions to educational challenges.

Dr. Cheryl Green, President of Governor State University, discusses her leadership journey. Despite challenges like the pandemic and the murder of George Floyd, she emphasizes the importance of higher education and the need for African American females to remain connected to academia. Green shares four pieces of career advice, including the value of self-analysis, generating revenue, and broadening expertise. She underscores the significance of these lessons in her professional growth and success.

Dr. Phyllis West, Director of Social Justice Initiative at Governor State University, discusses the evolution of respectability politics and the stigmatization associated with African American hair. She recounts her journey from being a high school cosmetology major to an academic, highlighting the societal pressures and personal challenges she faced with her hair choices.

Dr. Nicole Bing, an associate professor and speech-language pathologist at Governor State University, is featured on a special Black History Project episode. She shares her journey, highlighting the impact of mentors like Dr. Noma Anderson and Dr. Yvette Hyter. Bing's story underscores the importance of mentorship in the academic and professional lives of Black leaders, leading to her success in teaching, research, and international service learning.

Stephanie Krauss, an educator and mom, shares her personal journey from high school dropout to college graduate. She discusses her book Making It,"which aims to prepare students for an uncertain future by focusing on four key "currencies": competencies, credentials, connections, and cash. Krauss emphasizes the need to modernize education, moving beyond just college and career readiness to fostering long, livable lives. She shares her work in Virginia, where she helped shift the focus from over-testing to assessing for learning. Krauss also discusses plans for future projects, including a book for parents on raising kids for the future. The episode highlights the importance of equipping students with the skills and resources to thrive in an ever-changing world.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Giesela Grumbach, a social worker and educator. Dr. Grumbach discusses the evolving role of school social workers, emphasizing their importance in providing counseling, home visits, and advocacy. She highlights the significance of social-emotional learning (SEL) standards and the multi-tiered system of support, which includes tier one (prevention), tier two (small group interventions), and tier three (intensive support). Dr. Grumbach stresses the need for teachers to be attuned to students' emotional states and to listen with a "third ear" to understand nuanced meanings. She also addresses disparities in education and the importance of closing the loop with students, especially during remote learning.

Dr. Sara Schnoor discusses her research on middle school leaders' perceptions of restorative justice practices. She emphasizes the importance of community and individual accountability in restorative justice, highlighting its benefits in education, healthcare, and other fields. Dr. Schnoor shares her journey from teaching to leadership, focusing on the dynamic growth of middle school students and the need for safe, inclusive environments. She details challenges in implementing restorative justice, such as breaking misperceptions and securing resources. Dr. Schnoor advocates for formalizing restorative justice in school policies and securing additional funding to support its effectiveness.

In this episode, we discuss the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan and its implementation in schools. Colleen Gjataj, Director of Literacy Pathways at Elmhurst 205 Public Schools, highlights the challenges of improving literacy among third graders, noting that 30% cannot read. She emphasizes the need for high-quality instructional materials and professional development for teachers. Despite resource constraints, open-source materials and virtual professional learning opportunities are available. The conversation also touches on the importance of aligning curriculum, materials, and practices to support equitable outcomes for all students.