K-12 Public Education Insights: Empowering Parents of Color — Trends, Tactics, and Topics That Impact POC
Raising kids can be tough! I know because I’ve been a single mom who raised two kids on my own. And when they get in the K-12 public education system, learning the ins and outs of that system can get you all tangled up, especially when you’re a parent of color (POC). You need to be aware of the current trends, tactics, and topics, as well as the necessary resources to navigate within the system. That’s what the K-12 Public Education Insights: Empowering Parents of Color podcast is all about — providing you with tools, information, and practical actions to help you and your children succeed within the complexities of K-12 public education.
Episodes
Grades shape futures, but do they measure what a student actually knows—or how well they play the points game? I take a hard look at why traditional grading often blends behavior, compliance, and access to resources with academic mastery, creating signals that mislead families, fuel bias, and widen gaps. Drawing on current research and classroom experience, I break down how equitable grading cente...
Books are quietly disappearing from American classrooms, and kids are paying the price. I dig into why excerpts have replaced full-length novels and plays, how that shift affects comprehension and attention, and what it means for students who deserve a rich, inclusive literacy diet. Drawing on research and classroom realities, I unpack the tension between teaching to high-stakes tests and building...
If middle school feels too early to think about life after high school, the data says otherwise. I explore why so many classrooms lack career-connected learning, how this fuels anxiety and disengagement, and what it takes to match a child’s natural aptitudes with real-world opportunities. From the sharp drop in four-year college plans to the rise of non-degree pathways, I trace the shifts families...
The way our kids learn has changed faster than most classrooms and homes can keep up. We’re past the era of memorizing from a single textbook; the real advantage now is knowing how to verify a claim, trace a source, and turn digital tools into deeper learning—not distractions. I share a clear roadmap for parents and educators who want students to thrive in a world where search results, AI tools, a...
Honest history should not be controversial, yet every step toward equity seems to trigger a counterpunch. I dig into how White backlash has shaped K-12 education for generations—from laws that criminalized Black literacy to modern book bans and vague “indoctrination” claims that chill classrooms. Along the way, I unpack the difference between White rage and White backlash, explain why CRT became a...
A single ransomware email can steal weeks of learning and years of privacy. I dig into the hard truth behind rising cyberattacks on K‑12 schools: why districts are prime targets, how AI makes phishing smarter, and what happens when student records and critical systems are held hostage. From real breaches that forced closures to vendor incidents that exposed millions of records, I unpack the patter...
Your child’s school day is powered by data—grades, health records, survey answers, device activity, and the dozens of apps woven into homework and instruction. I pull back the curtain on how that data move through districts and vendors, and how a lack of basic policies turns classrooms into soft targets for misuse and cybercrime. From the NYC Illuminate incident to AI-driven tools in everyday lear...
What if the fastest way to help your child succeed is to stop rescuing and start coaching? I dive into the mindset and methods of mentally strong parenting, using Amy Morin’s “Thirteen Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do” as a springboard to share practical tools that work in real homes. From replacing a victim mentality with accountability to building emotional literacy and healthy boundaries...
Parents don’t just want updates; we want a seat at the table. This episode explores how to move beyond volunteer hours and sign-up sheets to real partnership—where families, teachers, and schools build trust, share responsibility, and help kids thrive in reading, language, and math. I break down the difference between parent involvement and parent engagement, explain why two-way communication matt...
What if the easiest way to boost your child’s curiosity, listening skills, and confidence didn’t involve a screen at all? I dive into the world of children’s podcasts—why they work, how to use them at home and in class, and what the research says about attention, comprehension, and family learning. From science explainers driven by kids’ questions to short, story-rich episodes that fit into busy r...
A funding shock the size of a small state budget doesn’t just make headlines—it changes classrooms. When the federal government froze, then unfroze, billions destined for K–12, districts delayed hiring, shelved curriculum purchases, and cut partnerships that keep after‑school and migrant education programs alive. I walk through how those ripples hit hardest in communities that rely most on federal...
Ever wondered if there's more to self-care than bubble baths and spa days? Spoiler alert: there absolutely is.
Most of us have been sold a shallow version of self-care that focuses on external quick fixes rather than addressing our deeper needs. In this enlightening episode, I challenge conventional wisdom by redefining self-care as an internal process that produces lasting transform...
Reading instruction remains one of the most foundational yet controversial aspects of education, with new methods constantly emerging. The latest trend capturing attention is multisensory reading instruction—where students trace letters in sand, use shaving cream on desks, or form letter shapes with their bodies. But does the evidence support these tactile approaches?
This eye-opening exp...
Ever wonder why kindergarten classrooms seem to have more meltdowns these days? You're not imagining it. Teachers across the country report a troubling rise in emotional dysregulation among our youngest students, with crying, yelling, and shutting down becoming increasingly common responses when things don't go their way.
As a former corporate manager turned education researcher...
Ever watched your child throw up their hands in frustration over homework and wondered whether to help or let them struggle through it? That delicate balance between support and independence lies at the heart of "productive struggle" – a powerful educational concept that's transforming how we think about learning.
The science behind productive struggle is fascinating. Neuro...
Anxiety doesn't just affect adults—our children feel it too, especially when facing the challenges of a new school year. Whether it's a kindergartener nervously clutching their backpack or a high schooler silently dreading social pressures, back-to-school anxiety is real and deserves our attention.
This episode dives deep into the causes behind school-related anxiety and provide...
What happens when a mother discovers her son's desk placed in the hallway outside his classroom? For me, that moment—along with an unfounded accusation of theft years later—sparked a personal mission to decode the implicit racial structures affecting children of color in our public education system.
Drawing from my powerful personal experiences in predominantly European-American schools, I tak...
In this episode, I explore the crucial role of boundaries in creating healthy relationships and maintaining personal well-being. Drawing from personal experiences and professional insights, I provide a comprehensive guide to identifying, setting, and maintaining boundaries that protect your mental health and improve your interactions with others.
• Understanding boundaries as the limits t...
Feeling lost in the alphabet soup of educational terminology? You're not alone. In this illuminating episode, I break down the secret language of education that often leaves parents feeling confused and powerless during school meetings.
The power dynamic shifts dramatically when you understand what educators are really saying about your child. I share my personal journey from corpora...
Digital devices have transformed our classrooms, but at what cost to our children's learning? This eye-opening exploration reveals how smartphones and tablets are quietly reshaping the cognitive landscape of K-12 education, creating generation-defining challenges that parents and educators can no longer ignore.
The numbers tell a troubling story. American teenagers consume approximat...
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