Always Learning

As a founding board member of Education Post, Emma Bloomberg reflects on a decade of growth for our non profit as well as sharing her insights on the changing landscape of education advocacy, the importance of elevating parent and student voices, and the necessity of local engagement. 

The conversation also delves into Emma’s journey, the role of data in grassroots organizing, and the importance of celebrating educational successes. Chris and Emma highlight the challenges and victories in education advocacy, the significance of collaboration, and the need for a kid-centric approach in policy making. 

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Emma Bloomberg is CEO of Murmuration, a public-education advocacy organization reducing inequality through data-driven community organizing and electoral campaigns. She started the organization in 2014. Previously, Bloomberg was chief of staff and, before that, senior planning officer at the Robin Hood Foundation, dedicated to fighting poverty in New York City. She was a founding board member of Ed Post and is a board member of Bloomberg Family Foundation, KIPP Foundation, New Classrooms, and Leadership for Educational Equity.

Rebecca Sibilia, Executive Director of EdFund, schools us on the complexities and inequities in school finance. Host Chris Stewart and Rebecca delve into the disparities in funding between predominantly white and predominantly black school districts, the inefficiencies in the current allocation system, and the critical need for more research on how educational funds are raised and spent. Rebecca also sheds light on the political challenges and potential solutions for creating more equitable school funding structures, emphasizing the importance of addressing concentrated poverty. This enlightening conversation explores how deeper, more thoughtful research and policy reform can make a lasting impact on education equality.

In this episode of Always Learning, we sit down with Chef John Hall, an accomplished chef with experience in Michelin-starred restaurants across the United States and Europe. Chef Hall shares his journey from a high school student who saw a culinary school billboard to becoming a celebrated chef. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of working in renowned establishments, the cultural and business aspects of the culinary industry, and the crucial steps to achieving excellence. This insightful conversation reveals the importance of dedication, continuous learning, and having a strategic approach to both the culinary arts and business management.

In this episode of Always Learning, host Chris Stewart welcomes Assata Moore, a math educator, and founder of 'Black Math Genius,' to discuss the systemic issues in math education and how they particularly affect Black students. They delve into topics such as math anxiety, the cultural implications of mathematics, and how current teaching methods often fail to make math relevant or engaging. 

Assata shares her journey, insights, and the importance of culturally responsive teaching. She emphasizes the potential for all students to excel in math through proper instruction and community support. Assata also discusses her innovative approaches in making math relatable, from integrating sports statistics to leveraging educational technology. This engaging conversation sheds light on the need for educational reform and how math can be utilized as a tool for empowerment and socioeconomic advancement.

SHOW NOTES:

02:36 Historical Contributions of Black People to Mathematics

03:56 Making Math Relevant and Engaging

07:53 Training Teachers in the Black Math Genius Way

10:44 Challenges and Solutions in Math Education

18:42 The Impact of Math on Future Wealth

26:51 Practical Math for Real Life

31:13 Cultural and Systemic Challenges

43:37 The Role of Parents in Education

47:03 Leveraging Technology for Learning

49:47 Promoting Math Through Social Media

Kelly Smith, author of 'A Fire to Be Kindled,' discusses his journey from traditional education to developing innovative micro schools that foster lifelong learners. He shares his insights on the importance of rekindling the love for learning, both in children and adults, by shifting from the traditional 'cup to be filled' mindset to igniting a 'fire to be kindled.' Kelly explains the principles of empowered learning, the value of student agency, and how micro schools can transform the educational landscape. Tune in to learn about the future of education and how you can contribute to a world of empowered learners.

Dr. Bettina Love and  host Chris Stewart dive deep into the systemic issues plaguing the education system and its impact on Black children. Dr. Love shares insights from her new book, "Punished for Dreaming," discussing how past and present school reform efforts have fallen short and detailing her framework for meaningful change. Key takeaways include the importance of acknowledging historical wrongs in education, the case for reparations as a step towards educational equity, and the potential for community-driven solutions to enact real change. Join us for this critical conversation on how to build a more just and inclusive educational future for our children. 

Dr. Love outlines her vision for an educational overhaul, the significance of culturally competent teaching, and the power of community engagement in crafting education systems that uplift Black children. Chris and Dr. Love debate various aspects of education reform while agreeing on the need for a fundamental rethinking of education to ensure justice and equity for all students.

Education Post was founded with the vision of amplifying the voices of parents, teachers, and students in the education conversation. It aimed to provide a platform for these voices to be heard and treated as equals alongside politicians, educators, and union leaders. 10 Years after its inception, our current CEO, Chris Stewart speaks with the man who started it all, founder Peter Cunningham. 

The conversation touches on the challenges faced by education reformers, the changing political landscape, and the importance of diverse voices in education. Chris and Peter discuss the attacks faced by individuals fighting for educational equity while exploring the role of public investment in education and the debate around vouchers and charter schools. The conversation emphasizes the need for accountability, standards, and assessment in education policy and concludes with their shared hope for a return to finding common ground and prioritizing the welfare and outcomes of students.

Peter Cunningham 

After four great years working in Washington for the Obama administration as the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Outreach in the U.S. Department of Education, Peter Cunningham founded Education Post, with a mission to drive needed change in public education by elevating the voices of parents, teachers, students and others who are passionate about schools and believe in the power of public education to change lives.