On this episode of amplifiED, join hosts Josh Crosson and Margaret Sullivan as they dive into the exciting world of education advocacy and policy-making. They are joined by guest Matt Shaver as they discuss the upcoming legislative session, the challenges they anticipate, and the importance of effective advocacy. From addressing the use of physical restraints on students, to the impact of tiered licensing for teachers, to the push for universal FAFSA and more, they cover a wide range of topics. Get ready to be inspired and informed as they share their passion for improving education and providing equal opportunities for all students.

Timestamps:

[00:00:01] AmplifiEd podcast discusses education policy.

[00:07:00] Legislative session expectations and challenges.

[00:14:23] Summary: Discussion on repealing law protecting students.

[00:19:59] Advocates are pushing for the elimination of dangerous restraints on children in schools

[00:27:25] Limits on force for kids questioned.

[00:32:32] Special education teachers and teachers of color face challenges in the licensure system. 

[00:40:15] Parents don't care about teacher licenses.

[00:45:55] Schools struggle with accountability and change. Chronic absenteeism is a major issue.

[00:52:44] Crisis in chronic absenteeism, college readiness.

[00:59:09] Summary: Discussion about education and involvement opportunities.

In the AmplifiEd podcast, we dig into the issues of the day, the opportunities and challenges facing students, educators, and families, and the ways policy, advocacy, and collaboration can ensure better outcomes for us all.

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At EdAllies, we partner with schools, families, and communities to ensure that all Minnesota students have access to a rigorous and engaging education. We advance policies that put underserved students first, remove barriers facing successful schools and programs, and foster an inclusive conversation about what's possible for students.

Josh Crosson and Margaret Sullivan interviewed Joshua Fuchs, current principal at Red Wing High School In Red Wing, MN. Fuchs discussed his experience in three different school districts, the need for restorative practices in schools, and the need for more diverse leadership in school administration. This episode also includes discussions on improving school outcomes, what teachers need to help continue their education, and the impact the tiered licensure system has on recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers. He also encouraged educators to get involved outside of the school building and become advocates for both themselves and their students.

In the AmplifiEd podcast, we dig into the issues of the day, the opportunities and challenges facing students, educators, and families, and the ways policy, advocacy, and collaboration can ensure better outcomes for us all.

Timestamps:

[00:00:01] Equity, perceptions, mentor, principal, memorable experience, wincing.

[00:05:10] Turning school around: Doctor Vincent, Joshua Fuchs.

[00:10:38] Creating equitable educational access for all.

[00:18:02] Empowering youth, building relationships, advocating change.

[00:24:20] Kids are kids: Oakland, Brooklyn, Red Wing.

[00:29:52] Testing bias against Black/Brown kids.

[00:36:06] Beliefs, not gaps, shape success.

[00:42:39] Supporting marginalized leaders.

[00:48:36] Educator pay, support, disruption.

[00:53:36] Educators: Love Kids, Get Involved.

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At EdAllies, we partner with schools, families, and communities to ensure that all Minnesota students have access to a rigorous and engaging education. We advance policies that put underserved students first, remove barriers facing successful schools and programs, and foster an inclusive conversation about what's possible for students.

This episode of amplifiED digs deep into the debate that has played out in Minnesota politics since the start of the school year: the implementation of legislation limiting dangerous holds and restraints on students by SROs and other adults in a school setting. Maren Hulden, supervising attorney at Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid's Disability Law Center, joins Josh Crosson and Margaret Sullivan to discuss what has happened over the last couple of months, the multiple sides in this debate, and what the legislation allows and does not allow based on the exact reading of the law. The discussion also covers the voices of those who are disproportionately impacted but are currently missing from this discussion: Black, Brown, and Indigenous students and students with disabilities. Finally, Maren, Josh, and Margaret all discuss what the next steps are for this legislation, what might play out in the 2024 Minnesota legislative session, and how we can ensure students remain safe in schools.

Resource mentioned in the podcast: https://www.startribune.com/counterpoint-police-presence-in-schools-needs-the-new-limits/600302251/

Timestamps:

[00:06:34] Education reform: Suspension solutions, legal aid, universal meals, police in schools.

[00:12:21] Democrats take control of MN.

[00:18:23] Regulate kids with disabilities, not without

[00:23:24] Law enforcement debate over restraint laws.

[00:29:44] Ban on prone for kids with disabilities.

[00:36:43] Law enforcement accountability in schools: Difficult to enforce, Democrats disagree.

[00:41:51] Lawyers disagree on statutory interpretation.

[00:46:28] safety in mind.Legislative language to meet all needs.

[00:53:56] Advocating for student safety: Maren Hulden

In the AmplifiEd podcast, we dig into the issues of the day, the opportunities and challenges facing students, educators, and families, and the ways policy, advocacy, and collaboration can ensure better outcomes for us all.

Follow us:

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Find Out More at EdAllies

At EdAllies, we partner with schools, families, and communities to ensure that all Minnesota students have access to a rigorous and engaging education. We advance policies that put underserved students first, remove barriers facing successful schools and programs, and foster an inclusive conversation about what's possible for students.

On this episode of amplifiED, Margaret Sullivan and Josh Crosson are joined by special guest Natasha Loya, a 22-year-old advocate from Minneapolis and Youth Engagement Director at Bridgemakers. Natasha shares her story of growing up in a chaotic household, her experiences in the education system, and the traumas that fed her passion for helping people. Natasha discusses her path to finding power in youth organizing to help heal trauma and make advances for justice. Josh, Margaret, and Natasha then discuss the issue of what adults, particularly police officers, SROs, and other adults in positions of power, can do to children in schools; a critical debate currently happening in Minnesota politics. 

Trigger warning - Before this episode begins, we wanted to make our listeners aware that this episode discusses themes of suicide, abuse and personal trauma. We feel these issues are critical to address as we discuss complex issues facing equity, justice, education and advocacy but we also know that they might be difficult for some listeners to hear. If you need a moment during this, or any of our episodes, please take it. Take care of yourself, and if you need to, please reach out and ask for help.

Timestamps:

[00:00:01] Youth voices on school discipline policies. 

[00:05:18] Black Latina fights for justice.

[00:13:14] Youth organizing to heal trauma. 

[00:19:53] Adults protect kids from violence. 

[00:22:50] Caste system control of black/brown bodies. 

[00:27:53] Police violence against youth ignored.

[00:33:41] Police brutality on children: Traumatic for decades. 

[00:36:35] Youth-led org Bridgemakers uplifts, researches, pays youth. 

[00:40:38] It's okay to be broken; seek joy. 

[00:44:26] Empowering youth to create change: BridgemakersMN.org

In the AmplifiEd podcast, we dig into the issues of the day, the opportunities and challenges facing students, educators, and families, and the ways policy, advocacy, and collaboration can ensure better outcomes for us all.

Follow us:

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Find Out More at EdAllies

At EdAllies, we partner with schools, families, and communities to ensure that all Minnesota students have access to a rigorous and engaging education. We advance policies that put underserved students first, remove barriers facing successful schools and programs, and foster an inclusive conversation about what's possible for students.

On this episode of the amplifiEd podcast, host Josh Crosson and EdAllies’ policy director Matt Shaver are joined by special guest Minnesota State Representative Heather Edelson. Rep. Edelson shares her story of growing up in North Minneapolis, how The Babysitters Club helped her be a good policymaker, and her experience working on the Read Act. She also discusses empowering students through literacy, the bill's importance to Minnesota’s learners, what parents can expect to see in classrooms in the coming years, and what’s next for literacy education. This episode is a deep dive into how community members, parents, advocates, and legislators can all come together to craft meaningful legislation for kids.

Timestamps:

[00:00:01] DJ Peter Parker, Maniac McGee, Stinky Cheese Man, 1984, Harry Potter, The Babysitters Club

[00:04:21] Empowering literacy through policymaking.

[00:08:30] Empowering kids through literacy, opportunity.

[00:12:33] Empowering literacy through science and advocacy.

[00:19:23] Creating equitable literacy policy: struggle, process, collaboration.

[00:24:05] Improving literacy through policymaking, importance of community-based processes

[00:29:05] Highlights of the Read Act as a comprehensive literacy bill: Invest, screen, intervene, train.

[00:33:44] Addressing trauma through policy. What can parents expect to see from the Read Act to show its working.

[00:38:19] Stop being jerks: Pass READ Act 2.0

[00:43:14] Teachers learn literacy, EdAllies push change.

On the AmplifiEd podcast, we dig into the issues of the day, the opportunities and challenges facing students, educators, and families, and the ways policy, advocacy, and collaboration can ensure better outcomes for us all.

Follow us:

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

Find Out More at EdAllies

At EdAllies, we partner with schools, families, and communities to ensure that all Minnesota students have access to a rigorous and engaging education. We advance policies that put underserved students first, remove barriers facing successful schools and programs, and foster an inclusive conversation about what's possible for students.

On this episode of amplifiED, host Margaret Sullivan explores the concept of ethnic studies with guest Danyika Leonard, the Policy Director of Education Evolving. They discuss the upcoming Social Studies academic standards for Minnesota public schools, which include a strand around ethnic studies. Danyika explains how ethnic studies can help students learn about their heritage, culture, and language, as well as how it can help decolonize education. She also talks about the importance of heritage language reclamation and how it can be integrated into STEM.

Timestamps:

[00:08:18] Interdisciplinary study of race, ethnicity, indigeneity, liberation.

[00:15:44] Heritage language reclamation: Decolonize, explore, learn, thrive.

[00:22:34] Ethnic studies: Decolonize, liberate, double education.

[00:30:17] Ethnic studies improves educational outcomes.

[00:35:40] Racism, anti-blackness in sci-fi: root, belong, purpose.

[00:43:47] Supporting educators, fighting for equity.

[00:49:42] Create protective spaces, love, support, give, lead, resist.

[00:58:46] Figure out holistic family success.

[01:05:21] Advocating for education change: Mobilize, galvanize, testify.

In the AmplifiEd podcast, we dig into the issues of the day, the opportunities and challenges facing students, educators, and families, and the ways policy, advocacy, and collaboration can ensure better outcomes for us all.

Follow us:

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

Find Out More at EdAllies

At EdAllies, we partner with schools, families, and communities to ensure that all Minnesota students have access to a rigorous and engaging education. We advance policies that put underserved students first, remove barriers facing successful schools and programs, and foster an inclusive conversation about what's possible for students.

On this episode of AmpliEd, the EdAllies Podcast, hosts Margaret Sullivan and Josh Crosson are joined by policy director Matt Shaver to discuss the importance of advocating for Minnesota students during the legislative off season. They explore the differences between lobbying and donating money to candidates, the strain of fundraising for legislators, and the need to build relationships with decision makers.

In the AmplifiEd podcast, we dig into the issues of the day, the opportunities and challenges facing students, educators, and families, and the ways policy, advocacy, and collaboration can ensure better outcomes for us all.

Follow us:

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

Find Out More at EdAllies

At EdAllies, we partner with schools, families, and communities to ensure that all Minnesota students have access to a rigorous and engaging education. We advance policies that put underserved students first, remove barriers facing successful schools and programs, and foster an inclusive conversation about what's possible for students.

On this episode of AmplifEd, The EdAllies Podcast, Margaret Sullivan and Josh Crosson are joined by special guest Jose Perez, Director of Good Trouble at Bridgemakers. They discuss the importance of advocating for underserved students and removing barriers in education. Jose shares his experiences navigating predominantly white spaces and the gratitude he feels for the sacrifices his mother made for his education. They also touch on the power of youth voices and the need for systemic change in education. They discuss the brilliance and potential of these young individuals and how they are being let down by the system. The conversation also delves into the experiences of Jose and other young people at the Minnesota Capitol, fighting against legislation that would push out teachers of color.

Timestamps:

[00:00:01] Creating better outcomes through advocacy.

[00:04:41] Navigating spaces for young people's liberation.

[00:09:02] Authentic youth push against oppression.

[00:13:07] Youth organize, advocate, and effect change.

[00:17:54] Untraditional education leads to youth leadership.

[00:23:30] Valuing young people's lived experience.

[00:27:36] Empowering young people, not adults.

[00:32:46] Youth fight white supremacist systems: No Apologies.

[00:36:49] Engage young people in the people's house.

[00:42:09] Stirring up good trouble together.

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Find Out More at EdAllies

At EdAllies, we partner with schools, families, and communities to ensure that all Minnesota students have access to a rigorous and engaging education. We advance policies that put underserved students first, remove barriers facing successful schools and programs, and foster an inclusive conversation about what's possible for students.

Join us on this episode of AmplifiEd, the EdAllies Podcast, as Dr. Nekima Levy Armstrong discusses the history of segregation in schools and the ongoing fight for educational equity. She highlights the continued disparities in education for black and brown students and details the positive impacts of culturally affirming schools in Minnesota. The episode also covers the recent mediation and court hearings related to the Cruz-Guzman lawsuit, which could limit school options that affirm and support students’ identities.

Show Notes:

00:00:2

Intentional policies for equitable outcomes.

00:07:6

Culturally affirming schools empower students of color.

00:15:7

Black identity found at HBCU: Reclaiming lives, power, choice.

00:22:5

Black woman leads historic case

00:28:2

Lawsuit challenges state's racial disparities.

00:34:0

State segregation, redlining, family choice, deconstructing demographics, black brilliance, infrastructure.

00:39:4

Inequitable resources: disrupting black/brown families.

00:46:3

The Supreme Court decides intentional state action.

00:52:3

Anti-segregationists confuse Minnesota journalists.

00:57:8

Fighting for equitable education.

About EdAllies:

At EdAllies, we partner with schools, families, and communities to ensure that all Minnesota students have access to a rigorous and engaging education. We advance policies that put underserved students first, remove barriers facing successful schools and programs, and foster an inclusive conversation about what's possible for students.

In the AmplifiEd podcast, we dig into the issues of the day, the opportunities and challenges facing students, educators, and families, and the ways policy, advocacy, and collaboration can ensure better outcomes for us all.

Follow us:

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Find Out More at EdAllies

In this episode of AmplifiEd, an EdAllies Podcast, hosts Margaret Sullivan and Josh Crosson discuss the need for teacher diversity with Policy Director, Matt Shaver. There is an increasing importance of adding more teachers of color in Minnesota schools. The three emphasize the need for effective policy-making and monitoring to ensure that investments are actually moving the needle towards increasing teacher diversity.

At EdAllies, we partner with schools, families, and communities to ensure that all Minnesota students have access to a rigorous and engaging education. We advance policies that put underserved students first, remove barriers facing successful schools and programs, and foster an inclusive conversation about what's possible for students.

In the AmplifiEd podcast, we dig into the issues of the day, the opportunities and challenges facing students, educators, and families, and the ways policy, advocacy, and collaboration can ensure better outcomes for us all.

Follow us:

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

Find Out More at EdAllies