So far, we have discussed the importance of healing, self-care, and reflection at this critical moment in education as the COVID pandemic continues to impact our daily lives.  All pandemic, and for many years prior, we have seen corporate, education-reform, anti-union forces weaponizing dialogue around Critical Race Theory, social justice, and racial justice. Today, we want to talk about our labor movement and union collectives. How will our collectives across union spaces grow, galvanize, and move forward the movement for education justice?

Song Credit: 

• Nobody, Nas & Lauryn Hill

Over the course of the pandemic, many learning spaces looked very different than anyone is used to. Beyond the spaces we occupy, our relationships with young folx and the contexts through which we teach have changed. Even now, as we return to campuses, things steadily change. We can’t help but wonder what still lie ahead. More importantly, what is the new future of education? ‘Cause we all know, “normal” was never it for all students.  

Song(s) Credit: 

• The Questions, Common & Mos Def

We are just coming off summer break and many of us across the profession are back on physical campuses. Unfortunately, educators have a bad habit of not taking breaks or prioritizing our own health. Our districts and unions will encourage us to labor for “the love of the kids” while reminding you to rest. #HowSway. There should not be any guilt around visiting your doctor or taking a day when you are unwell, whether mentally or physically. But what are you doing for you and how has this pandemic affected your self-care routines?

Song(s) Mentions: 

• Ex-Factor, Lauryn Hill 

Educators know how important it is to reflect; on our lessons and students’ growth. It's important to our craft and practice that we are constantly making adjustments to ensure students' needs are met with love and care. Far too often, there aren’t enough opportunities for reflection, especially amid this pandemic. How have you made time for reflection this past year?

Song Mention: Memories Live, Reflection Eternal 

What will it take to organize across ethnic groups, specifically Pacific Islander and Asian communities? In this episode, we chop it up with the amazing Tavae Samuelu to strategize ways we might organize API folx across and beyond ethnic or national lines.

How do we attract API educators into the workforce and support them throughout their professional journey?; In this episode, we rap with Yan Yii on increasing the number of API educators that are coming through our teacher-pipelines and emerging as union leaders.

How do we uproot anti-blackness in API space?; In today's episode, we chat with Jason & Courtney, to dig into ways anti-blackness manifests in API spaces and begin to imagine ways to uproot anti-blackness across our communities.

What does it mean to be a wayfinder? In this episode, Gabriel & Estella chat with Sam Kapoi and Ka'ehukai Burley to navigate ways we might apply our ancestral knowledge to our daily lives.

For more information on wayfinding and the voyage Sam discusses on today’s episode visit www.hokulea.com
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What is Continental Shifts Podcast and who are we? In this episode, Gabriel & Estella lay the groundwork for season one and share the genesis of this passion project. Host, Gabriel, describes this podcast as the duos’ “Reasonable Doubt”!

Get ready, fam! Continental Shifts Podcast drops December 14, 2020, right here. Join Gabriel & Estella - bi-coastal educators - as they embark on a voyage in search of self, culture, and the ancestors. As Samoan and Filipino Americans, they'll explore their own identities byway of dialogue on education, politics, union organizing, hip hop, and much more.