Hosts Hollye Bronson OTR/L, MIDT and Shannon Donnaway SLP introduce Education Rx and interview Dr. Karen Beard, associate professor at Ohio State University, and co-author of Time for Change: Understanding Teacher Social-Emotional Learning Supports for Anti-Racism and Student Well-Being During COVID-19, and Beyond. This episode explores the hidden impact of CoVid on teachers and educators: what is it? What are the long term effects? What have educators learned from CoVid? Where can we focus our efforts now to support educators and students in creating more effective learning environments that will lead to improved academic results?

This episode sets the tone for this season. Shining a light on the fallout from CoVid for educators, students and families. Public education is at a tipping point: do we continue with the "same old" practices? Or do we push forward and pioneer new, more equitable methods? Dr. Beard lays out key elements of how CoVid, and the murder of George Floyd, put educators in the position of being first responders. Most of these educators were not trained or provided appropriate supports to fill this role. Some found that they were overwhelmed and fled education all together. Some found alternative ways to be an educator, although they left the traditional public school setting. And some found silver linings that helped them succeed. What were those silver linings? How do we replicate those successes, building them into our current practices to support students and teachers in catch up learning.

Education Rx seeks to identify where public education is falling short, and highlight individuals, schools, districts, and other agencies that have found positive, effective ways to move education in new directions that have the potential for meaningful outcomes. We need to educate ourselves, so we can change the world! We can do better!!