homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation.

In this episode, I speak with Mel—an educator, artist, interculturalist, and reader—about her earliest memories of growing up as the gifted, oldest daughter of 6 children. We talk about her experiences of making friends—and making bullies—across the US, England, Korea, and Germany, and what perspectives she gained by living within multiple cultures. We also discuss cultural relativity and ethnocentrism through personal anecdotes and why it’s important to read widely and diversely to minimize our biases and fall victim single stories of people who are different from us.

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more. https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed

You can also find a computer-generated transcript of our episode at https://www.homeroomed.com

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Mel is doing her best to stay balanced in the center of a professional Venn diagram made of three circles; education, the arts(mostly writing), and interculturalism. Unsurprisingly, this has taken a wide variety of forms over the years. She has a B.A. in Communications and Theatre and an M.A. in Theology, as well as a double handful of certificates in seemingly random (but highly intentional) things like TESOL, Korean traditional opera (pansori), and...contact tracing.

https://www.instagram.com/equalopportunityreader/

Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection. https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian

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References

homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation.

In this episode, I speak with Tabitha—an educator and entrepreneur—about her earliest memories of attending schools and daycare centers that did not adequately challenge her. We talk about her experience of growing up in the culture and expectations of two homes, the motivations that fueled her desire to pursue education in business and economics, how she discovered her love and talent for teaching English, and what she did to find and nurture love.

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more. https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed

You can also find a computer-generated transcript of our episode at https://www.homeroomed.com

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Growing up poor in America, Tabitha discovered education leads to success. Tabitha Lucas is an educator and entrepreneur, with degrees in Business (AACC) and Financial Economics (UMBC). She teaches English learners how to feel good about speaking English for travel, business, and university studies by sharing her experiences and giving students opportunities to express themselves through conversation.

She followed her heart to Brazil in 2011 and founded a language school in 2012. The same year she taught at a private school and university where she became fluent in Portuguese. In 2020, she moved her English lessons online to raise her young kids and continue teaching. She now resides in beautiful Maryland with her loving family.

https://www.instagram.com/tabilucas/

Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection. https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian

homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation.

In this episode, I speak with Harshi—a designer, artist, and illustrator—about her earliest memories of attending a convent school in India, pursuing her curiosities, and learning what she wanted on her terms. We talk about the gender discrimination she experienced while working as an architect, the social and systemic expectations of women and their value in society, and what she wishes would change about the way we educate girls, and children in general, in the future.

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more. https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed

You can also find a computer-generated transcript of our episode at https://www.homeroomed.com

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Harshi is a Graphic/UI/UX designer, artist, and illustrator from Coimbatore, India, now based in Dunedin, New Zealand.

With an architectural background, her journey started with drawing, evolved into running a handmade bookbinding online store, and now extends to digital designing and sharing her expertise through workshops.

Connect with her on: LinkedIn. Instagram. Behance

Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection. https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian

homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation.

In this episode, I speak with Benoit—a US army veteran, former policymaker, and current psychotherapist—about his education journey across multiple countries, and having to adapt to each of its languages and cultures from scratch, every few years. We talk about the influence his mother had on his mental landscape, how he overcame being bullied in school, and what he learned about self-acceptance on his journey towards becoming a psychotherapist. We also discuss his views on education from both a micro and macroscopic view as a former Teach For America teacher and policymaker.

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more. https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed

You can also find a computer-generated transcript of our episode at https://www.homeroomed.com

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References

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Benoit is a US army veteran, Penn-educated former policymaker turned psychotherapist, and host of Discover More—an Apple Podcasts Top 100 podcast. https://www.instagram.com/discovermorepodcast/

Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection. https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian

homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation.

In this episode, I speak with Roxanne—a social worker, psychotherapist, and mom of two boys—about her earliest memories of attending schools in Jamaica, and loving science so much that she thought she’d become a biochemist before immigrating to Canada and ultimately pursuing a career in social work and psychotherapy. We talk about the injustices and systemic inequities she saw that led her to working with children, the lack of support young families have from society, as well as what skills around socio-emotional regulation and communication we need to teach our children, as well as our inner children going forward.

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more. https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed

You can also find a computer-generated transcript of our episode at https://www.homeroomed.com

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Reference: What Happened To You by Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD and Oprah Winfrey (book)

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Roxanne is an award-winning Registered Social Worker and psychotherapist. She is the CEO of Francis Psychotherapy & Consulting Services, where she runs a busy group therapy practice with her team. She is also a keynote speaker, leadership coach and corporate consultant who addresses topics related to women’s issues, race & equity, mental health, parenting, and wellness at work. Roxanne supports, and mentors other therapists in the field and is also the media’s go-to mental health expert, providing answers to many of life’s difficult questions. https://www.instagram.com/francispsychotherapy https://www.francispsychotherapy.com/

Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection. https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian

In this episode, I speak with Milena—an educator and mom—about her earliest memories of being told by her teachers to take up more space. We talk about the internal journey that this message incited, and the personal exploration that led her to teaching communications and interpersonal relationship building to military professionals. We discuss how this experience led her to start writing her book about charisma, and why it’s important for young people everywhere to develop these skills from an early age.

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more. https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed

You can also find a computer-generated transcript of our episode at https://www.homeroomed.com

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Reference: The Art of Seduction by Robert Greene (book)

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Milena is an expert in interpersonal relationships, with a background rooted in psychology and rhetoric. She is on a mission to redefine charisma, aiming to reclaim its essence from misconceptions and stereotypes. She emphasizes its inclusive nature and profound impact on personal growth and genuine connection. By reconquering the narrative about charisma, Milena seeks to elevate human connection and promote self-appreciation and mutual respect. https://www.instagram.com/milena.dalinaros

Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection. https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian

homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation.

In this episode, I speak with Stella—a singer-songwriter, artist, and teacher—about her earliest memories of being told by her teachers that she was special, and how that catalyzed her parents to investing heavily into her education. We talk about her journey across multiple countries to pursue only the finest, and what she wishes she could have pursued instead.

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more. https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed

You can also find a computer-generated transcript of our episode at https://www.homeroomed.com

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Stella is a dedicated education consultant with over six years of experience in guiding individuals and companies. She specializes in helping students and young adults achieve their academic and career goals. Stella holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Duke University, where she focused on abnormal and educational psychology. Currently, she is pursuing a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at Yonsei University.

Stella's passion lies in improving the living conditions for students in South Korea, with a keen interest in "high-functioning" ADHD, depression, and anxiety. She is committed to researching and developing better early diagnosis, intervention, and treatment methods for these conditions. Her advocacy for mental health aims to support Korean adolescents and adults throughout their educational journeys, striving to be a supportive partner for fellow soul searchers.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Stella is an artist and a soul searcher. She seeks to connect with others who are exploring alternative life paths, promoting awareness about reducing the competitive and time-sensitive pressures of modern life. Stella's unique blend of professional expertise and personal passion makes her a compassionate and insightful guide for those navigating their educational and life journeys. https://www.instagram.com/stellarly_

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Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection. https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian

homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation.

In this episode, I speak with Antoinette—the current principal of the elementary school I attended in the late 80s and early 90s. We talk a little about how her early memories of standing up for other people and correcting injustices in school and society might have led her to a career in education, in both teaching and administrative roles. This episode is particularly special because I have always appreciated the amazing design of the project-based curriculum and community of my alma mater, and Antoinette allowed me to ask her about what happens behind the scenes.

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more. https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed

You can also find a computer-generated transcript of our episode at https://www.homeroomed.com

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Antoinette is a principal of twelve years. Her oath to the children of Los Angeles began in 1998 as a paraprofessional and has evolved over the years to the principalship. In 1993, she received her B.A. from the University of California, Irvine in Criminology, Law and Society, however an elementary school internship, changed her path. Antoinette also received a Master of Educational Leadership from Mount Saint Mary’s University.

Antoinette’s gravitation to servant leadership is rooted in the legacy of her parents and grandparents who served the community of Los Angeles for decades as a teacher/principal (mother), law enforcement officer (father), county hospital neonatal nurse (grandmother) and city horticulturist (grandfather). Antoinette expands their reach by standing humbly in service to others.

Antoinette attributes the basis of her leadership style to her first principal, Michelle Bennett, who valued teachers as professionals and experts of their craft. This mentorship led Antoinette to cultivate an environment of excellence where educators make student-centered, consensus-based decisions. The partnership that Antoinette creates from community stakeholders, was instilled in her as a budding teacher and will forever be her compass.

Antoinette has brilliantly been a guide in education to innovatively influence her students’ and teachers’ lives immeasurably. One kind former teacher and parent adequately described her as a “teacher-supporting, students-first principal.” Antoinette agrees, this statement sums her commitment up perfectly. https://www.instagram.com/ruthiesrubies www.linkedin.com/in/antoinettecassruthiesrubies11

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Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection. https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian

homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation.

In this episode, I speak with Yonny—a paralegal and immigration justice advocate—about his earliest memories of growing up in Mexico, and being raised by his grandparents for most of his childhood. He compares the education systems between Mexico and the United States, and how the differences informed the types of activities he chose to pursue. We also talk about his journey of learning English, the teacher who held higher expectations for him and inspired him to pursue a career in journalism, and what led to him becoming a paralegal and working to provide resources and assistance to immigrant families.

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more. https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed

You can also find a computer-generated transcript of our episode at https://www.homeroomed.com

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Yonny is a 40-year-old immigrant rights advocate who is originally from Mexico. He has worked in direct legal services for immigrant youth who come to the United States seeking asylum and other forms of

Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection. https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian

homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation.

In this episode, I speak with Megan—a special education teacher and advocate for the disability community—about her memories of testing gifted at an early age, and her discovery of what giftedness means when she went through her special education credentialing program, over a decade later. We talk about the structural issues with our heavily standardized education system, including how it strips away the creativity of not only our students, but also our teachers, and what the solution this might be. We also talk about neurodivergence, what it is, how it impacts our society at large, and how we can better serve our neurodivergent students going forward.

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more. https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed

You can also find a computer-generated transcript of our episode at https://www.homeroomed.com

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Megan is an educator and advocate living with multiple chronic illnesses. She has worked with youth with disabilities for over 15 years as an instructional aide, interventionist, infant development supervisor, and Special Education teacher. Megan has been a passionate advocate for her students and clients, particularly those in underserved communities. She is currently venturing into solopreneurship as a Special Education Advocate supporting families of students with disabilities in ensuring that they receive access to equitable education. Connect with her:

Instagram: @EdquityAdvocacy

TikTok: @edquity_advocacy

Email: [email protected]

Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection. https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian

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References: