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 Tim—an educator, podcaster, and the Director of Communications for the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education. We talk about his journey from considering a career in family counseling to becoming a special education teacher working with families and then schools for 16 years. We also discuss the shift in his educational philosophy about teaching students with disabilities, and why inclusion is always the answer.

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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Tim Villegas is the Director of Communications for the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education. He is also the founder of Think Inclusive, which is the blog, podcast, and social media handle of MCIE. He has 16 years of experience in public education as a teacher and district support specialist. His focus now is on how media and communications can promote inclusive education for all learners. https://www.instagram.com/therealtimvegas

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 Nikiea—a filmmaker, graphic designer, and motivational coach to authors—about her earliest memories of growing up in a home led by strong women who served their community. We talked about her being the oldest child, and the weight of responsibility that came with assuming those roles, and how the things she saw and experienced impacted how she learned in school. We also discuss the impact of losing loved ones, and how that grief manifests in our bodies if we are not careful, and especially if we don’t know how to say no.

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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Nikiea is an author, branding strategist and motivational coach for both aspiring and established authors. She works with schools, non-profit organizations, and other community partners to offer workshops and services like Design Collab and Publish Your Way.

Nikiea is also the Co-Director and Producer of the award winning feature-length documentary Anatomy of Wings, as well as the recipient of the 2015 Black Wall Street Awards for her design work with organizations and entrepreneurs.

Her latest books include Inhale Deep, A 3-Days Girls Guide to Loving Herself 1st and The Self-Publishing Checklist, Volume 1. https://www.instagram.com/designedbynikiea

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 chat with SJ—a former classroom teacher, LGBTQ+ Inclusion Expert, and DEIB trainer—about their experience being “the new kid.” We talk about how their experience of moving across states every few years impacted their social relationships, and how their biracial and transgender identities didn’t make it easier. We discuss what led them to education, as well as what made them leave the classroom, and what now fuels their mission to creating spaces of inclusion and belonging for all.

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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SJ Janjua (they/them) is the founder of Empowered for Equity Consulting, where they use their passion and expertise in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging to help equip others with the tools to create inclusive schools and workplaces. SJ is a proud queer/transgender/non-binary/multiracial person who uses their lived experience to guide their work. They started their career as a high school level English teacher and went on to wear many hats in the field of education, from curriculum developer to teacher trainer. They have a master’s degree in International Education from George Washington University. SJ specializes in providing workshops, trainings, and strategic planning support to schools and organizations on LGBTQ+ inclusion, creating and fostering spaces of belonging, integrating restorative practices, and empowering folks to go beyond performative allyship. https://www.instagram.com/empoweredforequity

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 interview Lauren—a poet, musician, voice coach, and mom—about her earliest memories of being creative. She talks about the influence her family and societal messaging had on the development of her voice, how schools limited her freedom, and what it took to recover her creative confidence.

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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Lauren is a poet, musician and voice coach, making an impact through 15+ years of music leadership. Her 2023 poetry collection, Just Leaves, builds upon experiences as Owen Sound's Poet Laureate (2017-2019). She co-created the international collaboration Infinite Improvisation Podcast. Her newest podcast Lauren's Best (2024), focuses on creativity. https://www.instagram.com/bylaurenbest

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 Paula—a writer, reader, and polyglot—about her memories of being stubborn and opinionated growing up, and how her introspective abilities fueled her curiosity and drive to pursue self-improvement as an adult. We talk about the obstacles that get in the way of showing up authentically as ourselves, the charm of people who struggle with depression, and how social media can be used for both social connection and disconnection.

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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Paula is

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 Shawn—a visual effects artist and digital compositor—about the institutional challenges he faced growing up on the south side of Chicago, and the father figure who helped him overcome the limiting beliefs that were instilled in him from a young age. We talk about his early creative interests, the journey of nurturing his talents, and what he had to do before he became a senior compositor on major films and shows like Captain America, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Avengers, and at least 60 others.

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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Shawn is a Chicago native with 15+ years of experience in post production. He currently works in Los Angeles as a Senior Compositor in film and episodic shows. You may have seen his work in Marvel and DC films such as Guardians of the Galaxy, Dr. Strange, The Flash and upcoming Joker: Folie a Deux. Check out his work at www.ShawnSahara.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

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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 Maaike—a visual dialogue maker, mediator, social worker, and mom—about her earliest memories of being a student. We talk about the educational philosophy of her parents and teachers, and how they encouraged play and exploration throughout her education journey. We also talk about the point at which she burnt out, and how a chance opportunity led to the career of her dreams.

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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Maaike is a visual dialogue maker and mediator with degrees in Social Work and Social Studies based in the Netherlands. She enjoys tapping into the creative resources of individuals and groups, and combines that with thinking, unraveling, deconstructing, and restructuring the issues they are working on so that new doors and possibilities can be opened for them. https://www.instagram.com/inksight.nl

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 Oswald—a poet, writer, and content creator—about his memories of growing up with cerebral palsy. We talk about what his environment both at home and at school was like, and what kind of messaging he he received from his teachers and peers about his talents and interests. We also talk about student assessment, and what a better alternative to grades and tests could look like.

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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Oswald, aka OP Writer, is a writer and a poet from New York City known for the poetry book, A Poetic Journey, Staying at Home. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He has appeared on the podcast, “Don’t Keep Your Day Job”. He had his set of poems, “An American Tourist In Italy” published in the 2020 edition of the literary anthology, Groundwaters. His set of poems “The Sea Cycle” appeared in the 2021 edition of Groundwaters. He has contributed to the best selling multi author books, “Going Places” and “Authentic”. He is currently working on his second book of poems, “A Poetic Summer”. You can connect with him through:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/oswaldperez85 

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 Lia—a web designer, community builder, mom, and content creator—about the various events in her life that catalyzed a career shift from psychology to design. We talk about her earliest memories of various adult figures preventing her from pursuing her creativity, and what she thinks we need to do differently about how we educate our children, both at home and in schools. She also shares a brilliant negotiation hack that convinced her son to learn a new language.

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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Lia is a designer, writer, artist, and creator of Swishie®. As the Director of Product Design and Research at Pathstream, she designs experiences to help employees grow in their careers. With @swishieofficial, she applies her design philosophy to create inspirational content for women of color, drawing on her own lessons of how she came to design a life she loves.

https://www.instagram.com/swishieofficial

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 Alondra—a social worker, author, consultant, and mom—about her earliest memories of feeling different from her peers. We talk about her journey towards receiving an autism diagnosis, her expert opinions on what autism is and isn’t, as well as her thoughts on both the challenges, drawbacks and benefits of self-diagnosis. She also entertains a few of my eccentric questions, and backs up her responses with the most current research.

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

You can also check out an auto-generated transcript of this episode on our website https://www.homeroomed.com

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Dr. Alondra Rogers is a Licensed Master Social Worker and Autism Consultant. She is a late diagnosed Autistic and ADHD mom of a non-speaking Autistic girl who spells to communicate. She is the author of three books. Her upcoming book is called Autistic Thinking: How Autistic Brains Think, Learn, Relate, and Remember.

https://www.instagram.com/dr_alondra_rogers/

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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