IDRA Classnotes

Classnotes Podcast (April 19, 2022). Bullying and harassment undermines students’ abilities to learn and hinders the establishment of safe spaces in schools. The IDRA EAC-South‘s Interrupting Bullying & Harassment in Schools online toolkit gives teachers and school leaders tools that to prevent bullying and harassment by fostering a positive school climate.

In this episode, Dr. Paula Johnson, Aurelio Montemayor, M.Ed., and Michelle Vega give an overview of the toolkit while discussing specific strategies from the perspective of teachers and a parent whose son was bullied. Dr. Paula Johnson is an IDRA senior education associate and director the IDRA EAC-South. Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed., is IDRA’s family engagement coordinator and directs IDRA Education CAFE work. Michelle Martínez Vega is IDRA’s chief technology strategist.

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Show length: 23:11 min.

IDRA EAC-South Technical Assistance Video Package – Interrupting Bullying & Harassment in Schools

Interrupting Bullying & Harassment in Schools Educator Checklist, IDRA EAC-South

Making Schools Safe Learning Havens for LGBTQ Students, IDRA Newsletter

Preventing and Addressing Cyberbullying through Equitable State and Local Policies, IDRA Newsletter

Resources on Preventing and Responding to Cyberbullying in Schools, IDRA eBook

7 Ways Schools Can Maintain Supportive Climates – IDRA Infographic

Relational Youth Violence – Protecting Muslim Youth in School, IDRA Newsletter

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The post Tools for Schools Dealing with Bullying – Podcast Episode 222 appeared first on IDRA.

Classnotes Podcast (March 23, 2022). Teachers understand the need for students to have substantive conversations to develop their vocabulary and connect to the subject matter. They build into their lesson plans, specific strategies to generate critical thinking, dialogue, problem-solving. And when students want to talk about tough subjects, like social issues that are very relevant to them, we cannot shut it down.

Dr. Paula Johnson and Dr. Lizdelia Piñón discuss the importance of giving students think time, tools for communication and safe spaces to speak and be heard. Dr. Paula Johnson is an IDRA senior education associate and director the IDRA EAC-South. Dr. Lizdelia Piñón is an IDRA education associate with expertise in bilingual and ESL education.

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Show length: 19:04 min.

Let the Youth Speak for Themselves – Fostering Substantive Conversations and Advocacy in the Classroom, by Dr. Paula Johnson (not online yet)

The Innovation of Translanguaging Pedagogy Enables Students to Use All of Their Tools, by Dr. Lizdelia Piñón (not online yet)

The Role of Conversation in the Classroom – Promoting Student Voice through Instructional Dialogue, May 24, 2016

The Role of Conversation – Engaging Students in Critical Thinking through Dialogue, May 26, 2015

Culturally Responsive Mathematics Education in the Algebra Project, Culturally Responsive Mathematics Education, by R. Moses, M.M. West, & F.E. Davis, 2009

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The post Nurturing Courageous Critical Conversations in the Classroom – Podcast Episode 221 appeared first on IDRA.

Classnotes Podcast (February 28, 2022). Critical reflection is important for professional growth among school leaders. It creates space for leaders to gain insights about their practices that can enhance leadership skills. Dr. Nilka Avilés sits down to talk with Dr. Encarnacion Garza about the difference between self-reflection and critical collective reflection. He outlines key rules that guide the process.

Dr. Encarnacion Garza, is a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Texas as San Antonio, where he instructs future principals and teacher leaders. Dr. Nilka Avilés is an IDRA senior education associate and leads IDRA projects for principal coaching and school leadership team development.

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Show length: 20:13 min.

The Art of Reflection for School Leaders, Nilka Avilés, Ed.D.

Exploring the praxis of collective and reciprocal mentorship: leadership preparation through the Urban School Leaders Collaborative, Encarnación Garza

Urban School Leaders Collaborative (USLC)

dEducator Coaching Model Strengthens Schools Serving Diverse Student Populations, Nilka Avilés, Ed.D.

How Self-Reflection Can Help Leaders Stay Motivated, The Harvard Business Review.

Developing Future Leaders: The Role of Reflection in the Classroom, Journal of Leadership Education

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To ensure you don’t miss a single episode of IDRA Classnotes, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, (download iTunes free if you don’t have it) or sign up to receive an e-mail alert as soon as a new show is published.

The post Benefits of Reflection for School Leaders – Podcast Episode 220 appeared first on IDRA.

Classnotes Podcast (February 7, 2022). In this second of two podcast episodes, Dr. Stephanie Garcia talks with two young women of color who are passionate about their pursuit of STEM.

CSO Alumna Isela, who identifies as a Chicana, is a sophomore at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She describes her transition from a senior graduating high school during the pandemic to a first-generation student at a large Hispanic-serving university. She describes her experience with virtual and in-person learning and offers advice to incoming college students, first-generation students.

IDRA’s STEM intern, Adriana, describes her current experiences as a Hispanic female in male-dominated STEM courses in high school. She asks Isela questions including how she stayed connected with peers and mentors during virtual learning due to COVID.

Stephanie directs IDRA’s Texas Chief Science Officers program and VisionCoders program.

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Show length: 18:32 min.

IDRA Texas Chief Science Officers Program

CSO International website

We Create Hope Within Our Communities – Before and During COVID-19, Texas Chief Science Officers Advocate for STEM, by Elizabeth Alexander, Shreya Chaudhary & Isela Herrera, IDRA Newsletter, June-July 2020

Computer Science = Problem Solving – IDRA Infographic

Alamo STEM Ecosystem website

First Gen Scholars – non-profit that works to support first gen college students

Videos: Student Panelists & Keynoters – Future Inventors, Innovators and Entrepreneurs, at the STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice Convening, March 2, 2020. Two CSO students were among the six speakers.

Your feedback

We welcome your comments and questions to the podcast. Send an e-mail to [email protected].

To ensure you don’t miss a single episode of IDRA Classnotes, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, (download iTunes free if you don’t have it) or sign up to receive an e-mail alert as soon as a new show is published.

The post STEM Journeys of Two Young Women of Color – Part 2 – Podcast Episode 219 appeared first on IDRA.

Classnotes Podcast (January 24, 2022). In this first of two podcast episodes, Dr. Stephanie Garcia talks with two young women of color who are passionate about their pursuit of STEM.

CSO Alumna Isela, who identifies as a Chicana, is a sophomore at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She describes her transition from a senior graduating high school during the pandemic to a first-generation student at a large Hispanic-serving university. She first planned to major in math but has recently decided to explore more coursework and consider going into STEM education.

IDRA’s STEM intern, Adriana, describes her current experiences as a Hispanic female in male-dominated STEM courses in high school. She is determined to push through the barriers she is facing to pursue a career in biomedical engineering. She is currently applying to multiple universities that have strong engineering programs.

Stephanie directs IDRA’s Texas Chief Science Officers program and VisionCoders program.

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Show length: 15:24 min.

IDRA Texas Chief Science Officers Program

CSO International website

We Create Hope Within Our Communities – Before and During COVID-19, Texas Chief Science Officers Advocate for STEM, by Elizabeth Alexander, Shreya Chaudhary & Isela Herrera, IDRA Newsletter, June-July 2020

Culture and confidence collide in LEE’s Mariachi Unido Ensemble, North East ISD video

Computer Science = Problem Solving – IDRA Infographic

Alamo STEM Ecosystem website

First Gen Scholars – non-profit that works to support first gen college students

Videos: Student Panelists & Keynoters – Future Inventors, Innovators and Entrepreneurs, at the STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice Convening, March 2, 2020. Two CSO students were among the six speakers.

Your feedback

We welcome your comments and questions to the podcast. Send an e-mail to [email protected].

To ensure you don’t miss a single episode of IDRA Classnotes, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, (download iTunes free if you don’t have it) or sign up to receive an e-mail alert as soon as a new show is published.

The post STEM Journeys of Two Young Women of Color – Part 1 – Podcast Episode 218 appeared first on IDRA.

Classnotes Podcast (December 30, 2021).

It started with a dream – a dream to not be the only one in the room. On multiple occasions, Morgan Craven, J.D., and Celina Moreno, J.D., were the only advocates of color in the Texas Capitol representing communities of color on issues of education equity. So, they set out to change that too.

As IDRA’s groundbreaking Education Policy Fellows Program closed its inaugural year, we sat down with our four fellows to reflect on their experience. With this program, IDRA set out to change the landscape of state education advocacy by training advocates with a commitment to and experience with communities of color to influence state laws and lead a powerful network of impacted communities.

Morgan Craven, J.D., IDRA National Director of Policy, Advocacy and Community Engagement, led the conversation with fellows: Dr. Altheria Caldera, Araceli García, Thomas Marshall III and Christina Quintanilla-Muñoz, M.Ed. In this fourth of four episodes, they share their thoughts on the future of advocacy, their advice from what they’ve learned and their personal plans post fellowship.

The IDRA Education Policy Fellows Program that operated from November 2020 through July 2021 was generously supported by The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Trellis Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, and in partnership with the John Gardner Public Service Fellowship, facilitated by Stanford University’s Haas Center for Public Service.

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Show length: 34:57 min.

IDRA Education Policy Fellows 2020-21 Profiles

IDRA Launches Education Policy Fellows Program – Fellows Will Engage a Network of Impacted Communities to Transform Education Policymaking, August 28, 2020

A Case for Changing How We Label “English Learners,” Highest Aspirations Podcast, Ellevation Education, featuring Araceli García, September 28, 2021

Your feedback

We welcome your comments and questions to the podcast. Send an e-mail to [email protected].

To ensure you don’t miss a single episode of IDRA Classnotes, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, (download iTunes free if you don’t have it) or sign up to receive an e-mail alert as soon as a new show is published.

The post The Future of Education Advocacy and Being Pushy – Podcast Episode 217 appeared first on IDRA.

Classnotes Podcast (December 13, 2021). The policymaking process is more complicated that Schoolhouse Rock would have you believe. IDRA’s policy fellows got a crash course during the 2021 Texas legislative sessions on how the process excludes many community voices and how they were able to transcend those barriers to make a difference for communities of color.

As IDRA’s groundbreaking Education Policy Fellows Program closed its inaugural year, we sat down with our four fellows to reflect on their experience. With this program, IDRA set out to change the landscape of state education advocacy by training advocates with a commitment to and experience with communities of color to influence state laws and lead a powerful network of impacted communities.

Morgan Craven, J.D., IDRA National Director of Policy, Advocacy and Community Engagement, led the conversation with fellows: Dr. Altheria Caldera, Araceli García, Thomas Marshall III and Christina Quintanilla-Muñoz, M.Ed. In this the third of four episodes, as they discuss the good, bad and ugly of the 87th Texas legislative session.

The IDRA Education Policy Fellows Program that operated from November 2020 through July 2021 was generously supported by The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Trellis Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, and in partnership with the John Gardner Public Service Fellowship, facilitated by Stanford University’s Haas Center for Public Service.

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Show length: 26:44 min.

IDRA Education Policy Fellows 2020-21 Profiles

IDRA Launches Education Policy Fellows Program – Fellows Will Engage a Network of Impacted Communities to Transform Education Policymaking, August 28, 2020

A Case for Changing How We Label “English Learners,” Highest Aspirations Podcast, Ellevation Education, featuring Araceli García, September 28, 2021

Your feedback

We welcome your comments and questions to the podcast. Send an e-mail to [email protected].

To ensure you don’t miss a single episode of IDRA Classnotes, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, (download iTunes free if you don’t have it) or sign up to receive an e-mail alert as soon as a new show is published.

The post Education Policy Fellows Get Things Done in the Suppression Session – Podcast Episode 216 appeared first on IDRA.

Classnotes Podcast (November 29, 2021). Community advocacy is hefty because you are not just speaking on your own behalf, others are relying on you. IDRA’s policy fellows felt that responsibility in their fellowship, but also had the strength of their own cultural, ethnic and racial identities and legacies to sustain them.

As IDRA’s groundbreaking Education Policy Fellows Program closed its inaugural year, we sat down with our four fellows to reflect on their experience. With this program, IDRA set out to change the landscape of state education advocacy by training advocates with a commitment to and experience with communities of color to influence state laws and lead a powerful network of impacted communities.

Morgan Craven, J.D., IDRA National Director of Policy, Advocacy and Community Engagement, led the conversation with fellows: Dr. Altheria Caldera, Araceli García, Thomas Marshall III and Christina Quintanilla-Muñoz, M.Ed. In this second of four episodes, they describe their experiences advocating with communities of color in the Texas Legislature.

The IDRA Education Policy Fellows Program that operated from November 2020 through July 2021 was generously supported by The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Trellis Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, and in partnership with the John Gardner Public Service Fellowship, facilitated by Stanford University’s Haas Center for Public Service.

Send comments to [email protected].

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Show length: 41:35 min.

IDRA Education Policy Fellows 2020-21 Profiles

IDRA Launches Education Policy Fellows Program – Fellows Will Engage a Network of Impacted Communities to Transform Education Policymaking, August 28, 2020

A Case for Changing How We Label “English Learners,” Highest Aspirations Podcast, Ellevation Education, featuring Araceli García, September 28, 2021

Your feedback

We welcome your comments and questions to the podcast. Send an e-mail to [email protected].

To ensure you don’t miss a single episode of IDRA Classnotes, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, (download iTunes free if you don’t have it) or sign up to receive an e-mail alert as soon as a new show is published.

The post An Inside Look at Advocating with Communities of Color – Podcast Episode 215 appeared first on IDRA.

Classnotes Podcast (November 19, 2021). As IDRA’s groundbreaking Education Policy Fellows Program closed its inaugural year, we sat down with our four fellows to reflect on their experience. With this program, IDRA set out to change the landscape of state education advocacy by training advocates with a commitment to and experience with communities of color to influence state laws and lead a powerful network of impacted communities.

Morgan Craven, J.D., IDRA National Director of Policy, Advocacy and Community Engagement, led the conversation with fellows: Dr. Altheria Caldera, Araceli García, Thomas Marshall III and Christina Quintanilla-Muñoz, M.Ed. In this first of four episodes, they describe what attracted them to the fellowship and what they gained from it.

The IDRA Education Policy Fellows Program that operated from November 2020 through July 2021 was generously supported by The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Trellis Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, and in partnership with the John Gardner Public Service Fellowship, facilitated by Stanford University’s Haas Center for Public Service.

Send comments to [email protected].

Sign up to receive free e-mail notices when new episodes are available.

Show length: 35:05 min.

IDRA Launches Education Policy Fellows Program – Fellows Will Engage a Network of Impacted Communities to Transform Education Policymaking, August 28, 2020

IDRA Education Policy Fellows 2020-21 Profiles

Exciting Advances for Emergent Bilingual Students in Texas, Araceli García, June-July 2021

Texas Legislature Takes Some Steps Toward Addressing the Digital Divide, Thomas Marshall, June-July 2021

Student Health and Engagement Response to COVID-19 in Texas, by Christina Quintanilla-Muñoz, M.Ed., June-July 2021

Most Opportunities Missed to Expand College Preparation and Access in Texas, by Altheria Caldera, Ph.D., June-July 2021

Your feedback

We welcome your comments and questions to the podcast. Send an e-mail to [email protected].

To ensure you don’t miss a single episode of IDRA Classnotes, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, (download iTunes free if you don’t have it) or sign up to receive an e-mail alert as soon as a new show is published.

The post Education Advocacy Hinges on Community Collaboration – Podcast Episode 214 appeared first on IDRA.

Classnotes Podcast (October 29, 2021) Concerned about the impact of the new classroom censorship bill in Texas, 88 public school students described their experiences with racial discrimination in school. Their stories show why diversity, equity and inclusion training are needed for teachers across Texas public schools and why Texas students need culturally-sustaining schools.

In this podcast episode, we feature two students who spoke at a recent press briefing held by IDRA and the TEACH Coalition. Thomas Marshall III, IDRA policy communications strategist, talks with high school senior, Autumn, and high school junior, Emaan, as they describe their experiences with discrimination and bias. They also discuss how classroom lessons in history and other courses already exclude people of color and other groups. Students’ last names and schools are kept confidential.

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Show length: 20:16 min.

Students Tell Texas Attorney General that Racial Discrimination in School is Real – IDRA Applauds Students Speaking Out Against Texas’ New Classroom Censorship Law (Español), September 29, 2021

88 public school students described their experiences with racial discrimination in school

Video gallery: Student Testimony Against Classroom Censorship

Learn About Texas Classroom Censorship Laws

Knowledge is Power is IDRA’s national resource for educators and advocates to help you do your work for equity and excellence in education in the midst of classroom censorship policies.

IDRA Statement on SB 3 Passage: Texas Doubles Down on Classroom Censorship at Students’ Expense 

One-pager about the bill: Texas Newest Classroom Censorship Bill SB 3 in English • (Español)

Your feedback

We welcome your comments and questions to the podcast. Send an e-mail to [email protected].

To ensure you don’t miss a single episode of IDRA Classnotes, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, (download iTunes free if you don’t have it) or sign up to receive an e-mail alert as soon as a new show is published.

The post Students Want Schools to Teach Inclusive Truth – Podcast Episode 213 appeared first on IDRA.