Welcome back to LessonUp!

You may have noticed we took some time off from producing the podcast in 2022... Well, we're back with a new, long-form episode!

Our first interview guest, Todd Wanerman, shares with us his experience in early education and illuminates some of the dynamics we have been confronted with in the early education community. He also shares with us his perspective on how we can move through some of the challenges of our field, how we can approach and accomplish better outcomes for both the workforce and the children and families. Grab a snack and enjoy this in-depth and insightful conversation with educator, leader, and author, Todd Wanerman.

Links to resources referenced in this episode:

• Todd's Website - Todd Wanerman, Educational Consulting (https://www.toddwanerman.com)
• Todd's Book - Including One, Including All: A Guide to Relationship-Based Early Childhood Inclusion (https://www.amazon.com/Including-One-All-Relationship-Based-Childhood/dp/1605540137)

As always, we look forward to hearing your thoughts, experiences, and ideas for future podcast episodes. Write to us or send us a recording at [email protected]. 

The following music was used for this media project: Music: Wholesome by Kevin MacLeod Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesome License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

We look back at how the coronavirus pandemic and the first few weeks of the return to in-person child care and early education impacted us and those we serve. We also wonder how it has impacted the workforce and learning communities as a whole. 

We'd love to hear your experience! Write to us or send us a recording at [email protected] to share your story. 

Made possible with support by Early Care Educators of San Francisco (ECESF).

Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4063-modern-jazz-samba

How does equity work get done in early care and education? In this episode, we wonder how education professionals can move beyond professional development and into changing policies and challenging the status quo in early education as a whole.

Made possible with support by Early Care Educators of San Francisco (ECESF).

Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4063-modern-jazz-samba

What are the challenges of the early education workforce?

In this episode, we speak on specific examples of inequity in early care and education. What isn't working for those doing the work? Where are we lacking resources, support, or understanding?

Made possible with support by BANDTEC.

Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4063-modern-jazz-samba

Are educators' voices heard? Who's input matters when it comes to investments in early care & education? How do large societal values play a role in where money and resources are directed? Does research or educator experience impact policy? What goes into defining, supporting, and measuring quality education in early childhood? 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

- Ibram X. Kendi, Author of How to Be an Antiracist https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/gildenhorn-book-talk-with-ibram-x-kendi/

- Documentary: No Small Matter (Siskel/Jacobs Productions) https://www.nosmallmatter.com 

- 2016 Study on Racial Diversity of Educators (pg 3 "Summary of Findings")https://www2.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/highered/racial-diversity/state-racial-diversity-workforce.pdf

- Preschool & Kindergarten Demographics in numbers https://datausa.io/profile/soc/preschool-kindergarten-teachers#demographics

- Who makes ECE Policy?  https://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/early-childhood-101.aspx 

Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4063-modern-jazz-samba

A look at the practices & principles that guide decisions impacting children, families, & educators.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

- Department of Youth & Family Services, Community Hubs Initiative https://www.dcyf.org/care

- The Characteristics of White Supremacy Culture (From Dismantling Racism: A Workbook for Social Change Groups, by Kenneth Jones and Tema Okun, ChangeWork, 2001) See "Paternalism"  https://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/white-supremacy-culture-characteristics.html

Made possible with support by BANDTEC.

Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4063-modern-jazz-samba

Get to know the early childhood educators working for social justice and equity in ECE and find out why they decided to start a podcast during a global pandemic.

Made possible with support by BANDTEC.

Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4063-modern-jazz-samba License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Learn more about the four early care educators behind the Lesson Up podcast. We are education professionals, equity-minded thinkers, and determined changemakers working to eliminate structural inequities in ECE.

Made possible with support from BANDTEC.

Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4063-modern-jazz-samba License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Learn more about the four early care educators behind the Lesson Up podcast. We are education professionals, equity-minded thinkers, and determined changemakers working to eliminate structural inequities in ECE.

Made possible with support from BANDTEC.

Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4063-modern-jazz-samba License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Learn more about the four early care educators behind the Lesson Up podcast. We are education professionals, equity-minded thinkers, and determined changemakers working to eliminate structural inequities in ECE.

Made possible with support from BANDTEC.

Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4063-modern-jazz-samba License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license