On this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast host Kristy Houle talks with author and educator Jaer Armstead-Jones.  Throughout his teaching of reading and writing, he has always had a burning desire to write books for middle school and high school teens they can relate to.  His first novel, My Invisible Father, is a story about three St. Louis teens facing the hurdles of adolescence and the impact made by their fathers’ absences.  Jaer has worked with teens in several capacities since 1993: as a youth minister, a youth facilitator at a juvenile correctional facility, and as an educator.  He is also a librarian at the St. Louis County Public Library. Guest Website:  https://jaerarmsteadjones.com/

My Invisible Father: A Conversation with Author Jaer Armstead-Jones

The Classroom Matters podcast aims to tell the stories and share the experiences of K-12 educators and the reality of our education system.  Join Kristy Houle, former teacher, assistant principal and principal as she talks with a wide variety of fascinating people on important and interesting educational topics.

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Visual Arts

On this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast host Kristy Houle talks with Dr. Stephanie Gregson who currently serves as the Deputy Executive Director for the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE). Stephanie’s focus is on school turnaround centering on improving teaching and learning aimed at equitable access, opportunity, and outcomes for students. Stephanie has more than 24 years of experience in public education and started her career as an elementary school teacher but has also served as a principal and a district leader.  Dr. Gregson has anchored her decision making upon the belief that every student deserves the opportunity to thrive in an ideal learning environment. 
 Guest Website:   https://ccee-ca.org/

How to Create a Collaborative Culture with Stephanie Gregson

On this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast host Kristy Houle talks with Dr. Frank Buck, author of Get Organized!: Time Management for School Leaders and Get Organized Digitally!: The Educator's Guide to Time Management. After retiring from public education, Dr. Buck devoted his "second career" to writing and speaking on organization, time management, and personal productivity for educators. Dr. Buck realized that most educators are overwhelmed by the amount of paper and digital information in their jobs. As a teacher, principal, and central office administrator for almost 30 years, he saw the difference in having simple systems and how they made his job easier. He also realized what he was doing was easy to teach and has made a difference for countless people. 
 Guest Webpage - https://frankbuck.org/

Getting Organized in the Classroom: A Conversation with  Dr. Frank Buck

On this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast host Kristy Houle talks with accomplished artist, Kevo Aregbe.  Kevo holds a master’s degree in fine arts and his art ranges from painting to theater production, highlighting racial dynamics and human experiences. He is also the director of a nonprofit for arts, called Kevo Arts Studios, and teaches at a college, with over 10 years of experience as the owner of a successful tattoo studio. When it comes to education Kevo has unique experiences and had to learn how to navigate life and it’s challenges at an early age. From his youth, Kevo was shot, sent to jail, and had a history of drug dealing and violence. Kevo changed his life and became one of the most accomplished artists his city has ever seen.  Guest Webpage - https://www.artbykevo.com/

Against All Odds: A Conversation with Kevo Aregbe

On today’s episode of the Classroom Matters podcast, host Kristy Houle talks with author, executive, angel investor, and lifelong student of markets John Foster about the importance of teaching students the most advanced concepts in business and economics.  John has years of experience teaching kids as a Junior Achievement volunteer and over the course of several years built his own curriculum, which would become Middle School MBA.  Guest Websites:  https://www.middleschoolmba.com/

A Revolution in Teaching Business and Economics

On this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast, host Kristy Houle talks with Dr. Gwenyth Jackaway about the impact of technology on student development and how to monitor digital wellness you’re your students. Dr. Gwenyth Jackaway is a leader in digital wellness. She was a member of the Fordham University and media studies faculty for more than 25 years. She's a mother, an author, and currently serves as an educational consultant for Carrots&Cake.; A parental control app that encourages kids to learn first and play later, equipping them to thrive in the digital age. 
 Links for the Audience Sign up now and get a 60-day free trial when you use the code “classroom.” https://carrotsandcake.com/

My Invisible Father: A Conversation with Author Jaer Armstead-Jones

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