About the Guest(s):

Val Brown is a Black mom from North Carolina. She believes that education is a vehicle for social change, and encourages parents, caregivers, and educators to engage in public discourse about critical topics because it allows them to learn with and from others.

Andrew Lefkowits is a White dad from Denver, and the father of an 8th grader and 5th grader. He believes that #ThurgoodWasRight – unless our kids learn together, there is little hope we will learn to live together and understand each other.

Together they host the Integrated Schools Podcast.

Episode Summary:

In this engaging episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas sits down with Val Brown and Andrew Lefkowits, co-hosts of the Integrated Schools Podcast, to discuss the pressing themes of integration and inclusion in education. The conversation traces back to the origins of the Integrated Schools organization, driven by the transformative decisions of its founder, Courtney Mykytyn. This episode provides a profound discussion on the role of parents and caregivers in the educational landscape, highlighting how meaningful integration goes beyond desegregation to create genuinely inclusive environments.

Focusing on the barriers to achieving inclusive schools, the episode delves into how systemic structures, societal pressures, and entrenched beliefs shape our educational institutions. Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, Val and Andrew explore how privilege, race, and disability intersect within the educational system. Val strongly emphasizes the need for robust conversations about race and inclusion, while Andrew points out the vital role schools play in nurturing a sense of belonging and community among students.

Key Takeaways:

Integrated Schools Podcast began from Courtney Mykytyn's decision to send her children to a local, predominantly nonwhite school, which led to broader discussions about educational inclusion.

Authentic integration in educational settings requires more than just mixing diverse student bodies; it necessitates creating spaces where all forms of diversity are acknowledged and embraced.

The societal and cultural pressures surrounding "good parenting" often conflict with broader social justice ideals, influencing parental choices in educational settings.

Conversations about inclusion must extend beyond race to address disability and other social identities, encouraging educators and communities to engage in ongoing dialogue and action.

Both guests highlight the importance of schools as environments where students learn to embrace diversity and foster inclusive communities, which can have a lasting impact on their perceptions and actions in society.

Resources:

Integrated Schools Podcast: https://integratedschools.org/podcasts/

Transcript + Show Notes: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/navigating-the-path-to-true-inclusion-with-the-integrated-schools-podcast/

Thank you to our sponsor, IXL. https://www.ixl.com/inclusive

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