PCTA FYRE Podcast

In this episode, we had a conversation with Anita Green (she/her) and Ramsey Aziz (he/him) about the recent protest at TD Ballpark during the Governor's Baseball Dinner. Our discussion focused on exploring the identities of the protesters, their concerns, and ways in which the public can engage more with educational issues in Florida.

We highly appreciate your feedback and would love to hear your opinions and ideas. You can reach out to us at [email protected].

In this episode, we sat down with veteran teacher Brandt Robinson (he/him) and Lee Bryant (he/him) to discuss the issue of political extremism in our school curricula and the targeted attacks on equity-based components within our education system. Our conversation centered around gaining a deeper understanding of "restorative practices" - its intended purpose, how it is meant to function, and why political opponents, such as Mom's for Liberty, have taken a strong stance against it.

In this episode, we had the opportunity to speak with veteran teacher Shannon Vincent (she/her) and first year teacher Dr. Anna Margiotta (they/them) about the challenges posed by standardized testing in public schools. Our discussion centered around the effects of excessive testing on school climate, culture, staff, and students. We delved into the intricacies of the topic, examining both the purpose of standardized testing and its actual impact on education.

We highly appreciate your feedback and would love to hear your opinions and ideas. You can reach out to us at [email protected].

In this episode, we sat down with first-year teacher Dr. Anna Margiotta and veteran teacher Lee Bryant to discuss their reasons for joining the union and how they maintain strong union membership at their school. Our conversation explored the question of how to effectively organize at a worksite. We delved into the complexities of recruitment, asking whether friendship or solidarity comes first.

We value your feedback and would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].

In this episode, we chat with first-year teacher Ramsey Aziz (he/him) and Mr. Teacher-Trainer-Coach Joey D'Alessandro (he/him) about the nuances driving the teacher shortage in the state of Florida. We speculate on the question, "Is it just the low salary?" Our discussion only scratches the surface, as we gain the perspectives of different teachers and what might be driving them out of the profession.

In this episode, we chat with first-year teacher Dr. Anna Margiotta (they/them) and veteran teacher Shannon Vincent (she/her) about the recent PCTA town hall meeting on February 1st and the "Empower Educators" agenda proposed by the DeSantis administration for the next legislative session. We speculate on the question, "What does DeSantis hope to achieve in this next legislative session?" Our discussion delves into the intricacies of these anti-teacher policies and their potential consequences should they become law.

In this episode, we speak with first year teachers Kelsey Donegan (he/his) and Dr. Anna Margiotta (they/them) about their experiences at the recent school board meeting on January 24th. During our discussion, we explore the question, "Why must the community rally behind teachers in support of Public Education at a school board meeting?" We also address our concerns about recent changes in Florida law and how we're currently at the epicenter an alt-right culture war within the United States.