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In this episode, I sit down with Jessica Campos — a Houston mom who took on HISD, filed a TEA complaint, won, and is now teaching other parents how to advocate for their kids without fear.

Jessica’s daughter wasn’t getting the services promised in her IEP, and after being ignored and pushed around, she did what most parents are scared to do: she held the district accountable. Today, she’s sharing her story, the barriers she faced, and the truth about the special education system that schools don’t always want parents to know.

We also talk about the importance of parents — especially Spanish-speaking families — understanding their rights, recognizing when a school isn’t following the law, and knowing exactly what steps to take when something feels “off.”

Jessica now offers classes to teach families how to navigate the TEA grievance process, how to document everything, and how to advocate with confidence. Her work is changing lives, and this conversation is one every parent should hear.

If your child is in SPED or has a 504 plan, this episode is your reminder:
You are not powerless.
You are not overreacting.
And you absolutely have the right to fight for the education your child deserves.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this with a parent who needs it.

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In this mini episode, I’m breaking down the TEA investigation letters that so many Texas teachers have been receiving lately — the ones claiming you “may have engaged in conduct detrimental to the welfare of children” or “participated in a testing scheme.” I know how terrifying and confusing those words can sound when they show up in your inbox, so I want to help you understand exactly what this letter really means, what it doesn’t mean, and what your rights are.

We’re going to slow things down and talk through what’s actually happening behind the scenes — because most teachers getting these letters haven’t been accused of any wrongdoing. I’ll explain what the different phrases mean, why that “flag” on your certificate was placed and then removed, and what steps you can take to protect yourself moving forward.

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In this episode of Ridgemont4'sFinest-The Podcast, Michelle Williams returns to give us an update on her ongoing fight with Houston ISD after the board voted to terminate her contract at the October 9th board meeting. She explains what's next in her fight to clear her name and breaks down what the Chapter 21 process really looks like for Texas teachers facing nonrenewal or termination — and why so many educators don’t realize they have rights worth fighting for.

Michelle also opens up about the realities of teaching emerging bilingual students under HISD’s new system, the culture of retaliation that silences teachers, and the critical role unions play in protecting educators.

Now, she’s taking that same fire from the classroom to the Capitol — running for State Representative for District 127 to fight for the future of public education in Texas.

This is more than a story about one teacher — it’s a wake-up call for every educator to know their rights, stand together, and support leaders who actually represent them.

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DISCLAIMER: BECAUSE OF HOW IMPORTANT THIS TOPIC IS, WE ARE CROSS POSTING THIS EPISODE FROM TEACHERS AFTER DARK TO R4F THE PODCAST--BEWARE OF SOME OF THE LANGUAGE!!!

This week’s episode hits different. It’s just me and Nikki, and we’re digging into something heavy but necessary : the mental health struggles and systemic pressures faced by Black women in educational leadership.

We’re talking about Ms. Stephanie Williams, a principal at Harrison-Morton Middle School in Allentown, whose private mental health crisis went viral after she experienced a bipolar episode. What should have been met with compassion turned into public humiliation and let’s be real, that’s not how it would’ve gone down if she were white. White women in leadership are extended so much grace ,treated with care, dignity, and often infantilized while Black women are expected to hold it all together, even when we’re breaking inside.

We unpack that double standard, the weight of always being “the strong one,” and the cost that comes with being both visible and unseen at the same time. We also dive into some hard-hitting stats: according to the CDC, Black women are nearly twice as likely to experience severe psychological distress but less likely to receive treatment. Studies show that Black women in education report higher rates of burnout, depression, and anxiety than any other demographic, yet most of us still feel like we can’t ask for help without being labeled “unstable” or “unfit.”

This conversation goes beyond one viral story , it’s about the systems that fail us. We talk about stigma, cultural silence, and the lack of culturally competent care that keeps too many of us from seeking therapy or taking medication when we need it. And we make it clear: it’s okay to get help. It’s okay to rest. It’s okay to medicate. Strength doesn’t mean silence.

We also call out how educational institutions themselves need to do better with real mental health support, policies that protect leaders during personal crises, and representation that truly understands the unique weight that comes with being a Black woman in these spaces.

In the end, this episode is a love letter and a call to action — for Ms. Williams, for every sister who’s quietly struggling behind her title, and for every listener who’s tired of pretending to be okay. We see you. We support you. And we’re done suffering in silence.

This is a real and necessary conversation.
Streaming now on Teachers After Dark and Ridgemont4’s Finest: The Podcast.

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On this episode, I sit down with Michelle Williams, an educator and advocate who has no problem saying what everybody else is too scared to say about Houston ISD. Michelle lays it all out—how the district has slapped her with administrative leave more times than she can count just because she refuses to play nice with corruption. She talks about what it’s like to fight for kids in a system that protects adults, buries the truth, and punishes teachers who don’t fall in line.

We tear apart the NES model and why it’s nothing but smoke and mirrors. Michelle calls it what it is: a setup that forces teachers into breaking the rules while leaving bilingual students hanging. She exposes how HISD plays games with contracts, makes shady decisions behind closed doors, and tries to silence anybody who dares to pull back the curtain.

Michelle also explains why union backing is the only reason she’s still standing. The district wants teachers scared and isolated, but she’s proof that solidarity is the only way to survive. We also get into her campaign for House District 127 and why it’s about time somebody who has actually been in the trenches of a classroom takes a seat at the table.

By the end, the message is clear: parents, community, and teachers need to stop watching from the sidelines. HISD banks on people being quiet, and that silence is exactly how they keep getting away with it. This episode is about exposing the mess, calling out the retaliation, and reminding everybody that the fight for public education is not just about schools—it’s about our kids’ future.

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Forget the team-building games, icebreakers, and endless PD slides — this is the real back-to-school training every teacher needs but no one handed you.

In this episode, we’re joined by Jay from The Human Resource — an HR Practitioner who has seen exactly how districts build cases, protect bad leadership, and push teachers out without saying a word. Together, we’re breaking down how to survive the school year with your sanity, certification, and receipts intact.

We’re talking:

• What HR won’t tell you (but you need to know)
• How to document bullying, retaliation & gaslighting
• What to do if you're asked to resign
• Chapter 21 contracts explained in plain English
• The power of board policy & how to use it to fight back
• Why we built The School Truth Project — and how we’re helping teachers every day

Whether you’re a new teacher or a vet who’s seen some things, this is the episode you’ll wish you heard before Day 1.

Because the real danger isn’t what’s in the classroom — it’s what’s happening behind the scenes.

Follow Jay on Instagram: @the.humanresource

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Black, fluent, and handling business — that’s Shanedria. She’s the founder of Spanish Etc. of Pearland, a tutoring center helping students succeed in dual language programs, especially when schools can’t deliver.

In this episode, we talk about the teacher shortage crisis, what happens when kids are left in classrooms without certified language instructors, and how one Black woman is building a bridge for families through Spanish, culture, and confidence.

We also dig into how being trilingual has opened doors for her, what parents can do if their child doesn’t have a language teacher this year, and why supporting businesses like hers is bigger than just academics.

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I finally got to chop it up with the legend himself, Eddie B. You know, the teacher-turned-comedian who had every tired educator in the country crying laughing on their lunch break with his "What Teachers Really Wanna Say" videos on Facebook. 

Eddie walks us through how he accidentally ended up teaching after working at a car wash, how his first school had him feeling more like a probation officer than a teacher, and how them “I’m just here for a year” plans turned into 10+ in the trenches of Houston ISD.

We get into the moment everything changed—he posted one video, just talking like he always does, and boom… the internet ate it up. That turned into the “Teachers Only” tour, sold-out shows, and a whole new career. But of course, when the money shows up, so does the mess.

I really wanted to talk about BORED TEACHERS. Yeah, them. Eddie clears the air and lets folks know he was never "with" them. He’s done a few things for their platform, sure! But we get into the business side where these entities repost your content, remove watermarks, use your material word for word… all while offering what? Crumbs and gas money. Literally.

We get into:

• How material of creators is copied and profited from on larger platforms
• What it’s like being the blueprint but not getting the credit
• Why a lot of these platforms only highlight “safe” teacher voices and leave the real ones out
• What creators need to watch out for when chasing exposure over ownership
• And why the teacher content world is hard to break into—especially if you’re not a cookie-cutter personality

We joke about how long it took just to get in touch with him and how much gatekeeping goes on, even at the local level. 

This episode is honest, funny, frustrating, and necessary. Whether you're a teacher, a creator, or just someone trying to figure out how to protect your voice and your work, you need to hear this.

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What happens when professional development starts looking more like a Pinterest board than a platform for real change?

In this episode, we sit down with the unapologetic and always insightful Sir King B to unpack the controversy surrounding the Get Your Teach On (GYTO) conference. From its curated aesthetic and corporate sponsors to the lack of diversity on its stages, King B calls out what many have been whispering: some of these PD spaces feel more like MLMs, church camp, and influencer retreats than actual learning.

We dig into the racial and cultural divides in education, how influencer culture is shaping who gets visibility in the classroom, and why "making teachers feel good" is not the same as preparing them for real-world challenges like systemic racism, immigration issues, and the school-to-prison pipeline. And yes, we talk about that "Sexual Healing" performance and what it says about tokenism and the commodification of Black male bodies in predominantly white spaces.

If you’ve ever side-eyed the glitter, the skater dresses, and the brand deal culture in education, this one’s for you.

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ANOTHER TEACHERS AFTER DARK EXCLUSIVE/CROSSOVER EPISODE!!!!

Subscribe to the Teachers After Dark Podcast here for access to ALL of our exclusive content!! 

If you're a Texas teacher facing the threat of termination, this is your reminder: you have rights — and you don’t have to fold under pressure. In this episode, we’re breaking down what actually happens when a district moves to terminate your contract, why you should never feel bullied into resigning without a full understanding of your options, and how standing your ground could protect your career and your future.

We’ll talk about your right to a hearing under Texas Education Code Chapter 21, how to officially request it, what the process looks like, and what’s really at stake if you give up your due process rights too quickly.

Disclaimer: I am not an attorney. This is not legal advice. This is an educational conversation based on Texas law intended to help you advocate for yourself. Always seek professional legal counsel for your specific situation. THIS CONVERSATION APPLIES TO ANY TEACHER IN THE STATE OF TEXAS!!!

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