Rock the Schools host, Chris Stewart engage with Matt Kramer on a discussion about his past 10 years as Co-CEO of Teacher for America. They discuss how school board elections work, how many people know the candidates and how students engage with content and how much content is driven by the student’s interest. The conversation goes deep into issues of race in America and how it intercepts a students’ education.

Rock The Schools host Chris Stewart engages Arne Duncan, former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, in a conversation about the importance of valuing every child and seeing all children as assets.

“Hungry Children Can’t Focus” ~ Pee Wee Dread

New Orleans native Peewee Dread (born Darius Collins) has been singing since childhood. Growing up in a city full of distinct musical traditions Peewee developed his own style incorporating his Creole-Caribbean style into Reggae and Hip Hop. “I sing for the love of the music,” says Peewee. He moved to Minnesota to attend college at Macalester. He’s been part of the music scene ever since. He’s performed all over the United States with many artists including Yellowman, Eek-a-Mouse, Jimmy Cliff, Third World, AfroMan, Justin Hinds, Culture, DMX, De La Soul, Black Eyed Peas, Lupe Fiasco, Das Efx, MatisYahu, Chris Berry, Toots & The Maytals, The Meditations, Sister Carol, Vanilla Ice and many more. Peewee’s band Dread I Dread has twice been honored as the Minnesota Reggae Artists of the Year.

Peewee is Chair of 40 out of Poverty. "The initiative to help our disadvantaged communities connect with business and help foster these relationships for better communities". 40 out of poverty is helping homeless youth create opportunity through community business partnership. 40 out of Poverty is devoted to motivating the hearts and minds of children (and adults) to develop social awareness and engagement. The idea is to assist them in becoming intimately connected to the environment and to aid working families to economic stability. 40 out of Poverty is focused on addressing and providing solutions for the national food desert crisis. 40 out of Poverty's sustainability program will bring fresh, organic produce, weekly, to urban communities across the nation, at a price that is affordable. children are hungry they are not focused. If they are not eating the right fruits and vegetables they are sick. If fresh organic produce is not available to children and families it's called disparity. 40 out of Poverty addresses this crisis.

Discussion centered about the human right to a good education for all and what needs to be reformed to make sure every student is getting a great education.

Growing up as an only child in Richmond, Virginia, Kemba Smith Pradia graduated high school and continued her education at prestigious Hampton University. What happened to Kemba in her new campus environment was a nightmare. In an attempt to “fit in,” Kemba associated with the wrong crowd and became involved with a drug dealer. He was a major figure in a crack cocaine ring and drew Kemba right in the middle of his life with physical, mental and emotional abuse disguised as “love.”

After enduring this turbulent four-year relationship in 1994, Kemba was sentenced to 24.5 years and served 6.5 years in federal prison. Fortunately, she regained her freedom after President Clinton granted her clemency in December 2000. Her case drew support from across the nation and the world to reverse a disturbing trend in the rise of lengthy sentences for first time non-violent drug offenders. Her story has been featured on CNN, Nightline, Court TV, The Early Morning Show, Judge Hatchett, and a host of other television programs.

Rock The Schools is a weekly podcast hosted by education activist, Chris Stewart. Executive Producer: Monique Linder Find our more at: citizenstewart.org.

Chris Stewart with special guest Christopher Eide discussing the challenge of organizing reform minded teachers within unions that seek to marginalize their voice" with Christopher Ride, Executive Director of Teachers United in Washington State.

Black Lives Matter, Time Person of the Year 2015 Runner-Up is described as a new civil rights movement that is turning a protest cry into a political force. Hear what Dr. Nekima Levy-Pounds and Black Lives Matter Clergy and Supporters say about the movement on the ground in Minneapolis.

Chris Stewart unpacks truth with Tim Wise on a discussion about deep rooted, systemic issues in public education that negatively impacts the education of African American youth and what needs to be done urgently to fix it.

RTS Meet the St. Paul School Board Candidates presents a final chance to hear from the St. Paul school board candidates who will be representing students and families of St. Paul in tomorrow’s election. All candidates were invited today. Hear from Greg Copeland, Linda Freeman, Keith Hardy and Scott Raskiewicz. Chris challenges the candidates to discuss what is working in the education system that is failing communities of color in Minnesota.

This week, Chris Stewart talks to Ericka Huggins about her life as an educator, member of the Los Angeles chapter of the Black Panther Party, the Criminal Justice system and the Black Lives Matter movement. In 1963, during the height of the civil rights movement, Ericka began her political activism after attending the march in Washington, D.C. Chris a.k.a Citizen Stewart, digs deep for answers about how to model the academic success of the Oakland Community School started by the Black Panther Party achieved.