In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we spoke with KY aspiring educator Larrissa Loyd about how her mental health journey has influenced her passion for teaching, and how it may change the way she approaches her first full-time teaching position. TW: child abuse, suicide.

This is part 2 of 2 in our conversation with 28-year educator Robin McNair about the life-changing power of restorative practices in schools.

Robin McNair, a 28-year educator and Restorative Approaches Coordinator in Maryland, joins the podcast to answer our questions about how restorative practices can change school environments for the better (and for all students). This is part 1 of 2, so stay tuned for the conclusion of our conversation.

April Burch is a paraprofessional currently working in clerical services and co-founder of Cooking Autism, a nonprofit that helps educators offer life skills programs to children with disabilities. As a mother to two sons with special needs herself, she discusses the unique experience of educating students with disabilities during a pandemic.

Becky Pringle, current NEA president, stops by the podcast to talk about her path from science teacher to union leader, and her vision for the NEA -- and public education as a whole.

Aneeka Ferrell, a Substitute Coordinator in Washington, has seen a passion of hers take off in a big way in 2020: educators are clamoring for her implicit bias trainings. Aneeka joins the podcast to discuss the importance of recognizing and challenging your biases -- about everything from race, to gender, to disabilities -- for the sake of your students.

The recently elected Chair of the NEA Aspiring Educators Program Cameo Kendrick stops by to discuss the unique position of the next generation of educators -- who are graduating and beginning their careers in the midst of a pandemic -- and her vision for the role of Aspiring Educators within the Association.

Jaim Foster, a 20-year early childhood educator, shares his experiences—from Nebraska to Virginia—as a gay teacher and LGBTQ+ advocate, and offers advice for early career LGBTQ+ educators.