Schools Don't Own Education

Sherron Grant is an educator and co-founder of Sawubona Africentric Circle of Support. The organization is dedicated to empowering racialized families of children with disabilities. In this episode, she discusses the barriers faced by Black parents struggling to advocate for their children in the education system and how "I see you (sawubona)" is their guiding principle. https://www.sawubonaacs.org/ @sawubonaacs

Michelle Munroe is Central Co-Ordinator, Parent and Community Engagement at the Toronto District School Board. She answers the VoicED question "How will we teach in a post-pandemic world?". Michelle was recently named one of 2022's 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women.

In this second episode, Dr. Ann Ishimaru discusses the effect of our traditional, outdated education system on our racialized students and families. She challenges all of us to imagine a new system, co-designed by school and home, where we might all learn and unlearn. Dr. Ishimaru’s book, “Just Schools; Building Equitable Collaborations with Families and Communities” is available through the University of Toronto Press, The Teachers College Press in the USA and Amazon everywhere.

Dr Ann Ishimaru, Associate Professor at the University of Washington College of Education is Nancy's guest for 2 episodes. In this first one, she discusses her research on family engagement in education systems that are anything but neutral. Dr. Ishimaru's book, "Just Schools; Building Equitable Collaborations with Families and Communities" is available through the University of Toronto Press, The Teachers College Press in the USA and Amazon everywhere.

Ekuwah Mend Moses is a teacher and family engagement specialist from Clark County Nevada. Albion Mends was a lecturer in Religious and African Studies at the University of Central Missouri. Ekuwah's children's book "My Name is an Address" encourages readers to celebrate their heritage. The book is available on Amazon in Canada and from Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Target and Amazon in the United States.

For more information, check out Ekuwah's website at https://www.ekuwah.com/

Rick Kelly, Executive Director of "Just Us: A Centre for Restorative Justice" Practices", returns to explain how the children's book "Stone Soup" links to his work with families and community.

Rick Kelly, Executive Director of "Just Us: A Centre for Restorative Justice Practices" shares how a project he led in Rexdale brought the ecosystems of school and community together, benefiting families, students, educators and community.

Heather Johnson and Imani Hennie-Hamadi are Mental Health Leads with the Toronto District School Board. This has been a busy, stressful, and yet, inspiring year for them as they support students, educators and families. Their work and observations are important as we try to get through each day and wonder about the future.

Elizabeth TIngle is a researcher and instructor at the University of Calgary. Listen to these "The Podclass" episodes for more information on creating practices that encourage well-being for students, teachers and families:

https://voiced.ca/podcast_episode_post/weight-neutral-health-promotion-in-schools-with-dr-shelly-russell-mayhew/

and

https://voiced.ca/podcast_episode_post/positive-nutrition-messaging-in-school-with-anna-lutz-and-katherine-zavodni/

Steve Hall is an educator and lecturer at Staffordshire University in Britain. In this episode, he talks about his "Parent Voice" project - how trust allowed parents, teachers and community members to identify learning issues and find solutions ——together.