Is mathematics the great gatekeeper in education? In this powerful episode of the Shattering Inequities podcast, Dr. Robin Abdelrahman South sits down with stellar educators Omar Zuniga and Lisa to uncover why math is often a bottleneck for student success and what we can do about it.

Through their powerful personal stories and professional experiences, Omar and Lisa reveal the invisible systemic barriers that create achievement gaps. They argue that the solution isn’t just about “fixing” teachers or students, but about fundamentally redesigning the educational systems that hold inequities in place.

Tune in to explore field-tested strategies and the critical importance of setting a clear, high bar for all students, ensuring every child receives the premium education they deserve.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The Real Bottleneck: Why mathematics is a critical gatekeeper for high school graduation and college success, especially for historically underserved students.

• Educators' Lived Experiences: The personal journeys of Omar and Lisa, from being the only people of color in their advanced math classes to becoming fierce advocates for equity.

• The Myth of the Even Playing Field: How different textbooks, inconsistent standards, and inequitable grading practices within the same school or district create systemic traps for students.

• Defining the Floor: The urgent need to establish a clear, consistent, and rigorous academic "floor" for every student, in every classroom, to provide a truly equitable education.

• From Belief to Action: Inspiring "not on my watch" stories where educators challenged low expectations and proved that all students can achieve at the highest levels when given the right support and opportunity.

• System-Level Solutions: How focusing on systems—like curriculum alignment, data reflection, and equitable grading policies—is more effective than focusing on individual instruction alone.

00:00 - Uncovering Bold, Research-Driven Strategies in Education

00:49 - The Two-Fold Mission: To Inspire, Inform, and Crowdsource Solutions

03:03 - Identifying the Bottleneck: Why Mathematics is a Gatekeeper

06:26 - A Tale of Two Educators: Personal Journeys That Shaped a Mission for Equity

13:26 - Beyond Hard Work: When Teacher Effort Doesn't Match Student Results

16:22 - The Core Problem: Is the Academic "Floor" Clearly and Consistently Defined?

28:25 - "Not On My Watch": Educators Taking a Stand Against Systemic Inequity Traps 35:10 - The Proof is in the Results: Stories of Transformation and High Achievement

47:47 - A Challenge to the Audience: Find Your Data and Close the Gaps

48:54 - Final Thoughts: The Power of Focusing on Systems to Create Lasting Change

"We need to be calibrated on what it means to be at grade level...so that we can get them to where they need to be...so that they're prepared for all of the options that they will have." - Omar Zuniga

Uncover what it really takes to overcome educational inequities with Dr. Robin Avelar La Salle and special guest Dr. Paul Gothold in this compelling episode of the Shattering Inequities podcast. Through real stories, hard data, and actionable insights, they break down how school leaders and communities can transform systems to support every student—regardless of background or circumstance.

• Dr. Paul Gotthold’s powerful personal journey from avoiding education to becoming a passionate leader for equity, shaped by his own family story and early teaching experiences with marginalized students.
• The turnaround story of Lynwood Unified School District: how raising expectations, eliminating tracking, and granting open access to advanced courses led to record academic performance and expanded college opportunities for all student groups.
• Why tackling inequity demands addressing systems and structures, not just individuals, and the importance of moving beyond “normalization of failure” to reimagine what’s possible for every child.
• Practical strategies for educational leaders: building coalitions, designing equitable master schedules, removing unnecessary barriers, and creating a culture anchored in belief and high achievement for every student.
• Insights into developing the next generation of transcendent superintendents—including training, board relationships, and the essential will and skill to challenge the status quo and keep kids at the center of every decision.

Tune in for honest reflections, field-tested solutions, and hope-filled leadership that proves lasting change is not only possible—it’s happening.

Chapters

00:00 "Challenging Educational Inequality Assumptions"

07:35 "Inspired by Transformative Teaching Journey"

11:39 "Paul's Inspiring Teaching Journey"

17:54 Revitalizing School Community Together

22:21 Inequities in Educational Opportunities

27:20 Equal Education Through Consistency

33:42 Connecting Academia to Real Life

37:19 "Systemic Solutions for Education"

47:16 Building Bridges Amidst Political Divide

48:31 "Prioritizing Understanding and Relationships"

55:59 Building Transcendent Superintendents

01:00:52 Complexity and Leadership in Education

01:06:20 "The Power of Public Education"

Quote of the Show

Every Child Deserves a Chance: "If we as a system shifted our thinking and mindsets and believed, truly believed in every single child that great things could happen."

Welcome to the first episode of the Shattering Inequities Podcast, hosted by Dr. Robin Avila LaSalle. With over 40 years in education – from classroom teacher to site administrator, district administrator, university professor, and founder of Aranda Education – Robin is dedicated to helping schools and districts disrupt practices contributing to uneven student outcomes. This podcast champions the belief that every student is entitled to a premium education, regardless of their life circumstances.

This inaugural episode lays the foundation for a journey into the heart of educational equity. Shattering Inequities isn't just a listening experience; it's an interactive action research project. We aim to uncover and share the powerful work being done by educators, superintendents, academic community members, elected officials, and non-profit leaders who have demonstrated results in supporting our most vulnerable students—results that are beyond random chance.

How the podcast will flow: Each episode dives deep into the art of initiative leadership, exploring real-world examples of how educators have figured out how to get results. Conversations will focus on the human side of leadership while delivering technical precision with practical methodologies. We'll hear the latest trends in innovation and proven frameworks for success, equipping you with a systems approach for working smarter, not harder, leading to impactful change. We'll discuss challenges, successes, and failures, learning from those on the front lines.

In this episode, Robin shares her personal connection to this mission and introduces a powerful concept: a list of 16 Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) that statistically predict academic struggles. For instance, students with three or more ACEs are three times more likely to experience academic failure. Despite these stark statistics, the podcast will highlight exceptions and, more importantly, "Education Blue Zones" – systems and practices designed to help large groups of students overcome these odds.

We'll be crowdsourcing intelligence, taking periodic "vista points" to analyze trends, patterns, and key strategies from guest interviews. Our goal is to publish findings, including insights from you, our audience, through white papers that amplify effective strategies. You're invited to be a full partner in this quest. Share your insights, questions, ideas, and potential guests. Together, let's advance our collective depth of knowledge and ensure every student thrives. The episode concludes with the meaning of "Orenda," an Iroquois word signifying the inherent power in every human to change the world and themselves.

Quote of the show

We believe that every student is entitled to a premium education no matter where they go to school, where they live, or what their circumstances.

Take aways

Core Mission: Premium Education for All 

Crowdsourcing Intelligence & Publishing Findings 

Introduction to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) 

Statistical Impact of ACEs

Focus on Success by Design, Not Accident: "Education Blue Zones" 

Challenging "Demographics as Destiny"

Combating Isolation & Sharing Knowledge 

Meaning of "Orenda" 

Shattering Inequities Podcast: Empowering Educators with Real-World Leadership Insights

Welcome to the Shattering Inequities Podcast, a dynamic and inspiring audio journey designed for educators, administrators, and education influencers who are passionate about driving meaningful change in the education system. This podcast brings you real-life stories, actionable strategies, and thought-provoking conversations with a diverse array of guests, including superintendents, school district leaders, academic experts, elected officials, non-profit leaders, and heads of educational associations. Each episode is crafted to provide practical, research-based solutions and inspiration to help educators navigate the complexities of leadership with confidence and impact.

What to Expect from Shattering Inequities

The Shattering Inequities Podcast dives deep into the art and science of initiative leadership, offering real-world examples that resonate with educators at all levels. Whether you're a superintendent leading a large urban district, a principal shaping a small rural school, or an education advocate pushing for systemic change, this podcast equips you with the tools, frameworks, and inspiration needed to work smarter, not harder. Our episodes focus on the human side of leadership while delivering technical precision through practical methodologies that you can implement immediately.

Each episode explores critical topics such as handling high-stakes situations, making informed decisions, and learning from both successes and missteps. We discuss the consequences of choices—good and bad—and how they shape the path forward for educators and their communities. From the latest trends in educational innovation to proven frameworks for success, Shattering Inequities offers a systems-based approach to leadership that prioritizes impact and equity.

Our conversations are designed to inspire and empower, providing a space for educators to reflect on the hard work and finesse required to lead in today’s complex educational landscape. Expect candid discussions about the challenges of leadership, impromptu questions that dig deeper into guests’ experiences, and personal stories that reveal the journeys behind today’s most influential education leaders. Whether it’s a superintendent navigating budget cuts or a non-profit leader advocating for underserved students, our guests share insights that are both relatable and transformative.

Why Listen to Shattering Inequities?

1. Real-World Leadership Insights: Hear from superintendents, principals, and education influencers who share their triumphs, challenges, and lessons learned in leadership roles across diverse school districts and organizations.
2. Actionable Strategies: Discover research-based, practical methodologies to address critical situations, streamline decision-making, and foster equity in education.
3. Inspiration for Educators: Find motivation in stories of resilience, innovation, and impact from leaders who are shattering inequities in their communities.
4. Trends and Innovations: Stay ahead of the curve with discussions on cutting-edge educational trends and time-tested frameworks for success.
5. A Human-Centered Approach: Connect with the personal and professional journeys of guests, gaining a deeper understanding of the human side of leadership.

Who Should Listen?

The Shattering Inequities Podcast is perfect for educators, school administrators, academic researchers, policy advocates, and anyone committed to advancing equity and excellence in education. Whether you’re looking to refine your leadership skills, gain new perspectives on systemic challenges, or find inspiration to tackle tough issues, this podcast is your go-to resource. Our audience includes:

• Superintendents and district leaders seeking innovative solutions.
• Principals and teachers aiming to create inclusive, high-performing schools.
• Education advocates and non-profit leaders working to close opportunity gaps.