Join us as we discuss AI's impact on education access and how it may or may not meet the needs of our most vulnerable citizens.

Are you an education professional or a student struggling? Email us at [email protected]. We would love to hear your story.

Visit our website: struggleforchange.com.

Find us on Instagram: @struggleforchangepodcast.

Find us on Facebook: @struggleforchangepodcast.

Emily and Valerie talk with Laura, a HS English teacher at Sonoma Academy, around unique approaches to instilling mindfulness in students and embedding wellness in the day-to-day school schedule. We also ponder about trapped bats in houses and Taylor Swift electives.

Chris, the creator of High Five Movement joins us in a conversation to talk about his wellness practices for himself and the implementation of wellness/positive practices in the classroom. He shares the importance of fueling our bodies with nutritious food to have energy to do the necessary things as it can greatly impact our mental and emotional wellness. Lastly, the positive connections we make with our students, helping them turn negative into positive thoughts, and letting them know that we're there for them are all things we can keep doing. Give your students a high five to improve the mood!

Check out High Five Movement to "build resilience, manage stress and anxiety, and develop positive relationships with peers and teachers".

Chris' Favorites

Podcasts:
Dr Sanjay Gupta Chasing Life
Huberman Lab
Joe Rogan (I’m an alien believer)

Books:
The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
Negotiating for Dummies (Life is a negotiation)

Here is a throwback to March of 2020, when Traci sat down with Diane Main in a heart-felt interview addressing her personal struggles with mental health as an education professional.

Diane's OG Blog.

Note: This version has been re-mixed and re-mastered!

Help us keep creating by donating to our podcast. 50% of donations go toward the Dean Ledford Foundation.

Are you someone with a story about a struggle related to education?

Submit an ⁠interview interest form here⁠ or email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠. We would love to hear your story.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠struggleforchange.com⁠⁠.

Find us on Instagram/Threads: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.

Find us on Facebook: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.

It’s not just authors feeling the pressure of book-banning movements. Through this current uptick in school and public library censorship, students are missing opportunities to hone their critical thinking skills as readers and teachers facing barriers to providing a well-rounded curriculum for students.

In honor of Banned Books Week 2023, Emily shares some tidbits around the history of book censorship and today's impact on authors and readers alike!

Episode Resources and Further Reading/Viewing:

Are you someone with a story about a struggle related to education?

Submit an interview interest form here or email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠. We would love to hear your story.

Visit our website: ⁠struggleforchange.com⁠.

Find us on Instagram: ⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠.

Find us on Facebook: ⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠.

Join us as for a meaningful conversation around normalizing mental health management as an education professional. Tory shares with us his own raw and honest approach to managing mental health, and how it has made him a stronger educator and more-grounded human.

We hope you find some strategies that you can apply tomorrow.

Are you someone with a story about a struggle related to education?

Submit an ⁠interview interest form here⁠ or email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠. We would love to hear your story.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠struggleforchange.com⁠⁠.

Find us on Instagram: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.

Find us on Facebook: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.

Join us for a conversation with school media specialist and librarian Mary, who left the elementary classroom to better support teachers in a changing tech landscape. After 20 years or so in the elementary classroom, Mary took advantage of an opportunity to transition to the school Media Center as a librarian, where she supports teachers with innovative, (mostly) tech-centered and relevant approaches to lesson design.

According to Traci, this is a must-listen episode.

Dean Ledford Memorial Foundation Website

Mary Ledford in the News!

Connect with Mary Ledford: on LinkedIn and "X" (we miss Twitter)

Are you someone with a story about a struggle related to education?

Submit an ⁠interview interest form here⁠ or email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠. We would love to hear your story.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠struggleforchange.com⁠⁠.

Find us on Instagram: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.

Find us on Facebook: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.

A conversation with Ashley, a public middle school teacher, doing her best to meet students where they are, both emotionally and academically. She struggled last year with her 8th-grade students not meeting the academic standards to proficiently "graduate."

Most importantly, we talk about the awesome ways in which she HAS achieved success in helping students do their best and be their best. We also discuss the opportunity for schools to better support the mental health of teachers so they can be their best for students.

Are you someone with a story about a struggle related to education?

Submit an interview interest form here or email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠. We would love to hear your story.

Visit our website: ⁠struggleforchange.com⁠.

Find us on Instagram: ⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠.

Find us on Facebook: ⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠.

Emily Hendricks (@eh48), Traci Bonde (@tr_bo), and Valerie Sun (@mllevalsunshine) transport you to a Zen space known more commonly as a wellness room that was piloted at #FallCUE and brought fully to life at #SpringCUE with the support of Axiom. The space appealed to all senses with activities, décor, and furniture intentionally placed. While that space described was at a conference, the hosts discussed the reality of wellness rooms on school campuses. What’s the school culture around the use of the wellness rooms? What kind of guidelines or culture will there need to be for this new space? Don’t forget the funding necessary. Join us, lean in, take a deep breath, and give yourself a bit of rest.

Are you someone with a story about a struggle related to education?

Submit an ⁠interview interest form here⁠ or email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠. We would love to hear your story.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠struggleforchange.com⁠⁠.

Find us on Instagram: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.

Find us on Facebook: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.

Here’s the first episode of pocket change, where the discussion is short and sweet, for those with less time to listen. Valerie (@MlleValSunshine) shared the awesomeness of the wellness room at the #SpringCUE Conference in Palm Springs with Emily (@eh48) who wasn’t able to attend this year. They share this innovative model and the need for a wellness room at conferences where attendees can have a space to rest in a mentally and physically draining setting. Together, they dream of having this kind of space on school campuses where students can have the chance to relax. Do you have a wellness room on your school campus or workspace? Let us know!

Are you someone with a story about a struggle related to education?

Submit an ⁠interview interest form here⁠ or email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠. We would love to hear your story.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠struggleforchange.com⁠⁠.

Find us on Instagram: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.

Find us on Facebook: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.