Teach Your OWN Kid! Podcast

Roger 'Raj Smoove' Dickerson set his sights on becoming a deejay as a teenager. Although he flunked Earth Science in middle school, he learned from that experoence and finished as the number one student in both his high school and college graduating class. Raj Smoove, who has been called "The Greatest DJ in the World', has worked with 'Lil Wayne' on the Cash Money/Ruff Ryders Tour and produced for other sought-after artists. Raj says that providing a sense of community for kids is paramount. This is Raj's story.

Life, for Latoya, wasn't easy. She endured the pain of witnessing both parents battle drug addiction and viewed education as her way out. Latoya credits her grandmother with 'rescuing' her from this dire situation and has dedicated her life to helping others in need. This is Latoya's story of recovery.

In this episode, Arianne uses the new year to pause for reflection. She suggests that since the Fall of the school year is gone that this second half is a prime time for behavioral review and adjustments. Arianne offers strategies that teachers and parents can use to help their kids develop the kind of study habits that will ensure that they finish the school year strong.

In this NEW FEATURE- Parents Who Teach- Arianne took the Teach Your OWN Kid! classroom on the road to Washington, DC for the American Federation for Children's Annual Policy Summit. She sat down with Linda Ann Crosby (Phoenix, Arizona) to discuss Homeschooling. In her first few years of motherhood, Linda realized that the inconveniences she was experiencing did more to serve the school system than her family. Linda gives practical information that's sure to benefit parents who are in the throws of homeschooling their children and even for those families who are considering it.

In this week's episode, Arianne discusses ten extra-curricular activities that will make a high schooler's resume more attractive to the best colleges. She says that colleges are looking for young people who can think critically and that one way to develop those critical thinking skills is by gaining experience through participation in activities that reach beyond academics.

One of the biggest mistakes teens make when choosing a college is deciding to attend based on what's hot now. These teens fail to take into consideration that pledging a fraternity/sorority or gaining entry into some elite club will not necessarily positively impact their lives AFTER graduation. In this week's episode, Arianne talks about the importance of considering several factors when choosing the right college and how focusing on the post college endgame (lifestyle, salary, life's work, etc.) is critical to the college application process.

Think that just because your kid attends a 'College Prep' high school that she's ready to be set free on a college campus? Think again! College preparation entails so much more than just academics. Teenagers are crossing the threshold from childhood to adulthood and oftentimes do so while missing critical skills like discipline, organization and the ability to self-advocate. In this week's episode, Arianne continues the College 101 Series by asking some practical questions about your kid's college preparation.

This week, Arianne begins the TYOK College 101 Series- a collection of episodes that will cover college topics submitted by the TYOK community. In this week's episode, Arianne discusses the ten things every parent should know about college. She clears up some misconceptions and offers advice to help parents navigate what can be a very daunting undertaking.

Parents are powerful! In this week's episode, Arianne sits down in the Teach Your OWN Kid! classroom with two of them. Latoya Douglas and Dana Wade refused to sit idly by and allow test scores and hasty community/political leaders to decide the fate of their kids' school. Without prior training, these two mothers organized and mobilized what is today called the 'Parent Advocators'. This group was not only successful in keeping their kids' "failing" New Orleans charter school from closing, they also led the charge to improve its letter grade and the overall culture of the school.

Far too often, parents and educators encounter those kids who just don't seem to be motivated by anything. They just don't seem to care. In this second part of a two part episode, Arianne proposes that these kids do, in fact, care and that there are some practical steps we can take to help these "unmotivated" kids to achieve.