Teachers are People Too

In this episode, Anya and Albert talk about the first two weeks of hybrid teaching, coping with being a first year teacher again, learning about breakout rooms and other technology to deal with synchronous online learning. The end with a discussion from their different experiences of the PD session about anti-Black racism. 

Episode recorded on September 27th, 2020

In this episode of "Teachers are Black People Too", Albert Fong speaks with Science Teacher and Department Head Anya Marin about what schooling is like in Trinidad versus Canada, being a Black valedictorian, they discuss the question "who gets to decide when racism has occurred?" and what the phrase "I don't see colour" means and what it's like talking about race with people who aren't ready. The episode ends with a new announcement!

Episode was recorded on September 7th, 2020.

In this episode, Albert Fong speaks with Reza Eslami, a new graduate of teachers college in Ontario. They chat about his experience as an occasional teacher, the challenges before and during COVID, and the challenges of a classroom teacher taking sick days.

Episode recorded on June 14th, 2020

In this episode of "Teachers are Black People Too", Albert Fong speaks with Drama and English teacher Rachel Luke about what it's like being "the only" when it comes to racism in schools, her PTSD from racism and why she can't physically enter her middle school, and overcoming covert and overt racism as a student. They then discuss why there aren't more Black educators, possible destreaming consequences, and why she's always asked to do things "for Black people" in her school. Finally, they discuss what to we can do in order to move forward in this movement. In the epilogue, Albert reflects on how a toxic school environment can harm the chances of having more Black educators.

Episode was recorded on July 20th, 2020.

In this inaugural episode of "Teacher are Sports Fans Too", Albert Fong speaks with Royan Lee and Fred Galang about the new sports landscape during the pandemic, the NBA bubble and activism, Raptors talk, and had some breaking news during the podcast!

Episode was recorded on July 16th, 2020

In this episode of "Teachers are Black People Too", Albert Fong speaks with former education assistant Jemar Smith about his "blackground" and inspiration to be an educator. He opens up about his early high school experience of being a targeted by a school principal, and the stories behind his suspensions. Next he tells us how the school streaming system might have cost him. Jemar then compares his experience in college vs university, and after graduating, his experience with racism in social work. They end with how systemic racism may be disrupted through teaching of Black history (Do you know who made the first light bulbs longer lasting ?) In the epilogue, Albert reflects on his experience with authority, and how dangerous the combination of power and prejudice can be.

Episode was recorded on July 14th, 2020.

In this episode, Albert Fong speaks with April Soo, teaching math and science internationally for the past 5 years. They chat about her experience with teaching at international schools, being "kicked out" of a country while working, teaching a blended model "in China" while being in Canada. They end the podcast discussing important factors with distance teaching/learning, and how they're both first year teachers during this time.

Episode recorded on June 5th, 2020

The yearbook message app created by my former students: https://virtrolio.web.app/

From their website:

A virtrolio is a virtual folio—an online version of those last few pages in your yearbook that you use to write personal and long-lasting messages to your friends. In other words, you can create your own virtrolio, share it with friends, and have them write customized messages for you to keep. Whenever you want, you can view your virtrolio and all the messages you have received from your friends!

In this episode of "Teachers are Black People Too", Albert Fong speaks with English department head Ayanna Toney-West about how many Black adult role models she's had as an adolescent, and facing racism as a middle school student. She then talks about what it's like to be the only Black/racialized person at the leadership table. In a new segment: "How tired are you?", Ms Toney-West talks about a specific "microaggression" she detests. Finally, they conclude on what she would like to do moving forward to combat anti-Black racism. In the epilogue, Albert reflects on his experience with Black women's hair.

Episode was recorded on June 30th, 2020.