What's Really Going On: A Spotlight on Solutions for Improving Student Achievement in America's Schools

On this edition of The Sonya Whitaker Podcast, Dr. Sonya Whitaker speaks openly as she reflects publicly on a question that she recently posed to herself. The question she posed is "how did I get here?" In preparing to deliver remarks to civil rights lawyers in Illinois and others, Dr. Whitaker grew even more humble while reflecting on her positioning in this space. She decided to let you in to her thinking. Dr. Whitaker hopes that by listening to this podcast you will be inspired to "step out on faith," and position yourself to use your God given talents for the benefit of others. It is your living legacy!

In this podcast recording Dr. Sonya Whitaker shares her personal experience with being stopped unjustifiably by a police officer while on vacation with her family. She shares details related to what the officer referred to as a "judgment call," and offers her informed opinion regarding how "judgement calls" impact the work educators and others.

She also makes a call to others to be careful not to "blame the victims" of injustices of this nature.

In releasing this podcast Dr. Sonya Whitaker thanks all of those in law enforcement who risk their lives to serve and protect others, and encourage you and educators to use the content of this recording in your trainings in an effort to raise the consciousness of those who educate and serve with you.

During this profound podcast production, Dr. Sonya Whitaker is very transparent about a recent hospital visit that prompted her to address the color of her skin, and the role that we all play in developing and then demonstrating a high level of commitment to raise our cosciousness around the topic of skin color.

In this podcast Dr. Sonya Whitaker provides support to educators, community members, parents, teachers and board of education members by identifying cultural conflicts that could be occurring.

Dr. Whitaker contends that these cultural conflicts serve as counterproductive to supporting you in ensuring that all students gain equitable access to a quality education. You may learn more about Dr. Whitaker at sonyawhitaker.com.

S3E3. In this episode of The Sonya Whitaker Podcast, Dr. Whitaker addresses the fact that teachers are negatively impacted by the local, state and national debates relevant to the false notion that Critical Race Theory is being taught in a greater majority of America's k-12th grade schools and districts.

In this podcast Dr. Sonya Whitaker states the facts, and then offers suggestions related to what should be done to ensure that teachers remain enthusiastic and focused on the real reason they have committed their lives to the field of education. For more information about Sonya Whitaker, other podcasts and her companion blog posts visit sonyawhitaker.com.

S4 Episode Two. In this podcast Dr. Sonya Whitaker, the host of The Sonya Whitaker Podcast, furthers her conversation relevant to the difference between Critical Race Theory and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy by offering her perspective on why Critical Race Theory remains the subject of political and heated debate. She addresses various sides of the argument and states her intent to do her part to help heal the country. For access to previous podcasts and to learn more about Sonya Whitaker visit sonyawhitaker.com.

S4 E1. In this fifteen-minute podcast, Dr. Sonya Whitaker seeks to provide great clarity as it relates to identifying the difference between Critical Race Theory and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy. This podcast is a must listen to for any school board member, educator, parent, or community member that is serious about work centered around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. For more information about Dr. Sonya Whitaker or her work visit sonyawhitaker.com.

S3 E4 On WRGO Radio What's Really Going on??, with Dr. Sonya Whitaker, she addresses the issue of low literacy in America. Dr. Whitaker engages in a provocative conversation regarding the need for each of the presidential candidates to lay out their proposed "blueprint" or plan of action for addressing low literacy and inequality in America's schools. For more information about Dr. Sonya Whitaker visit sonyawhitaker.com

S3 E3 Special Guest Dr. Courtney Orzel, Dr. Mike Lubelfeld, and Dr. Donna Leak are featured on this episode of What's Really Going On?? In this episode her distinguished guests share with the nation, the incredible work they are doing to provide students with equitable access to a quality education and teachers with high-quality professional development virtually during the pandemic outbreak. For more information visit sonyawhitaker.com

S3E2 On Dr. Sonya Whitaker's radio show "What's Really Going On??" as featured on WVON in September she addresses issues which serve as counterproductive to supporting educators in reaching the goal of causing for significant improvements in the achievement levels of all students but more specifically, students of color and students experiencing the impact of poverty which includes white students and their peers. For more information visit sonyawhitaker.com