In this episode, hosts Amanda and Trina, along with guest Manuwella Allen (Mani), discuss gender equity in education, with a focus on the intersection of race and gender. They address issues of sexual harassment and abuse in schools, highlighting several disturbing cases. The conversation covers the lack of attention given to gender equity in education, the need for a more intersectional approach, and the importance of implementing Title IX. They also discuss the adultification of black girls' bodies, the problematic nature of dress codes, and the structural sexism in the teaching profession ..read more

In this podcast episode, Trina shares her expertise around gender equity in K-12 schools. She discusses the lack of support and unjust treatment of female students in schools, emphasizing the need for comprehensive discussions on gender equity. Amanda and Trina discuss topics such as period equity, the inclusion of girls in STEM programs, biases in the education system, anti sexist dress codes, and the lack of  implementation of Title IX in our public education system. Trina shares her frustration with the lack of support for girls who experience sexual harassment and violence in schools ..read more

In this episode of the podcast series "Teacher Shortage Crisis Exposed," hosts Trina and Amanda discuss the topic of educational equity and the confusion surrounding its definition. They criticize the narrowing down of the term equity to only focus on racial equity, excluding other marginalized groups. They also discuss the culture wars happening in schools and the lack of teacher representation in these conversations. They also touch on the polarized state of the country and its impact on schools, as well as the need for teachers to be respected and supported ..read more

In this episode, Amanda and Trina interview two teachers who pushed back against using canned curriculum and discuss the sensitive nature of the stories shared by teachers and the importance of protecting their identities.  They share stories from Teacher A, a veteran ELD (English Language Development) teacher, and Teacher B, a new teacher, who both experienced the limitations and ineffectiveness of canned ELD curriculum. The hosts emphasize the vital importance of valuing teachers' expertise when developing curricula, especially for marginalized students. Check out the episode page here ..read more

In this podcast episode, Amanda and Trina discuss the use of canned curriculum in schools and its impact on teachers and the education system. They recognize canned curriculum is useful in certain contexts and subjects, such as for long term substitutes, new teachers, or Math and Science teachers. However, in this episode they highlight the drawbacks of canned curriculum, such as job dissatisfaction because of the lack of autonomy for educators. Canned curriculum also increases disengagement among students. They discuss the influence of school boards and politics in education decision-making ..read more

This is part 4 of The Teacher Shortage Exposed series. It's a discussion about the insane amount of time, money, and work it takes to becoming a teacher only to face even more red tape, expectations, costs, and time sucks from the teacher induction process. This podcast series is from real teachers' perspectives. Too much information is being spread about the teacher shortage from people who are not even teachers. It's time to hear our side of the story. It's time to hear from real teachers about why this teacher shortage crisis is happening and how to fix the problems. Kelvin was a brand new ..read more

Amanda and co-host Trina discuss the challenges and expenses involved in becoming a teacher. Trina highlights the financial, time, and emotional investment required to become a teacher in the United States, particularly in California. They discuss the high cost of teacher preparation programs, the unpaid nature of student teaching, and the bureaucratic red tape that discourages new teachers. Both Amanda and Trina share their personal experiences with the financial burden of becoming a teacher and express frustration with the misconceptions about teaching and the heavy workload teachers face. T ..read more

In this episode, Amanda introduces Kelvin Mak, a recently resigned high school English teacher, who shares his experiences and frustrations with the education system. Kelvin discusses his burnout and the lack of fair compensation for teachers. He and co-host Trina express their frustrations with the oppressive nature of the profession and the limitations they face in bringing about change. They feel that their voices are not heard or respected and that the system is resistant to improvement. They emphasize the need for systemic change and hope that their conversation will create a sense of uni ..read more

In this podcast episode, Amanda, the host of the Empower Students Now podcast, introduces Trina English as a special guest and co-host for a series of episodes on the teacher shortage crisis. They discuss the importance of addressing this issue, especially for students in low-income and urban areas. Trina provides insights into the history of the education system, the impact of structural racism and sexism, and the oppressive way teachers are paid. She highlights the need for change in teacher salaries, representation in the teaching profession, and the misalignment between stated values and a ..read more

Do you want to teach your students how to read more effectively and prepare them for college and life? In this podcast episode, Amanda discusses the book "Reading Reconsidered" by Doug Lemov, which provides a wealth of information on how to improve students' reading abilities. The book emphasizes the importance of equity in education and student engagement. It is organized around four important elements of reading instruction. Amanda goes through the chapters of the book and highlights key points, such as the importance of selecting challenging texts, using close reading practices, and analyzi ..read more