With Equal Step

Parents of children with a disability face many hurdles when advocating for their child. But racialized parents also have to deal with biases and assumptions that serve as barriers to attempts at collaboration with the school. Sawubona Africentric Circle of Support was formed to help ANY racialized parent/caregiver looking for support and guidance. My latest podcast with Sherron Grant - founder and educator.
https://voiced.ca/podcast_episode_post/supporting-racialized-families-of-children-with-disabilities-ft-sherron-grant/

Michelle Munroe argues that we've experienced dual pandemics - Covid and racial. What should we have learned? What could be the consequences for schools, students and parents/caregivers if we haven't?
https://voiced.ca/podcast_episode_post/how-will-we-teach-ft-michelle-munroe/

Here is part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Ann Ishimaru. In this one, she discusses her work with parents/caregivers, teachers and Principals building co-design practices. But first we have to acknowledge a system that wants to assimilate and the hesitancy to share power. I could have talked with her for hours!

joins me for 1st of 2 convos about her work creating equitable school collaboration with non-dominant families. "Are we reinforcing dynamics of marginalization & exclusion?" Important book re family engagement.

https://voiced.ca/podcast_episode_post/building-collective-capacity-through-family-engagement-ft-dr-ann-ishimaru/

New podcast! I had the honour of speaking with Ekuwah Moses - teacher, family engagement specialist and children's book author - about "My Name is an Address". Her Dad, Albion Mends - university lecturer in Religious and African Studies - joined us to discuss the importance of names in centring our history, cultural practices and art. This is a wonderful springboard to begin conversations in the classroom and at home.
https://voiced.ca/podcast_episode_post/my-name-is-an-address-ekuwah-moses/

Growing up, one of my favourite books was "Stone Soup". Imagine my delight to learn that Rick Kelly loved it too, AND uses the story as a metaphor for the importance of centreing community voice in decision-making. This is Part 2 of our look at the importance of community (parent/caregiver) engagement.
https://t.co/Vn2yGQP5Bw?amp=1

How is your family coping with Covid? Are you stressed with remote learning? Worried about "learning loss"? Wondering what's safe in the next few weeks, let alone over the summer? Heather Johnson and Imani Hennie-Hamadi, Mental Health Leads at TDSB, were guests on my latest podcast episode. Take 30 minutes to listen to their wisdom, thoughtfulness and advice.
https://voiced.ca/podcast_episode_post/its-okay-to-not-be-okay-mental-health-and-wellness/

Weight bias. What does it look like in the school setting? Elizabeth Tingle, lecturer at the University of Calgary explains the different roles parents and teachers play and what we need to consider, especially with snack and lunches at school.
My latest podcast episode: https://voiced.ca/podcast_episode_post/school-families-and-weight-neutral-well-being/

In my latest podcast, I spoke with Steve Hall, senior lecturer at Staffordshire University about his "Parent Voice" project. Parents, teachers, and community worked together to address education issues at the school. But first they needed to build trust.
https://voiced.ca/podcast_episode_post/whats-trust-got-to-do-with-it-ft-steve-hall/

My latest podcast: Two moms join me to talk about juggling kids, work and life during Covid, PLUS keeping their School Councils relevant through it all. How to find the balance?
https://voiced.ca/podcast_episode_post/keep-on-keeping-on/

Families and School Councils should be part of decision making at school. But it requires trust and relationships. My latest blog examines two examples and how they reflect "systemic brokering". Or not.

WHERE’S THE TRUST? TOWARDS COLLABORATIVE DECISION-MAKING In her recent book, Just Schools, Building Equitable Collaborations with Families and Communities, Dr. Ann Ishimaru argues for systemic brokering as a means of building collaboration between school and home. She writes that the “focus in these efforts (is) not on changing families and communities....

So many opportunities for learning are right outside our window. I spoke with Steve Hall, Senior Lecturer at Staffordshire University in Britain, about his experiences as a Principal- working with community to expand education. Thoughts for Councils looking to expand authentic family engagement practice.
https://voiced.ca/podcast_episode_post/opening-the-windows-to-opportunity-ft-steve-hall/