Ridgemont4sFinest's- The Podcast
Welcome to Ridgemont4sFinest–The Podcast where we stretch out those 3-minute videos from TikTok and continue the unfiltered discussions around public education from the perspective of a veteran teacher. In each episode, I will share my insights and opinions on the issues that matter most to educators - from navigating difficult classroom dynamics to advocating for better funding and policy changes, this podcast will give you an inside look at what it's really like to be a teacher.
But this isn't just a one-sided conversation - I will also be interviewing other teachers, education policy experts, and others to get their perspectives on what's happening in our schools. This podcast is a space for honest conversations and unfiltered opinions about the challenges facing public education today.
If you're a fellow educator who's tired of feeling like no one really understands what you're going through, or if you're just someone who wants to learn more about the state of public education, then this podcast is for you. Join us for thought-provoking discussions and candid insights into the world of teaching.
Episodes
61 episodes
Ep. 57- The Power of an Informed Parent: Jessica’s Story
In this episode, I sit down with Jessica Campos — a Houston mom who took on HISD, filed a TEA complaint, won, and is now teaching other parents how to advocate for their kids without fear.Jessica’s daughter wasn’t getting the services p...
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Episode 57
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59:04
Let’s Talk About Those TEA Investigation Letters
In this mini episode, I’m breaking down the TEA investigation letters that so many Texas teachers have been receiving lately — the ones claiming you “may have engaged in conduct detrimental to the welfare of children” or “participated in a test...
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Episode 56
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25:04
Episode 55: The Teacher They Can't Silence- Ms. Michelle Williams vs. HISD
In this episode of Ridgemont4'sFinest-The Podcast, Michelle Williams returns to give us an update on her ongoing fight with Houston ISD after the board voted to terminate her contract at the October 9th board meeting. She explains what's next i...
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Episode 55
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59:50
Episode 54: When the Strong Ones Break — Mental Health & Black Women in Leadership
DISCLAIMER: BECAUSE OF HOW IMPORTANT THIS TOPIC IS, WE ARE CROSS POSTING THIS EPISODE FROM TEACHERS AFTER DARK TO R4F THE PODCAST--BEWARE OF SOME OF THE LANGUAGE!!!This week’s episode hits different. It’s just me and Nikki, and we’re dig...
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Episode 54
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45:22
Episode 53: Retaliation 101- Michelle Williams vs Mike Miles & HISD
On this episode, I sit down with Michelle Williams, an educator and advocate who has no problem saying what everybody else is too scared to say about Houston ISD. Michelle lays it all out—how the district has slapped her with administrative lea...
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Episode 53
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1:12:51
Episode 52: HR IS NOT YOUR FRIEND-The Real Back-to-School Training You Won't Get
Forget the team-building games, icebreakers, and endless PD slides — this is the real back-to-school training every teacher needs but no one handed you.In this episode, we’re joined by Jay from The Human Resource — an HR ...
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Episode 52
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1:03:21
Episode 51: Pearland’s Trilingual Plug- Shanedria Wagner
Black, fluent, and handling business — that’s Shanedria. She’s the founder of Spanish Etc. of Pearland, a tutoring center helping students succeed in dual language programs, especially when schools can’t deliver.In this e...
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Episode 51
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36:26
Episode 50- The Real Before the Reels ft. Eddie B
I finally got to chop it up with the legend himself, Eddie B. You know, the teacher-turned-comedian who had every tired educator in the country crying laughing on their lunch break with his "What Teachers Really Wanna Say" videos on Face...
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Episode 50
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35:51
Ep. 49: GET YO TEACH ON: WHO GETS TO BE THE FACE OF EDUCATION? w/SirKingB
What happens when professional development starts looking more like a Pinterest board than a platform for real change?In this episode, we sit down with the unapologetic and always insightful Sir King B to unpack the controversy su...
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Episode 49
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42:55
Episode 48: Before You Resign: What Every Texas Teacher Needs to Know About Fighting Termination
ANOTHER TEACHERS AFTER DARK EXCLUSIVE/CROSSOVER EPISODE!!!!Subscribe to...
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20:32
Episode 47: IT'S A CROSSOVER!!! Brain Surgery & Teacher Benefits F***ing You HARD!!!
We are crossposting an episode of TEACHERS AFTER DARK here on the OG Pod because this is a topic that needs to be shared and discussed!!! Hey y'all! On this episode, it's me and the one and only Nikki. She's been MIA for a bit, but ...
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Episode 47
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29:00
Episode 46: When Two Teacher Influencers Link ft. Tiffiney Lee
This week we are joined by the "Church Announcement" queen herself, Ms. Tiffiney Lee. Tiffiney and I sit down and have a long awaited for convo about the ups, downs, and pure chaos of being educators. From dealing with school politics to naviga...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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59:12
Episode 45: The 2024 Wrap-Up Episode!!!
In this special "off-studio" episode, the Teachers After Dark crew wraps up 2024 in style—over a breakfast I was bullied into cooking! Teachers LOVE bullet points, so let's get into:The best (and worst) holiday gifts we got...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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48:45
Episode 44: In Loving Memory of Malaysia: A Mother’s Fight Against Teen Dating Violence
Continuing our discussion on Teen Dating Violence...In this heart-wrenching yet vital episode, I sit down with Quin Levy, a courageous mother who shares the story of her teenage daughter’s life, love, and tragic death at the hands of her boyfri...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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1:16:19
Episode 43: When Love Turns Toxic-Understanding Teen Dating Violence
In this episode, we sit down with Shannon, Licensed Professional Counselor of Hurt Speaks Wellness Center, to discuss the urgent issue of teen dating violence (TDV). We discuss what defines TDV and how ...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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1:14:00
Episode 42:Inside the HISD Drama with Ms. Michelle Williams
This week, we are discussing one of the most embattled school districts in the country—HISD. Joining us is the bold and unapologetic Ms. Michelle Williams, president of the Houston Education Association (HEA), who’s been at the ...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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1:06:33
Episode 41: Reclaiming Our Power as Black Women Educators
In this unapologetic episode, we tackle three major issues facing education today: the Texas voucher push, the unique challenges for Black women educators, and the presidential election that could reshape American education entirely. First, we ...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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39:48
Episode 40: WELCOME BACK!!!!!!!
As promised, WE ARE BACK! Welcome to Season 3 of Ridgemont4'sFinest-The Podcast! Catch up with the OG teacher crew as we get into all things the 24-25 school year! It has indeed, been whipping us all! We talk about what has been the most challe...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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29:49
Season 3...NOW LOADING!!!
Where Have I Been? Ridgemont4'sFinest Is Back!After a whirlwind few months of working on Teachers After Dark and Divorce Diaries, and surviving the chaos of back-to-school season with helicopter parents and extra...
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3:10
Episode 39: HISD Union Leader Under Fire For Social Media Posts
In case you missed the YouTube LIVE with HISD Union leader Michelle Williams, here's the audio for you. In this episode of Ridgemont4'sfinest-The Podcast, we are discussing the controversial case of Michelle Williams, a dedicated teacher ...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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1:14:47
Episode 38: All Money Ain't Good Money: The Human Cost of Educational Policy in HISD PT2
Welcome back to another episode of the podcast! We are continuing our conversation with some dynamic educators of HISD. In this episode, , Mrs. Muhammed and Mrs. Ebony, bravely share their experiences within Houston's education syst...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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1:11:03
Episode 37: All Money Ain't Good Money: The Human Cost of Educational Policy in HISD PT1
Welcome back to another episode of the podcast! We are continuing our conversation with some dynamic educators of HISD. In this episode, , Mrs. Muhammed and Mrs. Ebony, bravely share their experiences within Houston's education syst...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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1:00:33
Episode 36:Silenced No More: Termination Hearing Verdict (pt.2
In this latest episode, we sit down with Mrs. Muhammed, a resilient educator who has just emerged from a termination hearing within the Houston Independent School District (HISD). With the results now in, we discuss the aftermath of the h...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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1:10:31
Episode 35:--Silenced No More: Termination Hearing Pending (pt.1)
In this episode, we bring you the firsthand account of a teacher who is courageously confronting the systemic challenges within the Houston Independent School District (HISD). Despite facing termination for her advocacy, she refuses to be...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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1:23:05
Episode 34: "Houston, We Have A Problem: Unmasking Educational Inequity in HISD"
Join us for a candid conversation with Mrs. Jackie Anderson, President of the Houston Federation of Teacher (HFT), as we discuss the pressing issues facing the Houston Independent School District (HISD) and the broader implications for educatio...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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1:55:02