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
51 episodes
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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28:22
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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58:35
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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48:07
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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1:15:42
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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1:13:22
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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1:05:56
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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39:11
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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29:12
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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1:14:10
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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1:10:26
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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59:56
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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1:09:54
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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1:22:28
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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1:54:25
Episode 33 (Part 2)- The Madison High School Student Protest
In this episode of our podcast, we continue our conversation with about the recent student walkout and protest at Madison High School, where students are pushing back against a new cell phone policy imposed by their school district, HISD, the d...
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40:42
Episode 32: The Madison High School Student Protest
In this episode of our podcast, we dive into the recent student walkout and protest at Madison High School, where students are pushing back against a new cell phone policy imposed by their school district, HISD, the district that has recently b...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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38:29
Episode 31: A Chat with Dr. Qiana O'Leary, the Social Justice Educator
In this episode, we discuss the concept of radical education with the inspiring Dr. Qiana O'Leary, a seasoned educator turned principal, and now the founder of an education consulting firm. Dr. O'Leary shares her transformative journey, leverag...
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1:13:18
Episode 30:CPS Stories:The Realities of the Child Welfare System
Continuing our conversation with B. Drake, a seasoned professional in the field of child welfare with years of experience. He goes deeper into the stories about kids finding their way through state custody and foster homes. In this segment he d...
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38:46
Episode 29: CPS Stories:The Realities of the Child Welfare System
In this episode of our podcast, we sit down with B. Drake, a seasoned professional in the field of child welfare with years of experience. We team up to really get into the nitty-gritty of the child welfare system, swapping heartfelt storie...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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1:03:00
Episode 28: No Role Modelz, That is Your Job!
Welcome to another episode of Ridgemont4'sFinest-The Podcast. We are prepping to return to work after the much needed winter break and I have some of my teacher besties with me to get the conversation started. We joke around about our hol...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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42:51
Episode 27: A Chat with Dr. Byron McClure, the Black Unicorn School Psych
Welcome to another episode of R4F- the Podcast and today we sit down with THE INCREDIBLE Dr. Byron McClure, a rare gem in the field of school psychology—part of the less-than-1% club of Black male school psychologists. We’re jumping right...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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1:14:01
Episode 26: (pt2): Loyalties Tested: Teacher-Parents and the Family First Dilemma
We left y'all with a cliffhanger on that last episode, so let's finish it off!!!! Welcome back to another episode of Ridgemont4'sFinest-The Podcast. On this episode, I am joined by some teacher-moms as we discuss the chaos of being...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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1:07:44
Episode 25: Loyalties Tested: Teacher-Parents and the Family First Dilemma
Welcome back to another episode of Ridgemont4'sFinest-The Podcast. On this episode, I am joined by some teacher-moms as we discuss the chaos of being a loyal employee of a school/district where your own children attend. How do you manage this j...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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1:02:28
Episode 24- The Rhyme & Reason of Education Reform: Attorney Staci Childs
In this long awaited episode, we get into the diverse and dynamic journey of Attorney Staci Childs, a remarkable woman who transitioned from the classroom to the courtroom. Staci, a former teacher turned attorney (and dope rapper), shares...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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1:18:21