Play alongside each month’s special guests as we ask questions about the ever-changing world of public education. Laugh some, learn some, and grab a few nuggets of knowledge you can pass off as your own....
“If you are an educator looking for laughs, a sense of “I feel so seen” via comedy and real talk on news/policy, THIS is the podcast for you!”
"I laughed a lot as I learned -- this is a fun way to catch up on significant education news -- and the insights from the guests are first-rate."
Alex Kajitani is a California Teacher of the Year and author of several books for educators, including "Owning It," and "You're A Teacher Now." He is an inspiring and engaging speaker, the Rappin' Mathematician, coach, and creator of powerful programs for students and teachers, including Multiplication Nation, Math Success Camp, and the "New Teacher Success" video series.
Paul Richman is a Grammy and Academy Award-winning artist who...Wait, hold on. That's someone else's bio...Paul actually is an education policy guy who has produced the "Adventures in Ed Funding" and "Budgeting for Educational Equity" podcasts, and currently serves as an executive producer of the Inside California Education statewide TV series. Previously he served as a leader for several statewide education associations, coalitions and policy initiatives.
Tommy Dunbar is a musician, songwriter, and producer best known as the founder and lead guitarist of the power pop band The Rubinoos. His music can be heard in many films and TV shows, including Revenge of the Nerds, Bachelor Party, Sex Education, Lizzie McGuire. Additionally, Tommy has composed and produced catchy jingles and music for several major commercial brands.
Affectionately known to her students as Miss Dorito, Dr. Dorina Sackman Ebuwa is the 2014 Florida Teacher of the Year, an award-winning multilingual learner educator, sought-after speaker, coach, creator of innovative professional development for educators, and more.
Dr. Holly Blair is an educator, speaker, college professor and more. Currently, she serves as Executive Director of the Maine Principals Association, where she influences educational leadership on a statewide scale. She has served as an elementary and middle school-level teacher and principal, including meeting the unique challenges of being a teaching principal in some of Maine’s most remote and under-resourced schools. She’s also the author of You Are Number One – The Science and Reasons Behind Why We Remember Some of Our Teachers, Forever.
Lindsey Jensen is the 2018 Illinois Teacher of the Year and currently serves as the early career development and student director for the Illinois Education Association. She is a writer, musician, singer, speaker, and more. Reach out to her at IllinoisTeacheroftheyear@gmail.com
As WestEd’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jannelle Kubinec brings over 24 years of experience transforming outcomes for children, youths, and their families through research, policy, and technical assistance. Previously she led major federally funded centers, driving major policy changes related to early learning and K–12 funding and accountability systems, and building and strengthening operational systems at WestEd. Janelle has dedicated her career to social and public good, with experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. She is nationally recognized for her work related to school finance and effective resource allocation. Notable contributions include guiding California through a once-in-a-generation redesign and transformation of its K–12 funding formula and accountability system and serving as principal architect and manager of a diverse team of researchers and policy experts to craft the California Master Plan for Early Learning and Care.
Jose Luis Navarro is a celebrated educator who has served for over 25 years in the Los Angeles education system in a variety of positions, including spearheading innovative initiatives to help turn around low-performing schools. He is National Board Certified and was honored as a California Teacher of the Year and Los Angeles Times Latino Educator of the Year. In 2011, he became the founding principal of the Social Justice Humanitas Academy, which earned several prestigious awards, including the National Community School Award and the Teacher Powered Schools National Award for Academic Excellence. He’s also a University of California Distinguished Teacher and an adjunct professor at CSU Dominguez Hills, and he serves as a speaker, coach and consultant.
Widely viewed among the top education advocates in California, Kevin is the President and a founding Partner of Capitol Advisors Group. Previously he served as the longtime Executive Director of the California Association of School Business Officials, and as the Chief Lobbyist and Assistant Executive Director of the California School Boards Association. He also served as Chief of Staff to Congressman Robert T. Matsui and as a legislative advocate for the California Building Industry Association (CBIA).