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October is National Bullying Prevention Month. And today, October 16, is Unity Day. One out of every five (20.2%) students report being bullied. (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2019 ) On the podcast today, we talk about ways to change the culture of bullying with Pacer Center Executive Director Tonia Teasley. Celebrate Unity Day by wearing and sharing ORANGE to send a powerful visual message of uniting for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to prevent bullying. Share your images on social media using #UnityEveryDayFind out more here: https://www.pacer.org/bullying/

We meet with Dr. Marc Gorelick, President and CEO of Children's Minnesota, to discuss the number one public health emergency facing our kids today. In this podcast, Dr. Gorelick suggests that this is not a partisan issue but a universal problem affecting every community, and he shares the path forward to solving this public health crisis.

Today we visit with Licensed Social Worker and Therapist Erika Koopmans to discuss ways to help young people when they are struggling with mental health issues. Warning: This conversation is about suicide. If you, or someone you know needs help, we've got resources at the end of the video. If you feel suicidal, please call 911.

Kathie talks with Kristie Smith (her twin sister) and Executive Director at St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity about direct correlations between stable, healthy and safe housing and the impact it has on educational success.

Join us as we talk with 30-year veteran math teacher Wayne Anderson on what he calls Math Maturity. We'll talk about how your brain processes math. 1) Logical Reasoning involves identifying patterns and relationships between numbers and symbols. 2) Critical Thinking involves evaluating information, identifiying assumptions and making logical deductions based on evidence. 3)Problem solving involves using logic and critical thinking to identify steps required to solve a math problem. Requires a student to understand rules and procedures to manipulate numbers and 4) Working memory involves being able hold multiple pieces of information in your mind simultaneously to solve problems and understand concepts.

Today we talked with Lauren Haistings, Principal at School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley, Minnesota, about high school educational options. She shares an academic approach that immerses students in the study of environmental topics and issues, preparing them for college and beyond. As one of only a few programs like this, the School is regularly visited by education systems from around the world.

Today on the podcast, we talk with homeschool Mom Chloe Sassagawa about her experiences. She talks about the ability to spend time with your child, being their first educational role model and also incorporating unstructured playtime.

According to a recent University of Chicago study, Minnesota Reading Corps students gained an extra half to a full year's gains in reading with just 20 minutes of reading tutoring a day. Join Former MN Reading Corps Mentor Ryan Queenan as he shares his insights on the success of the program.

As an author, Loretta Ellsworth draws from stories in her own life. In her first children's book, Tangle Knot, a story about Fia's hair, her mother's challenge to understand why her daughter keeps things so messy, and their warm love for each other, Loretta shares the power of reading and the power it can bring to relationships everywhere.

We're talking with Lisa Turnham, Planning Analyst, Hennepin County Public Health - Better Together Hennepin and Adjunct Instructor, University of Minnesota School of Public Health about kids and healthy conversations about the birds, bees and learning to build comfortable discussions with young people about body positivity and sexual health.

Career Pathways Coordinator Bob Manning from Stillwater Area High School (MN) joins us to explore opportunities for high school students thinking about what's next!

The leap from elementary to middle school can be big. We talk with former Minnesota Teacher of the Year Dr. Derek Olson about what he argues is the biggest and most transformative time for students in their educational career. And offers some tips to make this leap a little easier to navigate for both students and parents too.

Join us in this bright conversation around preschool age development. We talk with Karen LeMay, preschool and early learning teacher with Minneapolis Public Schools. Karen encourages parents to seek the best environment where their child can grow and flourish. She also shares her expertise on the importance of play-based learning and socialization to foster happy, well-rounded preschoolers. This is also a great opportunity for parents to pick up some tips on navigating the anxieties around this next big step, both for kids and adults.

We talk with Diving Coach and 2016 Olympic Diving Trials Finalist, Sarah McCrady about her experience at the elite level of competition and what it takes to get to that level from an early age. Sarah also shares what skills from sports transfer to learning, developing self esteem, a good work ethic, and competing "in the flow."

We meet with self-taught nutrition expert, and my daughter, Nicole Hellenbrand to talk about making small changes toward better nutrition both as parents, and then changing things for kids.

We meet with Dr. Karrin Meffert-Nelson to talk about music and playing instruments and the impact on learning for kids as well as adults.

Podcast host Kathie Smith chats with pediatric neurologist Dr. Kelsey Christoffel, who treats children with conditions originating in the brain. Her specialties prenatal-neonatal neurology and neonatal neurocritical care.

Meet Laura McCrady, 8th grade language arts teacher. She talks with us about preparing your middle school kids for reading to learn. She shares skills parents can work on with their students including having conversations around books they are reading, to even reading the books at home with their kids.

In this episode, we meet with music educator, Jodie Sands Dahl as she shares personal stories about her musical experiences and teaching kids about music. She talks pointedly about what is a good age to start lessons, and how to encourage kids to try.

Erika Koopmans, Licensed Mental Health Professional, joins us to talk about some of the challenges young people are struggling with and a few suggestions to help navigate the world around us all. She emphasizes that every struggle is different and there is help available. She shares resources and talks about 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and that kids can text, chat or call anytime of day.