Teaching and Leading with Dr. Amy and Dr. Joi

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Gaetane Jean-Marie about her work in elevating women’s voices in social justice. Dr. Jean-Marie shares personal experiences modeling how we can prepare our voices while in safe spaces to speak up and speak out when we are in less comfortable situations. This episode was originally released under Teaching and Learning: Theory vs Practice Season 1 Episode 20.Referenced in this podcast:How to Be an Antiracist — Ibram X. Kendi - Ibram X. Kendi's concept of antiracism reenergizes and reshapes the conversation about racial justice in America--but even more fundamentally, points us toward liberating new ways of thinking about ourselves and each other. Instead of working with the policies and system we have in place, Kendi asks us to think about what an antiracist society might look like, and how we can play an active role in building it. Women of Color in Higher Education: Turbulent Past, Promising Future - (2011), "Advertisement", Jean-Marie, G. and Lloyd-Jones, B. (Ed.) Women of Color in Higher Education: Turbulent Past, Promising Future (Diversity in Higher Education, Vol. 9), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, p. i. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-3644(2011)0000009024So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo | Hachette Book Group - In So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo guides readers of all races through subjects ranging from police brutality and cultural appropriation to the model minority myth in an attempt to make the seemingly impossible possible: honest conversations about race, and about how racism infects every aspect of American life.Gaëtane Jean-Marie - Dean Jean-Marie joins Rowan from the University of Northern Iowa, where, since 2016, she served as dean of the College of Education and the Richard O. Jacobson Endowed Chair of Leadership in Education. She also previously served as interim director of UNI’s Center for Educational Transformation.What is Servant Leadership? - Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership - Servant Leadership is a non-traditional leadership philosophy, embedded in a set of behaviors and practices that place the primary emphasis on the well-being of those being served.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Candace Smith, Assistant Professor in Early Childhood and Principal Preparation at Governors State University. We discuss the high instances of hate crimes and the newly-legislated Illinois Racism-Free Act. Dr. Smith shares her path to awareness and advocacy for anti-racism work and what she is doing in educator preparation and local schools. Importantly, we talk about the conversations that need to happen at both the small and large dinner tables at home. Referenced in this podcast:Jonathan Kozol - Jonathan Kozol received the National Book Award for Death at an Early Age, the Robert F. Kennedy Book Award for Rachel and Her Children, and countless other honors for Savage Inequalities, Amazing Grace, The Shame of the Nation, and Fire in the Ashes. The final and culminating work of his career is now nearing completion.The Little Book of Racial Healing - Tom DeWolf - The Little Book of Racial Healing is available NOW from the Good Books imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, this new addition to the Little Books of Justice and Peacebuilding series presents the Coming to the Table Approach to racial healing in book form for the first time. PLEASE NOTE: 100% of author proceeds from this Little Book are donated to Coming to the Table to support the racial healing work described within its pages.Waking Up White – Debby Irving - Inspired by my own two-steps-forward, one-step-back journey away from racial ignorance, I educate other white people confused and frustrated by racism by transforming anxiety and inaction into agency and action.Racism Free Schools Act - The Racism-Free Schools Act requires every school in Illinois to adopt a specific policy on race-related acts of hate, train employees to recognize and report them, and inform student and families of their rights and reporting options. Together we can educate, repair, and prevent future harm.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Frank Harris about affirming students’ identities and affirming their strengths. Dr. Harris shares how to disrupt the 3D effect of distrust, disdain, and disregard with trust, mutual respect, and care. We also talk about his newly developed concept of racelighting. This episode was originally released under Teaching and Learning: Theory vs Practice Season 1 Episode 38.Referenced in this podcast:Dr. Frank Harris, III - Dr. Frank Harris III is a professor of postsecondary education and co-director of the Community College Equity Assessment Lab at San Diego State University (SDSU). Dr. Harris is also a senior strategist in SDSU’s Division of Campus Diversity and Student Affairs, and, in 2021–2022, the SDSU President named Harris the faculty athletics representative. In Fall 2022, Harris began his appointment as associate dean of diversity, equity, and inclusion in SDSU’s College of Education, and he received the SDSU Alumni Distinguished Faculty Award for the 2021–2022 academic year.Dr. J. Luke Wood - J. Luke Wood, Ph.D. is the Vice President for Student Affairs & Campus Diversity and Chief Diversity Officer at San Diego State University (SDSU). Wood is also the Dean’s Distinguished Professor of Education and a tenured full Professor in the Department of Administration, Rehabilitation and Postsecondary Education (ARPE) at SDSU. According to the Black in the Crimson in Black, Wood is the first and only Distinguished Professor of Black/African American descent in SDSU’s history. In 2023, Wood was appointed by the state Senate to serve on the newly established California Racial Equity Commission. He joined SDSU in 2011 and is an active researcher and equity-driven leader.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Alyssa Hadley Dunn, the Director of Teacher Education and an Associate Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Dunn describes the motivation for her book, Teaching on the Days After: Educating for Equity in the Wake of Injustice. She shares her education journey that led her to better understand racial inequities and how to confront them. We discuss how foundational the classroom community and relationships are to being prepared for any "days after" in K-12 and university teaching. Referenced in this podcast:James Baldwin - James Baldwin (born August 2, 1924, New York, New York, U.S.—died December 1, 1987, Saint-Paul de Vence, France) was an essayist, novelist, and playwright whose eloquence and passion on the subject of race in America made him one of the most important voices of the 20th century.Teaching on Days After - What should teachers do on the days after major events, tragedies, and traumas, especially when injustice is involved? This beautifully written book features teacher narratives and youth-authored student spotlights that reveal what classrooms do and can look like in the wake of these critical moments. Dunn incisively argues for the importance of equitable commitments, humanizing dialogue, sociopolitical awareness, and a rejection of so-called pedagogical neutrality across all grade levels and content areas. By highlighting the voices of teachers who are pushing beyond their concerns and fears about teaching for equity and justice, readers see how these educators address negative reactions from parents and administrators, welcome all student viewpoints, and negotiate their own feelings. These inspiring stories come from diverse areas such as urban New York, rural Georgia, and suburban Michigan, from both public and private schools, and from classrooms with both novice and veteran teachers. Teaching on Days After can be used to support current classroom teachers and to better structure teacher education to help preservice teachers think ahead to their future classrooms.Brittney Cooper, Cultural theorist - With scholarship and incisive commentary that exposes the marginalized narratives hidden within "mainstream" history, Brittney Cooper writes at the vanguard of cultural criticism.Waking Up White – Debby Irving - Waking Up White is the book I wish someone had handed me decades ago. My hope is that by sharing my sometimes cringe-worthy struggle to understand racism and racial tensions, I offer a fresh perspective on bias, stereotypes, manners, and tolerance. As I unpack my own long-held beliefs about colorblindness, being a good person, and wanting to help people of color, I reveal how each of these well-intentioned mindsets actually perpetuated my ill-conceived ideas about race.DR. BETTINA LOVE - Bettina Love - Dr. Bettina L. Love holds the prestigious William F. Russell Professorship at Teachers College, Columbia University, and is the acclaimed author of the New York Times bestseller “Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children and How We Heal.” In 2022, the Kennedy Center recognized Dr. Love as one of the Next 50 Leaders dedicated to making the world more inspired, inclusive, and compassionate.A Comprehensive Guide to the Bronfenbrenner Ecological Model - Bronfenbrenner's ecological model is a framework that can be utilized to understand the complex systems that influence human development. In particular, this model emphasizes the importance of environmental factors and social influences in shaping development and behavior.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Marlon Cummings about meeting students’ individual needs by recognizing their cultural spaces. Dr. Cummings discusses ownership of our strengths and recognition of our weaknesses as we develop into culturally-responsive leaders. This episode was originally released under Teaching and Learning: Theory vs Practice Season 1 Episode 25.Referenced in this podcast:StrengthsFinder 2.0 - To help people uncover their talents, Gallup introduced the first version of its online assessment, StrengthsFinder, in 2001 which ignited a global conversation and helped millions to discover their top five talents. In its latest national bestseller, StrengthsFinder 2.0, Gallup unveils the new and improved version of its popular assessment, language of 34 themes, and much more. While you can read this book in one sitting, you'll use it as a reference for decades.The White Architects of Black Education: Ideology and Power in America, 1865–1954 - A historical investigation into the political and ideological foundations of the "miseducation of the Negro" in America, this timely and provocative volume explores the men and ideas that helped shape educational and societal apartheid from the Civil War to the new millennium. It is a study of how big corporate power uses private wealth to legislate, shape unequal race relations, broker ideas, and define "acceptable" social change. Drawing on little-known biographies of White power brokers who shaped Black education, William Watkins explains the structuring of segregated education that has plagued the United States for much of the 20th century. With broad and interdisciplinary appeal, this book is written in a language accessible to lay people and scholars alike.Mike Schmoker - School and District Improvement, Assessment, Curriculum and Staff Development - Dr. Mike Schmoker is a former administrator, English teacher and football coach. He has written several bestselling books and dozens of articles for educational journals, newspapers and for TIME magazine. His most recent ASCD bestsellers are the expanded second edition of FOCUS and Results NOW, 2.0. which was a "#1 New Release" on Amazon. The first edition was a finalist for "book of the year" by the Association of Educational Publishers.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Drew Hines about STEM education and the mission of Greencorps Chicago. Dr. Hines discusses Greencorps’ project-based model to provide job training, support regional sustainability, and build partnerships with higher education. We also talk about theory versus practice in the practical application setting.Note: As of this rebooted release in February 2024, Dr. Drew Hines is now the Community and Private Land Conservation Field Chief for the Missouri Department of Conservation.Referenced in this podcast:City of Chicago :: Greencorps Chicago - Greencorps Chicago is the City of Chicago’s green industry job training program for individuals with barriers to employment. Greencorps Chicago - Greencorps Chicago’s mission is to empower residents from Chicagoland’s underserved neighborhoods to create change in their lives and communities through training, service, and career opportunities in environmental fields.

In this episode, we go live on Radio Jaguar with Mr. Jahmal Cole, the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of My Block My Hood My City. Mr. Cole shares the history of his inspiration for community organizing and for raising youth's awareness of the world and opportunities beyond their neighborhood. Mr. Cole talks about the impact he wants his organization to have on youth in Chicago and what success looks like to him. He provides ways to get involved with and support My Block My Hood My City.Referenced in this podcast:MY BLOCK MY HOOD MY CITY - MISSION STATEMENT: To inspire youth, empower communities, and build a better world one block at a time. We believe in providing opportunities for others to step outside their comfort zone and explore new communities, cultures, and cuisines in an effort to gain a greater understanding of the world.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Phyllis West, Director of the Social Justice Initiative at Governors State University. Dr. West discusses the importance of listening for opportunities, being curious, and doing what may seem most challenging. She talks about staying connected with friends, family, and teachers from her youth and shares the lasting power of words, particularly from her 3rd and 4th grade teachers, that shaped who she would become. We also discuss the mission and vision for the Social Justice Initiative with its first tremendous step to coordinate a legal clinic.Referenced in this podcast:Social Justice Initiative | Governors State University - The SJI’s mission is to transform vulnerable populations, racial and economic injustice, and structural and social barriers of underrepresented individuals, families, and communities in the Southland and in the State of Illinois. SJI’s goal is to address these social conditions through the utilization of research, policy, advocacy, restorative justice, and experiential learning.Legal Clinic | Governors State University - The GSU Self-Help Legal Assistance Clinic (GSU-LC) provides free self-help legal assistance and non-legal resources to low-income Illinois residents using the court system without legal representation, understand and navigate the legal system. At the clinic, a team of attorneys, social workers, and volunteers work together under the supervision of a licensed attorney and social worker to increase access to legal services in underrepresented communities.

In this episode, we talk to Mr. Nicholas Neal about bridging the gaps for young adults leaving the foster care system and becoming independent. Mr. Neal discusses the services his organization provides and the needs for mentoring older youth. He also shares ways the community can support these efforts. This episode was originally released under Teaching and Learning: Theory vs Practice Season 1 Episode 28. Referenced in this podcast:National Youth Advocate Program - We are National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP). We have a non-negotiable commitment to do what is best for children, youth and their families and have an abiding faith that every person has an innate ability to learn, grow and develop. We provide opportunities and resources to youth and families through our innovative programs and services, and we strongly support and offer guidance to our dedicated foster parents. We work hard to build community support and advocate with public agencies and officials on behalf of youth and families. We are united by our humanity and enriched by our diversity and are committed to supporting and protecting youth and families and to strengthening the communities we are proud to serve. We are NYAP.Benchmark Family Services Therapeutic Foster Care - Benchmark Family Services is a network of professional, therapeutic foster homes and committed staff across two states with the goal of providing stable out-of-home placements for children in need. We work alongside child welfare agencies to provide stable care to youth in the least restrictive setting possible as they work toward their goals. The results we see in the youth that pass through our care encourage us to carry on in our mission to give even the most traumatized and troubled children a safe and stable home.Indiana DCS: Foster Care - Indiana Department of Child Services resources on foster care.

In this episode, we honor International Holocaust Remembrance Day with a special guest presentation from Ms. Judith Altmann, a Holocaust Survivor. At 99-years old, Ms. Altmann continues to make it her life's work to share what hate and discrimination can do. She shares her story of survival and resilience with the strong message to love and show kindness .Referenced in this podcast:Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center - Judith Altmann was born in Jasina Czechoslovakia, which was invaded by the Nazis in 1939. In 1944 she was arrested and transported to Auschwitz concentration camp with her niece where they were selected for work. From there she was sent to Essen and Gelsenkirchen Labour camps where she remained until March 1945. She survived the "death march" that ended in the Bergen Belsen concentration camp. Sick with typhus, Judy was barely alive when she was liberated by the British Army in 1945.

In this episode, we talk to Ms. Meagan Washington-Sims, a doctoral candidate in Governors State University's Interdisciplinary Leadership program and foster youth advocate. Ms. Washington-Sims shares her story as a child in the foster system and her current work with foster youth programs. We discuss the obstacles that may seem insurmountable hurdles for children without the supports and services provided by organizations such as Aunt Martha's Health and Wellness’ Interim Care Center. Ms. Washington-Sims shares advice for the teenager approaching emancipation as age-out foster youth.Referenced in this podcast:Community Health and Wellness at Aunt Martha's - Aunt Martha’s Health and Wellness boldly commits to supporting the well-being of our communities, ensuring equity in access and delivering exceptional care inspired by a culture of innovation.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Adelfio Garcia, a retired public school administrator who consults on English language and bilingual professional development. Dr. Garcia discusses the importance of building community within and beyond the school building and the ways he connected with families as an administrator. We discuss the need for learning the school culture as a new teacher or administrator. Dr. Garcia also shares a number of professional texts that he has leaned on for research and professional development. This episode was originally released under Teaching and Learning: Theory vs Practice Season 1 Episode 6.Referenced in this podcast:Books by Marcia FarrAngela Valenzuela - Angela Valenzuela is a professor in both the Educational Policy and Planning Program within the Department of Educational Administration at the University of Texas at Austin and holds a courtesy appointment in the Cultural Studies in Education Program within the Department of Curriculum & Instruction. She also serves as the director of the University of Texas Center for Education Policy.Angela Carrasquillo | Teachers College Press - Angela Carrasquillo, the Claudio Aquaviva Distinguished Professor of TESOL at Fordham University Graduate School of Education, retired 3 years ago but continues her involvement as an educational consultant and program evaluator. She is nationally known in the area of second language and bilingual education and has published extensively on these topics.Donna Ogle - Donna Ogle, EdD, is Professor Emerita at the National College of Education of National Louis University, where she co-directs the Reading Leadership Institute. She serves as a consultant to arts integration projects funded by the Terra Foundation for American Art and is senior consultant to the STEP intermediate reading assessment development project at the University of Chicago Urban Education Institute. Sonia Soltero - Sonia W. Soltero is professor and chair of the Department of Leadership, Language, and Curriculum and former director of the Bilingual-Bicultural Education Graduate Program at DePaul University in Chicago, as well as a former bilingual education teacher and dual language coordinator.Kathy Escamilla | School of Education | University of Colorado Boulder - Kathy Escamilla is a professor of education in the division of social, bilingual and multicultural foundations. Dr. Escamilla's research centers on educational issues related to Spanish speaking language minority students in U.S. schools. She is specifically interested in issues related to the development of bilingualism and biliteracy in early elementary grades for this Spanish speaking population.Patricia Gandara - Patricia Gándara has been a bilingual school psychologist, a Social Scientist with the RAND Corporation, she has directed education research in the California Legislature, and since 1990 she has been a Professor of Education in the University of California system. Ofelia García - Ofelia García is Professor Emerita in the Ph.D. programs of Urban Education and of Latin American, Iberian, and Latino Cultures (LAILAC) at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. She has been Professor of Bilingual Education at Columbia University’s Teachers College, Dean of the School of Education at the Brooklyn Campus of Long Island University, and Professor of Education at The City College of New York.María Luisa Parra-Velasco - Dr. María Luisa Parra has a B.A. in Psychology, a Ph.D in Hispanics Linguistics and fifteen years of experience in the fields of Second Language Acquisition and Child Bilingual Development. Guadalupe Valdés' Profile | Stanford Profiles - Dr. Valdes' research explores many of the issues of bilingualism relevant to teachers in training, including methods of instruction, typologies, measurement of progress, and the role of education in national policies on immigration.

In this episode, we talk to Mr. Emmanuel Lopez, the Director of Governors State University's Latinx Resource Center. Mr. Lopez clarifies the nomenclature that has brought us the more inclusive "Latinx" and continues to evolve to better represent the Spanish-speaking community. We discuss Governors State University as an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution and what it will mean to achieve the government status as a Hispanic Serving Institution. Mr. Lopez shares the importance of awareness and intentionality when planning cultural events and offers suggestions for being inclusive.Referenced in this podcast:Latinx Resource Center | Governors State University - The mission of the Latinx Resources Center (LRC) is to intentionally serve Latinx students by creating an intersectional and empowering space where they are supported, appreciated, and culturally represented.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Darrell Griffin, Senior Pastor, Spiritual Director, Published Author, Certified Ministry Coach and Enneagram Trainer. Dr. Griffin explains the difference between Myers-Briggs Personality Test and the Enneagram and how the Enneagram analysis can help us discover purpose, direction, balance, and healing. Dr. Joi and Dr. Amy completed enneagram profiles prior to the show, and Dr. Griffin performs an on-air analysis of our test results. This episode was originally released under Teaching and Learning: Theory vs Practice Season 3 Episode 12.Referenced in this podcast:Dr. Darrell Griffin - Rev. Dr. D. Darrell Griffin is a highly sought-after speaker, author, and leadership coach. He helps individuals and organizations grow and thrive through change. Dr. Griffin is the author of two books, "Building a Better YOU: Using the Enneagram to Find Purpose, Healing, and Success in Relationships" and "Navigating Pastoral Leadership in the Transition Zone: Arriving in the Middle of the Movie."

In this episode, we talk to Mr. Aaron West about his experiences as a college student. Mr. West shares his jagged pathway from high school to community college to a four-year university. We also discuss ways in which students can prepare for success in college by being involved in campus activities, developing relationships with peers and mentors, and seeking help from professors - starting with office hours.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Luther King, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy at Governors State University.  Dr. King shares his story finding the profession that became his true calling. We discuss the disproportionate gaps in race and ethnicity representation in occupational therapy and the efforts to expose middle and high school students to this healthcare career field. Dr. King also shares about exciting new initiatives at Governors State University to build a driver rehabilitation program to serve the Chicago Southland community.Referenced in this podcast:Governors State University Department of Occupational Therapy - The Department of Occupational Therapy is dedicated to preparing the Occupational Therapists who will shape and lead the profession in the years to come. Our graduates are first and foremost Occupational Therapists, well-versed in the sciences and skills that enable clients to restore function and adapt to the new realities and limitations that follow life-altering events. The following programs are offered through our Department: Master of Occupational Therapy, MOT entry-level OT program. Doctor of Occupational Therapy, DrOT - post professional advanced degree.Illinois Occupational Therapy Association - The Illinois Occupational Therapy Association (ILOTA) is the official representative of the occupational therapy profession in the state of Illinois. ILOTA acknowledges and promotes professional excellence through a proactive, organized collaboration with occupational therapy personnel, the health care community, governmental agencies and consumers.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Dawn Brown, Assistant Professor in the Governors State University Department of Physical Therapy, about what it means to belong.  Dr. Brown defines the difference between belonging and fitting in. We discuss how climate survey data provide the starting point for developing initiatives for belonging and wellness.  Dr. Brown also warns of the assumptions we can make about college students' sense of belonging and how to check these assumptions. Originally published under Teaching and Learning: Theory vs Practice Season 3 Episode 20.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Tina Curry and Ms. Camille August about their passions as educators.  Dr. Curry and Ms. August how we can and should honor students’ identities. We discuss Illinois Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards and what we hope their intended effects will be on teacher education curriculum and preparedness. Dr. Curry and Ms. August leave us with the importance of being colleagues who can enter brave spaces together to do right by our children.Referenced in this podcast:Building Brave Spaces - Brené Brown - Brené Brown's podcast episode "Building Brave Spaces" is referenced in our conversation.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Tim Pedigo about mindfulness practices and their implementation in teacher education. Dr. Pedigo explains the difference between mindfulness and meditation and walks us through a mindfulness exercise. We also discuss tips for adding calm to our days when we do not think we have time. This episode was originally released under Teaching and Learning: Theory Vs Practice Season 1 Episode 24.

In this episode, we talk to Ms. Jennifer LaChonce, a middle school English language teacher in the southwest Chicago suburbs. Ms. LaChonce shares her research in professional development, as well as her own learning and development with English Learners. We discuss the urgent need for both ESL and Bilingual teachers and the difference between the two. Ms. LaChonce shares trauma-informed practices and strategies for creating a community of learners.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis about her work with Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy.  Dr. Ellis discusses how to identify healthy and unhealthy positive and negative emotions with tips for taking control of our emotions.  We also discuss specific applications to education and teacher burnout. This episode was originally released under Teaching and Learning: Theory vs Practice Season 1 Episode 35.Referenced in this podcast:Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis - Dr Debbie Joffe Ellis is a licensed psychologist (Australia) and mental health counselor (New York), adjunct professor at Columbia University TC, and is affiliated with several major psychological associations and societies − including being a Member of the Australian Psychological Society, and an International Affiliate Member of the American Psychological Association. She has a doctorate in alternative medicine (MDAM) from the Indian Board of Alternative Medicine in affiliation with the World Health Organization, from whom she also received a gold medal (1993) in recognition of her service to the field of alternative and holistic medicine.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Kim Major-Ford, the Interim Director of the Counseling and Wellness Center at Governors State University. Dr. Major-Ford discusses the evolution of mental health on college campuses, especially in post-pandemic academia. We consider partnerships that have expanded in-person and online access for students needing mental health services. Dr. Major-Ford also shares the importance of mental health check-ins and the efforts to de-stigmatize counseling and other wellness services. Referenced in this podcast:LivingWell@GSU | Governors State University - With a variety of new mental health resources for students through LivingWell@GSU, find support options that works best for you. It is free and confidential.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Alli Cipra about her research on bullying behaviors and resilience. We share our experiences with bullying in adolescence, discuss identity development, and explore how social media complicates the roles of bully, victim, and bystander. Dr. Cipra also shares strategies for parents and teachers for dealing with emotional behaviors. This episode was originally released under Teaching and Learning: Theory vs Practice Season 2 Episode 19.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Nicole Terrell-Smith, Superintendent of Pembroke School District, as well as Ms. Chiquita Thompson and Ms. Katherine Kiger, two long-time teachers at the elementary school. Ms. Thompson and Ms. Kiger share their experiences working in a small school district with its family atmosphere and close ties to nature and farmlife.  We also talk about the opportunities for cross-grade collaboration and home connections.  Dr. Smith discusses mentor programs, innovation, and community partnerships.

In this episode, we talk to Ms. Angela Sebastian, Chair of the Governors State University Board of Trustees. Our discussion about mentoring and coaching took a different but insightful direction of mentorship by experience. Chair Sebastian talks about her experience as a first-generation, nontraditional college student who finished what she started at community colleges after coming to GSU. We discuss GSU’s mission to be a catalyst for economic growth in the Chicago Southland and how we are uniquely positioned to meet students where they are.