Classcast Podcast Ep.075 features Cary Vipond and Kevin Cook, members of "The Cookout," a discussion group focusing on race relations and making positive change in the Loudoun County, Virginia community. Along with host Ryan Tibbens, they discuss the recent debates (and hysteria?) over critical race theory, equity training for school staff, anti-racism, and politics in public schools. Given Fox News' new obsession with Loudoun County Public Schools as well as the parent and political groups seeking to influence them, Cary, Kevin, and Ryan agreed it was time for reasonable people with first-hand experience in these schools and communities to have a reasonable discussion.

Cary Vipond, a long-time history and social science teacher, football coach, and father, launched "The Cookout" in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder.  He assembled a group of Black and white men, including community leaders, entrepreneurs, clergy, teachers, and students, to share perspectives and ideas, first to help one another understand the racial dynamics at play in the country, and then to take actions to improve local government, business, and schools for Black people. ClassCast Podcast host Ryan Tibbens was invited by Cary to join the group when it was formed. Kevin Cook, a certified project manager, author, coach, and father, joined the group soon afterward and has been a thoughtful, vocal participant in the group's efforts. Camryn Thompson (Ep.031) has also participated in The Cookout.

Table of Contents (*highlights)

1. 0:00-7:57 -- The Cookout & Local Efforts Against Racism
2. 7:57-9:55 -- Educate Ignorance; Punish Malice *
3. 9:55-26:36 -- Shifting Mindsets & Community Reactions to Anti-Racist Teaching **
4. 26:36-34:00 --Kevin's Experiences as a Black Father
5. 34:00-48:04 -- Race, Anti-racism, & "CRT" in the Classroom **
6. 48:04-54:21 -- Why We Must Have Tough Conversations
7. 54:21-59:18 -- Race Education: Completing the Thought *
8. 59:18-1:06:40 -- Seeking (& Silencing) Black Perspectives
9. 1:06:40-1:12:17 -- The Intersection of Mental Health, Racism, & Politics *
10. 1:12:17-1:20:25 -- What Can Schools Do to End Racsim?
11. 1:20:25-1:31:09 -- Final Wrap Up & Book Recommendations

​
​​The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)! Donations -- large and small -- help keep this podcast independent! ​

ClassCast Podcast Ep.060 features Chris "Citizen" Stewart discussing school choice, educational opportunity, dismantling oppressive systems, and empowering individuals with host Ryan Tibbens. Citizen Stewart is CEO of the Brightbeam Network, founder of Citizen.Education, host of the UnPublic Podcast, co-host of the 8 Black Hands Podcast, a former school board member, father of five, and school choice advocate.  In this episode, we discuss the value of choice, the significance of freedom for all citizens, why school choice appeals to many poor and minority families, and how great education should be tailored to individuals rather than aggregates. Stewart shares observations on school consolidation, economies of scale, parenting, and why school choice might be the future of education in America. 

Listeners should approach this episode with an open mind, a curious intellect, and a vision for what schools should be. If that "should be" is significantly different from what currently exists, then various school choice models could be the pathway to innovation and progress. On the other hand, a move to nationwide school choice could undermine our participation in local communities, our dedication to serve one another as fellow citizens, and our long-term dedication to funding education for all students. Citizen Stewart does an amazing job explaining his views, the benefits of choice, and why change is necessary.  

You can contact or learn more about Citizen Stewart at @citizenstewart on Twitter, @citizenstewart on Instagram, and @iamcitizenstewart on Facebook.  You can also learn more about his advocacy at Brightbeam Network and Citizen.Education.  

Upcoming ClassCast Podcast episodes will feature public school advocates, choice advocates, and the kind of thoughtful discourse that should inform our national conversation as well as individual listeners' opinions on school choice, public schools, funding, equity, justice, and opportunity. Let us know what you think about each part of this series and how you feel about school choice.  


Support the show! If each listener donated just $2, we could fully fund the ClassCast Podcast for the entire year. Please consider making a small donation to keep the discussion alive.

Table of Contents (*highlights)

1. 0:00-7:53 -- Intro to Citizen Stewart & Teacher Quality
2. 7:53-10:32 -- The Purpose of Education According to Citizen Stewart
3. 10:32-17:00 -- Parents' Responsibilities in Education *
4. 17:00-29:04 -- Can School Choice Become a Reality? **
5. 29:04-35:00 -- Equity, Funding & Other Elements of School Choice
6. 35:00-42:04 -- School Consolidation, Cultural Conformity, & Civic Education *
7. 42:04-48:13 -- Citizen Stewart's Ideal School *
8. 48:13-53:08 -- Citizen's Own School Experiences
9. 53:08-1:01:16 -- Race & Educational Opportunity
10. 1:01:16-1:07:55 -- Citizen Stewart's Entry to School Policy *
11. 1:07:55-1:14:29 -- Final Comments; Book/Movie Recommendations; Contact Info

The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and right here at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!

ClassCast Podcast Ep.053 features Dr. Matthew Rhoads, a leader in edtech, blended learning, data utilization, and pandemic responses; he's also the author of Navigating the Toggled Term: Preparing Secondary Education for Navigating Fall 2020 and Beyond.  Matt shares insights into how teachers can leverage technology to adapt to ever-changing pandemic scenarios while also preparing themselves and their students for the future of education. From "moneyballing" school to "navigating the toggled term," from pandemic adjustments to the future of distance learning, this episode connects current contexts to on-going innovations in ways that will help listeners understand the effects on every student and teacher. If you have any interest in school now or in the next decade, Dr. Rhoads shares ideas and predictions that will cement the value of edtech and adaptability into your priority list. Don't miss Matt's second book,  Navigating the Toggled Term: A Guide for K-12 Classroom and School Leaders, which will be released later in 2021. 

Contact Dr. Matthew Rhoads via Twitter @MattRhoads1990 and www.MatthewRhoads.com. 

Table of Contents (Highlights **)

1. 0:00-6:15 -- Intro to Pandemic Schooling*
2. 6:15-9:28 -- Dr. Rhoads' Education & Experiences
3. 9:28-17:49 -- Engines of Innovation & Pandemic Effects
4. 17:49-24:21 -- Matt's Preferred Edtech & Data Tools
5. 24:21-35:30 -- Moneyballing School: The Role of Data in Modern Schooling**
6. 35:30-55:44 -- Navigating the Toggled Term: In & Out of School during the Pandemic**
7. 55:44-58:26 -- Matt's Ideal School
8. 58:26-1:02:14 -- The Future of Online School
9. 1:02:53-1:08:51 -- Concerns about Concurrent Hybrid/HyFlex in K12** 
10. 1:08:51-1:12:05 -- Book #2
11. 1:12:05-1:15:14 -- Matt's Book & Movie Recs
12. 1:15:14- End -- Wrap Up

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)!