In this critical episode of the Anti-Racism Leadership Institute Research to Practice Podcast, host Dr. Tracey A. Benson welcomes Dr. Catherine Pozniak, independent education finance consultant, for a candid conversation about the uncertain future of public education under the current federal administration.

Dr. Pozniak demystifies the role of the U.S. Department of Education, explains the implications of proposed cuts to programs like Title I and Title II, and outlines the potential consequences of dismantling the Department altogether. From funding uncertainty to DEI rollbacks, from recession threats to the strain on state infrastructure—this episode unpacks the policy shifts that could reshape the American education landscape.

Whether you’re a parent, a policymaker, or a principal, this episode provides essential context for understanding how national-level decisions reverberate through classrooms and communities—and what we can do to stay informed and proactive.

Follow Dr. Catherine Pozniak on LinkedIn for accessible, nonpartisan analysis of education policy and funding.

In this episode of the Anti-Racism Leadership Institute Research to Practice podcast, hosted by Dr. Tracey Benson, Dr. Sean Darling-Hammond, an assistant professor at UCLA's Fielding School of Public Health, is invited on to have a discussion on the education system. Together, they examine restorative practices, exclusionary discipline, and the school-to-prison pipeline. Dr. Darling-Hammond emphasizes the psychological harm of exclusionary discipline and advocates for restorative approaches that foster psychological safety and community in schools. The conversation also touches on the complex role of school resource officers in creating an inclusive educational environment.

🔗 Links:

Spotify: Research to Practice - The Anti-Racism Leadership Institute | Podcast on Spotify

Apple: Research to Practice - Apple Podcasts

LinkedIn: Anti-Racism Leadership Institute: Overview | LinkedIn
"Unconscious Bias in Schools" Book, Co-Written by Dr. Tracey A. Benson:
Unconscious Bias in Schools (harvard.edu)

Dr.Darling-Hammond on Google Scholar: https://lked.in/9rY8pG

Dr. Darling-Hammond on LinkedIn: https://lked.in/pPuW

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In this episode of the Anti-Racism Leadership Institute Research to Practice podcast, Dr. Tracey A. Benson engages with Dr. Hilary Green, an esteemed scholar of African American history and author of Unforgettable Sacrifice: How Black Communities Remembered the Civil War. They delve into the transformative role of family history in understanding the Civil War, the cultural importance of African-American porches as living archives, and the integration of African-American history into educational frameworks. Dr. Green highlights the value of community engagement, the vital contributions of everyday individuals to historical narratives, and the obligation of higher education institutions to address historical injustices while fostering equity. This conversation is a profound exploration of history, memory, and anti-racist education.

Join us for another thought-provoking chat this time with our guest Dr. Aja Denise Reynolds, an Assistant Professor at Wayne State University. With over 12 years of experience as an educator and youth worker, Dr. Reynolds discusses creating 'fugitive' spaces for Black girls through art, activism, and healing. She highlights the dual nature of schools, community support, and the impact of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives while advocating for radical, accountable approaches to education that prioritize the needs of Black children and their families. Dr. Reynolds encourages future educators to pursue equity and justice unapologetically.

In this insightful conversation, Dr. Richard Ingersoll, Professor of Education and Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania and former high school teacher, delves into his extensive research on the teaching profession. Dr. Ingersoll highlights the key differences in teaching conditions between Canada and the US, while addressing conflicts in educational environments and societal perceptions of teachers. He emphasizes the importance of teacher autonomy and having a voice in decision-making processes while a significant portion of their conversation is focused on the critical importance of teacher diversity, particularly for marginalized communities. Finally, they explore the importance of empowering teachers through voice and decision-making and outline future research directions emphasizing accountability in education. The episode explores the necessity of educational reforms that align with modern society's needs and tackles the ongoing challenges related to racial diversity in education.

#EducationReform #TeacherDiversity #EducationalResearch #TeacherAutonomy #StudentSuccess #RemoteLearning #TeachersOfColor #EducationMatters #EmpowerTeachers

🔗 Links:

Spotify: Research to Practice - The Anti-Racism Leadership Institute | Podcast on Spotify

Apple: Research to Practice - Apple Podcasts

LinkedIn: Anti-Racism Leadership Institute: Overview | LinkedIn
"Unconscious Bias in Schools" Book, Co-Written by Dr. Tracey A. Benson:
Unconscious Bias in Schools (harvard.edu)

Dr. Richard Ingersoll’s website: www.richardingersoll.com

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In this engaging episode, Dr. Tracey A. Benson introduces Dr. Crystal Harden-Lindsey, a Chief Program Officer, executive leadership coach, and former principal recognized for her work in inclusive education and anti-racist leadership. Dr. Harden-Lindsey holds advanced degrees from John’s Hopkins University and has been honored as a Transformational Principal and Maryland Charter School Leader of the Year nominee.

They explore the nuanced landscape of leadership within education. Through personal anecdotes, they underscore the necessity for leaders to remain adaptable and growth oriented while stressing the need for adaptability and accountability to create a positive school environment. Their discussion also highlights the importance of emotional connection for student success and the role of leaders in supporting teachers through challenges.

🔗 Links:

Spotify: Research to Practice - The Anti-Racism Leadership Institute | Podcast on Spotify

Apple: Research to Practice - Apple Podcasts

LinkedIn: Anti-Racism Leadership Institute: Overview | LinkedIn
"Unconscious Bias in Schools" Book, Co-Written by Dr. Tracey A. Benson:
Unconscious Bias in Schools (harvard.edu)
Dr. Crystal Harden-Lindsey’s LinkedIn Profile Page:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-harden-lindsey-ed-d-000573173/

In this episode, Dr.Tracey Benson welcomes Dr. Farima Pour-Khorshid, an Associate Professor at the University of San Francisco who has over a decade of experience teaching within her community. Listen in as they delve into the critical role of self-reflection in leadership and the significance of addressing trauma and their root causes in an educational setting. Emphasizing the necessity for leaders to commit to personal growth and accountability, Dr. Pour-Khorshid challenges traditional colonial norms in educational leadership and advocates for a shift towards co-leadership and redistributing power among educators.

#leadership #self-reflection #ColonialNorms #co-leadership #humanizing practices #authenticity, #DecolonizationinEducation #SocialJustice #AntiRacismLeadershipInstitute

🔗 Links:

Spotify: Research to Practice - The Anti-Racism Leadership Institute | Podcast on Spotify

Apple: Research to Practice - Apple Podcasts

LinkedIn: Anti-Racism Leadership Institute: Overview | LinkedIn
"Unconscious Bias in Schools" Book, Co-Written by Dr. Tracey A. Benson:
Unconscious Bias in Schools (harvard.edu)
Dr. Farima Pour-Khorshid’s LinkedIn Profile Page:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-farima-pour-khorshid-b693a43b/

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In this podcast episode, Dr.Tracey Benson invites his guest, Dr. Spencer Salas, a Professor of Education in the Department of Middle, Secondary, and K-12 Education at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte , award-winning District of Columbia Public School ESL teacher and co-author of the article “Teachers, leadership, and Black boys’ racialized funds of knowledge” to discuss barriers teachers of color face when entering into the educational field. Dr. Spencer Salas dives into his article about the experiences of a black male teacher who rose to leadership. Their discussion highlights barriers teachers of color face, emphasizes the role of racialized knowledge, and calls for better support from education systems. The conversation concludes by emphasizing the power of storytelling and the importance of creating spaces for teachers of color to share their experiences.

#Barrierstoentry #RacializedFundsofKnowledge #RacialInequality #UnderstandingRacism #Sociology #TeachersofColor #PowerofStorytelling #SocialJustice #Mentorship #AntiRacismLeadershipInstitute

🔗 Links:

Spotify: Research to Practice - The Anti-Racism Leadership Institute | Podcast on Spotify

Apple: Research to Practice - Apple Podcasts

LinkedIn: Anti-Racism Leadership Institute: Overview | LinkedIn
"Unconscious Bias in Schools" Book, Co-Written by Dr. Tracey A. Benson:
Unconscious Bias in Schools (harvard.edu)
Dr. Spencer Salas’ Profile Page:
Professor Spencer Salas Honored by U.S. State Department - Cato College of Education (charlotte.edu)

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