America's Principal

Dr. Christy Kane returns to discuss why parents need to have open dialogue with their children about sexual topics and how these conversations can take place. How should a parent react and approach their child when the parent discovers their child is engaging in sexual acts? These questions are more are addressed in this episode.

How can parents plan ahead so their child graduates early from high school? What are the pros and cons of early graduation? How can parents help their child get the most from their high school experience, while also helping them navigate and prevent stressors?

Not sure how to be involved in your child's education, and worried you may not have the time? This podcast explores various ways parents can be involved in their child's education.

What does a healthy relationship look like? What are some barriers to healthy relationships, for adults and children? As a parent, what should I know about the way my child thinks and acts? As a parent, how can I start the conversation about dating and relationships with my child? What resources and words of comfort are there for parents while navigating this with their children?

In this episode we discuss what is taught in health classes in the state of Utah, what are misconceptions about sex education, what ability to parents have in previewing this content themselves, do educators ever teach outside of what is prescribed, and how is the content in Utah's core similar or different to what is taught in other states?

What is the process to get students qualified for Special Education services? What free services do special education services receive? What are my rights as a parent with a student with disabilities? When do specific learning disabilities become most apparent? What is discussed in annual IEP meetings and parent role in these meetings? When would be it appropriate for my child to no longer receive Special Education services, and what data support this decision?

What are steps that parents should take when their son or daughter seems to have conflict with a teacher or administrator? What advice should parents know heading into these types of situations?

What can I do for my LGBTQ child to feel safe and respected while at school? What are the rights of transgender students in schools? What if my LGBTQ child has been bullied? What does confidentiality look like with my child's school counselor? What is a transgender student's rights in being called by their preferred name or gender pronoun in school? Special thanks to Holly Bell, Equity Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education for being this episode's guest.

What is a 504? What is my first step in getting my child accommodations he or she needs? When would an IEP be more appropriate than a 504? What are my options as a parent if my students' accommodations are not being provided? What are some examples of accommodations a student may receive under a 504 plan? What are some types of accommodations my student can receive to address their anxiety?Thanks to Charlene Lui, Director of Educational Equity in Granite School District, for being this episode's guest.

What safeguards will keep children while safe using technology at school? Is technology in classroom more of a distraction than helping my student learn? What kind of classroom technology learning is better than another?Thanks to Blaine Edman, administrator of technology for being this episode's guest.

Our children's safety in schools involve more than just environmental safety. Physical, mental, social and emotional safety are factors that educators and parents should keep in mind as they work together to help school be a positive experience for students. Thanks to Christy Walker from USBE for being this episode's guest.

"What is a technical high school? What certifications can a student obtain before they graduate high school? What are benefits of my student attending a technical high school?" These and other questions are answered by a Technical High School principal. 

What is a gang and why do young people join one? At what age do children start thinking about gangs? Are there certain risk factors or "red flags" associated with children joining gangs? What should a parent do if they think they notice signs of possible gang activity? What resources exist for parents to keep my child safe and to help them get out of their gang?Thanks to Maria Garcia for being this episode's guest.

In this episode we explore the benefits of having your child in a Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program, the types of DLI that exist, how DLI is different than traditional education, what to do if your child is struggling in their DLI class, how parents can help their DLI child, how DLI programs change from elementary to junior high and high school, and whether parents can influence their child getting into a DLI program.

"How do I know if my child is truly gifted, or if he or she is just bright?" "What information is used to qualify a child into a Gifted and Talented (G&T) program?" "How are G&T classes different from honors or other other coursework?" "What advice would you give me as a parent if my child is struggling in a G&T program?" These questions and others are explored in this episode. Thanks to Collette Justesen, G&T coordinator in Granite School District and former UAGC President, for being this episode's guest.

Parents have the option to have their children attend public schools not in their home boundary. Understanding the nuances of this open enrollment process helps parents exercise their rights. This episode welcomes Clay Pearce, director of Prevention and Student Placement in Granite School District. Together we discuss Utah Open Enrollment law for the benefit of our parent audience.

"When is family conflict normal and when should my child and I seek outside help to repair our relationship?" "How can I help my child improve his or her behavior without damaging our relationship?" "What do appropriate consequences for my child look like?"In this episode, we explore these and other questions parents have in effort to help families repair strained relationships. Thanks to Cameron VanKomen, LCSW, for being this episode's guest.

Adolescents have cell phones. At some point they may be targeted by sexual predators to share nude photos, engage in sexting, or other types of sexual exploitation. Parents of teens who engage in this "sexploitation" are surprised and saddened, and wonder how and why this happened. This episode explores why youth engage in this behavior, how they connect with their perpetrators, and how parents can educate and protect their children. Special thanks to Chris Yeadone from Defend Innocence for joining me again as a podcast guest.

LGBTQ youth are disproportionately affected by bullying and suicide ideations. This episode takes a closer look at the types of bullying experienced by LGBTQ youth, what Utah law says and does not say, and what parents of LGBTQ youth can do for their children. Thank you to Bonnie Owens for joining me for this episode.

In the first of a two-part segment on bullying, we explore what parents should do when they find out that their child is being bullied. Thank you to Corby Eason from the Utah State Board of Education for joining me on the podcast for this episode.

Parents may have concerns or questions about their child's education, but may worry about questioning their child's teacher or principal. This episode discusses parent rights, what to do if parents feel intimidated during school meetings, and what they can do to advocate for their child.Thank you to special guest Michelle Love-Day for joining the podcast for this episode.

John Mejia, director legal de Utah ACLU se une a este episodio para discutir los derechos de las familias indocumentadas.

John Mejia, legal director of Utah ACLU joins this episode to discuss the rights of undocumented families. We address what families should and should not do when an ICE official comes to your door, discuss students' rights, and spell out ICE's relationship (or lack thereof) with public schools.

In this episode, we explore answers to the questions: How can I know if my child should skip a grade? What does grade acceleration look like in elementary versus junior high (or high school)? Is there a way I can help my child study for grade acceleration test? Can I demand that my child be placed in a certain grade level? Is there an appeals process for denied request for grade accelerations?Thank you to Stephanie Wood, administrator over online learning for Granite School District.

With Jacob Newman, guest from UHEAA, we explore resources students have in applying for college: scholarships, FAFSA, savings accounts, and more. 

In this episode, we continue exploring how parents can help their child get the most out of their education. Two STEM school principals discuss what STEM-based learning is, and how parents can encourage this thinking with their children, even if they do not attend a designated STEM school.

Parents love their children, but may struggle when their son or daughter comes out as LGTBQ. Parents respond differently to this information, each believing they are responding in the best way for their child. Yet, many parents respond in ways that produce the opposite results of what they want: long-term negative health outcomes for their child.

UHSAA Executive Member Tom Sherwood discusses player eligibility, how to handle conflict in high school athletics such as getting cut from a team or not getting the playing time you feel your child deserves. We also discuss how parents can help their mitigate the stresses of competitive sports and more.

In this episode, an admissions committee member from Brigham Young University gives advice to prospective students in preparing and submitting applications to BYU and other universities.

En este episodio, abordamos lo que los padres pueden hacer si su hijo tiene dificultades con la alfabetización temprana, cómo saber si su hijo tiene dificultades con la lectura (o si simplemente es un lector reacio), qué es razonable pedirle al maestro de un niño en la escuela y cómo los padres pueden complementar la lectura de sus hijos en casa.

In this episode, Dr. Kathleen Brown from the University of Utah Reading Clinic addresses what parents can do if their child struggles with early literacy skills, how to know if your child struggles with reading or if they are simply a reluctant reader, what is reasonable to ask of your child's teacher, and how parents can supplement their child's reading at home.

Parents learn factors that make their children more at-risk for sexual abuse, who sexual predators generally are, circumstances that often surround sexual abuse, and most importantly, ways they can prevent sexual abuse and how to respond should it occur. Thank you to this episode's guest Chris Yeadon.

In this episode, guests Dr. Christy Kane and Jerri Sagers explore questions parents have, including:"My child has changed suddenly. How can I know if this is normal or if there is a mental health concern?""What is the role of a school counselor when it comes to student mental health?""When should I talk to a doctor about my child's change in behavior?""As a parent, how can I support my child who is struggling with anxiety or depression?"