Informal Observations with Skyrocket Education

In this season 2 finale, Antonio and Michael skip the formalities and dive right into wokeness, the radical right and left, state testing, trans' rights, and race with resident fellow and director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, author of Cage-Busting Leadership, and renowned conservative voice, Rick Hess. 

In this episode, Antonio and Michael share their biggest pet peeves, they talk about social belonging, and they receive a master class in early literacy from Joan Kelley and Frank Grossman. 

In this episode, Antonio mixes up a nasty cocktail, the guys chat about snake-twerking, and they talk about The Achievement Plateau with principal, Rob Berretta. 

In this episode, Antonio makes a discovery about music, the guys debate the viability of getting rid of their cell phones, and they get an education on African proverbs, baseball, cheesecake, and most importantly, school, from their guest, Edward Richerson. 

In this episode, Antonio refuses to reveal what football team he roots for, Michael has strong thoughts about Eminem's beard, and our guest, Dr. Courtney Lemon-Tate, shares her thoughts on the importance of systems in schools. 

In this episode, the guys debate Mariah Carey vs. J-Lo, cookies vs. radishes, and they discuss the polarizing topic of teacher evaluations. 

In this episode, the guys talk about Oprah, Metallica, dog poop, and they discuss the one thing everyone in K-12 Ed can agree on: PD sucks. 

In this episode, Mike and Tony shorten their names, offend spinach and social studies, and discuss the current state of pandemic schooling and what they believe comes next. 

In this episode, the team discusses their Thanksgiving favorites (and least favorites), the Chinese character for learning, and they scratch the surface around their favorite topic: Rebel Culture. 

In this episode, the team talks pancakes, Tesla Cars, and our guest, Lauren Miller, shares on all things Special Education. 

In this episode, Michael promotes a radical theory about pop music, the guys discuss the most important life-skill a person can have, and our guest, Kirby, talks about instruction, culture, and relationships in schools. 

In this episode, Antonio and Michael discuss cold showers, toxic positivity, and the existence (or not) of aliens. They also talk about why change is so hard and offer practical strategies for fostering it. 

On this episode, Antonio and Michael discuss the perils of social media, drink wine straight from the bottle (well, one of them does), and they speak with entrepreneur and advocate Dawne Hanks - founder of Eliminate Girl Hate. 

In this episode, Michael breaks the 4th wall, Antonio recites the Greek Alphabet (well, he tries to), and the team talks trends, pitfalls, and predictions for the new school year. 

On this episode, Antonio challenges Michael to a tennis match, the team debates spending $100 on a golden cheesesteak, and they talk about whether or not there's a science to being good at everything (and Michael does talk about everything - except education). 

On this episode, Antonio challenges Michael to a race, the team creates a super-secret password, and they discuss an often overlooked but immensely important topic for schools and school leaders: organizational health. 

On this week's episode, Michael gives Antonio a nickname, the team pays tribute to DMX, and veteran school leader, Sharifa Edwards, tells it like it is on all things K-12 education. 

On their most controversial episode yet, Antonio and Michael talk about spicy food, staff appreciation, and they get really real about something they call The Equity Hypocrisy. 

In Episode 9, Antonio and Michael talk innovation in schools, education trends across the globe, and Royal Family Drama with life-long educator and International Man of Mystery, John Baumber.

In this episode, Antonio and Michael talk classic movies, they make a plan to drink Jägermeister, and they get fired up about one of their favorite topics: teacher coaching. 

In Episode 7, Antonio and Michael talk tequila, bodega cats, NY "cuisine", and relationships in schools, with school leader Angel Pina.

In this episode, Antonio and Michael disagree about bees, talk about KC barbecue, make their Super Bowl predictions (let's see who was right), and go all-in on a conversation about setting and getting goals in schools. 

In Episode 5, Michael and Antonio debate the best pizza toppings and give a shout out to our newest listeners in France and Japan!! They are joined by guest Rashaun Reid, an expert on all things K-12 education in both virtual and brick and mortar settings. Thank you for listening!

In Episode 4, co-hosts Antonio and Michael talk execution. Can you follow through on what you said you'd do? Do your plans come to life? Are they clear? Accessible? When you say, “We're doing X, does X happen?” Or does it disappear? If these questions resonate with you, then Episode 4 is for you! Thank you for listening!

In Episode 3, co-hosts Michael and Antonio welcome our friends Clintel Hasan and Alex Kautza, from LiberatED. Clintel and Alex founded LiberatED in 2015 and partner with K-12 schools, universities and non-profits to facilitate transformative learning for leaders and teams, focused on topics of race, class, power and privilege. Both Milwaukee natives, Alex and Clintel also serve up their best recommendations for fine dining in their city. Thank you for listening!

Listen as Michael and Antonio talk gin, The Bachelorette, Jerry Seinfeld, and an incredibly important idea that all educators could benefit from thinking about and taking action on. 

In our first episode, co-hosts Michael Sonbert and Antonio Vance interview guest Atiyah Harmon, the founder of Black Girls Love Math. Atiyah shares about the mission of her organization, and gives her recommendation for the best Philly cheesesteaks. Thank you for listening!