Navigating STL Schools: A Podcast

“The library really exists for the community. So we want people to come and take advantage of our services. We want people to let us know if there's something that they think that we could be helping with that they need.” -Laura Polak Today's guest is Laura Polak, the Early Literacy Coordinator at St. Louis County Library. Laura sat down with Staci to discuss the positive impact an early exposure to reading has on a child, what the library has to offer beyond books, and the community programs that SLCL has to help keep everyone engaged in reading at any age.

“You can't survive in this economy with making $40,000, especially if you have children, a car note, rent, things of that nature.” -Jeffrey “Bo” Dean   Today's guest is Jeffrey “Bo” Dean, Assistant Principal and Founder at Starting 60's Initiative. Jeffrey sat down with Staci to discuss the impact of technology and virtual learning, fighting for a living starting wage for teachers, and the role of educators beyond teaching.  

“Kairos Academies' mission is to empower students to direct their own lives and learning. That requires a different kind of school model. A school that allows students to make decisions for themselves, and to practice making decisions for themselves.” -Jack Krewson Today's guest is Jack Krewson, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Kairos Academies. Jack sat down with Staci to discuss how Kairos Academies empowers students to make their own decisions, the difference between growth and proficiency scores, and instilling solid executive functioning skills in students. 

“Mental health services are something that is very proactive. So, yes, you can come when you're at your breaking point, but let's prevent you from getting there.” -Dr. Kezia Jackson Today's guest is Dr. Kezia Jackson, Founder and Licensed Psychologist at Healing Spaces Psychological Services. Dr. Jackson sat down with Staci to discuss the work Healing Spaces does, the importance of proactive mental health care for students, and the impact of social media in the mental health space.

“Blues for Kids felt like Navigate STL Schools was doing something that other organizations weren't…providing tangible resources for children and families in the Saint Louis area from the get go.” -Eva O'Shea   Today's guests are Eva O'Shea, Senior Manager of Community Management, and Devon Furash, Senior Coordinator of Community Development for Blues for Kids of the St. Louis Blues. They sat down with Staci to discuss Navigate STL Schools receiving their Captain's Grant and the kid's programs that Blues for Kids and the Blues offer.  

In this special episode, we take a look back at some of the impactful insights from this season's guests. We've covered everything from misconceptions of unhoused people, PNC's Grow Up Great Program, the need for improving child literacy, helping students get to college, and much more. Listen again or get caught up to help you Navigate STL Schools and make informed choices for your children. 

“STLDD is trying to make that roadway for families not so complicated and confusing. That there's going to be someone there with them along the way to open doors and guide them in their journey and maybe even hand off to the next person.” -Nate Head Today's guest is Nate Head, the Director of Agency and Community Relations for the St. Louis Office of Developmental Disability Resources. Nate sat down with Staci to discuss how Navigate STL Schools received a grant from them to create informational videos, and ways that STLDDR helps support families and individuals with developmental disabilities.

“College Bound is a great extracurricular, but it's also a commitment for our students.our goal is to make our students as comfortable and confident as they can be, as they matriculate to college and go on campuses.” -WyKeshia Atkins Today's guests are College Bound's WyKeshia Atkins, Director of Strategic Partnerships, and Kynidi Miller, Recruitment Coordinator. WyKeshia and Kynidi sat down with Staci to discuss the expansive services offered by College Bound, instilling confidence in students heading into college, and the impact of community throughout the process.  

“School choice is not a problem when you have families that are paying for the schools…it is only weaponized when our middle and low class families are offered this choice…[STL Voices Academy is] bringing the benefits that affluent families have benefitted from for years now, and we're bringing it, making it more accessible for all families, and now it's a problem.”-Steward Stiles Today's guest is Steward Stiles, the Associate Director of Student Recruitment and Family Partnership at STL Voices Academy of Media Arts. Steward sat down with Staci to discuss finding the right educational fit, the value our children have in STL's education system, navigating restrictive legislation on the recruiting of students, and more.  

“When we are playing with our kiddos, and we have those positive interactions with them, we're building relationships in a situation that's not so intense. So, when we are able to play in times of low stress, when stressors do come up, you can open up those communication lines.” ” -Jennifer Ilardi Today's guest is Jennifer Ilardi, the founder of Simple Positive Play. Jennifer sat down with Staci to discuss the inspiration behind Simple Positive Play, how the community benefits from a playful space like this, and how play can prepare children for the classroom.  

“For SLPS, not only are you not educating the kids in your stead, but you have the audacity and the deep level of racism to limit other people from educating the kids that you refuse to. You either refuse to or are unable to, but for decades you have not.”  -Chester Asher   Today's guest is Chester Asher, Activist and leader at Coalition STL Kids. Chester sat down with Staci to discuss the dire need of improved reading scores in SLPS, how to create change within a large school system, and the need for accountability and goals in all of St. Louis school systems.

“How do we get to a place where our public school kids are getting as high of a quality education and as equitable an education as some of the students in private schools?” -Leslie Kohlmeyer Today's guest is Leslie Kohlmeyer, Executive Director of Show Me KC Schools. Leslie sat down with Staci to discuss the Common App and its benefits to KC residents, focusing on logistics first when choosing a school, and ways for students to get the most out of their K-12 education before entering the workforce.

“In my class, we talk about standards. We talk about expectations on what you want for your life. And so being able to identify those things at 13 years old and knowing what you want for your future…is really eye opening.”  -Nick McDowell Today's guest is Nick McDowell, the Director of Graduate Support at Loyola Academy. Nick sat down with Staci to discuss the support Loyola Academy offers their students, encouraging parents to be more engaged with their child's education, and helping students choose the right school for them.

“We've seen through numerous studies the significant return on investment that can come from having a really high quality early childhood education experience and that has become a really important cause to PNC.”  -Sarah Bowman  Today's guest is Sarah Bowman, Vice President & Director of Client and Community Relations at PNC. Sarah sat down with Staci to discuss PNC's Grow Up Great Program, collaborating with Sesame Street Workshop, and helping build a stronger local economy through investment in early childhood education.

“A lot of children, because they struggle with the mechanics of reading itself… it discourages them from even reading a chapter book or going beyond what they feel their own limitations are. So seeing yourself in a book…it gets them interested.”  -Ymani Wince Today's guest is Ymani Wince, Owner of The Noir Bookshop. Ymani sat down with Staci to discuss her love for books, the inspiration for opening her bookstore, book vending machines, and tips for encouraging children to get excited about literature.

“When I began to work with City Hope, it drove home that [unhoused people] are humans. That they had some challenges. That they are needing some support, some care, some love, and, most of all, to be treated with dignity”  -Mike Willis   Today's guests are City Hope St. Louis's CEO Pastor Mike Robinson and Director of Operations Mike Willis. Pastor Mike and Mike sit down with Staci to discuss common misconceptions for unhoused individuals, the struggles of acquiring identification, and helping unhoused youth continue their education.  

“[Catholic education has] shifted more to that way of self control and using your abilities as a young student to go out and make change and have the discipline to worry about not just yourself, but others in your community.”  -Julie Soffner Today's guests are Julie Soffner, Executive Director of the Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation and Emily Roth, Principal of St. Cecilia Catholic School. Julie and Emily sit down with Staci to discuss the benefits of a Catholic education, myths about faith based education, and helping families find a sense of belonging in their schooling.

“Lots of schools offer lots of things for all children, but you really just need to focus on, like, what can this school do for my child? How can this school best serve my child to be  better and fully independent?”  -Samantha Montgomery   Today's guests are Samantha Montgomery,  Director of Service Coordination for the St. Louis Office for Developmental Disability Resources. Samantha sits down with Staci to discuss how she advocates for children with Developmental Disabilities and important advice for parents navigating the school system.  

“Read to your kiddos, read to the neighbors kiddos, read to your nieces and your nephews, all of that.”-Lauren Campbell Today's guest is Lauren Campbell, the Community Programming Coordinator at Ready Readers. Lauren sit down with Staci to discuss the importance of early childhood literacy, tips for parents to help boost their kiddo's literacy skills, and the book desert of St. Louis.  

“Know yourself and strive to live in line with the truth, because now, with social media, you're following everybody. Be a leader, you know what I'm saying? Don't be so caught up in what everybody else is doing.”  -Tenelle Donta   Today's guests are Ryan Escobar and Tenelle Donta, the hosts of Souls of Liberty Podcast and Alumni of Metro High School in St. Louis. Ryan and Tenelle sit down with Staci to discuss the role of Alumni for Metro, advice for students in today's day and age, and the pros of attending Metro.  

“I'd love for the education space to meet students and families where they are and adapt to them instead of the other way around. I think families, they have voice. And decision making power when it comes to the education of their children. And I'd like to see the education space lean more into that. And support that.” -Angel McCain   Today's guest is Angel McCain, St. Louis Region Program Director for the Education and Training Organization, who works with Forward Through Ferguson to create equity in education.  Angel sits down with Staci to discuss FTF's Community Governance Board, having the hard discussions, and healing through community.  

“If we're doing things that are not focusing on our youth and focusing on our families and their upward mobility, then we're not really doing anything and the progress that we're making is very static.”  -Adam Layne   Today's guest is Adam Layne, a Treasurer for the City of St. Louis, who aims to see the residents of this city become financially fit. Adam sits down with Staci to discuss the need to invest in child financial literacy, an upcoming teen investment program, and preparing the next generation for success.   

“These are really opportunities where maybe they don't excel in the classroom but they shine on the basketball court or they're an exceptional runner. It really increases their confidence and their opportunity to feel good about themselves and something they're doing.”  -Allison Cousins   Today's guest is Allison Cousins, Founder and Commissioner of City League, an organization partnering with St. Louis middle schools to establish well-structured sports programming for charter schools. Allison sits down with Staci to discuss the benefits of getting kids involved in sports, and making athletics more accessible for STL students.  

“We believe entrepreneurship is the path forward. It is what our society and our culture needs in order to advance to the next level and create generational wealth and not debt-forwarding our kids.”  -Christal Rogers   Today's guest is Christal Rogers, the founder of Brownpreneurs, a nonprofit organization that is teaching young brown students the principles of entrepreneurship. Christal sits down with Staci to discuss her motivation for founding Brownpreneurs, how entrepreneurship is the path forward for creating generational wealth, and the importance of encouraging kids' dreams.  

“If the School Improvement Program's purpose was to improve schools, it hasn't done that. Missouri has declined in academics year after year.”  -Roosevelt Lyons   Today's guest is Roosevelt Lyons, VP of Advocacy for the Quality Schools Coalition, a nonprofit on a mission to improve public education in Missouri. Roosevelt sits down with Staci to discuss the downfalls of the Missouri School Improvement Program, the importance of focusing on growth over status, and how the Quality Education Act aims to change the status quo.  

“Misophonia, I try to equate to an allergy. It's not a phobia, it's a neurological sensory thing. And so there's a difference between ‘I don't like peanuts' and ‘I'm allergic to peanuts.'”   -Cris Edwards   Today's guest is Cris Edwards, founder of soQuiet, a nonprofit that offers advocacy, support, and resources for people who suffer from misophonia. Cris sits down with Staci to discuss the struggles of growing up with undiagnosed neurodivergence, how people can make and seek accommodations for individuals with misophonia, and the importance of believing everyone's lived experiences.  

“Being able to lay out not only what you want but what you don't want, can allow you to stay there when having conversations with professionals. And if you can all agree on that future vision, then the steps to get there, that conversation becomes less confrontational and more about figuring out the best path.”  -Sharon Spurlock   Today's guest is Sharon Spurlock, Senior Director of Family Support at St. Louis Arc, an organization that provides support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Sharon sits down with Staci to discuss the types of support provided by St. Louis Arc, the benefits of having documented and mandated support, the challenges in educating children with special needs in STL, and what gives her hope for the future.  

“Be yourself. Don't try to be someone else. Thrive within your own body. And please yourself. Please your family. Make sure that you have morals. And everything else from there should lead you to a great road for success.” -Rudi Whittaker   Today's guest is Rudi Whittaker, a Vashon High School alumni and SLPS activist. Rudi sits down with Staci to discuss the benefits of choosing a community school, advocating for the growth and success of Vashon High School and beyond, and how a strong foundation of community-based morals will lead children to success. 

“Honestly what surprised me the most was the level of satisfaction I got from really trying to help people do something as simple as putting kids in school”  -Louis Kruger   Today's guest is Louis Kruger, Executive Director of Student Recruitment & Placement for SLPS, where he manages the process of parents applying for children to get into the district's magnet school program. Louis sits down with Staci to discuss the importance of early application to magnet schools, the differences between neighborhood and magnet schools, the challenge of a declining student population, and his hope for the future of education in St. Louis. 

“I believe that children do not have time to wait for adults to get it together.”  -Tiara Jordan Today's guest is Tiara Jordan, Founder and Executive Director of Activate STL, an organization dedicated to educating, training and uplifting parents and their voices to ensure access to quality school options. Tiara sits down with Staci to discuss how Activate STL is mobilizing and organizing parents, what parents should be considering when choosing a school for their children, and how the current education system is failing black and brown families.

Today's guest is Cici Tompkins, Director of Children's Education Alliance of Missouri (CEAM), an organization on a mission to improve Missouri's K-12 educational system. Cici sits down with Staci to discuss how CEAM is helping parents find the best options for high-quality education, the first year of MO Scholars scholarships and grants, the current lack of education options for residents outside of St. Louis, and the ongoing efforts to pass new and improved K-12 legislation.

Today's guest is Julius B Anthony, the president and founder of St. Louis Black Authors of Children's Literature, an organization that aims to improve early literacy in Black children and provide access to Black children's literature. Julius sits down with Staci to discuss the current state of Black children's literacy in St. Louis,  the inadequacy of multiculturalism in curriculums, the importance of representation in children's literature, and bringing interest, confidence, and joy into Black children's literacy journey.

“We're intentional and we know that we have documented proof that the children that we are serving have made great gains.” -Stacy Johnson Today's guest is Stacy Johnson, the Chief Program Officer/Director of YWCA Head Start, a federally funded early education program that provides education, child care, and family support to low-income families. Stacy sits down with Staci to discuss what makes Head Start stand out over standard pre-k programs, misconceptions about early childcare, how Head Start is tackling school readiness, and the difficulties families face in the early childcare space.

“The family engagement, the youth engagement, and community engagement all have to be intertwined.”  -John Saunders   Today's guest is John Saunders, the Executive Director of Wesley House Association, an organization that serves children, families, and senior adults within North St. Louis. John sits down with Staci to discuss Wesley House's methods of nurturing children into productive citizens, how they were able to adapt during Covid-19 to continue serving the community, and the challenges faced by North St. Louis families navigating through the St. Louis education system.

“Girls need to walk away from our program knowing that they are capable and they are confident and STEM is a place for them.” -Cynthia Chapple   Today's guest is Cynthia Chapple, founder of Black Girls Do STEM, a nonprofit organization that provides resources for young black girls to empower them for a successful career in STEM. Cynthia sits down with Staci to discuss the benefits of STEM programs for black girls, the challenges of women in the STEM industry, and how parents and communities can help build a more equitable future of STEM.

“I know how things work, I was privy to that, I had a great family.. How do I then take that knowledge and those resources and give them to people who need them the most.” -Zasmine Johnson    Today's guest is Zasmine Johnson, Program Manager for Blueprint4Summer, an organization that helps St. Louis area families find access to summer camps for their children. Zasmine sits down with Staci to discuss the challenges summer camp providers are facing, the importance of summer learning in stemming the summer learning loss, and how the lack of time or money should not stop families from gaining access to summer learning opportunities.

“Children's literature offers children an opportunity to see their lived experiences reflected.” -Ashley Montano   Today's guest is Ashley Montano, the founder of Juntos We Read, an organization that supports families raising bilingual children. In this episode, Ashley sits down with Staci to discuss the importance of building a strong foundation in a child's home language, the benefits of being bilingual and biliterate, and what families can do to help their children become bilingual.

Today is a special episode with three guests, David Lee Dickerson, Addie Boeving and Joyce Sutherland-Wade. They are all working in the St. Louis Public School system and are the winners of the Navigating the Classroom Content.  In this episode, the teachers sit down with Staci to discuss the future of education in St. Louis, the challenges due to COVID-19, the impact of COVID-19 on children's emotional and social well-being, and the high hopes they have for STL schools. “The pandemic to a certain degree was needed to transform education.” -David Lee Dickerson

“The history of St. Louis is one that is profoundly written by people coming from different parts of the world.” -Arrey Obenson Today's guest is Arrey Obenson, the president and CEO of the International Institute, a refugee resettlement agency in St. Louis. Arrey is also the author of Bridging the Opportunity Gap, a lawyer by trade, a husband, and a father. In this episode, Arrey sits down with Staci to discuss the important work being done by the International Institute in St. Louis to resettle refugees, build a more inclusive community, and help immigrant and refugee families find a school that's best for them.

Today's guest is Donald Gouwens, Associate Department Chair and Associate Clinical Professor at UMSL. In his work at UMSL, Donald developed a school psychology program that trains hundreds of students who work in schools across the country. In this episode, Donald sits down with Staci to discuss the current status of school psychology in St. Louis public schools, the importance of prevention and early intervention, and how parents and administrators can work together to improve students' well being.  “Social, emotional, and behavior skills need to be explicitly taught; kids don't just pick that up.” -Donald Gouwen

“I just know that this is urgent, and I know that we've got to figure out a way to get kids into the right environment where they can learn, where they do feel affirmed, where they do feel valued.”      -Peter Franzen Today's guest is Peter Franzen, the Associate Executive Director at CEAM (Children's Education Alliance of Missouri). In his work at CEAM, Peter works for policy change to support effective schools of all kinds so that Missouri families have access to quality education. In this episode, Peter sits down with Staci to discuss the new Empowerment Scholarship Account Program, the importance of school choice for parents, and the future of education in St. Louis.

“Every one of those children were brought into this world with unlimited potential and our responsibility as adults and communities is making sure kids can reach their full potential.” -Robbyn Wahby Today's guest is Robbyn Wahby, Executive Director of the Missouri Charter Public School Commission, where she oversees charter schools and makes sure they are performing according to state standards. Robbyn has also served as a school board member and an elected member of the St. Louis Board of Education. In this episode, Robbyn sits down with Staci to discuss the benefits of charter schools, how they operate and advises parents on how to go about choosing their child's school in St. Louis.

“I've realized that the impact of black males in any education is tremendous.” Dr. Albert Sanders Today's guest is Dr. Albert Sanders, a Pre-K teacher in the St. Louis Public Schools, where he has been teaching for 22 years. Dr. Sanders received the 2019 Missouri Regional Teacher of the year award, and he holds a Doctorate of Education. In this episode, Dr. Sanders sits down with Staci to discuss the importance of equitable early childhood education, universal Pre-K in the United States, and what St. Louis parents need to know when searching for the best quality Pre-K program for their child.

“It's time for us to take a stand to say, even if I don't know, I'm willing. Even if I haven't been told yet, I'm willing to listen. Even if I haven't been doing it, I'm willing to try.” -Krystal Barnett Today's guest is Krystal Barnett, the founder of Bridge 2 Hope. Krystal has been a northside St. Louis resident for 38 years; she's a mother to two children and the leader of a booming new campaign to ensure every child in St. Louis has access to quality education. In this episode, Krystal sits down with Staci to discuss how Bridge 2 Hope aims to help parents become advocates for their children, so they can get the education they deserve.

“I am hopeful that this dialogue can get us focusing on the resource that's most important to this community, and that's kids; not the dollars, and not the buildings.”  -Dr. Kelvin Adams Today's guest is Dr. Kelvin Adams, Superintendent of Schools for the Saint Louis Public School District. Dr. Adams has a PhD in Educational Leadership and has been working in education since the late 1970s. In this episode, Dr. Adams sits down with Staci to discuss the future of Saint Louis public schools with collaboration at the forefront and how they will allocate COVID relief funds to address inequality in the district.

My biggest dream is that one day we have future generations that can't even connect to the realities that we are living in today. - Ohun Ashe Today's guest is Ohun Ashe, activist and founder of For the Culture STL, an organization that helps connect people with black-owned businesses and events in St. Louis. In this episode, Ohun sits down with Staci to discuss how St. Louis has changed since 2014, the biggest challenges facing students in St. Louis public schools, and her hope for the continued positive evolution of the city.

“Knowledge is power, and education is a game-changer.” Carline Adah   Today's guest is Carline Adah, LIFT director and youth program director at LOVEtheLOU, an organization committed to uplifting and empowering St. Louis youth to reach their fullest potential. Carline and LOVEtheLOU are taking a holistic approach to mentoring students. In this episode, Carline sits down with Staci to discuss the importance of a quality education and inspiring parents to advocate for their students.

“Knowing who your child's teachers are, what school they're in, the things they're learning in the classroom, is extremely important.”    Today's guest is Joshua Johnson, founder and CEO of Dope Dad, a network of fathers that aims to mentor and support other men to be good dads. Joshua, a lifelong St. Louisan, is the proud father of a 5-year-old daughter. In this episode, Joshua sits down with Staci to discuss Joshua's own years and experience in St. Louis schools, his process in selecting a school for his child, and how schools can encourage other dads to be involved in their kids' education.

“I want to make sure that children who come into a school and I engage with, that they walk away having had an experience where they were valued, where they were known, seen and loved, where their opinions mattered, where they could contribute.”   Today's guest is Kimberly Townsend, founder and executive director at The Leadership School, a charter school in St. Louis. Kimberly has 15 years in the teaching field and sees charter schools as just a different approach to education. In this episode, Kimberly sits down with Staci to discuss the impact of teachers empowering their students, what parents need to know about charter schools, and how to determine what values they want for their child.

“My goal [is] just making sure that all students can really get a quality education and they don't have to be lucky to get that, and making that the norm, not the exception.” - Adam Layne   Today's guest is Adam Layne, newly elected St. Louis Public Schools school board member. Adam began teaching high school math in SLPS in 2011, and has been working since then toward educational equity and quality experiences for students in St. Louis. In this episode, Adam sits down with Staci to discuss his turning points in education, misconceptions about the SLPS district and school board, and today's SLPS students being tomorrow's St. Louis workforce.

Welcome to Navigating STL Schools, a podcast.   Today's guest is Jamie Driver, Executive Director of Independent Schools of St. Louis. Jamie got her start in education as a kindergarten teacher and got into arts education, as the director of education for Opera Theater of St. Louis. She has been with Independent Schools of St. Louis for about seven years and is committed to letting parents know that an independent school education is accessible to anyone and everyone. In this episode, Jamie sits down with Staci to discuss the advantages independent schools can offer, indulging the passions of teachers and students, and equity initiatives designed to give anyone access to an independent school education. “Every child deserves the best education they can possibly get.” - Jamie Driver