School Me

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New to education? This podcast brings you advice from educators who have been there, done that. Get classroom management tips, lesson plan ideas, and other life-hacks to help inspire your career.

National Education Association


    • Jun 2, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 24m AVG DURATION
    • 135 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from School Me

    An Expert Explains: Medicaid Cuts Will Hurt Us All

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2025 37:07


    Mentioned in this episode:Tell Congress to protect Medicaid funding - https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/action-center/take-action/dont-slash-medicaid-and-childrens-health-careCall in and share your story - Call 866-426-2631Find out more about Medicaid's impact in your school district, congressional district, or state.Organize locally using this toolkit: https://www.nea.org/resource-library/toolkit-ideas-organize-locally-protect-students-and-public-schools

    Lawyers Explain: Anti-Immigrant Policies and Education

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025 36:19


    Mentioned in this episode:Safe Zone policies - https://www.nea.org/resource-library/safe-zone-school-districtsNEA's Immigration Resource Hub - https://www.nea.org/resource-library/guidance-immigration-issuesOpen letter to Higher Ed admin - https://www.nea.org/open-letter-protect-speech-college-and-university-campusesLegal resources for immigrant educatorshttps://iamerica.org/legal-help/https://ailalawyer.com/

    A Lawyer Explains: "DEI" and Anti-Equity Policies in Schools

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 38:07


    The Trump administration is waging war against diversity, equity, and inclusion. But what does that mean for educators when it comes to discussing race, equity, and history in the classroom? How can schools continue to foster inclusive learning environments despite these restrictions? Alice O'Brien, general counsel for the National Education Association, walks through your rights, risks, and opportunities for to push back against anti-equality policies and fear tactics.

    What can we do about cyberbullying?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2025 32:40


    With the rise of social media and constant online communication, bullying is affecting students in new, pervasive ways, and schools are often on the front lines of addressing it. Madeline Micou, a middle school counselor with over two decades of experience in education, shares her insights on the realities of cyberbullying, how it differs from traditional bullying, and what educators and families can do to combat it effectively.

    All the books for all the kids with Kwame Alexander

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2025 33:29


    A conversation with Kwame Alexander: a poet, educator, and best-selling author of The Crossover, Booked, The Door of No Return, and so many other books that have inspired young readers across the country. In celebration of NEA's Read Across America week, Kwame has teamed up with NEA for a unique project—bringing literature and music together with a jazz-infused reading of The Crossover. You can hear Kwame's special 10th anniversary reading at https://www.nea.org/crossover.

    Collective Bargaining is Back in Fairfax

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2025 25:01


    In 2020, collective bargaining for public sector workers returned to Virginia after a nearly 50-year ban—a huge win for Virginia educators. But change doesn't happen overnight. Fairfax Education Association President Leslie Houston joins the show to talk about how educators in Fairfax, Virginia came together to create their first collective bargaining agreement since the ban, and what other districts can do to bring similar wins to their schools.

    Moments From a Teacher's Monthly Grocery Run

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2025 4:55


    Read more from Mary Ellen about how low pay affects education across the nation, and how unions are helping educators get the pay increases they deserve:https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/dear-educators-youre-still-not-paid-enoughAs the nation's largest labor union, we stand in solidarity with the Costco Teamsters in their fight for a fair contract. Just as we fight for the rights and dignity of educators and their communities, we proudly stand with all workers demanding the wages and benefits they deserve.

    An Innovative Apprenticeship Program for Teachers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2025 39:13


    Learn more about the Washington Education Association's Apprenticeship Residency in Teaching https://www.washingtonea.org/events-training/residency/

    Read (and Rap) Across America with Dwayne Reed

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 33:37


    Learn more about Read Across America, and access the calendar: https://www.nea.org/readacrossamericaCheck out Simon B. Rhymin' : https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/read-across-america/find-your-book/simon-b-rhymin

    Your Questions About Retirement

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2024 29:55


    Mentioned in this episode:Pensions, Explained for Educators - https://www.nea.org/resource-library/pensions-explained-educatorsFrequently Asked Questions about Pensions - https://www.nea.org/resource-library/frequently-asked-questions-about-pensions

    Moments From a See Educators Run Training

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2024 5:51


    Check out NEA.org/SeeEducatorsRun for more information about taking the first step toward holding public office.

    AI in Education

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2024 35:32


    Mentioned in this episode:Report of the NEA Task Force on Artificial Intelligence in EducationHuman-Centered Artificial Intelligence in SchoolsaiEDU

    Moments From a High School Culinary Class

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024 5:50


    See photos from the kitchen, the transcript, and more here.

    The ESP Bill of Rights

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2024 35:05


    Learn more about the ESP Bill of Rights campaign: http://nea.org/espbillofrights 

    Defend Black History with Rashad Robinson

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2024 36:43


    Defending the right to learn about our country's full history naturally includes defending the right to learn about Black history. As certain politicians seek to ban books by Black authors and ban courses that teach the truth about the Black experience in America, we are fighting back to ensure all students have access to an honest education. One of NEA's partners in this work is Color Of Change, a racial justice organization committed to building power and making justice real for Black people. Today's guest, Rashad Robinson, is the President of Color Of Change.

    70 years of Brown v. Board

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2024 34:07


    Read the report, "The Legal and Pedagogical Case for Culturally Responsive and Racially Inclusive Public Education for All Students".Danielle's Book Recommendations:   - Schoolhouse Burning by Derek Black   - Engines of Liberty by David Cole   - The Lie That Binds by Ellie Langford 

    Mental Health in Higher Education

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2024 25:57


    Read Mary Ellen's latest article, The Mental Health Crisis Among Faculty and College Staff.Also, see The Mental Health Crisis on College Campuses.

    How to Be Strike-Ready

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2024 34:25


    They say that the best way to prevent a strike is to prepare for one. So how can educators successfully avoid striking, while also having their demands met? Leah VanDassor, president of the St. Paul Federation of Educators, and executive board member Quentin Wathum-Ocama discuss how St. Paul, MN educators prepared for their recent negotiations, and how you can use their example as a helpful guide for your upcoming bargain.

    The State of Community Schools

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2024 33:19


    Learn more about Community Schools at NEA.org/CommunitySchools

    Supporting Students with Disabilities

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2024 25:27


    Mentioned in this episode:https://www.nea.org/individuals-with-disabilitiesCourse: “Disability Representation: Historical Perspectives and the Impact of Media”. The course is free for NEA members and $39.99 for non-members. https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/professional-learning/resources/disability-rights-and-inclusion-online-learning-opportunityDisability-friendly Language:  Words Matter! Disability Language Etiquette | NEA

    Why New Teachers and ESPs Make a Dynamic Team

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2024 32:57


    In this episode, we explore the invaluable partnership between Education Support Professionals (or ESPs) and new and aspiring educators in schools. Our guests, Joie Moore, an ESP from Ohio, and Demetrius Dove, an aspiring educator from Georgia, share their insights and experiences in fostering strong partnerships within the school community.

    Moments from A Nature-Based, Outdoor Pre-Kindergarten

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2024 5:32


    View photos of the class in action and more from NEA Today here.

    Demystifying AP African American Studies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2024 33:33


    Read more about AP African American Studies: https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/what-really-happens-ap-african-american-studies 

    Taking Action on Gun Violence

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2024 39:55


    Read the latest article about the gun violence epidemic from NEA Today: https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/we-can-change-educators-take-gun-violenceAlso mentioned in this episode:https://www.nea.org/gunviolenceEducationvotes.nea.orgNEA Action CenterDonate to the NEA PAC

    Encore: Battling Educator Stress

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2023 38:51


    Mentioned in this episode:The Center for Educator Wellness and Learning

    Recognizing Yourself as a Leader

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2023 32:03


    Update: The State of Student Debt

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2023 28:37


    Mentioned in this episode:https://www.nea.org/student-debt-supporthttps://www.neamb.com/products/nea-student-debt-navigator

    Rise Up for LGBTQ+ Youth with GLSEN

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2023 28:47


    Mentioned in this episode:Take the Rise Up Pledge: https://www.glsen.org/riseupAsk Congress to Rise Up: https://act.glsen.org/a/congress-rise-up-2023Rise Up Proclamation Map: https://maps.glsen.org/rise-up-proclamations/State and Local Rise Up Proclamation toolkit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jEaB3suSlfuX42aBc1xSeR54_hEiLfWcocuz2Rt8qro/edit

    What Behavioral Specialists Want You To Know

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2023 38:50


    Student behavior is a major challenge for educators these days, and it's more important than ever to learn how to respond to those behaviors in a compassionate, effective, and safe way. To discuss these strategies, Rosa DiPiazza, a school psychologist and behavioral specialist in Delaware, joins the show.

    Champion the Freedom to Read with Author Duncan Tonatiuh

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2023 34:57


    Mentioned in this episode:Find "A Land of Books: Dreams of Young Mexihcah Word Painters" on this year's Read Across America Calendar!  Take action on book banning - https://educationvotes.nea.org/bannedbooks/Pen America - https://pen.org/Every Library - https://www.everylibrary.org/Learn more about Duncan and his books - https://duncantonatiuh.com/

    Parent Partnership and Family Engagement

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2023 34:03


    Parents, guardians, and family members are essential parts of every school community—Their involvement can not only improve the learning experience for students but also the working conditions of educators. To discuss how family engagement can be a game changer for educators, Maria Miranda, current UTLA Elementary Vice President, joins the podcast.

    Winning Higher Pay

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2023 39:51


    Teachers are making $3,644 less, on average, than they did 10 years ago, adjusted for inflation. In this episode, two guests who were part of successful efforts to win higher pay for educators in their states share their experiences, strategies, and insights on how they and their fellow union members achieved victory, and share how you can do the same in your state.

    Organizing, Member to Member

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2023 33:03


    Mentioned in this episode:Member-to-member organizing article: https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/educators-are-stronger-together-0

    Education and the Supreme Court

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2023 39:24


    From free speech rights to religious freedom, equal access to education, and the delicate balance between privacy and safety, the legal intricacies and real-world implications of Supreme Court rulings cannot be understated. Alice O'Brien, NEA's General Counsel, returns to the show to discuss the recent Supreme Court decisions that have had major effects on our country and what they mean specifically for educators and students.

    Educator Advocacy Rights

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2023 28:51


    Mentioned in this episode: Read the full Educator Advocacy Rights report: https://www.nea.org/advocacy-rights

    Update: Navigating Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws at School

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2023 17:01


    Alice O'Brien, NEA's General Counsel, is back to give an update on Florida's "Don't Say Gay" and "Don't Say They" laws, and discuss which states have been following in its footsteps by introducing their own discriminatory laws.

    Introducing Our 2023 ESP of the Year

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2023 31:10


    Each year, the NEA searches the country for school support staff who are going above and beyond for their students, their school, and their communities, and names one outstanding member as the National Education Support Professional (ESP) of the Year. Pamella Johnson, a Behavioral Interventionist from Washington state, was given this prestigious honor in 2023. Learn about the path that led to her career in education, how she became NEA's ESP of the Year, and what she'll be focused on this year as a spokesperson for ESPs and issues affecting ESP nationwide.

    Rethinking Standardized Testing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2023 44:55


    Article: Standardized Testing is Still Failing Studentshttps://www.mciea.org/https://www.edcommonwealth.org/

    #TeacherTok: Educators as Influencers

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2023 37:48


    Follow Jess Hawk on social media:https://www.tiktok.com/@myteacherfacehttps://www.instagram.com/myteacherface/

    How Educators Build Community Schools

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2023 34:36


    Leslie Hu, a Community School Coordinator in San Francisco, discusses the benefits of the community school model, how it differs from traditional public schools, and how educators can start transforming their own schools into vibrant community hubs.

    Bonus Episode: Special Education and Inclusion from OEA Grow

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2023 23:31


    How does special education connect to a safe, welcoming, and inclusive school? In this episode, Leonne talks with life skills and peer tutoring special education teacher Niels Pasternak (Eugene EA) to answer this question. Niels is also the Chair of the OEA Special Education Committee and the Executive Director of Educational Equity Now. For Niels, special education is all about inclusivity, serving all students, and helping all students feel like they fit in. To do this, he recommends focusing on students' needs, strengths, and interests. Neils also points to approaches like differentiated instruction and Universal Design for Learning because when it comes to education, one size doesn't fit all. Leonne and Niels also discuss the power of life skills and peer tutoring programs in their schools. Finally, Niels explains the work of the OEA Special Education Committee, the OEA Educator Empowerment Academy, and the member resources provided by both.

    Battling Educator Stress

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2023 38:51


    Mentioned in this episode:The Center for Educator Wellness and Learning

    Books as Mirrors and Windows

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2023 35:20


    Celebrate diverse readers and diverse stories with Read Across America! https://readacrossamerica.org/

    The Power of Pre-K

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2023 31:31


    Pre-K is more than just daycare — it prepares students for a lifetime of learning. Amber Pagan, a Pre-K teacher in Kansas, discusses the importance of Pre-K education, the rigor of pre-k curriculum, and the professional skills required to teach our youngest students each day.

    Teaching Black History, Meaningfully

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2023 36:49


    Mentioned in this episode:Rethinking SchoolsThe Zinn Education ProjectToo Dope Teachers and a Mic Podcast

    Social and Emotional Learning 101

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2023 33:49


    Resources mentioned in this episode:View the CASEL SEL FrameworkSelf-Reflection ExerciseThe CASEL School GuideNEA's SEL Resources 

    Navigating Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws at School

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2022 40:31


    Find  resources to support LGBTQ+ students from GLSEN here: https://www.glsen.org/

    How to Become a Teacher - Pt. 3 - My Path to the Classroom

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2022 40:48


    Get more information about micro-credentials here. Learn about NEA's Aspiring Educators Program here. Find every episode of this series and relevant resources here.

    Educators and Elections

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2022 27:48


    Election Day is rapidly approaching, and educators have a lot on the line this year. Amy Harrison, a special education teacher in her 23rd year of teaching in North Carolina, shares her experiences with getting involved in local and state politics and the tangible effects of educators fighting for their students in the political realm.

    Supporting Student Advocacy With Rahaf Othman

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2022 26:24


    Rahaf Othman is an Illinois high school history teacher with 26 years of experience, who has a passion for helping her students make their voices heard. On this episode, she shares the stories of her students' activism during the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement and over the years, and how their passions have changed not only their school but the surrounding community.

    How to Win With Collective Bargaining and Member Advocacy

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2022 43:49


    Collective bargaining and member advocacy empower us to fight for enhancements to student learning and educator working conditions–which in turn benefits our schools and communities as a whole. To help demystify the concept of collective bargaining, we're bringing 3 guests on the show to break down the various tools members have at their disposal to win on the issues that matter most.

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