The Teachers Caucus Podcast

The Teachers Caucus is back! This time, 2021 Utah Teacher of the Year and Finalist for National Teacher of the Year, John Arthur, takes the lead as the show's new host. Guests and former Teachers Caucus Podcast hosts, Rodney Robinson and Shawn Sheehan, join John to discuss the latest in education and their predictions for what's in store for educators. *This episode was originally recorded in December 2024.

All good things must come to an end. Now, this isn't the end for sure, but it's definitely a break. Life just gets so busy! Shawn, Rodney, and show producer Joel hop on one more time to officially close things out and reflect on their favorite moments on the mic.

Shawn discusses the Educational Leadership Policy doctoral program at Texas Tech University with cohort colleagues Carissa Duran and Chris McGilvery.Follow CarissaTwitter - @seejodeeFollow ChrisTwitter - @camcgilveryFollow Teacher Caucuswww.teachercaucus.comTwitter - @TeachersCaucusFacebook - @theteacherscaucusFollow Shawn & Rodney on TwitterShawn Sheehan - @SPSheehanRodney Robinson - @RodRobinsonRVAFollow and give us a rating on the app you use to listen to our show.

Lauren Corboy with The Teacher Salary Project joins the Teachers Caucus to talk about their Midterm Election Guide, the work that went into it, and how current educators can use it before heading to the polls in November.Check out the Teacher Salary Project's 2022 Midterm Election Guide.Follow Lauren Twitter - @corboy303The Teacher Salary ProjectTwitter - @teachersalaryFollow Teacher Caucuswww.teachercaucus.comTwitter - @TeachersCaucusFacebook - @theteacherscaucusFollow Shawn & Rodney on TwitterShawn Sheehan - @SPSheehan Rodney Robinson - @RodRobinsonRVAFollow and give us a rating on the app you use to listen to our show.

Author and 2020 Louisiana Teacher of the Year, Chris Dier, joins the Teachers Caucus to discuss education in his state and how he uses TikTok in his history classes.Follow ChrisTwitter - @chrisdierTikTok - @chrisdierFollow Teacher Caucuswww.teachercaucus.comTwitter - @TeachersCaucusFacebook - @theteacherscaucusFollow Shawn & Rodney on TwitterShawn Sheehan - @SPSheehan Rodney Robinson - @RodRobinsonRVAFollow and give us a rating on the app you use to listen to our show.

2022 Texas Teacher of the Year, Ramon Benavides, and 2022 Colorado Teacher of the Year, Autumn Rivera,  discuss school safety and some of the good stuff that awaits students and teachers as they head back to school.Follow RamonTwitter - R_Benavides2 Follow AutumnTwitter - msrivera114Follow Teacher Caucuswww.teachercaucus.comTwitter - @TeachersCaucusFacebook - @theteacherscaucusFollow Shawn & Rodney on TwitterShawn Sheehan - @SPSheehan Rodney Robinson - @RodRobinsonRVAFollow and give us a rating on the app you use to listen to our show.

Kareem Neal, 2019 Arizona Teacher of the Year and Arizona's first-ever National Teacher Hall of Fame Inductee, shared his journey as a special education teacher and the latest in AZ education. Rodney also takes a moment to celebrate his sister and her legacy of advocacy.Follow Kareem NealTwitter - @kareem_nealFacebook - Kareem NealFollow Teacher Caucuswww.teachercaucus.comTwitter - @TeachersCaucusFacebook - @theteacherscaucusFollow Shawn & Rodney on TwitterShawn Sheehan - @SPSheehan Rodney Robinson - @RodRobinsonRVAFollow and give us a rating on the app you use to listen to our show.

The Teachers Caucus explores the #TeachingTruth campaign led by the Education Civil Rights Alliance. Natasha Wilkins from ECRA and 2020 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, Takeru "TK" Nagayoshi, walk us through the framework of "teaching truth" from educator and legal perspectives.Follow The #TeachingTruth MovementTwitter - @Ed_CivilRightsFacebook - @edrightsInstagram - @ncylnewsLinkedIn - National Center for Youth LawFollow Teacher Caucuswww.teachercaucus.comTwitter - @TeachersCaucusFacebook - @theteacherscaucusFollow Shawn & Rodney on TwitterShawn Sheehan - @SPSheehan Rodney Robinson - @RodRobinsonRVAFollow and give us a rating on the app you use to listen to our show.

2020 Oregon Teacher of the Year, Mercedes Munoz, walks us through her journey to Teacher of the Year, her decision to change school systems, and her move to a public charter school.Holla School websiteFollow Teacher Caucuswww.teachercaucus.comTwitter - @TeachersCaucusFacebook - @theteacherscaucusFollow Shawn & Rodney on TwitterShawn Sheehan - @SPSheehan Rodney Robinson - @RodRobinsonRVAFollow and give us a rating on the app you use to listen to our show.

Jena Nelson, 2020 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, joins the Teachers Caucus to discuss why she's running for State Superintendent of Oklahoma. She shares her priorities for public education and answers a few tough questions about running as a Democrat in an overwhelmingly Republican state.Follow Jena Nelsonwww.nelsonforoklahoma.comTwitter - @Jena4OKFacebook - @Jena4OKInstagram - @Jena4OKFollow Teacher Caucuswww.teachercaucus.comTwitter - @TeachersCaucusFacebook - @theteacherscaucusFollow Shawn & Rodney on TwitterShawn Sheehan - @SPSheehan Rodney Robinson - @RodRobinsonRVAFollow and give us a rating on the app you use to listen to our show.

We level up big time in this episode with our first-ever podcast collaboration with the Too Dope Teachers and a Mic Podcast. Hosts Gerardo Munoz and Kevin Adams join the Teachers Caucus to discuss education politics in Colorado, then we share teacher stories about "Times We Got It Wrong". Follow Too Dope Teachers and a MicPodcast - Spotify or AppleTwitter - @toodopeteachersFollow Teacher Caucuswww.teachercaucus.comTwitter - @TeachersCaucusFacebook - @theteacherscaucusFollow Shawn & Rodney on TwitterShawn Sheehan - @SPSheehan Rodney Robinson - @RodRobinsonRVAFollow and give us a rating on the app you use to listen to our show.

Rodney, Shawn, and special guest/Teachers Caucus Podcast Producer, Joel Deardorf, share some of their teacher stories that made them say, “Wow.”Follow Teacher Caucuswww.teachercaucus.comTwitter - @TeachersCaucusFacebook - @theteacherscaucusFollow Shawn & Rodney on TwitterShawn Sheehan - @SPSheehan Rodney Robinson - @RodRobinsonRVAFollow and give us a rating on the app you use to listen to our show.

We double up on the Virginia love and our guest, Anthony Swann, 2021 Virginia Teacher of the Year, walks us through his journey to being the first currently-practicing teacher to be appointed to on Virginia's Board of Education. Then we learn about the fallout from political backlash that resulted in his removal from the Board.Follow Teacher Caucuswww.teachercaucus.comTwitter - @TeachersCaucusFacebook - @theteacherscaucusFollow Shawn & Rodney on TwitterShawn Sheehan - @SPSheehan Rodney Robinson - @RodRobinsonRVAFollow and give us a rating on the app you use to listen to our show.

Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05) and 2021 National Teacher of the Year, Juliana Urtubey, discuss teacher recruitment and retention issues at The Teachers Caucus' first-ever live recording at SXSW Edu in Austin, Texas.Follow Jahana HayesTwitter - @RepJahanaHayesFollow Juliana UrtubeyTwitter - @JulianaUrtubey3Follow Teacher Cauascuswww.teachercaucus.comTwitter - @TeachersCaucusFacebook - @theteacherscaucusFollow Shawn & Rodney on TwitterShawn Sheehan - @SPSheehan Rodney Robinson - @RodRobinsonRVAFollow and give us a rating on the app you use to listen to our show.

2019 Oklahoma School Counselor of the Year and American School Counselor Association Board Member, Sarah Kirk, discusses school counselor needs in 2022.Follow Sarah KirkTwitter - @Counselor_KirkLoving Kindness Meditation resources Sarah referenced in the episode.Kids scriptKids videoAdults videoAdults handoutFollow Teacher Cauascuswww.teachercaucus.comTwitter - @TeachersCaucusFacebook - @theteacherscaucusFollow Shawn & Rodney on TwitterShawn Sheehan - @SPSheehan Rodney Robinson - @RodRobinsonRVASubscribe & Review on Apple PodcastsFollow & Review on Spotify

Tate Aldrich and Jeffery Burton of Arkansans Against School Paddling discuss the use of corporal punishment in the state and their call to end the practice. Arkansans Against School Paddling is a chapter of the U.S. Alliance to End the Hitting of Children. Learn more about their work at BanPaddlingAR.com.@BanPaddlingAR#BreakTheCycle, #BanSchoolPaddlingFollow Teacher Caucuswww.teachercaucus.comTwitter - @TeachersCaucusFacebook - @theteacherscaucusFollow Shawn & Rodney on TwitterShawn Sheehan - @SPSheehan Rodney Robinson - @RodRobinsonRVASubscribe & Review on Apple PodcastsFollow & Review on Spotify

2020 South Carolina Teacher of the Year, Chanda Jefferson, gives us local and federal perspectives on the need for more mental health resources for students and educators in 2022.Follow Chanda JeffersonNational Suicide Prevention LifelineFollow Teacher Caucuswww.teachercaucus.comTwitter - @TeachersCaucusFacebook - @theteacherscaucusFollow Shawn & Rodney on TwitterShawn Sheehan - @SPSheehan Rodney Robinson - @RodRobinsonRVASubscribe & Review on Apple PodcastsFollow & Review on Spotify

Ellen Sherratt, Board Chair for The Teacher Salary Project, introduces the organization's work and call to action to raise teacher salaries everywhere.Follow Teacher Salary Projectwww.teachersalaryproject.orgTwitter - @teachersalaryFollow Ellen SherrattTwitter - @ellensherattFollow Teacher Caucuswww.teachercaucus.comTwitter - @TeachersCaucusFacebook - @theteacherscaucusFollow Shawn & Rodney on TwitterShawn Sheehan - @SPSheehan Rodney Robinson - @RodRobinsonRVASubscribe & Review on Apple PodcastsFollow & Review on Spotify

Kelisa Wing, 2017 Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Teacher of the Year & Chief of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, discusses her experiences working in the DoDEA system and being an author.Follow Kelisahttps://kelisawing.comFacebook - @kelisawingauthorTwitter - @kelisa_l2teachInstagram - @kelisa_javonYoutube - Kelisa WingFollow Teacher Caucuswww.teachercaucus.comTwitter - @TeachersCaucusFacebook - @theteacherscaucusFollow Shawn & Rodney on TwitterShawn Sheehan - @SPSheehan Rodney Robinson - @RodRobinsonRVASubscribe & Review on Apple PodcastsFollow & Review on Spotify

Shawn & Rodney reflect on their teaching and advocacy experiences that helped establish the foundation and purpose of The Teachers Caucus.Follow Teacher Caucuswww.teachercaucus.comTwitter - @TeachersCaucusFacebook - @theteacherscaucusFollow Shawn & Rodney on TwitterShawn Sheehan - @SPSheehan Rodney Robinson - @RodRobinsonRVASubscribe & Review on Apple PodcastsFollow & Review on Spotify

2019 North Carolina Teacher of the Year, Freebird McKinney, gives us the latest on education policy in his state and the Teachers Caucus discusses policy needs in 2022.Follow FreebirdTwitter - @FreebirdsShireNorth Carolina Public Schools - @ncpublicschools#EducatorDiplomatsFollow Teacher Caucuswww.teachercaucus.comTwitter - @TeachersCaucusFacebook - @theteacherscaucusFollow Shawn & Rodney on TwitterShawn Sheehan - @SPSheehan Rodney Robinson - @RodRobinsonRVASubscribe & Review on Apple PodcastsFollow & Review on Spotify

Rick Joseph, 2016 Michigan Teacher of the Year, discusses the latest in Michigan education and addresses school safety policy needs.Follow Rickwww.rickjoseph.comTwitter - @rjoseph852Follow Teacher Caucuswww.teachercaucus.comTwitter - @TeachersCaucusFacebook - @theteacherscaucusFollow Shawn & Rodney on TwitterShawn Sheehan - @SPSheehan Rodney Robinson - @RodRobinsonRVASubscribe & Review on Apple PodcastsFollow & Review on Spotify

Takeru Nagayoshi, 2020 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, shares his thoughts on loan forgiveness for educators, addressing complacency in Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) policy, and supporting LGBTQ+ students and educators.Follow TakeruTwitter: @tk_nagayoshiwww.teacherscaucus.com

Teach Plus Policy Fellow Alums Keisha Rembert and Kristen Rhodes Beland introduce Teach Plus and dive into "The Phoenix Project Report: Building an Equitable Educational System Beyond the Pandemic".LinksThe Phoenix Project Teach PlusFollow on TwitterKeisha Rembert - @klrembertKristen Rhodes Beland - @RhodesBelandTeach Plus - @teachplus

2019 Maryland Teacher of the Year, Dr. Richard Warren Jr., gives us the latest on ed policy in MD and dives into the need for partnerships between school districts and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).Learn more about the Blueprint for Maryland's Futurewww.teacherscaucus.com

Emmy Award Winner & 2018 Ohio Teacher of the Year, Jonathan Juravich, dives into arts education policy needs and self-regulation strategies.Follow Jonathan!Twitter - @JJuravichDrawing With Mr. Jwww.teacherscaucus.com

Eric Hale, 2021 Texas Teacher of the Year, and the state's first Black man to earn the title, gives us an update on his week in Washington D.C. and ways to address teacher recruitment and retention issues.Follow Eric HaleTwitter @Erichale1979www.teacherscaucus.com

2016 New Mexico Teacher of the Year, David Morales, gives us the latest on education in his state, supporting English language learners, and discusses his class ENLACE (Engaging Latino Communities for Education).Gregory Boyle - Homeboy Industrieswww.teacherscaucus.com

Education was on the ballot in 2021 and candidates ran - and won - campaigning against CRT in schools, masks, and more. Shawn & Rodney recap the election results in VA, TX, and elsewhere.

2016 Nebraska Teacher of the Year, Tim Royers, gives us the latest on education in his state and discusses anti-Critical Race Theory bills, gender identities in health standards, and staffing issues.Follow Tim RoyersTwitter @MW_Royersmedium.com/@tdroyerswww.teacherscaucus.com

2019 Nebraska Teacher of the Year, Sydney Jensen, discusses the policy needs to support educator health and wellness.Follow Sydney JensonTwitter: @sydneycjensenWebsite: www.sydney-jensen.comCheck out Sydney's TED Talk referenced in this episode.www.teacherscaucus.com

#EduColor Movement Executive Director & Co-Founder José Vilson discusses education in NYC and introduces listeners to the #EduColor Movement.Follow Jose VilsonTwitter: @TheJLVInstagram: thejosevilsonWebsite: https://thejosevilson.comFollow EduColor@EduColorMVMT on all socialswww.educolor.orgwww.teacherscaucus.com

Shawn Sheehan, 2016 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, and Rodney Robinson, 2019 Virginia and National Teacher of the Year, introduce listeners to The Teachers Caucus Podcast and discuss its goals and mission.Search for The Teachers Caucus Podcast on your favorite social network to connect with us.www.teacherscaucus.com