Until the Bell Rings

Trent said it best. “We have a lot of love for the school.” That was the takeaway from today's episode. I spent some time with three De La Salle graduates – one who attended when it an all boys' school, one who was in the first class of girls to attend, and one much younger grad who was one of my students and is the child of the other two. That's right! For the first time ever, I have a whole De La Salle family joining me on the podcast. Thank you to Trent, Norlisha, and Tim for being good sports, for sharing your different perspectives, and for showing support by simply being willing to have a conversation. Which one of our De La Salle experiences can you relate to? Listen to find out!

It feels good to be back! In today's episode Coach E and I talk about what's going on in the world as it pertains to belonging (or lack thereof), chat about the college application process because it's that time of year, and I give you an update on what's going on in the De La Salle world. Based on the changes being made, maybe there is space up front to take another stab at including Director of DEIB on the administration roster? Just sayin.

In today's bonus episode, I am reflecting on my conversation with Etienette with my favorite - poetry! I was reminded that no matter how different we are, there is always common ground. Listen to hear more!

In this episode I get the chance to step outside of what is familiar to me, and learn about someone else's experience with navigating a space that doesn't accept you for who you are, and in some cases, would rather pretend like your reality doesn't even exist because it's easier for them. Today, I am joined by Etienette, another De La Salle graduate, who very patiently teaches me about neurodivergent ableism, transphobia, how those intersect, and how that can impact a student in school, and in life in general.

It's just me today, and I'm excited! Not only am I bring poetry back for this episode, I'm talking about some things that have been in the media lately, that have been handled pretty irresponsibly, and the ways in which I have seen first hand, it negatively affects our students.

It can be hard to know when to address something, and when to just let it slide. It's even harder in the school building. Today, Coach E and I discuss times we wish administration would have been more straight forward, and times when we completely understood that whatever it was, talking about it wasn't going to help. This all ties in to the case of the missing poster. Well, it wasn't missing - it was folded up under the stairs. You see, one of the things that has been a pleasant surprise is how frequently students have reached out to me during the school year to let me know how things are going, what successes they're experiencing and where they're struggling. This week, I've heard from so many of them because they're feeling a little frustrated...disrespected, even. Listen to find out why! And if you need visual aides as you follow the conversation, check out @untiltheballrings on Instagram. Love you Cavs! Don't let anybody bring you down ❤️

It's always good to catch up with former colleagues, and that's exactly what I did today. Coach E and I were joined by Madison, who formerly taught in the Social Studies department at De La Salle. We got some insight into her experience as a black woman teaching at Lasallian school, and it turns out we shared a lot of the same frustrations. The biggest take away? Listen and find out!!

In today's episode, Coach E and I welcome a former member of the De La Salle High School administration. If you've been tuning in, you've heard me talk about the admissions testing day when it was decided to assign testing rooms is a way that would downplay - nay, hide - the number of black students present (this done in an effort to mitigate presumed, inevitable white flight). Well, Jessica was the Director of Admissions at that time, and she was in the room when that decision was made. She has agreed to answer some questions and engage in some honest conversation.

I did that thing, again, where I waited to write the poem until after my conversations with my guest. It was a pleasure to talk to Abby about the issues, and a relief to admit that we don't always have the answers...as much as we'd like to. That doesn't change the importance of asking the questions.

The gist of today's conversation? We don't always have the answers to problems, but that doesn't mean that we should pretend they don't exist. In today's episode, former student body president Abby joins me and Coach E, to share her experience and observations at De La Salle High School. It was great to catch up, and I realized today that, even though I am no longer in the classroom, I can still provide a safe space for young people to use their voices. This discussion was also a good reminder that my time as a teacher was about love. I am grateful.

For most of the Until the Bell Rings episodes, I write a poem and let that lead the discussion. This time, I waited to write until after my conversation with Alex and Ella, because I wanted to allow myself to be inspired by their light.

What better way to learn about the students experience than to got straight to the source? In an Until the Bell Rings first - but definitely not last - I am having a conversation with two De La Salle graduates. We discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly, and I ask them how we go about improving upon this school that we all love. I wanted this episode to be all about Alex and Ella, so today's poem is included in a bonus episode. Don't forget to check it out!

In today's episode Crystal Jae and Coach E talk about times when they have felt pressure to soften the delivery when discussing topics that others might deem uncomfortable, and how that courtesy is rarely reciprocated. They also get into the various micro-aggressions that that they have experienced at school - from administrators, teachers, and even students.

Welcome to the official start to Season 3 of Until the Bell Rings! Here's the deal. I'm for inclusive and equitable education because it better serves the young people that are relying on us to prepare them for whatever comes next. It's that simple. And while, this season, I'm still writing poetry and diving into my experience as black woman teaching at a private school, I think it's that it's time to expand to having actual conversations. In today's episode, I talk about what I discovered while being in the classroom and introduce this season's cohost, Coach E. Listen in to learn about her background as a teacher, and to hear us talk a little bit about how you learn at such a young age to move through the world differently as a black girl. Join me on this journey that begins in hallowed hallways of De La Salle High School, and if it goes at planned, ends at not at perfection, but at progress. Also a work in progress - the sound quality. I'm aware, and I would apologize, but I'm not sorry - these things happen. I am working on it for next week, though.

This is the unofficial start to season 3! I'm mixing it up this time, so I'm super excited. In today's episode I make sure everyone is up to speed on the current situation, and I share my mission: an inclusive and equitable education for all young people. It's that simple y'all. And at every school, it begins with the adults in the building.

In this bonus episode, I welcome everyone back to school...without me. I wasn't quite ready for Season 3, but I couldn't let the first day of school come and go, without wishing everybody luck and wisdom, and sharing a few special reminders.

In the season two finale, I give you an update on where things stand with my school, and share a few of the letters - well, parts of them - that have been written to me, by students over the past eight years. This season is coming to an end, but I'm just getting started. I hope that using my voice has encouraged others to do the same. At the very least, I hope you listen and know you are not alone. ...and that you are loved

In today's episode, I explore the importance of discomfort I delve into my own inclination to cling to comfort, and explain how that started because I was young and gifted, and led to a refusal to takes chances. Embracing discomfort is especially vital in efforts to improve inclusivity and belonging. The reality is, growing up in an environment devoid of diversity can - and very likely will - affect your ability to feel comfortable in your interactions with people of color. If there is an unwillingness to feel uncomfortable, opportunities are not created for important conversations.

Since, I'm writing poetry for hypothetical listeners, this bonus episode is meant to be an expression of gratitude for my students - past, present, and (possibly) future. You are LOVED. You are LIMITLESS.

There's at least one student in every class who prioritizes entertaining classmates, above all else. Not a bad kid, just mischievous (and often quite funny). I always tell this kid, that I understand - everybody has a role to play. I also tell this kid, you can't go out of your way to be the class clown, and then cry when you get a detention for being disruptive. There are consequences for actions. If you're going to play the role, OWN IT. In today's episode, I ponder the consequences of creating this podcast, and discuss the journey to my realization that I, too, have a role to play. And I'm owning it.

Question: What is the most important lesson a teacher can teach you? (Hint: It's not comma placement) Answer: Listen in today's episode find out, and to learn why it's so important to engage in healthy communication with young people.

Today, I share a poem that is my personal favorite. Full disclosure, I wrote it a while ago. In fact, it was my first and I have yet to top it. In this episode, I discuss how I got started writing poetry, and what happened when my creative endeavors intersected with my professional endeavors - when teacher was formally introduced to writer. In the beginning, the relationship was tenuous, at best.

Welcome back! (Or for the first time) Today, I've got a little poetry and a little discussion about loyalty - what it is and what is ISN'T - and little background about how I came to learn that. Spoiler alert: It was a hard lesson to learn.

Isn't it the worst feeling, when you know what you're talking about, but the person (or people) you're talking to just treat you like you're crazy? This happens when your self-doubt and lack of confidence, make it easier for the other parties involved to get away with shady behavior. In today's episode, I discuss my experience with being gaslighted at my school, and how it impacted my life.

In today's episode I discuss the questionable hiring practices at my school. Specifically, the seeming belief that, if there is a leadership position available, the best fit is some white guy. I also get into the general treatment of black faculty members...the words "unappreciated" and "undervalued" come to mind.

This is a short poem about working through some things, about "glowing" up.

In today's episode I talk about how the black experience, past and present, is purposely left out of school curriculum, and how that ultimately impacts the future. At my school, in particular, it seems like every time a teacher tries to make strides in correcting the issue, their efforts are intentionally thwarted. It's very frustrating, but more than that, it's disheartening.

What is a safe environment? And how do schools create a safe environment for ALL students? In today's episode I discuss the impact of not addressing the racial biases that teachers reveal through off-handed comments, and even, direct commentary. In some cases the effect is minimal, but sometimes, the effect can be quite harmful.

Why is it so easy to ignore red flags? Today I'm going to talk about the things that I overlooked when I joined the faculty at my school. I'm also going to discuss accountability. Every relationship - personal and professional - is made up of two responsible parties who contribute to its success of failure.

I'm back for Season 2! And I'm still on my mission to bridge the gap between teachers and learners by acknowledging that we are all both...through REAL conversations. I have found that students who attend more diverse schools, really want, and need, to talk about race dynamics. Ironically, it seems diverse schools avoid that topic the most. for fear of saying the wrong the thing. I get it, but we can't operate based on fear - the future is depending on our courage. So I will be sharing the stories of my own experience as black woman working at a private school. Today, I'm getting into the harsh realities of speaking the truth about race.

Regret is monster you can't let grab hold of you. In the season one finale, I talk about learning from the mistakes we make, and making the choice to move onward and upward. And it all starts with knowing that you are worthy and capable.

Diversity can be tricky. If executed properly - with inclusion in mind - it is a beautiful thing. On the other hand, it can also be used in an exploitative manner. In today's episode, I discuss my own personal experience with trying to navigate diversity at a Catholic high school, and all that comes along with it.

In today's episode, I talk about the importance of seeing, and accepting yourself for who you truly are. Not just all the ways in which you are beautiful (infinitely so), but also the things that are not so pretty, the things we would rather others not know. There is freedom in, not just knowing your shortcoming, but embracing them. There is also a lot compassion to be found in that space - for yourself and for others.

Y'all, I'm over here feeling like I turned a literal hurricane into a metaphorical masterpiece! Today's episode is about making choices and standing behind them. It's about recognizing that we all do the best we can in the moment, even if in hindsight, we look back and can't figure out what the heck we were thinking. You have to be willing to make a move. Uncertainty is a part of life, which can be scary. But if you can't be certain that the outcome will be good, you also can't be certain that the outcome will be bad. Maybe the odds be ever in your favor!

People can never believe that I actually ENJOY teaching teenagers, but they don't realize how loving high school students can be when given the space to do so. When you allow people the space express all of themselves, they will surprise with how much of what they want to express is beautiful. Mr. Charles, this one is for you!

The most surprising thing I learned about myself when I became a teacher, is that I like to talk about the uncomfortable topics. I recognize how beneficial it is to have these discussions with young people, and the value of these conversations compels me to dive right in. And in today's episode, I do just that.

A reminder to young people to pursue your dreams openly, and honestly, without shame. And a reminder to everyone who cares for young people to fall back, and let them.

Life is wonderful and amazing and exhilarating and it's not. It can be confusing and disappointing and lackluster. It's complicated. That is just life – at every age. Let's talk about that with the younger generation, so they aren't anxiously waiting the arrival of their own personal enlightened era.

There are so many topics we (as a society) are encouraged to stay away from, in order to avoid conflict. But if we do that, if we refuse to talk about the difficult stuff with young people, we put them at a disadvantage. Today's poem was inspired by conversations about colorism, not only how my students perceive it, but how it impacts them on a personal level.

Families move all the time, and in today's poem, a students tells me that his family is moving...without him.

Love is difficult for adults, so I can't even imagine how confounding it is for a young person. Although, I'm sure if I really wanted to, I could take a stroll down memory lane and remember it very clearly - I do NOT want to. In today's episode, I touch on the importance of communicating about every stage of love, from beginning to end. If we, more experienced (slash old) humans, leave too much unsaid, the younger generation will get all their information from an internet too eagerly standing by, waiting to offer a cacophony of misguidance.

Even as an adult, there are some days when it is difficult for me to reconcile the idea that who I am may not be who people want me to be. Luckily, I have finally experienced just enough life to know that A) I can never really know what people want, and B) it's a waste of time and energy to worry about it. Today's episode is all about how high school students aren't there yet - they are at the pinnacle of trying to belong, and not knowing how to go about it.

Until the Bell Rings with Crystal Jae.