What's Really Going On: A Spotlight on Solutions for Improving Student Achievement in America's Schools

In this podcast Dr. Sonya Whitaker describes what is meant by performing in the paint. Furthermore she provides concrete examples of the types of strategies leaders should use navigate political waters associated with achieving at high levels.

How likely is it that you are unintentionally demonstrating a level of bias toward another adult or child, but are doing so on an unconscious level? The truth is we don't know what we don't know. In this podcast, Dr. Sonya Whitaker seeks to raise our awareness by providing us with practical examples and a theoretical framework for understanding our own actions. In addition to sharing her personal experiences, she introduces the four levels of racism and the three different types of biases.

Education and Migration. In this podcast, Dr. Sonya Whitaker speaks candidly about education and migration and the fact that many have referred to what is currently happening as a humanitarian crisis. She encourages educators to focus on the word human in humanitarian and to raise awareness about the most effective ways in which to respond to migrant families. Dr. Whitaker also references a theoretical framework which can be used to aid you in developing policy-related responses to this topic in particular.

This podcast is for any parent or guardian of a child attending any school in America (public or private). Be sure to listen to Dr. Whitaker's 20 minute podcast before you head out to participate in Parent/Teacher Conferences. In this podcast she addresses what she has coined as The Top Five Questions for Engaging in Critical Conversations with Your Child's Teachers.

In this podcast, Dr. Sonya Whitaker addresses The Criminalization and Adultification of Black Girls in America's K-12 Educational Institutions. She shares critical information related to what you need to know and what you have the power to do about it. Dr. Whitaker contends that every educator in America with a black girl in their school or district needs to know the contents of this podcast and the accompanying blog post. More specifically, she wants you compelled to ask yourself as a leader, teacher or school board member, “what am I missing as it relates to this topic?” For more information about Sonya Whitaker, or to obtain access to her previously recorded podcasts and blog posts visit her website at sonyawhitaker.com

After years of experimenting, Dr. Sonya Whitaker noticed a trend that causes her concern and the trend is directly tied to her personal experiences related to limited to no ability to obtain unsweetened ice tea in any of the black communities she frequents. In this podcast she opens up about topics related to black people being disproportionately harder hit by heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity and challenges fast food service providers to make a concentrated effort to engage in practices geared more toward extending the life expectancy rates of African Americans. Dr. Whitakers own grandmother died at the age of 54 due to complications related to heart disease.

Episode Two of The Sonya Whitaker Podcast 2.0. Title: Pushing the Needle for Public Education. In this podcast Dr. Whitaker shares that you were called to lead during such a time as this. She challenges you to accept your calling while recognizing what you are up against as you continue to advocate for America's most vulnerable students. After you actively listen to this podcast you will be inspired to push harder, run faster and go against the grain in order to achieve greatness. For more information about Dr. Sonya Whitaker or to obtain access to her on-demand podcasts visit sonyawhitaker.com

Expect to be completely transformed, charged and re-focused after listening to this fifteen minuted podcast. It this podcast Sonya Whitaker makes herself completely vulnerable by going public with her source of strength. She has felt compelled to do so as a direct result of her experiences and her commitment to inspiring you to work toward becoming the best version of yourself. For access to Dr. Whitaker's previously recorded and on demand podcasts, or for booking details submit your contact information at sonyawhitaker.com

Episode one of The Sonya Whitaker Podcast 2.0. Title: What's a Word Like Equity Doing in a Pre-School Classroom? During this podcast, Dr. Sonya Whitaker talks about her experience addressing this topic with educators in an affluent city in the state of Illinois. She also introduces to you the term Pre-School to Prison pipeline and provides recommendations for how to identify and address implicit bias in the classroom so as to avoid unintentionally contributing to the pipeline. For more information about Dr. Whitaker or to listen to her on-demand podcasts visit sonyawhitaker.com.

In this fifteen minute podcast Dr. Sonya Whitaker shares the degree to which "she has been changed," as a direct result of her visit to the National Museum of African American Music located in Nashville, Tennessee. She addresses the need to infuse black culture into the teaching of music education in America's schools. Dr. Whitaker speaks candidly about why this topic is important and provides recommendations for you to follow. For future access to the on-demand version of this podcast and others visit sonya.whitaker.com

On this edition of The Sonya Whitaker Podcast, Dr. Sonya Whitaker speaks openly as she reflects publicly on a question that she recently posed to herself. The question she posed is "how did I get here?" In preparing to deliver remarks to civil rights lawyers in Illinois and others, Dr. Whitaker grew even more humble while reflecting on her positioning in this space. She decided to let you in to her thinking. Dr. Whitaker hopes that by listening to this podcast you will be inspired to "step out on faith," and position yourself to use your God given talents for the benefit of others. It is your living legacy!

In this podcast recording Dr. Sonya Whitaker shares her personal experience with being stopped unjustifiably by a police officer while on vacation with her family. She shares details related to what the officer referred to as a "judgment call," and offers her informed opinion regarding how "judgement calls" impact the work educators and others. She also makes a call to others to be careful not to "blame the victims" of injustices of this nature. In releasing this podcast Dr. Sonya Whitaker thanks all of those in law enforcement who risk their lives to serve and protect others, and encourage you and educators to use the content of this recording in your trainings in an effort to raise the consciousness of those who educate and serve with you.

During this profound podcast production, Dr. Sonya Whitaker is very transparent about a recent hospital visit that prompted her to address the color of her skin, and the role that we all play in developing and then demonstrating a high level of commitment to raise our cosciousness around the topic of skin color.

In this podcast Dr. Sonya Whitaker provides support to educators, community members, parents, teachers and board of education members by identifying cultural conflicts that could be occurring. Dr. Whitaker contends that these cultural conflicts serve as counterproductive to supporting you in ensuring that all students gain equitable access to a quality education. You may learn more about Dr. Whitaker at sonyawhitaker.com.

S3E3. In this episode of The Sonya Whitaker Podcast, Dr. Whitaker addresses the fact that teachers are negatively impacted by the local, state and national debates relevant to the false notion that Critical Race Theory is being taught in a greater majority of America's k-12th grade schools and districts. In this podcast Dr. Sonya Whitaker states the facts, and then offers suggestions related to what should be done to ensure that teachers remain enthusiastic and focused on the real reason they have committed their lives to the field of education. For more information about Sonya Whitaker, other podcasts and her companion blog posts visit sonyawhitaker.com.

S4 Episode Two. In this podcast Dr. Sonya Whitaker, the host of The Sonya Whitaker Podcast, furthers her conversation relevant to the difference between Critical Race Theory and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy by offering her perspective on why Critical Race Theory remains the subject of political and heated debate. She addresses various sides of the argument and states her intent to do her part to help heal the country. For access to previous podcasts and to learn more about Sonya Whitaker visit sonyawhitaker.com.

S4 E1. In this fifteen-minute podcast, Dr. Sonya Whitaker seeks to provide great clarity as it relates to identifying the difference between Critical Race Theory and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy. This podcast is a must listen to for any school board member, educator, parent, or community member that is serious about work centered around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. For more information about Dr. Sonya Whitaker or her work visit sonyawhitaker.com.

S3 E4 On WRGO Radio What's Really Going on??, with Dr. Sonya Whitaker, she addresses the issue of low literacy in America. Dr. Whitaker engages in a provocative conversation regarding the need for each of the presidential candidates to lay out their proposed "blueprint" or plan of action for addressing low literacy and inequality in America's schools. For more information about Dr. Sonya Whitaker visit sonyawhitaker.com

S3 E3 Special Guest Dr. Courtney Orzel, Dr. Mike Lubelfeld, and Dr. Donna Leak are featured on this episode of What's Really Going On?? In this episode her distinguished guests share with the nation, the incredible work they are doing to provide students with equitable access to a quality education and teachers with high-quality professional development virtually during the pandemic outbreak. For more information visit sonyawhitaker.com

S3E2 On Dr. Sonya Whitaker's radio show "What's Really Going On??" as featured on WVON in September she addresses issues which serve as counterproductive to supporting educators in reaching the goal of causing for significant improvements in the achievement levels of all students but more specifically, students of color and students experiencing the impact of poverty which includes white students and their peers. For more information visit sonyawhitaker.com

S3E1 Dr. Sonya Whitaker is thrilled to announce that her radio show "What's Really Going On?? will now be featured on many different platforms, which (include, Spotify, IHeartRadio podcasts, SoundCloud, and Apple Podcasts. She is also pleased to share that her second series inagural radio show is set to be featured on her very own on-line radio station on January 1, 2021. In this show, featured on WVON she introduces to the nation what she refers to as her WHY? For more information visit sonyawhitaker,com

This podcast serves as a tribute to my uncle Dr. Lenard Wells. Uncle Pete recently lost his battle due to symptoms associated with COVID-19 and yet his fight for racial equality lives on. In this podcast, I make recommendations for what should be done nationwide to address the racial inequalities that exist in America's public schools.

Series Two: Episode Three. The Silent Killer: What We Already Knew. This podcast addresses the silent killer of low literacy in America and its impact on our nation's most vulnerable citizens.

This one-minute audio is the introduction to Series II. of my podcast show entitled: What's Really Going On: A Spotlight on Solutions for Improving Student Achievement in America's Public Schools.

Happy New Year! This podcast has been recorded for the purpose of helping you to focus your equity work in a manner that results in an improvement in the quality of life of others.

S1 Episode eight: Working to Ensure Equitable Access to Technology with Joe Phillips. In this episode, Dr. Sonya Whitaker interviews Mr. Joe Phillips who currently serves in the position of Director of Technology at Kansas City Public Schools. Prior to his work in the district, he served the country in Afganistan. He is the author of the article entitled: Let's Talk About Equity: This Laptop Stopped a Bullet and Saved a Student's Life. He is passionate about ensuring that all students have equitable access to technology. In the article, he discusses the best approaches for doing so.

S1 Episode eight: Meeting the Needs of Black and Latino Males is conducted with Mr. Robert Jackson by Dr. Sonya Whitaker. Mr. Jackson has become one of the most sought-after speakers in the country. He has written and published 5 books. In this interview, he highlights what he believes to be the biggest barriers to ensuring the academic success of male students. In addition, he provides his recommendations for what should be done in schools to better ensure that all students have access to high-quality academic experiences.

S1 Episode six. The purpose of this episode is to provide listeners with information relevant to the importance of launching equity initiatives with a focus on ensuring that students are provided with the financial resources needed to experience success in school and ultimately in life.

This podcast is entitled Equity in Education. In this episode, Dr. Sonya Whitaker, host of the Podcast show entitled: What's Really Going On: A Spotlight on Solutions for Improving Student Achievement in America's Schools interviews Dr. Wahl (Superintendent in Residence for Equal Opportunity Schools). Dr. Wahl discusses his equity journey as well as the work that his organization does to support organizations in ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds obtain access to rigorous studies.

S1 Episode four is entitled Empowerment Through STEM: Who Needs Empowerment? The purpose of this Podcast is to share with listeners several strategies for empowering girls and students of color as it relates to increasing their confidence in their ability to grasp STEM related concepts.

What is your why? Why are you doing all of this? This podcast focuses your improvement efforts by providing information relevant to the benefits of involving your staff in the process of determining their why. The goal is to then use their why statements to examine the mission statement associated with your organization. Listen in on this ten minute podcast for further details.

Episode three is entitled : The Wrong Side of the Street and is a spinoff to the blog that I posted on my website (sonyawhitaker,com) on December 18, 2018. The focus of this seven minute show is to draw our attention to the need to identify and then address the societial factors which impact student performance.

This episode focuses on Dr. Sonya Whitaker's four leadership lessons learned from the lady who cleans the bathroom at the Atlanta Hartsfield Airport.

The is the introduction to the Podcast Show Entitled: What's Really Going On: A Spotlight on Solutions for Improving Student Achievement in America's Schools. The purpose of this podcast is to examine at a very deep level, those things that are occurring in America's schools which impact educators' ability to improve the academic achievement levels of all students, and more specifically, students of color (which includes students from various linguistic backgrounds) and students experiencing the impact of poverty (which includes students from all ethnic backgrounds). The second and most important purpose of this Podcast Show is to provide recommendations that can be tried, proven and then replicated in schools and districts across the entire country.