Podcasts about Lincoln Elementary School

Centerpoint workers expect to finish restoring power today -- a full day ahead of restoration estimates... If you're heading for the Red Cross warming center at Lincoln Elementary School you can bring your cat or dog under certain conditions... Firefighters in Henderson remain on the scene of a massive warehouse fire that happened Wednesday afternoon.... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part 2 of this special edition of Plugged In La Porte, host Nate Loucks sits down with La Porte Community School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Sandra Wood to discuss the repurposing of Lincoln Elementary School, the vision for the Career & Technical Education Center at the former Boston building, and the newly understood importance of marketing our schools in today's marketplace.

A weekly magazine-style radio show featuring the voices and stories of Asians and Pacific Islanders from all corners of our community. The show is produced by a collective of media makers, deejays, and activists. Host Miko Lee speaks with playwright Naomi Iizuka and graphic novelist/activist Eddie Ahn.   For more information about the show's guests:   the MAGIC THEATRE and PLAY ON SHAKESPEARE present: Richard II A new translated version by NAOMI IIZUKA from William Shakespeare August 21 -September 8, 2024 Tickets available here. Eddie Ahns Advocate SHOW TRANSCRIPT Opening: [00:00:00] Apex Express Asian Pacific expression. Community and cultural coverage, music and calendar, new visions and voices, coming to you with an Asian Pacific Islander point of view. It's time to get on board the Apex Express.   Miko: [00:00:34] Good evening. Welcome to Apex Express. This is your host, Miko Lee. And tonight we're going to talk about retelling stories. So join us as you hop along the Apex Express. Welcome one and all to Apex Express. This is your host, Miko Lee. And tonight we're talking about retelling stories. I had the opportunity to speak to two artists. One is the playwright, Naomi Iizuka and the second is the activist artists graphic novelist Eddie Ahn. So first up, take a listen to my interview with playwright, Naomi Iizuka. Before we recorded the interview, I actually had a chance to talk with Naomi and we worked together many moons ago. We actually were calculating based on our children's ages. We work together in theater at Berkeley rep. And it is amazing to see Naomi retelling, so many stories in so many different cultures and genres. And here we talk about her experience rewriting Richard II which I had a chance to see at the magic theater. It has some absolutely amazing production values, and I encourage you all to go check it out. We'll put a link to the show in our show notes. So check out my interview with Naomi Iizuka. Welcome Naomi Iizuka to Apex Express. We're so excited to have the award winning playwright whose adaptation of Richard II opens at the Magic Theatre August 23rd and runs through September 8th. Welcome Naomi.   Naomi Iizuka: [00:02:30] Oh, thank you so much. I'm so happy to be here and so honored.   Miko Lee: [00:02:34] Well, we're honored to have you. I want to start with my big question, which I adapted from the amazing poet Chinaka Hodges, which is who are your people and where do you come from?   Naomi Iizuka: [00:02:46] That's a beautiful question. I think that my people are adventurous and iconoclastic, and that means that they come from many different places, geographically and also spiritually and artistically. I definitely feel an affinity for the Bay Area. it was the first place I really. Came to in my sort of adult life and I feel a great affinity for theater people and theater artists. we are, I think, a community of artists that come from, you know, all sorts of traditions and we make this evanescent event. And I think there's something really beautiful in that.   Miko Lee: [00:03:31] Ooh, evanescent event. I really like that. That sounds so pretty. I'm wondering what legacy you carry with you from your people.   Naomi Iizuka: [00:03:40] I think, an awareness of history, an awareness of Mystery sort of just beyond your peripheral vision that there are stories that haven't been told that there are tremors and voices just underneath the surface of the every day And a real curiosity about that, and I think that that cuts across a lot of, people in my life who actually are not only in theater, you know, people who are, attorneys and in academia and scientists. I mean, just, I think, I think it's, a kind of an adventurous, um, curiosity. I think that that is what I've inherited.   Miko Lee: [00:04:18] Oh, thank you for sharing that. I'm wondering if that lends itself to the fact that you've adapted a number of classics. We're going to be talking about Richard III, but I know you also did a version of Hamlet that was set in Oakland, Orpheus, and the Odyssey, and Japanese folktales. Can you talk a little bit about what sparks your curiosity around adaptations?   Naomi Iizuka: [00:04:40] That's a great question. I think that adaptations at their best are conversations with ghosts. And I guess I really enjoy that. I enjoy this idea of, in some way being in conversation with. Consciousnesses that are not maybe here on this plane of existence anymore, but have left their thoughts and their, big questions, they've sort of embedded them in these works of art. And so when you adapt Shakespeare or you adapt a Japanese folktale, I feel like you're in conversation with These ghosts and they're wise and they're playful and they're mysterious and they're, challenging. And I, I love that. I love that experience.   Miko Lee: [00:05:25] Aside from the adaptations, have you had personal experiences with ghosts?   Naomi Iizuka: [00:05:30] Oh, wow. I would say yes. but I, I, I maybe not. That's something maybe I don't want to talk about.   Miko Lee: [00:05:39] No worries. I always love to hear. I have had experience with ghosts. So I always love to hear other people's ghost stories. I get it. If you don't want to talk about that's okay. Can you talk with me about this adaptation of Richard II? And I'm wondering how you got involved in this adaptation?   Naomi Iizuka: [00:05:59] Well, it's a commission. So I was asked to adapt or really translate is the word that I think is more accurate, a Shakespeare play. And it, it's a project called, play on where a bunch of contemporary writers were asked to translate Shakespeare. What that means is that we were really asked to do a deep dive into the original texts. I'm going to say plural because I think there are different versions even, and figure out the most muscular, vivid version of Shakespeare. Of Shakespeare that we could figure out for contemporary audiences. So it's less about putting our own spin on something. It's really about really wrestling with that material and finding this muscular Present day version of the material that is true to the original, and that brings to light the original and what sort of underneath the surface, you know, for contemporary audiences.   Miko Lee: [00:07:03] And since Richard II is about power and corruption, and we're in this election season, we just are in the midst of the Democratic Convention, I'm wondering if you see parallels with Richard II and what's happening now in our political realm.   Naomi Iizuka: [00:07:18] I do. I mean, and it's interesting because I think that even though this play is centuries old, it does very much speak to the present moment where you have really different ideas about what is the right direction for a country and for a government and what it means to govern. And I think that I cannot think of more timely questions. And also candidly, this sort of anxiety, that's, I think, an anxiety that we all feel in this moment where there are really You know, strong differences and and we've had some really, difficult divisions in our country and in within our own families. And I, and that is so, so much at play in Richard II. There's, these arguments that people have they're life and death and they're within families and they're within, you know, they're within countries and how they are resolved really changes the trajectory of the future. So yes, 100 percent it's so timely. It's, it's unbelievably timely.   Miko Lee: [00:08:24] And you've done a lot of works that are around, of adaptations, we talked about you doing those, but also you've done a lot of works that are around really intense issues from sexual assault and good kids and refugees and anonymous and unhoused youth and Polaroid stories. What draws you to storytelling? What draws you to the specific stories that you have been telling?   Naomi Iizuka: [00:08:48] I think that there is an answer to that question that is both conscious and aware and unconscious and more subterranean. So what's probably the most truthful answer is, I don't know, there is a kind of curiosity and hunger that I think I've had. I know I've had for my whole life, my whole life that I can remember where I want to know what the story is. I want to, you know, I see a person and I want to know where they came from. you know that, that excitement that I, I suspect many of us feel when you go into a library and you see all those books and you think, what are the stories? So that's the more sort of subterranean, um, sort visceral, impetus for storytelling. I think as I've gotten older and I've thought about it and I've become a teacher, I think that storytelling is incredibly powerful. And I think that how you tell stories and who gets to tell stories is so powerful. And I, and I think I'm perhaps stating the obvious, but I think it's something that I remind myself of on a regular basis. And so. My desire to tell stories that, maybe aren't told or aren't told in a way that is familiar is really deep. I, I think that that's perhaps maybe the most meaningful way that at least I can move through the world and the, and the writers and artists that are around me, the storytellers, dancers as well, and choreographers. I, I, think they share that, this sense that who tells the story and how you tell it. It matters a lot.   Miko Lee: [00:10:20] And so much of this work is really powerful and is really trying to hit at sometimes hidden histories, stories that we don't hear as often. I'm wondering if you think of yourself as an activist.   Naomi Iizuka: [00:10:33] You know, I haven't In all honesty, I don't, but I think I am, I think I am because I feel really acutely, certain things that must be said, and I think I'm realizing that the act of saying them and saying them you know, over time is actually an activist posture, you know, that you, have an engagement with the world that doesn't slacken that, continues over time and you stand your ground. And I think that if that can be something that, I can contribute in some small way. I will feel that there's some meaning to what it is I do.   Miko Lee: [00:11:14]And I'm wondering, because you've done genres, many different genres, from writing for TV, and then also stage, and writing for children's theater and adult theater, I'm wondering if, how each of those play into your writing process. Do you write differently when you write for TV versus stage? Do you put on a different hat to get into character so that you could do that? Do you write differently for children's work? I also see some of your children's theater pieces as being like really around intense issues. So I'm just wondering about how you blend those and if you kind of divide up parts of yourself or what is your approach to writing in these different genres?   Naomi Iizuka: [00:11:51] I think it's a great question. I always start, maybe not always, but I think 99 percent of the time I start with character because I think that when you start with character, you start with humans. And when you start with humans, you start with mystery. And I think that that to me feels like the most exciting starting point, whether you're writing a play for young audiences, or whether you're writing, a translation of a Shakespeare play, or whether you're writing something for television. So I think that's a common thread, starting with the human mystery inside of a life, inside of an individual, inside of their circumstances. that's, I think, the starting point always.   Miko Lee: [00:12:33] And you've been collaborating with Campo Santo and John and now the magic for so many years. Can you talk a little bit about the benefits and or challenges of long term collaboration?   Naomi Iizuka: [00:12:44] Think long term collaboration is perhaps one of the greatest gifts that an artist can be afforded because it means that you have a home and sort of looping back to an earlier question of yours, you have a tribe of people, a community of people that you're connected to and, and you have a shared, responsibility to the storytelling. And that, As I get older, feels so, it feels rare and it feels really precious because I mean, when I work with Camposanto, I just, you know, now I, and I've, you know, talking with Margo or Sean and Catherine Castellanos, I've known them for such a long time and I've watched them work and I've been in awe of their work and they, there's a way that we connect through the work that is, deeper than, than the surface layer, that you're able to sort of plumb depths that you sometimes can't when you're, just starting out working with someone, you know, and they may be a wonderful artist, but you just don't have those years of, knowledge and, trust.   Miko Lee: [00:13:57] Yeah, so many layers that you can rely on and that trust and the connection. Um, I guess they're kind of the family when we were talking in the very beginning, your tribe of people, the theater people.   Naomi Iizuka: [00:14:09] They are very much my tribe of people. I mean, I, I love them and it has felt like coming home, you know, to, to work with them.   Miko Lee: [00:14:16] Yay. I'm wondering if your ethnic tribe growing up in multiple parts, you know, being born in Japan and Indonesia and U. S. and being mixed race, Japanese Latin American, how does that impact your creative process?   Naomi Iizuka: [00:14:33] You know, I think I'm still answering that question. I think one thing that is really heartening is when I was younger, I felt very much like, oh, I don't fit into any box. And there aren't that many people like me that are, you know, multi ethnic and multi racial. And, as I've gotten older now, and I look at, for example, my son's generation, I'm like, that is now, I don't know if it's the norm, but in California, there's, so many people who are, mixed in and the mixtures are, you know, they run the gamut and I think in terms of my own work, maybe what that led to early on was an awareness that. the reality of lived existence for most people is complicated and not easily paraphrasable, and I think that that bred in me a certain humility and also a certain, there's a certain challenge there, you know, like, how do I, How do I evoke the truth of this really complicated reality that is not just my own reality, but, so many of us, right? we're not one thing. We're, we're many things, some of which are not always visible or some of which are in some ways hidden.   Miko Lee: [00:15:46] Have you ever written a play that's a Japanese Latin American play?   Naomi Iizuka: [00:15:51] not explicitly, no. I mean, I think a lot of the plays that I've written, they, they are, I would say, flexible in terms of their casting and in terms of their point of view.And I think that they invite, they invite that kind of collision. But specifically, no.   Miko Lee: [00:16:12] Well, I would be so curious to see your take on, like, the Japanese Latin American kidnapping and incarceration of that whole community. Yeah, there's so many stories that have not been told about the JLA community.   Naomi Iizuka: [00:16:26] So many, yep.   Miko Lee: [00:16:28] I'm wondering if there is a story that you grew up with that you remember your family telling you that's helped to frame your creative process?   Naomi Iizuka: [00:16:36] Oh, wow. That is a really great question. my maternal grandmother, was a, kind of a mysterious woman. And I, I wondered a lot about her and I think there were a lot of secrets in her past. I think she is somebody it's actually less about the stories that were told and more about the questions that not only I had about her, but my mother had about her, my uncle had about her, that we just never fully found out. We, you know, we discovered when she was well into her seventies that she was blind in one eye. She never learned to read or write and it was a little bit unclear. Estranged, I guess, from her family of origin. yeah, it just, there's so many questions about her. I think the other story from my father's side of the family, from the Japanese side of the family, which I have written about, actually, because my father told the story, from when I was, for as long as I can remember, my father was a, was a very young child in World War II and he was Japanese national and he, and he was in Tokyo with his family and their house was bombed. And my father was not in the house. He was supposed to have been in the house, but he, Kind of, he was very little. He was, I think he was like five or six, and he had wandered away. My father, kind of, the moral of the story for my father was always like, you know, don't do what people tell you, because if you do, something bad may happen. So he didn't do what he was supposed to do. He didn't stay put. He wandered away. And, and he, as a result, he survived, you know, and, think That was a story that I, I still think about. and I, if you knew my father, it would make a lot of sense because he has this really, um, very, defiant is not the quite the right word, but he really knew who he was and he wasn't going to sort of take it from anyone. He was just going to, you know, do it his way. and that story felt very much, you know, the origin story of that personality.   Miko Lee: [00:18:35] So he had encouraged you to be a rebel, to kind of be who you are.   Naomi Iizuka: [00:18:40] A little bit. But you know what's so funny is I, you know, growing up, I was not like my father. You know, my father was, you know, he would, he told many stories. I'm not gonna, I can't tell you all of them, but you know, he was kind of a naughty kid growing up and, and he got in trouble, you know, he was, you know, and, and I was not that way. I was the opposite. I was a really, you know, very obedient, good student. Actually, in a strange way, my father, I think had the last laugh because I did turn out to be in my life choices, I think rather rebellious, but that wasn't nobody's meeting me as a, you know, as a teenager or a child would have thought that they would have thought, Oh, you know, what a well behaved, polite, you know, good student and then I turned out to have a kind of a very different trajectory. It's interesting.   Miko Lee: [00:19:24] What's the first play you ever wrote? How old were you? And what was it?   Naomi Iizuka: [00:19:28] I think the very first play I wrote was this very strange play. I was, a senior in college and it was called Betty Ford and the Dream Commandos. I think I have only a copy that's paper because I wrote it on a typewriter. That's how old I am. And I, I, it was a really expressionistic, strange piece that was that they did site specifically, it was short. I think it was maybe a 20 minute play. And I honestly don't remember the story of it. I remember fragmentary moments of it. I remember there was a chorus of dream commandos that were sort of like sort of ninja like and there was a Betty Ford character who was kind of in a haze. Yeah.   Miko Lee: [00:20:12] That is so wacky. Why Betty Ford?   Naomi Iizuka: [00:20:16] God knows. I don't know. I mean, I   Miko Lee: [00:20:18] Betty Ford as like First Lady Betty Ford or Betty Ford as in running the rehab center?   Naomi Iizuka: [00:20:24] Well, I mean, it was the same person and I think you put your finger on it, which is that I This was a woman that I think I, as a young person, I remember watching her on television and thinking, and this was before the sort of drug rehabilitation part of her life. I just thinking like, she has a hard life. She seems, you know, she's smiling, but I, I think behind that smile, well, again, it gets to that human mystery. I, I guess I was curious about her. She seemed like somebody that, Had this persona and had this sort of public facing, way about her, but that there was a lot of sort of still waters run deep about her too. So I think, I think that that was, that made me curious, you know?   Miko Lee: [00:21:07] Oh, I would love to have a reading with playwrights reading their first plays. That would be so fun.   Naomi Iizuka: [00:21:13] That'd probably a little sad. Scary.   Miko Lee: [00:21:17] I, there's a beautiful exhibit art exhibit where they had children's book authors. The, um, this was a museum of children's art did it and they had their work now beside a work they created when they were a kid and in framed and it was so gorgeous because. Everyone really showed that even when they were like five years old, they were already creating their style. So Naomi Iizuka: [00:21:40] That's fascinating. Yeah.   Miko Lee: [00:21:41] So I just love, I would love to see playwrights that from playwrights. Anyways. I'm wondering if you can talk about your daily creative process, like what do you do? I mean, I, I talked to Isabel Allende about this and she said, every morning I get up, I get a cup of tea, I make myself go into this room and I write, even if it's painful. Yeah. And even if it's bad, I'm wondering if you have like a set schedule or how do you do it?   Naomi Iizuka: [00:22:06] I don't have a set schedule. Mainly, I, I wish I, I did, and I may be able to now in my life, but I think for many years just juggling a day job. And, and I, and I still have, you know, I teach and I, I write for television and so it's, it's a little hectic. and I was a single mom. But now my son is in college, I just actually dropped him off. So I think I will have my schedule be a little different. What I do, which is I think related to what you just described, is I make sure that I write every day, but it's not always at the same time. So sometimes if I have the luxury of, a day where I, don't have to be somewhere at 8am, I will write in the morning. And I do like very much sort of waking up, brewing a cup of coffee and, writing. But I also write, you know, late at night. In fact, I was, you know, just dropping my son off at college and, he was asleep. And, I was sort of in a different part of in the Airbnb where we were staying. And I, Just wrote, you know, so I was like, as long as I'm writing a certain amount of time or certain number of pages a day. But I also agree with what you described in Isabella and his process that it's really important to write even when you don't feel like it. And I tell my students that all the time, because, you know, if you just wait till you feel like it, then you know, you may not write very much. So you have to write even when you don't feel like it. And even when it feels like the writing is hard, or it's not what you want it to be. And then it will, if you keep at it, you know, it will be.   Miko Lee: [00:23:32] Thanks. Okay. My last question for you is what are you reading, watching, or listening to right now? First thing that comes to your mind, what are you consuming?   Naomi Iizuka: [00:23:41] That's so great. I am reading, right now this, I guess you would call it a graphic novel Uzumaki, which is kind of iconic. And I had read part of it a while back, but I am kind of reading the whole, like all the volumes. And it's this Very strange, I guess you'd call it J horror, dystopian, comic, but it's beautifully illustrated and the story is really mysterious and compelling. I'm listening to Pod Save America just because it's election season and I'm really curious you know, what those guys have to say. And I haven't seen it yet, but I just actually texted Sean. I'm going to see that this weekend because it just came down to San Diego. I'm going to see Sing Sing with Coleman Domingo and Sean San Jose. And I cannot wait. I'm so excited. I feel like I'm the last person to see it because it was in New York and it was in LA and then it opened in San Diego just as I was like leaving to drop my son off at college. So I'm seeing it this weekend.   Miko Lee: [00:24:41] I just actually was looking at this note from Stephanie Shu saying go see it tonight. I will get you free tickets for Sing Sing. I was just thinking about that. I should go see that tonight.   Naomi Iizuka: [00:24:52] I'm so excited.   Miko Lee: [00:24:53] Me too. Very excited. and Coleman also lovely Bay Area person. Uzumaki, that looks fascinating. Supernatural psychological horror is what is the genre.   Naomi Iizuka: [00:25:06] No, it's, it's, it's really extraordinary. And, the thing is, is the reason I'm, I'm reading it now is I have like the full collected, all the volumes in one sort of giant omnibus. And so I'm reading everything, you know, all of them from beginning to end. I'd read the first, the first one, which is probably the most famous one, but it's great. I mean, even if it's not your cup of tea, it's, it's so cool. I love it. It is kind of my cup of tea, but, but even if it's not, you will love it.   Miko Lee: [00:25:32] Okay. Thank you for the recommendation. we're going to post links for people to buy tickets for the show at the magic. Is there anything else that you'd like to let our audience know about you and your work?   Naomi Iizuka: [00:25:44] I think you covered it. You're a really good interviewer.   Miko Lee: [00:25:49] Thank you so much for joining us on Apex Express. I'm going to see the show this weekend. I can't wait to see it and I'm excited to see what else you create next. Thank you so much, Naomi.   Naomi Iizuka: [00:26:00] Thank you.   Miko Lee: [00:26:01] Next up, listen to Florente Aguilar a Manila born guitarist and composer whose arrangements and composition successfully craft the balance between respect and redefinition of tradition. MUSIC   That was Florente Aguilar, a Manila born guitarist, and you are listening to Apex Express. Next up, take a listen to my conversation with advocate, activist and graphic illustrator, Eddie Ahn. It is quite amazing to hear from an artist, who's an activist, who's telling their story. And tonight it's all about how we retell stories, whether that's rewriting a traditional piece like Shakespeare or rewriting the tale that is your life and doing it. In graphic illustration style. So listen to my interview with Eddie Ahn. Welcome Eddie Ahn to Apex Express.   Eddie Ahn: [00:29:40] Thanks for having me.   Miko Lee: [00:29:41] I'm so excited to be able to talk to you about your new graphic memoir of family, community, and the fight for environmental justice. Loved reading your book and looking at the artistry. It's so powerful. So I want to start with my very first question that I ask many guests, which is who are your people and what legacy do you carry with you?   Eddie Ahn: [00:30:04] Gosh, the book itself covers a lot of my people, particularly my family, myself. I am now, two generations removed, of course, from my grandfather, which the book begins with. he himself was, uh, very brilliant person from all accounts, was a translator for the U S army and South Korean army during the Korean war. And then, I am also, you know, this, the son of immigrants, my mother and father who came from South Korea to the US and really built their careers and their family here. So I think a lot about that migration pattern and how it's influenced who I am today and what I do.   Miko Lee: [00:30:44] And what legacy do you carry with you from those ancestors?   Eddie Ahn: [00:30:48] I think a lot about their successes and failures. so the challenges that they encountered along the way. My grandfather, of course, was A survivor of a lot of trauma he himself went through the Korean War. and then also was separated from his family a lot after, you know, the Korean DMZ, the demilitarized zone was settled. So for him, his life is really one of, Very, very deep trauma and tragedy, having been separated from most of his family. And then he had to go start a new family in South Korea. And a lot of the book covers, the initial kind of devastation he faced. And then later on that the challenges he faced, even as an entrepreneur, very well educated person trying to survive in South Korea and my mother's resentments around that are also covered in the graphic memoir as well. So a lot of it is like, Dealing with that family kind of conflict and also understanding it in the scope of my own life and how I've chosen to pursue nonprofit work to begin with in the United States.   Miko Lee: [00:31:51] Thank you for sharing that. talk to me about the title of the book, Advocate, and what does that mean to you?   Eddie Ahn: [00:31:58] So the title of the book was always meant to have multiple meanings. It was about advocating for oneself, one's own identity, one's own career choice against, very different family expectations. And then it's about professional advocacy. It's about advocating for diverse communities. The nonprofit I work for is called Bright Line Defense, and we do a lot of environmental justice work. And environmental justice is oftentimes the intersection of issues on the environment, race and identity, and the economy, and then grappling with the intersectionality of those issues. There's a lot of complexity in what I do. And part of the title of the book reflects that and advocating again, for oneself. And for other communities.   Miko Lee: [00:32:46] I love this. And I related to this a lot in terms of nonprofit work. I'm wondering if you could share a little bit more about that, about Asian American expectations, particularly your family, Korean American, and the value of nonprofit work.   Eddie Ahn: [00:33:01] For my own family, my parents in particular, I think their expectations for me and what I was going to do with the educational degrees that I obtained. So I went to a really good school, Brown University in Rhode Island, and then I obtained a law degree at UC College of Law, San Francisco. For them, their expectation was, go out, become highly credentialed, and then go make money. Their metrics of success in the US was about a financial metric of success. and for myself, I never quite took to that, for better, for worse, perhaps for myself, which is also covered in the book, but it's also because I valued social work and the active building community, so much and for them, they struggled with that choice. It wasn't exactly what they saw as succeeding in the U S but for myself, it was always incredibly important to do and pursue.   Miko Lee: [00:33:53] I think that power of your convictions really shows up in the book strongly because I think the classic Asian American story, you did the things, you got the Ivy League degree, you got the law degree, and your connection with your grandfather. I'm wondering about your family's feeling about your connection with your grandfather in terms of being an advocate. What was that like for them and the expectations for you?   Eddie Ahn: [00:34:18] That's a great question. in many ways, they saw the connection that I had with my grandfather early on. So even in the book, I describe moments where I'm reading at his feet, you know, from his library collection, and we would talk about different topics. My Korean back then was always, you know, a shaky, maybe at best, it was conversational. But a lot of what he would relate to me were about complex subjects that, at the time, even as a child, I didn't fully understand. But at least I understood the feeling, the depth behind them, which is why I really enjoyed talking to him. I think my mother reading the book has been actually really surprised at the moments of connection I found. For instance, I drew a photo of myself with my grandfather that she didn't even realize existed. So, Seeing how that relationship has unfolded even through the creation of this book, um, for my mother has been actually really interesting to do.   Miko Lee: [00:35:14] Oh, I love that about your mom and kind of getting a another vision of the history just by seeing a photograph but an image you drew of a photograph. There's a beautiful resonance there and the style of illustrations that you do has a, a soft beauty to it that's kind of lyrical. I really appreciate that. I'm wondering if you could talk with us about the inspiration for creating this memoir and in the style that you did in the graphic novel style.   Eddie Ahn: [00:35:45] I love comics because a lot of it is not just about the art and the panel itself. It's how the story actually moves from panel to panel and how the art gets juxtaposed against larger scenes, for instance for myself in doing this graphic memoir, it was a big jump. for myself, like I'm self taught as an artist to begin with. So understanding, you know, things like. Perspective, coloring, anatomy, those are all things I had to learn as I created this particular graphic memoir. and part of the storytelling technique I use in this graphic memoir is also heavily relying on color to move the time periods of the story. So, for instance, my childhood is represented in shades of red. My days in college and up until law school are represented in shades of green. As I start to go through a more transitional stage in life, like getting more deeply into nonprofit work and trying to figure out how to use my law degree, those are all represented in So for me, like I really want to use color to create that sense of era changes and then also create. Flashbacks and flash forwards in the narrative as well that I think you can really only do in comics. I do think comics is a really unique medium in the way, especially if you're evaluating it or reading it in printed format allows you to turn the page back and forth and enjoy it.   Miko Lee: [00:37:12] What came first, the story that you wanted to tell or the images?   Eddie Ahn: [00:37:19] The very first comic I ever posted, because I originally started publishing these graphic memoir comics on Instagram, was about my Oakland Chinatown work. So my first job out of college was as an AmeriCorps member, working as an after school programmer. I taught arts and public speaking for elementary students, third through fifth grade. I think very nostalgically about that time. It was a really great experience overall to work with youth who were really into receiving the best education possible. They went to Lincoln Elementary School in Oakland, Chinatown. it was a lot of thinking about the joyful moments and then balancing against the difficulties of nonprofit work. So I was an AmeriCorps member, and if folks know, how Financially stressful that position can be. It's essentially at the time it was less than a thousand dollars a month for 40 hours a week. So it was a very under-resourced position. Maybe it's one way to put it, as you know, one tries to serve the community as well.   Miko Lee: [00:38:20] So can you share a little bit about your artistic process?   Eddie Ahn: [00:38:24] So I started with fiction when I worked in comics. And in fact, one of the first zines I ever created was, essentially collected comic strips for hyphen magazine, which was a great, Asian American issues magazine. And I really enjoyed telling stories through the lens, essentially the lens of fictional characters. So for instance, I had a talking turtle character that was trying to sell coffee across San Francisco. again, going back to my grandfather, very much patterned after my grandfather's failed entrepreneurial ambitions. So for me, there was a lot of joy in creating these comic strips, mostly illustrated in black and white. so just simple inks. When I started writing my own, graphic memoir, I was thinking more like what were big, ambitious kind of swings. I wanted to take at storytelling, which is why I started doing the more complex color scheme I described earlier. and then part of it was even trying to figure out what was the tone that I wanted to adopt when I even, was creating these comics on Instagram. So for me, like, it started very early on, perhaps in 2016, I started illustrating the first pages on paper. And then I didn't even publish them until February, 2020. So that was roughly like a week or two before the pandemic where I posted the first, comic and then the audience for it on Instagram grew a lot. So from a couple hundred from back then, to now what's probably over 80,000 followers.   Miko Lee: [00:39:56] Oh, that is so exciting. And by the way, I think, you know, this hyphen magazine, we're part of the same family because hyphen is part of the AACRE network that Apex Express is part of too.   Eddie Ahn: [00:40:05] Yes. I'm, I'm a big fan of AACRE to begin with. And yes, I've always had a lot of affection for the generations of leadership that, have essentially built up hyphen over a long period of time.   Miko Lee: [00:40:16] I love that. Can you talk a little bit about how you combine your artistry with your community organizing?   Eddie Ahn: [00:40:23] Yes, I, in the past I created my art through a series of zines, but then I had to learn how to market and essentially promote myself. And I think my community organizing skills did come into play when I was either going to say zine fests or local arts festivals, as well as Essentially creating art shows, solo art shows in San Francisco. So for each, self published comic book, I would essentially do an art show centered around it. and they, the venues ranged, you might know some of these venues like 111 Minna, marvelous coffee and wine bar, which is now closed, dot art bar and gallery. so there were a number of venues that I would set up essentially, a larger kind of act of community building through art. So I think a lot about those days because, this is all pre pandemic. I really enjoyed bringing together, folks in my nonprofit world, as well as, family and friends to come and appreciate, you know, essentially two or three years worth of art creation nowadays, the book tour has been a very different experience. So that's very much, you know, through a more established publisher, Penguin Random House, and then going to, a number of bookstores across the US has been also a really fun experience to do.   Miko Lee: [00:41:41] What have you learned from going to all these different bookstores?   Eddie Ahn: [00:41:45] I've gotten a better sense of history, how book selling actually happens, and New York, for instance, I did a, a large event, over a hundred people came to The Strand, in Manhattan, which has its own very long history in New York's literary scene.   Miko Lee: [00:42:00] Ah, one of my favorite bookstores, The Strand. Yeah. It's so exciting.   Eddie Ahn: [00:42:04] It's a really beautiful venue, where they hold their literary events. So, I've been very fascinated by how people come together around art through the book tour. And, the Strand event itself was a huge joy because it was, Set up as in conversation with another author, and I like to do those events because it feels less like I'm talking at people and more like I'm talking with a person and then seeing the audience's engagement with material, either through some audience members just flip through a couple pages, and then they'll immediately have questions, or they might have come to the event having read the entire book at this point with their own kind of set of nuanced questions. So seeing the whole range of questions through a number of events has been also a very fun experience.   Miko Lee: [00:42:55] And in the book you write about your family's expectations around non profit life, what do they think now about you as an artist, as a graphic novelist, and kind of going on this book tour? Where are they at with your career now?   Eddie Ahn: [00:43:10] My father actually got to experience some public art installations that I'd done in San Francisco. So, there are these utility boxes which are in the middle of the street. And then my art was blown up to essentially be wrapped around them and then displayed. And the art still exists. This was installed way back in 2019. And it's still around today. So for my dad to see that, take pictures of it, touch it with his own hands, I think was a really good experience. He really did appreciate the physicality of that art and how it's displayed in such a public way. Uh, unfortunately nowadays he's too sick to enjoy the book. but my mother on the other hand has read the book and I think One nice coda to, everything that's described in the book, you know, despite all the conflicts with my family about non profit work is that my mother has grown to appreciate what I do a lot, as a result of reading the book. She says she's read it three times now and has cried on each reading, which initially I was worried about because I thought, you know, She was really perhaps, sensitive about our family and how I describe our family conflicts in the book, but it was really more in her own words about how underappreciated nonprofit workers are at times and how she felt. A lot more empathy for them. As a result, I was really surprised by that observation. I really didn't think she would ever care much for what I do for a living. But, yeah, I thought that was a really nice, reaction on our part.   Miko Lee: [00:44:38] Oh, I love to hear that. switching a bit to you as a young organizer, you started pretty young, you know, with AmeriCorps and then working in nonprofit world. With your experience now, what message would you give yourself when you were just starting out as a student organizer?   Eddie Ahn: [00:44:56] Oh, I think at the time I was fairly cheerful about everything. And I, I think that attribute still, endures to this day. I think it's a really important a character trait to have when one does nonprofit work, because I think it's easy to go through life expecting a lot of things to wonder why you aren't getting X, Y, Z, for myself. What I would tell my younger self is, you know, continue with that cheerful attitude, perhaps have better boundaries at times to on average, my employers have been quite good in the nonprofit sphere, but I do think generally it's easy also to work. Perhaps too much, and to demand too much of oneself in service to community. So maybe, one thing I'll tell my younger self is, to pace yourself too and just be more focused on things that, really excited me at the end of the day. you know, the flip side of that, maybe a counterpoint is like, it was important to try out a lot of stuff too. So, I think it all worked out in many ways, just trying out things that it may not have been the most efficient use of my time, but I still learned a lot.   Miko Lee: [00:46:02] Speaking of pacing yourself, you currently have more than a full time job as an executive director of a environmental non profit. You're on several boards and commissions, and just have written this graphic novel. What do you do to take care of yourself?   Eddie Ahn: [00:46:19] Um, I do enjoy, you know, like most people streaming shows and, even one quirk of mine that I enjoy relaying is like, I'm very much into the let's what's called the let's play movement. it's watching essentially other people play video games on YouTube and myself, like I can play a video game. I have, played several, over the last few years that I really do enjoy, but there's something very kind of therapeutic about watching someone else be productive or. perhaps entertaining themselves, without me having to, figure it out myself. So I think part of it is like just being able to relax and just watch a screen is, is, relaxing a form of meditation.   Miko Lee: [00:47:00] Okay. Thanks for that. What do you want folks to understand after reading your graphic novel?   Eddie Ahn: [00:47:08] One interesting thing I've thought a lot about is how the book describes non profit work is not about saving communities. and that sometimes it's referred to in academia as like the savior complex or messiah complex. I do think just being Aware of the complexity of our world and how difficult it is to resolve or fix issues is a core message of the book I hope comes across, and in many ways, comics, you know, is dominated by the superhero genre too, which I think a lot, and of course I love superhero comics to begin with. I do read quite a few of them. And then what I've been fascinated by is thinking through like, Superheroes themselves as characters are out to often fix the world or save the world and so thinking through that dynamic and how this comic is not about that, I think has been a good thing to go through for myself as an artist. So I hope that message comes across despite it being a comic.   Miko Lee: [00:48:15] Thanks for that. I think it's, as opposed to the superhero genre, I see your book more in the personal stories like Pee Booie's The Best We Could Do or Marianne's Persepolis. I see it more in that genre of like really personal family storytelling as opposed to a superhero genre. It's so powerful.   Eddie Ahn: [00:48:38] Thank you. Yes, I agree. I really appreciate those books as well and how they're able to essentially highlight the perspective of the protagonists alongside the environments in which they grow up in, whether it's family or a nation state, etc.   Miko Lee: [00:48:55] And I appreciate how your graphic novel really has your trajectory, you know, going from understanding family, but also really your adult life as somebody that works in the nonprofit field. I think it's really new in that approach. What's next for you?   Eddie Ahn: [00:49:12] Oh, gosh, I am still drawing. I am never wanting to give up on art at the end of the day. I think it's how I've improved as an artist is that I do drive myself to think through, a larger, better project. On Instagram, I'll continue to publish more comics in the future. I am planning through a potential mural project in San Francisco. Uh, it would be very different than the utility box art installations I've done in the past. as for my nonprofit work at Brightline, I'm still very much enjoy it. I have a incredible, team that I work with and I. I've really come to appreciate everything that Brightline has as a result of early years of grinding work that I put in and then to see other people also put in really high quality work for the organization has has been a joy to me personally. So I hope to keep on doing what I'm doing at Brightline for a long time to come. And yeah, I guess we'll find out in the coming years ahead.   Miko Lee: [00:50:14] I like, I, I, one, I'm curious to find out more about the mural, excited to learn more about that, and it sounds like you're going to hold these, both sides of yourself as the artist, as the non profit leader, you're going to continue to do them both. I'm wondering, so much of non profit life is, we're learning by experience, you know, we're, and so I'm thinking about, The connection with being a self taught artist like you're always just learning something. How has being a self taught artist impacted your artistic work and your work in nonprofit world?   Eddie Ahn: [00:50:47] I think it's improved my patience, both in non profit work and in evolving my art style. everything I do is drawn by hand, so I typically just work pencil to paper, ink over pencils, and then finally, Copic markers, their alcohol based art marker, to lay on the color, and that technique essentially evolved over, gosh, uh, eight, nine year period to you and get to where the book is now, the book itself is the culmination of well over 5,000 hours, and each page, you know, on average is probably somewhere between 20 to 30 hours. So just having that kind of discipline to develop everything around the book, has really taught me a lot, I think about life. And then also it's been a nice form of meditation unto itself to just to be able to create art. For that long of a period, over, you know, essentially a long, timeline has, has been really good for my own processes, thinking processes around nonprofit work, because it pushes me to, be creative in the nonprofit work itself.   Miko Lee: [00:51:59] Well, Eddie Ahn, author of Advocate, tell our audience how they can find out more about your work.   Eddie Ahn: [00:52:06] The book can be found, in a number of local bookstores at this point, Penguin Random House has done excellent work in distributing across the US of course, it can be found at most major booksellers, such as Barnes Noble, bookshop.org, et cetera. and they can also find my art online for free on Instagram. The handle is at E H A—those are my initials, Eddie Ahn—comics, as it sounds.   Miko Lee: [00:52:37] Thank you so much. We so appreciate hearing, from you more about your book and we look forward to seeing your murals and seeing the work that you do out in the community.Thank you so much.   Eddie Ahn: [00:52:48] Thanks again for having me, Miko. Really appreciate you.   Miko Lee: [00:52:50] Please check out our website, kpfa.org To find out more about our show tonight. We think all of you listeners out there. Keep resisting, keep organizing, keep creating and sharing your visions with the world because your voices are important. Apex Express is created by Miko Lee, Jalena Keane-Lee, Preti Mangala-Shekar, Swati Rayasam, Aisa Villarosa, Estella Owoimaha-Church, Gabriel Tanglao, Cheryl Truong and Ayame Keane-Lee.   The post APEX Express – 8.29.24 – Retelling Stories appeared first on KPFA.

In this episode of our Educator Well-Being series, the hosts are joined by Milton Collins, principal of Lincoln Elementary in the Granite School District in the Salt Lake City region of Utah. Milton is having tremendous success in his school from students’ academic success to teacher happiness, thriving, and retention. He credits "leading from the heart" for this success, and in this episode, he shares his passion for the profession as a principal who is caring for the teachers – so the teachers can care for the students.   About Milton Collins A native of Charleston, Miss., Milton attended Rust College in Holly Springs, Miss., on a four-year basketball scholarship and graduated with a degree in education. He then moved to Kankakee, Ill., where he started his teaching career as a third-grade teacher at Lorenzo Smith School in Hopkins Park, Ill. Milton went back to school and received a master’s degree in educational leadership from National Louis University in Evanston, Ill. He then held principal positions in school districts in Wisconsin and Arizona before relocating to Utah and serving as principal at Lincoln Elementary School in the Granite School District. WGU Website: https://www.wgu.edu/about/governance/teachers-college/educator-well-being-from-principles-to-practice-podcast.html# Youtube: https://youtu.be/0CV0CpicXYY?si=FzkE0kkFj9MGzM4Y

Seventy years ago, on the morning of July 5, 1954, Lincoln Elementary School went up in flames.

Seventy years ago, on the morning of July 5, 1954, Lincoln Elementary School went up in flames.

Welcome to the IASP Leadership Podcast, where we dive deeper into the art and science of effective leadership. Join us as we explore actionable insights, thought-provoking discussions, and real-world experiences that empower you to lead with impact. On today's episode, we conclude our series on the School Leader Paradigm, featuring Mrs. Aimee Lunsford, past IASP president and principal of Lincoln Elementary School in Warsaw.  During this special finale, we've asked Mr. Mike Pinto, principal of James Cole Elementary School in Lafayette, to join us and share his experience with the Micro-Credential process.

Welcome to the IASP Leadership Podcast, where we dive deeper into the art and science of effective leadership. Join us as we explore actionable insights, thought-provoking discussions, and real-world experiences that empower you to lead with impact."  On today's episode, we have Mrs. Aimee Lunsford, past IASP President and Principal at Lincoln Elementary School in Warsaw, back to share more about the School Leader Paradigm and the Micro-Credential process. This is part of a special IASP Leadership Podcast series to break the paradigm into easy to digest, bite-sized pieces for busy school leaders.

Welcome to the IASP Leadership Podcast, where we dive deeper into the art and science of effective leadership. Join us as we explore actionable insights, thought-provoking discussions, and real-world experiences that empower you to lead with impact."  On today's episode, we have Mrs. Aimee Lunsford, past IASP President and Principal at Lincoln Elementary School in Warsaw, back to share more about the School Leader Paradigm and the Micro-Credential process. This is part of a special IASP Leadership Podcast series to break the paradigm into easy to digest, bite-sized pieces for busy school leaders.

Welcome to the IASP Leadership Podcast, where we dive deeper into the art and science of effective leadership. Join us as we explore actionable insights, thought-provoking discussions, and real-world experiences that empower you to lead with impact."  On today's episode, we have Mrs. Aimee Lunsford, past IASP President and Principal at Lincoln Elementary School in Warsaw, back to share more about the School Leader Paradigm. This is part of a special IASP Leadership Podcast series to break the paradigm into easy to digest, bite-sized pieces for busy school leaders.

Welcome to the IASP Leadership Podcast, where we dive deeper into the art and science of effective leadership. Join us as we explore actionable insights, thought-provoking discussions, and real-world experiences that empower you to lead with impact."  On today's episode, we have Mrs. Aimee Lunsford, past IASP President and Principal at Lincoln Elementary School in Warsaw, back to share more about the School Leader Paradigm. This is part of a special IASP Leadership Podcast series to break the paradigm into easy to digest, bite-sized pieces for busy school leaders.

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Hays Post editor Cristina Janney speaks with Kerri Lacy, Lincoln Elementary School principal, about this year's USD 489 Kindergarten Round-Up. Read more about the USD 489 Kindergarten Round-Up on Hays Post.

Welcome to the IASP Leadership Podcast, where we dive deeper into the art and science of effective leadership. Join us as we explore actionable insights, thought-provoking discussions, and real-world experiences that empower you to lead with impact."  On today's episode, we have Mrs. Aimee Lunsford, past IASP President and Principal at Lincoln Elementary School in Warsaw, back to share more about the School Leader Paradigm. This is part of a special IASP Leadership Podcast series to break the paradigm into easy to digest, bite-sized pieces for busy school leaders.

Welcome to the IASP Leadership Podcast, where we dive deeper into the art and science of effective leadership. Join us as we explore actionable insights, thought-provoking discussions, and real-world experiences that empower you to lead with impact. On today's episode, we have Mrs. Aimee Lunsford, principal at Lincoln Elementary School in Warsaw and past IASP president with us to share about the two individual sides of the School Leader Paradigm and how we can leverage those as building leaders.

Welcome to the IASP Leadership Podcast, where we dive deeper into the art and science of effective leadership. Join us as we explore actionable insights, thought-provoking discussions, and real-world experiences that empower you to lead with impact. On today's episode, we have Mrs. Aimee Lunsford, principal at Lincoln Elementary School in Warsaw and past IASP president with us to share an overview of the School Leader Paradigm.  

Join us for this episode of the IASP Leadership podcast.  A weekly podcast production containing short, sweet, nuggets of Wednesday wisdom for our leadership growth.  In this episode, we hear from Mrs. Aimee Lunsford, IASP past President and Principal at Lincoln Elementary School in Warsaw, as she shares some of her BEST takeaways from the 2022-2023 school year.

Welcome to TigerCast: A podcast designed to tell the story of Warsaw Schools and inform our community about the great things happening to serve our students.Episode 23: Lincoln Elementary Inclusivity / Disability WeekThe Warsaw Community Schools Strategic Plan includes the four pillar of Empathy, Adaptability, Inclusivity, and Experience. The staff of Lincoln Elementary School are preparing for an event next week tied to the Inclusivity Pillar. Hayley Cooper, Special Education Teacher for grade K-3, Amy Staton, Special Education Teacher for grades 4-6, and Emma Snodgrass, Speech Language Pathologist join Aimee and Kyle to discuss Lincoln Elementary's upcoming Disability Week. These teachers will share their hearts for their students and the upcoming event that celebrates the uniqueness of many learners. 

Join us for this episode of the IASP Leadership podcast.  A weekly podcast production containing short, sweet, nuggets of Wednesday wisdom for our leadership growth.  In this episode, we hear from Mrs. Aimee Lunsford, past IASP President and principal at Lincoln Elementary School in Warsaw, as she shares how she began her journey telling the story of Warsaw schools through her TigerCast podcast.

Any good leader knows when to both listen, and when to raise their hand and speak up. But gender-based expectations about using your voice and being confident are too often limiting for women in leadership. Andrea Thompson and Jessica Gomez sit down with principal Jennifer Black to discuss: Importance of trust Developing self-compassion and confidence Being a role model for others The benefits of speaking up Jennifer Black is principal of Lincoln Elementary School in North Las Vegas, and is president-elect of the Nevada Elementary School Principals Association.

Educator Benjamin Green aka Ben G!~Mr.RNB! Shares his educational experience after receiving a "Thank You" from his First Grade Student her taught (13) years ago. Listen as Mr.Green talks about his experience as a Substitute teacher in the Newark Public Schools District. It all began at Lincoln Elementary School. One of his 1st grade students remembered what he taught them, specifically being focused and ready to learn without giving up. Keyana tugged at Mr.Green's heart and mind when she found him on InstaGram in hopes that he would remember her. Guess what?...He did! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whereiveben-1/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/whereiveben-1/support

Woods and Reierson are joined by Melissa Anderson a kindergarten teacher at Lincoln Elementary School. We discuss student choice, Master's program breakthroughs, and Melissa's daughters learning on vacation. Enjoy!

This week at Lincoln Elementary School looked like thousands of other mornings. With one exception… about half of the students weren't wearing masks. Also, The East Wenatchee City council has rejected bans on the sale and discharge of fireworks… but they did give the mayor the power to ban fireworks under certain conditions. Support the show: https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/site/forms/subscription_services/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

American poet, Anne Pierson Wiese, and “Lincoln Elementary School”

In this episode, you will hear about how art means everything to our guest. It's a lifeline that provides therapy helping him overcome anything that comes his way. Familia and community are the foundation as he uses life lessons to help others. He is a beacon of light for every generation bringing out the best in humanity everywhere he goes. His motto is, “If you can imagine it, I can create it." Please welcome artist, muralist, designer, teacher, and poet Suliman Onque. GUEST Suliman Onque Artist, Muralist, Designer, Poet, Teacher Linktree | 3 The Art Way site | Instagram - Suliman Onque | Instagram - 3 The Art Way | Youtube - 3 The Art Way |Youtube - FunkStudios: Control the Cool | Youtube - This is Sul NN | Twitter - Suliman Onque | Facebook - Suliman Onque | https://linktr.ee/Slimsuliart https://www.3theartway.com/about https://www.instagram.com/slimsuliart_world/ https://www.instagram.com/3theartway2/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0pb-Vmu-muJP1CKWJis5_A https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFixDvkXuUPHlBUrvNK2Wyg https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSq7dVAQChAo117LFeZWQOg https://twitter.com/slimsuli https://www.facebook.com/sulaiman.onque NOTABLE MENTIONS 3 The Art Way, Yvonne Onque, Samad Onque, Thanksgiving, Potato Salad, Newark, New Jersey, Baxter Terrace, Bernard Art School, Professor Bernard, Jersey State College, Person of Color Painting, Jerry Gant, Detox the Ghetto, Black Lives Matter, Marsha P Johnson, Kortez Robinson, Esoteric Urbanism, Jose Manuel Cruz, Black Lives Matter mural, Malcolm Rolling, Yendor Productions, 725 Studios, Linda Street, Pink Dragon, Kipp Thrive Academy, New Jersey Education Report, Pass the Crown, Turning Point Women's Shelter, Irvington, Marsha P. Johnson, Cent PFE, Elizabeth, Super Sketch Painter, Onque Comics, Whitney Austin, Funk Studios: Control the Cool, Joe Woods, Amir Kinsler, New York Comic-Con, RatchetMan, Lincoln Elementary School, Mars Gracias for listening. Don't forget to rate, review, follow, subscribe, like and share. Check out my Linktree for more info. Pa'lante! https://linktr.ee/sp.alwaysforward --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/spalwaysforward/support

Diane Aldis currently works as the Arts Integration Coordinator for Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts in Anoka Hennepin Schools. and prior to that, worked for 16 years in Professional Development and Outreach at the Perpich Center for Arts Education. Her work in arts education has been strongly shaped by my experiences as a performing artist and the lived experience of creating work with others.She danced full-time for 15 years with companies and projects in Europe and the United States including New England Dinosaur in Boston, lots of postmodern pick-up companies in NYC, and the original Ozone Dance Company and New Dance Ensemble here in Minneapolis. She says she “still relishes the occasional opportunity to work on projects with folks like Christopher Watson Dance Company and Off-Leash Area."

African American households are more than twice as likely to struggle with hunger as white, non-Hispanic households. Claire talks to Lori Noble, the Community and Family Outreach Coordinator at Lincoln Elementary School, who shares her thoughts and experience.  https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/african-american

1 in 6 kids in the Tri-State are food insecure. Help us make a difference, and join us as we raise $24,000 in 24 days to fight childhood hunger. Lori Noble is the community and family outreach coordinator at Lincoln Elementary School, where 93% of students are on free and reduced lunch. She works hard to make sure no student goes without food, and Tri-State Food Bank helps to supply it.  UA Local 136 - Plumbers and Steamfitters is a proud sponsor of the 24 Carrot Challenge, and matched donations up to $1,250 on June 9th. 

1 in 6 kids in the Tri-State are food insecure. Help us make a difference, and join us as we raise $24,000 in 24 days to fight childhood hunger. Lori Noble is the community and family outreach coordinator at Lincoln Elementary School, where 93% of students are on free and reduced lunch. She works hard to make sure no student goes without food, and Tri-State Food Bank helps to supply it.  Text CARROT to 71777 now.

Episode 34- Using Technology to Learn about History. Guests DeeDee Anderson and student, LeVell, from Lincoln Elementary School explain Time Magazine's The March project. This VR project brings to life the "I Have a Dream" speech from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In this episode, our guests guide us through the steps to rethinking inclusion. Join us as we explore strategies to move toward a process where the needs of every child are inherently met within the general curriculum, instruction, and services.  Follow on Twitter: @ASCD @Eklundteaches @bamradionetwork @NancyFrey Nancy Frey, Ph.D. and Doug Fisher are co-authors of Your Students My Students, Our Students: Rethinking Equitable and Inclusive Classroom (ASCD). Nancy Frey is a Professor of Educational Leadership at San Diego State University. Dr. Frey is a recipient of the Christa McAuliffe award for excellence in teacher education from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. She has co-authored several books on literacy. She teaches a variety of courses in school improvement and literacy leadership. Douglas Fisher, Ph.D., is Professor of Educational Leadership at San Diego State University and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High & Middle College. He is a member of the California Reading Hall of Fame and is the recipient of an International Reading Association Celebrate Literacy Award, the Farmer award for excellence in writing from the National Council of Teachers of English, as well as a Christa McAuliffe award for excellence in teacher education. He has published numerous articles and books on improving student achievement. Abbie Eklund, Principal of Lincoln Elementary School, 2016 ASCD Emerging Leader.

Our guests explain the distinction between solving problems and managing the dilemmas that new and aspiring school principals typically face. Join us for practical strategies for coping and dealing with the intractable challenges of school leadership. Follow on Twitter: @ASCD @Eklundteaches @bamradionetwork@RLowenhaupt @jamespspillane James P. Spillane is the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Professor in Learning and Organizational Change at the School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University. He has published extensively on issues of education policy, policy implementation, school reform, and school leadership. Rebecca Lowenhaupt is an associate professor of educational leadership at Boston College's Lynch School of Education and Human Development. She teaches aspiring school and district leaders about teacher supervision, organizational theory, and research methods, and serves as an associate editor for the journal Educational Policy. Guest host Abbie Eklund is the principal of Lincoln Elementary School in Illinois and an ASCD Emerging Leader.

For this week's interview I sat down with William Aye, 4th grade teacher over at Lincoln Elementary School and discussed what he is doing in the classroom with his students.Next week: We will not have an episode, as I will be at Masscue presenting on how we are using this podcast to give teacher's voice in our district. I am planning on recording the sessions and if all goes well, I will post it next Friday! Articles & Sites Mentioned:https://www.beardedtechedguy.com/https://www.masscue.org/event/conference-fall-2019/https://www.curriculumassociates.com/products/i-readyhttps://www.mheducation.com/https://www.stemscopes.com/Follow Me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Wakelet @beardedteched or my website http://beardedtechedguy.com/Music: BirdSoundTechnology Background https://audiojungle.net/item/technology-background/22785738Item mantleeCorporate Technology Innovation Backgroundhttps://audiojungle.net/item/corporate-technology-background/23555034Item

For this week's interview I sat down with William Aye, 4th grade teacher over at Lincoln Elementary School and discussed what he is doing in the classroom with his students.Next week: We will not have an episode, as I will be at Masscue presenting on how we are using this podcast to give teacher's voice in our district. I am planning on recording the sessions and if all goes well, I will post it next Friday! Articles & Sites Mentioned:https://www.beardedtechedguy.com/https://www.masscue.org/event/conference-fall-2019/https://www.curriculumassociates.com/products/i-readyhttps://www.mheducation.com/https://www.stemscopes.com/Follow Me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Wakelet @beardedteched or my website http://beardedtechedguy.com/Music: BirdSoundTechnology Background https://audiojungle.net/item/technology-background/22785738Item mantleeCorporate Technology Innovation Backgroundhttps://audiojungle.net/item/corporate-technology-background/23555034Item

The Quad Cities Veterans Outreach is a center focused on assisting and reaching out to serve those who have served us. The Veterans Outreach Center offers supportive services designed to meet the needs of veterans and their families. Through the generosity of individuals and our community, all of these programs and services are provided free of charge. Quad Cities Veterans Outreach Founder Lola VanDeWalle joined AM Quad Cities. Lola discusses developer Dan Dolan's efforts to purchase Lincoln Elementary School from the Davenport Community School District to convert it into veterans housing for nearly $300,000. However, it was sold to a non-profit group for $30,000.

In this episode, we explore the language and behaviors that help young children cultivate the habits of mind that lead to appropriate social and intellectual development. Follow: @ASCD @benakallick @bamradionetwork Bena Kallick and Art Costa are co-authors of Habits of Mind Across the Curriculum: Practical and Creative Strategies for Teachers. They are co-directors, Institute for Habits of Mind, a private consultant providing services to school districts, state departments of education, professional organizations, and public agencies throughout the US and internationally. Art Costa is professor emeritus of education at California State University. Abbie Eklund, Principal of Lincoln Elementary School, 2016 ASCD Emerging Leader.

Grading practices have been a point of controversy for over 100 years. Researchers have long identified the problems with our current grading systems, but we've yet to solve them. What can be done? Our guests point to a better way. Follow: @ASCD @Eklundteaches @tguskey @bamradionetwork Susan Brookhart and Tom Guskey co-authored What We Know About Grading: What Works, What Doesn't, and What's Next. Susan Brookhart is professor emerita in the School of Education at Duquesne University and an independent educational consultant and author. She is author or coauthor of 18 books and more than 70 articles. Tom Guskey is professor of Educational Psychology in the College of Education at the University of Kentucky. He is included in the National Staff Development Council’s Leaders in Staff Development. Abbie Eklund, Principal of Lincoln Elementary School, 2016 ASCD Emerging Leader.

Join us for a discussion on what it means to nurture students who are literacy strong. Our guest provides a strategy for engaging students and layering deeper learning across the seasons for literacy. Valerie Ellery has dedicated 30 years to the field of education in various roles as a National Board Certified Teacher, curriculum specialist, mentor, reading coach, international educational consultant, and author. Her latest book, Literacy Strong All Year Long: Powerful Lessons for Grades 3–5, is a joint publication of ASCD and International Literacy Association. Abbie Eklund, Principal of Lincoln Elementary School, 2016 ASCD Emerging Leader.

Homework is an ongoing source of debate and angst for many educators, students, and parents. Our guest believes that homework reform can be a catalyst for total school reform. Join us as we look at homework myths and misconceptions, and rethink the possibilities. Follow: @ASCD @realhomeworkldy @eklundteaches @bamradionetwork Cathy Vatterott is a professor of education at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. After she presented at several educational conferences, participants refer to her as the "homework lady." As a parent, former teacher, and principal, she has experienced homework from a variety of perspectives. Abbie Eklund, Principal of Lincoln Elementary School, 2016 ASCD Emerging Leader.

Reliable private transportation. An affordable place to live. A safe and enriching childcare program. These are just some of the services offered by area charities that will benefit from the 2018 Unity Campaign for Frederick. The annual collaborative fundraiser aims to break the record books by raising $475,000 for 31 nonprofits that provide health, educational and financial stability programs to struggling Frederick families. But where exactly does that money go? And who does it help? And why does it matter? On this special episode of Frederick Uncut, host Colin McGuire and reporter Nancy Lavin talk with United Way of Frederick County executive director Ken Oldham about the expanded scope and size of this year's collaborative campaign, which kicks off Sept. 11 followed by the signature "12 days of giving" Sept. 11-23. By the way, the end date happens to be Oldham's birthday, if you're looking for a gift idea. We also hear from leaders of three three Unity Campaign participants about the programs and people they serve with the help of fundraisers like Unity. Rick Trawick, director of Second Chances Garage, highlights the need for affordable, refurbished cars that give rural residents a way to get to work, to the store, or many other services otherwise inaccessible by public transportation. Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County's Executive Director Ron Cramer talks affordable housing, and the ways Habitat has filled the need for first-time home-owners and longtime residents of deteriorating properties. Lisa McDonald, the Boys & Girls Club of Frederick County's executive director, explains how planned expansion into the old Lincoln Elementary School will allow the club to quadruple its after school and summer programming for children and teenagers.

School leaders can play a pivotal role in creating a positive mindset toward math among teachers, students, and even parents. Our guests offer an insightful guide to supporting successful math instruction. Follow: @eklundteaches @marian_small @ASCD @bamradionetwork Marian Small, formerly the Dean of Education at the University of New Brunswick, has written or co-authored around 100 publications for K-12 students and teachers. Douglas Duff has been a professional educator for the past 15 years, 12 internationally, after beginning his career in Vancouver, Canada. He has had a blend of Middle School and High School experience. They co-authored The School Leader's Guide to Building and Sustaining Math Success. Abbie Eklund, Principal of Lincoln Elementary School, 2016 ASCD Emerging Leader.

Join us a for a discussion on the ways instructional design is evolving and how the Understanding by Design can be adapted in linguistically and culturally diverse classrooms. Follow: @DrAJHeineke @eklundteaches @ASCD @bamradionetwork Amy J. Heineke, Ph.D.is Associate Professor of Education, Loyola University Chicago. Her work centers on preparing both pre-service and in-service teachers to promote disciplinary learning and language development of all students, with particular lenses on CLD students and ELs. She co-authored Using Understanding by Design in the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Classroom with Jay McTighe, who served as director of the Maryland Assessment Consortium. Abbie Eklund, Principal of Lincoln Elementary School, 2016 ASCD Emerging Leader.

Our guest says that personalized learning is essentially about sharing power with students. Join us for a four-step guide to enable personalizing instruction for every child. Follow: @eklundteaches @drrickabaugh @ASCD @bamradionetwork James Rickabaugh, author of Tapping the Power of Personalized Learning , is the director of the Institute for Personalized Learning. He formerly served as superintendent of the Whitefish Bay School District in Southeastern Wisconsin and other districts in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Abbie Eklund, Principal of Lincoln Elementary School, 2016 ASCD Emerging Leader.

We go inside Mrs. Affholter's 5th grade class at Lincoln Elementary School to check out the STEM projects that her students have been working on.

In this episode, we explore a lesson planning model that promotes critical thinking, student engagement, and the effective use of technology. Follow: @eklundteaches @ASCD @bamradionetwork Jane E. Pollock, co-author of the first edition of the ASCD best seller Classroom Instruction That Works. She collaborates worldwide with teachers, instructional coaches, and principals on curriculum, instruction, assessment, and supervision. Her work results in improved student achievement at the classroom and school levels. She also co-authored with Susan Hensley The i5 Approach: Lesson Planning That Teaches Thinking and Fosters Innovation. Host Abbie Eklund, Principal of Lincoln Elementary School, is 2016 ASCD Emerging Leader.

According to a recent report, 24% of parents are concerned about safety in school. Our guest says it's time for schools to rethink and decentralize how we approach school safety. Follow: @eklundteaches @wwmurawski @ASCD @bamradionetwork Dr. Amy Klinger is a nationally recognized school safety and crisis management expert. Amanda Klinger, Esq. is an expert in cyberbullying, school safety, and the law. They are the co-founders of the Educator's School Safety Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering educators with education-based school safety training and resources.Abbie Eklund, Principal of Lincoln Elementary School, 2016 ASCD Emerging Leader.

Every experienced educator in the world has likely noticed that student discipline challenges have changed. Our guest offers new solutions for a new generation. Follow: @eklundtaches @ASCD @bamradionetwork Richard L. Curwin co-authored with: Allen N. Mendler, and Brian D. Mendler Discipline with Dignity, 4th Edition: How to Build Responsibility, Relationships, and Respect in Your Classroom He is an author, trainer, speaker, and experienced education practitioner who has worked with teachers, administrators, and parents throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, South America, and the Middle East. Abbie Eklund, Principal of Lincoln Elementary School, 2016 ASCD Emerging Leader.

We start the year with a fresh look at multiple intelligence and how the concept applies to current instructional strategies. Follow: @eklundteaches @Dr_Armstrong @ASCD @bamradionetwork Thomas Armstrong is an award-winning author and speaker with over 35 years of teaching experience from the primary through the doctoral level. He is the author of several books on learning and human development including his latest, The Power of the Adolescent Brain: Strategies for Teaching Middle and High School Students. Abbie Eklund, Principal of Lincoln Elementary School, 2016 ASCD Emerging Leader.

Our guest says that personalized learning is essentially about sharing power with students. Join us for a four-step guide to enable personalizing instruction for every child. Follow: @eklundteaches @drrickabaug @ASCD @bamradionetwork James Rickabaugh, author of Tapping the Power of Personalized Learning , is the director of the Institute for Personalized Learning. He formerly served as superintendent of the Whitefish Bay School District in Southeastern Wisconsin and other districts in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Abbie Eklund, Principal of Lincoln Elementary School, 2016 ASCD Emerging Leader.

This is a Bonus episode with Moms as Principals. I hope you enjoy the discussion as we talk about how to lead both at home and at school.   Kelley Begley McCall is currently in her 18th year of in education and the principal and lead learner of Graber Elementary in Hutchinson, Kansas. She’s also a Code.org Affiliate and spends several Saturdays a year training teachers how to incorporate computer science and coding in the classroom. She’s passionate about trauma informed schools, project-based learning and giving students many opportunities to solve real world problems while connecting with the community.   Liz Garden is currently in her 9th year of educational leadership.  She has been the principal of Florence Roche Elementary School in Groton, MA for the past 5 years.  Before becoming the principal of the school, she served as the assistant principal for two years.  She was also an early childhood administrator for 3 years.  Liz taught for 13 years before moving into administration.  She loved working with students of all ages, having taught pre-school students all the way to high school biology.  Liz believes that every student can learn, and every student deserves teachers who believe in them, care about them and give them opportunities to be successful.  She is passionate about the power of words, and works to instill a love of reading and writing in her students and staff.  Liz loves that her job means she is constantly growing and learning alongside kids and adults!   Lynn Colon is the proud Principal of Mary Williams Elementary in Northern VA. A native from Puerto Rico, Lynn is passionate about equity, diverse learners, and making technology available to all students regardless of their language, learning ability or social background. She believes every school should strive to deliver the “Disney Experience” to all stakeholders. A lot of her work is built on collaboration, personalized learning for students and staff, and delivering magical moments to students.   Claire Giardino is currently in her 16th year in education. She is the Principal of Lincoln Elementary School in Columbus, Ohio. Prior to being a Principal she was a teacher for 11 years in Fairfax, VA. Claire is dedicated, energetic, positive and resourceful leader with proven ability to create and monitor policies and practices that promote a safe and joyous learning environment. She ensures a school culture that nurtures growth for staff, students and the community at large.   Lindsy Stumpenhorst is a 3-5 elementary principal in Sterling, Illinois, a rural community two hours west of Chicago. She has taught grades ranging from 3rd to 8th, also spending time as an RTI specialist and an associate principal before moving into a lead learner role. She expects her students and staff to work hard, but she doesn't expect them to do it alone.She believes that education can be exciting and fun, as well as impactful and metacognitive.  Most days you will find her providing staff with learning and growing experiences in-between games of soccer or tetherball with students at recess.   Melissa Kartsimas is in her 7th year as the principal of Kennedy Elementary School in Schiller Park, IL, which serves 800 wonderful students, PreK-3rd grade. Melissa previously taught 3rd grade, as well as serving as a Curriculum Facilitator. Melissa is a former Illinois Computing Educator of the Year is passionate about bringing together best practices for students & 1:1 technology to further enhance student learning. She is a wife and mom to two children.   Tracey Allen is the Director of Professional Learning for Butte County Office of Education in Northern California. Tracey has had the privilege of being an elementary school teacher, instructional coach, educational consultant, and principal of an elementary school. Tracey also takes pride in being a connected educator and growing her PLN with other enthusiastic and innovative educators. You can follow Tracey on Twitter @PrincipalTallen. In addition, you can read her latest blog on https://momsasprincipals.wordpress.com/ or connect with her via Voxer: traceyallen409   Moms as Principals Show Highlights The origin story of #momsasprincipals How to be brave an click publish Taking risks with staff is easy, with the public it is tougher … How Claire was pushed to explore social media Why it’s important to be vulnerable with failures We’re not half in … we are all in at work and at home Tips for balance to serve well at school and at home Fantastic ways to build relationships with your staff   Moms as Principals Resources   Website   Connect with everyone on Twitter …   Liz Garden @PrincipalGarden  Lindsy Stumpenhorst @lmstump  Kelley McCall @mccall_kelley  Lyn Colon @TheColon_s  Tracey Allen @PrincipalTallen  Melissa Kartsimas @TeacherMelissa  Claire Giardino @cgiardino3   Join my hybrid group coaching & leadership development community Text BETTERMASTERMIND to 33444 Create winning cultures Focus on the essential Lead with courage & integrity    BECOME A PATRON OF THE SHOW FOR AS LITTLE AS $1/MONTH DID YOU LIKE THE SHOW?  iTunes SUBSCRIBE HERE! SHOW SOME LOVE: PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR RATING AND REVIEW Grab your FREE 15 Phrases of Effective School Leaders  Text PHRASES to 33444 or click the link above.   Website :: Facebook :: Insta :: Twitter :: LinkedIn   SHOW SPONSORS: SCHOOL SPIRIT VENDING Hassle-free, year-round fundraising for your school. With School Spirit Vending, we do all the work, you just cash the check Increase school spirit with custom stickers for your school and raise funds at the same time -no upfront costs, no volunteers, no selling Sick of the same old ways of raising money for your school? Let School Spirit Vending's hassle-free, year-round fundraising program supplement the other fundraisers you're already doing. SSV is also giving away the Top 10 School Fundraising Ideas for 2017. Download the guide here. Copyright © 2017 Better Leaders Better Schools    

Robert L. Cooley was born in Independence, Kansas. He was interviewed as part of the Created Equal grant received by the Independence Public Library. He was in the first group of students who attended Lincoln Elementary School in Independence. He was an insurance investigator for a number of years and also worked for the post office.

A Modest Proposal to use the space in the former Lincoln Elementary School.  It'll never happen, but here it is.   Show Theme "Hot Swing" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments to 218-214-CALL  (218-234-2255) Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls      

A Modest Proposal to use the space in the former Lincoln Elementary School.  It'll never happen, but here it is.   Show Theme "Hot Swing" from Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech.com. Comments to 218-214-CALL  (218-234-2255) Contributions: https://www.paypal.me/grizzlysgrowls