In this podcast Anitrice Black, an early childhood educator for over 20 years in urban settings in Western Pennsylvania, shares her values about working with parents to best meet the needs of her young students. “Parents entrust their children to me. I want them to know they can reach out with questions—to know I take their concerns seriously.” As a keen observer of children’s behavior, Black has great insight into the social and emotional needs of her students. Responding to those needs is paramount for creating a classroom environment conducive to learning. 
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During this episode, Dr. Helen M. Hazi puts recent challenges to curriculum content into an historical perspective and offers suggestions for responding to efforts to censor instructional materials. A major focus of Dr. Hazi’s scholarship has been the intersection of law and policy with educational practice. She helps to distinguish what teachers can do to minimize the possibility of challenges to their instructional choices and what is the responsibility of principals, superintendents, and school boards. Although the information conveyed cannot be considered formal legal advice, the ideas presented provide a framework for thinking about the troubling issue of censorship.
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In this episode, middle school students Ryan and Camden share their experiences and thoughts about going to school during the COVID pandemic. What shines through in their comments is an empathy for what others were experiencing—from the stress experienced by teachers, to difficulties of other students, to their own family’s adjustments. We were so pleased to spend some time in conversation with these thoughtful young students.
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This episode features Leticia Harshman who has been teaching high school English for 20 years in a suburban district in Western Pennsylvania. During the conversation Harshman reflects on her growth from a new, uncertain teacher to one who can see the solving of challenges as fun and who clearly enjoys her work with students. On the one-year anniversary of her school switching to remote learning, Harshman asked her students to write “Dear Diary” entries about what the experience had been like for them. A sampling of the students’ writing can be read by visiting https://scholarpractitionernexus.com/dear-diary-student-reflections-on-school-during-covid/ 

In addition to the students’ writing, Harshman’s piece, “Learning through the Tears,” can be accessed at:   

https://scholarpractitionernexus.com/learning-through-the-tears-by-leticia-harsman/

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This episode features Dr. Christine Coyle as she shares her journey from earning a doctorate in cell biology to the teaching of high school science. Dr. Coyle reflects on her shift in focus from basic research to promoting an understanding and love of science in others. Dr. Coyle entered the world of K-12 education during the COVID pandemic which means she did not have to dismantle tried and true instructional methods, but did have to find her way in an unsettled and changing landscape of practice.
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Erika Felack-Buci has been teaching English for ten years in an economically distressed community in Western Pennsylvania. What comes through in her reflections are her deep affection and respect for her students and her commitment to giving them as good a learning experience as possible. A special project undertaken by Erika and two of her colleagues exemplify what it means to be stewards of education. In 2021, Felack-Buci wrote “Teaching through the Tears,” to convey what she was experiencing as a teacher during the COVID pandemic. To read this piece, visit https://scholarpractitionernexus.com/teaching-through-the-tears-by-erika-felack/
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Darrah Rhinehart teaches high school English in a suburban district in Western Pennsylvania.  During the conversation, Rhinehart reflects on instructional adaptations she made as she adjusted to teaching remotely. In doing so, she offers an example of how lessons learned during the COVID pandemic can be carried through as a new normal of schooling takes shape. In 2021, Rhinehart wrote, “Unraveling Pedagogy,” to express her struggle between her own perfectionism and realistic expectations during a challenging time. To read her piece, visit,   https://scholarpractitionernexus.com/unraveling-pedagogy-by-darrah-rhinehart/ 
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This episode introduces the hosts of Speaking of Education—Marilyn J. Llewellyn, PhD, Patricia L. McMahon, PhD, and Maria Piantanida, PhD During the conversation the hosts explain how they came to meet each other and the range of projects they have pursued together. They share their vision for the podcast and their hopes for what can be accomplished through the sharing of stories about important educational issues. For more information about the hosts, visit https://scholarpractitionernexus.com/
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