1 00:00:06,625 --> 00:00:08,765 - Hey everybody, I'm Doug and Ninth Corner. 2 00:00:08,865 --> 00:00:10,885 That's Connor. He's actually in the hallway today 3 00:00:10,885 --> 00:00:13,125 because we have so many guests in the studio. 4 00:00:13,265 --> 00:00:15,245 And the energy in here is amazing. 5 00:00:15,425 --> 00:00:17,805 In fact, we weren't even gonna start with a fun question. 6 00:00:17,805 --> 00:00:19,405 We were gonna get right down to business. 7 00:00:19,665 --> 00:00:21,525 But this crew is excited 8 00:00:21,665 --> 00:00:23,165 and ready to talk about what they do. 9 00:00:23,465 --> 00:00:25,805 And before we do that, I'm gonna ask them all, 10 00:00:26,225 --> 00:00:28,045 if you could be on a reality show, 11 00:00:28,575 --> 00:00:30,565 which reality show would you be on? 12 00:00:30,645 --> 00:00:32,445 I should actually say who we're talking to today. . 13 00:00:32,445 --> 00:00:34,165 I'm so excited. I'm sitting down here 14 00:00:34,165 --> 00:00:36,885 with the equity team at Bethel School District. 15 00:00:37,145 --> 00:00:40,205 Deb Carman, Michael Dwyer, Sasha Fishel Freeman, 16 00:00:40,225 --> 00:00:41,725 and Will Waverly. 17 00:00:41,975 --> 00:00:45,125 First off Michael Reality show. Which one would you 18 00:00:45,125 --> 00:00:46,125 - Be on? 19 00:00:46,125 --> 00:00:47,325 Definitely The Amazing Race. 20 00:00:47,845 --> 00:00:49,405 I like the challenge of the Amazing Race. 21 00:00:49,525 --> 00:00:51,805 I like all the crazy stuff that happens on The Amazing Race. 22 00:00:52,205 --> 00:00:53,965 I just think it'd be a good time. I was pretty 23 00:00:53,995 --> 00:00:55,005 fast back in high school. 24 00:00:55,365 --> 00:00:58,045 I can find things. It's kind of a fun little scavenger hunt. 25 00:00:58,205 --> 00:00:59,725 I think it'd be great. So the Amazing Race 26 00:00:59,725 --> 00:01:00,765 would be my reality show. 27 00:01:00,945 --> 00:01:02,845 - Now, that's not a solo reality show. 28 00:01:02,845 --> 00:01:05,205 You'd have to bring a partner. Who would you pick? 29 00:01:05,645 --> 00:01:06,365 - I don't know. I'd probably 30 00:01:06,365 --> 00:01:07,525 pick one of the guys on the team. 31 00:01:07,545 --> 00:01:10,205 Either Will or Sasha, I think would be good teammates. 32 00:01:10,505 --> 00:01:11,525 If it was all three of us, 33 00:01:11,845 --> 00:01:13,125 I think we could knock it outta the park. 34 00:01:13,565 --> 00:01:15,685 - I love that. Great answer. Sasha, over to you. 35 00:01:15,835 --> 00:01:17,285 Reality show you would be on. 36 00:01:17,445 --> 00:01:19,085 - I like to cook. So probably some kind 37 00:01:19,085 --> 00:01:20,565 of like cooking reality show like Chef 38 00:01:20,625 --> 00:01:21,725 Ramsey or something like that. 39 00:01:21,825 --> 00:01:23,405 - Is he the guy that yells at everybody? Yeah, 40 00:01:23,605 --> 00:01:25,445 - I mean I, I wouldn't enjoy that part, but 41 00:01:25,685 --> 00:01:26,685 - Whatever. 42 00:01:26,685 --> 00:01:27,045 I was gonna say, you're ready for that heat. 43 00:01:27,045 --> 00:01:28,445 What about the great British bakeoff? 44 00:01:28,545 --> 00:01:29,805 - Oh, I haven't seen that one, but 45 00:01:29,805 --> 00:01:30,925 yeah, sure I'd do it. You know, 46 00:01:31,075 --> 00:01:32,075 - It's much more calm. 47 00:01:32,075 --> 00:01:34,605 Nobody yells at anybody. will. How about you? 48 00:01:34,865 --> 00:01:37,125 - So I hope my wife isn't listening to the podcast 49 00:01:37,345 --> 00:01:40,005 and hopefully not because she works in a different school 50 00:01:40,325 --> 00:01:43,765 district, but it would probably be The Bachelor, right? 51 00:01:44,085 --> 00:01:47,285 . Now I'm a happily married man. Wife. 52 00:01:47,725 --> 00:01:49,725 I love you . You are the best. 53 00:01:50,465 --> 00:01:52,925 But hey, whatever it is, A month, two weeks, 54 00:01:52,985 --> 00:01:56,725 and you just got 20 or 30 women just oohing ling over you. 55 00:01:58,045 --> 00:02:01,885 Absolutely a dream, um, reality show. I would be on . 56 00:02:03,835 --> 00:02:05,285 - That is a bold choice. 57 00:02:05,725 --> 00:02:09,565 , Deb, 58 00:02:09,565 --> 00:02:11,045 you're gonna have a hard time beating that one. 59 00:02:11,065 --> 00:02:14,085 Deb Carman, director of the equity team. Good luck. 60 00:02:14,395 --> 00:02:17,045 - Well, Doug, I detest reality shows 61 00:02:17,525 --> 00:02:19,165 , I don't have a favorite. 62 00:02:19,885 --> 00:02:22,885 I cannot stand them. So kudos to all you guys. 63 00:02:23,355 --> 00:02:25,725 This is what makes our team great 'cause we come 64 00:02:25,745 --> 00:02:27,565 and show up as we are. Right? 65 00:02:28,365 --> 00:02:30,485 - I love that. I'm not letting you off the hook though, 66 00:02:30,865 --> 00:02:31,925 not a reality show. 67 00:02:31,995 --> 00:02:34,605 What fictional TV show would you want to be part of? 68 00:02:34,945 --> 00:02:36,445 I'm guessing Doubt Abbey. 69 00:02:36,445 --> 00:02:39,245 Or one of the British murder mysteries. What say you? 70 00:02:39,605 --> 00:02:41,925 - I really like Brighton. I really got into that one. 71 00:02:42,105 --> 00:02:44,085 So yes. . I can go with that. Doug. Thanks. 72 00:02:44,235 --> 00:02:45,285 - Perfect. . 73 00:02:45,995 --> 00:02:49,365 Well, this has been a big year for the equity department. 74 00:02:49,545 --> 00:02:51,845 Deb, not only do you have two new staff members, 75 00:02:52,225 --> 00:02:54,205 but you now have three equity specialists. 76 00:02:54,425 --> 00:02:56,445 To get us started, let's talk about the importance 77 00:02:56,445 --> 00:02:58,885 of having an equity department for school districts. 78 00:02:58,925 --> 00:03:01,725 This is something, 10 years ago, it was a department of one. 79 00:03:01,905 --> 00:03:04,925 Things have changed and districts are seeing the benefit 80 00:03:05,225 --> 00:03:06,605 and the rewards for students 81 00:03:06,605 --> 00:03:08,205 with equity departments. Let's talk about that. 82 00:03:08,425 --> 00:03:10,965 - The whole idea behind equity is access 83 00:03:11,785 --> 00:03:13,885 and how that looks different for every student 84 00:03:14,355 --> 00:03:16,925 because we used to look at things equal. 85 00:03:17,315 --> 00:03:18,765 Everybody got the same thing. 86 00:03:18,835 --> 00:03:21,205 Well, now we're looking at equity, which is 87 00:03:21,725 --> 00:03:22,805 a totally different look. 88 00:03:23,385 --> 00:03:26,725 And what it does, it allows students to 89 00:03:27,435 --> 00:03:30,005 succeed in what areas that they need 90 00:03:30,005 --> 00:03:31,885 and what, you know, how we can support that. 91 00:03:32,585 --> 00:03:33,885 Why have an equity department? 92 00:03:33,955 --> 00:03:36,245 Well, in Bethel specifically, 93 00:03:36,315 --> 00:03:37,685 it's the board's number one goal, 94 00:03:38,145 --> 00:03:40,125 and it's Superintendent Siegel's number one goal. 95 00:03:40,745 --> 00:03:44,205 The biggest thing though is what we value, 96 00:03:44,905 --> 00:03:48,565 the words we say and the values that we hold. 97 00:03:49,225 --> 00:03:52,045 We needed to identify some action behind those words. 98 00:03:52,665 --> 00:03:57,205 And I think that's what's given our department the ability 99 00:03:57,505 --> 00:03:59,605 to do what we're doing. 100 00:04:00,265 --> 00:04:03,245 And we're at the table, we're at the table in a lot 101 00:04:03,245 --> 00:04:07,045 of critical conversations and decisions that are made. 102 00:04:07,305 --> 00:04:10,845 So it is very exciting to be a part of this. 103 00:04:11,625 --> 00:04:15,645 And I can't think of a, a better way to support students. 104 00:04:16,325 --> 00:04:17,885 - Absolutely. And that's what this is all about. 105 00:04:18,025 --> 00:04:21,045 And all of you in this room go a long way 106 00:04:21,045 --> 00:04:22,765 to helping remove barriers for students 107 00:04:22,865 --> 00:04:24,285 so they can focus on their education 108 00:04:24,285 --> 00:04:25,725 and not on external factors. 109 00:04:26,015 --> 00:04:28,045 Along with district level equity department here, 110 00:04:28,115 --> 00:04:30,845 each school now has an equity team made up 111 00:04:30,845 --> 00:04:32,205 of staff at that school. 112 00:04:32,265 --> 00:04:33,685 That's been a long time coming. 113 00:04:33,745 --> 00:04:35,765 It was a multi-year process to implement. 114 00:04:36,035 --> 00:04:38,325 What kind of things are those teams focusing on, Deb? 115 00:04:38,595 --> 00:04:41,445 - Well, this year we're launching into instruction 116 00:04:42,065 --> 00:04:44,525 and we're looking at instruction from the point 117 00:04:44,525 --> 00:04:45,565 of view of belonging. 118 00:04:45,565 --> 00:04:47,245 What does belonging look like when 119 00:04:47,265 --> 00:04:51,645 as an instructional leader, you are teaching our students. 120 00:04:52,065 --> 00:04:53,885 In the past we've done self-reflection, 121 00:04:54,015 --> 00:04:57,165 we've done book studies, we are building capacity, 122 00:04:57,385 --> 00:04:59,045 having crucial conversations, 123 00:04:59,915 --> 00:05:01,845 sharing activities with staffs. 124 00:05:02,265 --> 00:05:04,445 We have 33 equity teams, Doug, 125 00:05:04,945 --> 00:05:07,445 and of those, we have departments that are part of that too. 126 00:05:07,545 --> 00:05:09,285 So not only every school, 127 00:05:09,665 --> 00:05:11,605 but we have departments that have equity teams. 128 00:05:11,745 --> 00:05:14,325 And so it has really been something 129 00:05:14,325 --> 00:05:17,085 that when we began this journey, honestly, 130 00:05:17,485 --> 00:05:19,085 I had no idea where it would take us. 131 00:05:19,315 --> 00:05:21,485 - Well, Connor has our next question. Can 132 00:05:21,485 --> 00:05:23,885 - You tell us what's your level for when you put your two 133 00:05:24,165 --> 00:05:25,165 - Together? 134 00:05:25,165 --> 00:05:25,885 Connor? I I didn't get that at all. 135 00:05:26,365 --> 00:05:27,925 - Connor. I'll do the heavy lifting. Here you go. 136 00:05:27,925 --> 00:05:30,805 Get a coffee or something. We are joined here with all three 137 00:05:30,805 --> 00:05:32,885 of your equity specialists who we've already heard from 138 00:05:33,105 --> 00:05:34,765 before we meet everybody even more. 139 00:05:34,865 --> 00:05:36,125 Deb, tell us what you were looking 140 00:05:36,145 --> 00:05:37,405 for when you put this team together. 141 00:05:37,845 --> 00:05:41,565 - I was looking for individuals that loved kids 142 00:05:42,585 --> 00:05:45,965 and really had an ability to connect with kids. 143 00:05:46,745 --> 00:05:48,725 Is this is the job. We're supporting students, 144 00:05:48,815 --> 00:05:52,005 we're supporting the buildings, we're supporting our parents 145 00:05:52,665 --> 00:05:54,005 in supporting the students. 146 00:05:54,345 --> 00:05:56,965 And that was just the number one goal. 147 00:05:57,265 --> 00:06:00,245 And I really believe we have an outstanding team. 148 00:06:00,635 --> 00:06:03,925 This has really been an exciting beginning to this 149 00:06:03,925 --> 00:06:04,925 - Year. 150 00:06:04,925 --> 00:06:05,845 And this is a department that is not 151 00:06:05,845 --> 00:06:07,165 sitting in the district office. 152 00:06:07,265 --> 00:06:09,085 You all are out in the schools working 153 00:06:09,085 --> 00:06:10,445 with students on a daily basis. 154 00:06:10,445 --> 00:06:12,965 Michael Dwyer, this is your first year in Bethel. 155 00:06:12,965 --> 00:06:14,085 What schools are you covering 156 00:06:14,185 --> 00:06:16,005 and what drew you into equity work? 157 00:06:16,225 --> 00:06:17,885 - Uh, as far as the schools that I'm covering, 158 00:06:18,065 --> 00:06:19,405 it is Bethel High School 159 00:06:19,465 --> 00:06:20,565 and all the feeder schools 160 00:06:20,565 --> 00:06:21,965 that lead the Bethel High Schools. 161 00:06:22,525 --> 00:06:26,805 I started, um, in equity work probably in 2011, 2012, 162 00:06:26,805 --> 00:06:28,925 working for the College Success Foundation. 163 00:06:29,285 --> 00:06:30,965 I was doing a lot of work with black 164 00:06:30,965 --> 00:06:34,125 and brown men of color in the middle and the high schools 165 00:06:34,385 --> 00:06:36,045 and helping try to close 166 00:06:36,045 --> 00:06:37,845 that achievement gap with those young men. 167 00:06:38,195 --> 00:06:40,645 That work was super challenging, very exciting. 168 00:06:41,185 --> 00:06:43,565 And in doing that brought me back to this work 169 00:06:43,905 --> 00:06:46,325 and also back to the district that I was raised in 170 00:06:46,325 --> 00:06:47,365 and that I graduated in. 171 00:06:47,395 --> 00:06:48,965 - Fantastic. And I'm just gonna say it, 172 00:06:49,025 --> 00:06:50,205 uh, your voice is amazing. 173 00:06:50,665 --> 00:06:53,085 Um, if Connor ends up not coming back from that coffee, 174 00:06:53,105 --> 00:06:54,965 we might have an extra roll for you here in the district 175 00:06:55,265 --> 00:06:58,605 as co-host of the podcast, Sasha Fishel Freeman. 176 00:06:58,605 --> 00:07:00,365 This is your first year in Bethel two. 177 00:07:00,875 --> 00:07:02,085 What do you hope to bring to students 178 00:07:02,085 --> 00:07:03,285 here in Bethel through your work? 179 00:07:03,425 --> 00:07:04,845 And, and before you, before you answer 180 00:07:04,845 --> 00:07:06,165 that, what schools are you covering? Yeah, 181 00:07:06,225 --> 00:07:07,225 - No, thanks. 182 00:07:07,225 --> 00:07:08,805 I cover GK high school, that's where I'm based out of. 183 00:07:08,805 --> 00:07:10,965 And I cover all of the feeder schools, the gks. 184 00:07:11,085 --> 00:07:13,925 I think I try to approach my work with a deep sense of like, 185 00:07:13,925 --> 00:07:16,205 respect for the young people that I work with 186 00:07:16,225 --> 00:07:17,725 and their families and their communities. 187 00:07:18,025 --> 00:07:20,485 And for me it's really important to recognize kind of the, 188 00:07:20,745 --> 00:07:22,445 the expertise that young people have 189 00:07:22,665 --> 00:07:24,485 and carry about the conditions 190 00:07:24,485 --> 00:07:25,805 of their own lives and also their needs. 191 00:07:25,855 --> 00:07:28,845 Right? That's what I wanna bring to, to this work, 192 00:07:28,865 --> 00:07:30,765 to the students I work with, to the schools, 193 00:07:31,265 --> 00:07:33,445 to the community is a deep, just a really deep sense 194 00:07:33,445 --> 00:07:35,805 of respect for their experiences, their expertise, 195 00:07:35,815 --> 00:07:38,165 their families, their community, their histories, 196 00:07:38,165 --> 00:07:40,405 their languages, cultures, all of that stuff. 197 00:07:40,965 --> 00:07:42,125 - Absolutely. Will Waverly, 198 00:07:42,125 --> 00:07:44,125 you're the veteran equity specialist on the team. 199 00:07:44,515 --> 00:07:45,725 Tell me what schools you cover 200 00:07:45,825 --> 00:07:47,405 and how have you seen your work grow over 201 00:07:47,405 --> 00:07:48,445 the years here in Bethel? 202 00:07:48,585 --> 00:07:49,885 - Let me clear my throat, right. 203 00:07:50,125 --> 00:07:52,685 'cause Michael getting extra jobs, right? Let me see. 204 00:07:52,995 --> 00:07:57,725 That'll work. Can't have rookies coming here, 205 00:07:57,825 --> 00:08:01,525 taking all the extra work , but seriously, no. 206 00:08:01,705 --> 00:08:04,205 Um, I cover the feeder schools from spanning Way 207 00:08:04,205 --> 00:08:05,445 Lake all the way down. 208 00:08:05,585 --> 00:08:08,005 So the middle schools and the elementary schools 209 00:08:08,005 --> 00:08:09,405 that feed into Spanaway Lake. 210 00:08:09,785 --> 00:08:12,725 How my role has changed over the years from beginning 211 00:08:12,785 --> 00:08:15,525 to now is when we first started, it was more 212 00:08:15,545 --> 00:08:16,925 of a firefighter role. 213 00:08:17,185 --> 00:08:19,805 It was just constantly chasing and putting out fires. 214 00:08:20,235 --> 00:08:23,565 What has changed is now is more of a smokey to bear role. 215 00:08:23,565 --> 00:08:24,765 What does Smokey to bear do? 216 00:08:24,945 --> 00:08:27,605 Smokey to bear prevents forest fighters. 217 00:08:27,905 --> 00:08:30,725 We have established processes and systems in place 218 00:08:31,225 --> 00:08:33,805 and now it's about preserving those processes, 219 00:08:33,805 --> 00:08:34,885 preserving those systems. 220 00:08:35,385 --> 00:08:37,445 And now the different schools come ahead of time, 221 00:08:37,705 --> 00:08:39,285 we see this potential problem coming. 222 00:08:39,515 --> 00:08:41,205 Will, can you help us navigate that? 223 00:08:41,505 --> 00:08:44,325 And that's been exciting, right? 224 00:08:44,325 --> 00:08:46,805 Because no one likes chasing fires all the time, right? 225 00:08:46,805 --> 00:08:49,405 We want to get to the point to where we're actually 226 00:08:49,965 --> 00:08:50,965 building stuff instead 227 00:08:50,965 --> 00:08:52,965 of just fixing mistakes that have happened. 228 00:08:53,245 --> 00:08:55,445 - I love that. That's a great analogy. Well said. 229 00:08:55,445 --> 00:08:57,845 Debbie, your team helped kick this school year off 230 00:08:57,845 --> 00:09:00,605 with a district-wide webinar on belonging. 231 00:09:00,955 --> 00:09:02,925 Tell us a little bit about the importance of that concept. 232 00:09:03,065 --> 00:09:03,965 And I'm gonna have the equity 233 00:09:03,965 --> 00:09:05,285 specialist chime in too afterwards. 234 00:09:05,675 --> 00:09:08,445 - When, um, I think of belonging on a personal level, 235 00:09:09,165 --> 00:09:13,245 I realize the longer I do this work, how significant it is 236 00:09:13,425 --> 00:09:15,765 and how valuable it is 237 00:09:15,785 --> 00:09:17,285 to feel like you're part of something. 238 00:09:18,155 --> 00:09:20,685 Also understanding that it's a fundamental human need 239 00:09:21,265 --> 00:09:24,685 and it transcends all languages and cultures. 240 00:09:25,235 --> 00:09:28,485 It's how we're wired, as we talked about, to prepare 241 00:09:28,545 --> 00:09:29,725 for the kickoff for this year. 242 00:09:29,745 --> 00:09:33,805 It just felt like it was the next step in 243 00:09:33,805 --> 00:09:35,485 what we're doing in, in Bethel. 244 00:09:35,625 --> 00:09:39,725 And so as we did that, we looked at what that really means. 245 00:09:39,865 --> 00:09:43,765 And belonging really is the space where you can be yourself 246 00:09:44,315 --> 00:09:46,285 that you fit in, that you show up. 247 00:09:46,465 --> 00:09:48,805 You don't have to be anybody but yourself. 248 00:09:49,145 --> 00:09:51,045 - It was a great kickoff to the school year. 249 00:09:51,155 --> 00:09:52,965 Michael, did you have anything to add about, 250 00:09:53,025 --> 00:09:54,245 um, belonging as a concept? 251 00:09:54,765 --> 00:09:56,365 - Absolutely. I think belonging is probably the one 252 00:09:56,545 --> 00:09:59,165 of the most important concepts that young people can have. 253 00:09:59,805 --> 00:10:02,325 I just remember, and I think we can all remember being in 254 00:10:02,325 --> 00:10:04,485 school and just wanting to feel like you belong there 255 00:10:04,505 --> 00:10:07,085 or you were a part of a group and people saw you 256 00:10:07,385 --> 00:10:08,965 and that you were accepted into that group. 257 00:10:09,185 --> 00:10:10,445 And if you had those items, 258 00:10:10,705 --> 00:10:12,085 it made it a lot easier to learn. 259 00:10:12,285 --> 00:10:14,205 'cause you wanted to show up with a smile on your face. 260 00:10:14,505 --> 00:10:16,485 You want to get up and put on your best clothes, 261 00:10:16,985 --> 00:10:18,605 you brush your teeth, you smell good. 262 00:10:18,825 --> 00:10:20,365 All the things that make you want 263 00:10:20,365 --> 00:10:22,925 to be a great young person in the school system. 264 00:10:22,925 --> 00:10:25,725 And then once you can do that, it makes it a lot easier 265 00:10:25,865 --> 00:10:29,245 to learn really hard concepts if you don't have that sense 266 00:10:29,245 --> 00:10:31,005 of belonging, the acting out 267 00:10:31,025 --> 00:10:33,845 and all those things happen to where kids can't learn. 268 00:10:33,905 --> 00:10:35,005 And the ultimate goal 269 00:10:35,025 --> 00:10:37,405 for every student here in the district is to learn 270 00:10:37,785 --> 00:10:41,325 to graduate and to be productive parts of the community. I 271 00:10:41,405 --> 00:10:42,405 - I love that goal. 272 00:10:42,405 --> 00:10:44,005 I think it's such a critical aspect of school 273 00:10:44,005 --> 00:10:45,605 and so important for students, right? 274 00:10:45,665 --> 00:10:46,805 So important to focus on. 275 00:10:47,365 --> 00:10:49,325 I mean, one of the things that I think about when I think 276 00:10:49,325 --> 00:10:52,485 about what belonging looks like in schools is 277 00:10:52,545 --> 00:10:55,165 how crucial it is for students 278 00:10:55,185 --> 00:10:57,285 to see themselves in school spaces 279 00:10:57,865 --> 00:10:58,805 and the curriculums that 280 00:10:58,805 --> 00:10:59,845 they're learning and their teachers. 281 00:11:00,145 --> 00:11:01,965 You know, it's really important that students like see 282 00:11:01,965 --> 00:11:03,965 themselves reflected and like valued Right. 283 00:11:04,305 --> 00:11:06,445 Um, and their schools and and in their classrooms. 284 00:11:06,445 --> 00:11:08,125 So that's, that's one of the things that I think about 285 00:11:08,605 --> 00:11:09,645 - Sasha. Thank you. Will, how about you? 286 00:11:10,115 --> 00:11:12,085 - When I think of sense of belonging, the word that comes 287 00:11:12,085 --> 00:11:13,085 to mind is community. 288 00:11:13,145 --> 00:11:15,325 We use community in schools often. 289 00:11:15,745 --> 00:11:16,765 How are you going to be part 290 00:11:16,765 --> 00:11:18,925 of a community if you don't feel like you're belong? 291 00:11:19,425 --> 00:11:21,285 One of the things that we learned, well, we knew, 292 00:11:21,385 --> 00:11:24,885 but was especially evident in Covid, is school is 293 00:11:24,905 --> 00:11:27,525 so much more than just the educational piece. 294 00:11:27,755 --> 00:11:28,965 It's that sense of belonging. 295 00:11:28,965 --> 00:11:31,325 It's that sense of community, it's that sense of family. 296 00:11:31,395 --> 00:11:33,005 It's that sense of knowing, and I'm important. 297 00:11:33,235 --> 00:11:35,445 When Covid took that away, you saw the impact 298 00:11:35,445 --> 00:11:37,205 that it had on students and quite frankly, 299 00:11:37,205 --> 00:11:39,245 that it had on teachers and administration as well. 300 00:11:39,545 --> 00:11:41,965 So that is why this sense of belonging is so important 301 00:11:41,965 --> 00:11:44,605 because it helps us continue to strengthen our communities. 302 00:11:45,085 --> 00:11:46,245 - Absolutely. Helping students feel 303 00:11:46,245 --> 00:11:47,805 that they belong is so important. 304 00:11:47,825 --> 00:11:49,085 And the work that you three do 305 00:11:49,085 --> 00:11:51,205 to help students overcome barriers that are in the way 306 00:11:51,205 --> 00:11:53,405 of their education is just, it's essential. 307 00:11:53,435 --> 00:11:55,565 It's critical. I know we're early in the year, 308 00:11:55,825 --> 00:11:57,725 but I'm wondering if you all have some success 309 00:11:57,725 --> 00:11:58,765 stories you can share with us. 310 00:11:59,525 --> 00:12:00,605 Sasha, we'll start with you. Sure. Give 311 00:12:00,605 --> 00:12:01,725 Michael's voice a rest for a minute. 312 00:12:02,605 --> 00:12:03,605 . 313 00:12:06,625 --> 00:12:09,045 - Um, couple weeks ago I was in a Renaissance class 314 00:12:09,145 --> 00:12:10,525 and Renaissance is a little bit like a, 315 00:12:10,525 --> 00:12:12,285 like a leadership group at high school, right? 316 00:12:12,285 --> 00:12:13,885 They, they plan events and activities 317 00:12:13,905 --> 00:12:15,685 and do recognitions at school. 318 00:12:16,325 --> 00:12:17,445 I planted kind of a little bit 319 00:12:17,445 --> 00:12:18,685 of a seed with one of the students. 320 00:12:18,925 --> 00:12:21,245 I said, Hey, you know, , 321 00:12:21,245 --> 00:12:22,605 they have the debt is like coming up, right? 322 00:12:22,615 --> 00:12:23,925 Y'all should do something. You know, 323 00:12:24,335 --> 00:12:25,685 these were Mexican American students 324 00:12:25,745 --> 00:12:27,805 and so, you know, they just, they ran with it, right? 325 00:12:27,845 --> 00:12:29,645 I mean, they approached the teacher, they developed a whole 326 00:12:29,845 --> 00:12:33,485 plan for doing it and they're setting up a altar at GK High 327 00:12:33,485 --> 00:12:35,805 School with pictures of their ancestors 328 00:12:35,945 --> 00:12:37,805 and their, their loved ones who have passed away 329 00:12:37,805 --> 00:12:39,165 and inviting other students to do the same. 330 00:12:39,225 --> 00:12:41,365 So for me, I mean that is, you know 331 00:12:41,395 --> 00:12:43,125 what belonging is all about, right? 332 00:12:43,125 --> 00:12:44,125 That's what belonging looks like. 333 00:12:44,485 --> 00:12:45,845 - Absolutely. And the way that they can share their culture 334 00:12:45,875 --> 00:12:47,285 with the other students at gk, 335 00:12:47,285 --> 00:12:48,845 that's an amazing opportunity for them. 336 00:12:48,975 --> 00:12:50,085 We're gonna skip Michael again. 337 00:12:50,115 --> 00:12:51,685 He's, he's prepping , 338 00:12:52,085 --> 00:12:53,525 gargling some salt water or something. 339 00:12:53,845 --> 00:12:56,685 . will, how about you? 340 00:12:56,855 --> 00:12:58,565 - Right now the pressure is extra high 341 00:12:58,725 --> 00:13:00,285 'cause he's going to come after me, right? 342 00:13:00,605 --> 00:13:02,485 . So instead of a single success story, 343 00:13:02,545 --> 00:13:04,645 I'm actually gonna talk about a successful week 344 00:13:04,795 --> 00:13:06,165 over the past week. 345 00:13:06,325 --> 00:13:08,005 'cause there was a, a few things that happened. 346 00:13:08,465 --> 00:13:12,165 Um, we had the kickoff equity team meeting with our cohort. 347 00:13:12,305 --> 00:13:13,405 The cohort is made up 348 00:13:13,545 --> 00:13:15,765 of secondary schools in a particular area. 349 00:13:16,545 --> 00:13:17,965 One thing that the trainer did for 350 00:13:17,965 --> 00:13:20,525 that training is asking the beginning to give shout outs 351 00:13:20,785 --> 00:13:22,725 of things that your school has been doing. 352 00:13:23,155 --> 00:13:24,685 Several of the schools mentioned 353 00:13:24,685 --> 00:13:27,045 that they're doing their student voice teams, 354 00:13:27,045 --> 00:13:28,125 they're bringing them back 355 00:13:28,625 --> 00:13:29,925 and they're looking forward to that. 356 00:13:30,235 --> 00:13:32,485 When they were saying this, I actually smiled 357 00:13:32,485 --> 00:13:34,405 because when we first started in the school district, 358 00:13:34,865 --> 00:13:36,565 it wasn't something that was embraced. 359 00:13:36,745 --> 00:13:39,245 It was something that we actually had to fight for 360 00:13:39,305 --> 00:13:41,285 to get them to see the importance 361 00:13:41,285 --> 00:13:42,725 of the student voice teams. 362 00:13:43,685 --> 00:13:46,565 Districts understand student voice as a concept, 363 00:13:46,745 --> 00:13:49,765 but what does that actually look like to getting groups 364 00:13:49,785 --> 00:13:51,925 of students together to get their inputs on 365 00:13:51,925 --> 00:13:53,365 what changes can be done in school 366 00:13:53,365 --> 00:13:54,365 and what we're doing well. 367 00:13:54,665 --> 00:13:56,725 And to resist the adult temptation of, 368 00:13:57,035 --> 00:13:58,245 well we're the adults, right? 369 00:13:58,255 --> 00:14:01,165 We're the authorities, right? We just dictate on what to do. 370 00:14:01,165 --> 00:14:05,405 So embracing that, that was a powerful moment. 371 00:14:05,465 --> 00:14:07,205 And I was like, yes. Right, that is great. 372 00:14:07,315 --> 00:14:08,885 Then later in the week went 373 00:14:08,885 --> 00:14:11,445 with the Latin American Club at the high school 374 00:14:11,985 --> 00:14:14,725 and what they said is, during their past assembly, 375 00:14:15,115 --> 00:14:18,485 they were able to celebrate the culture in a way 376 00:14:18,485 --> 00:14:20,605 that they never have before at the assembly. 377 00:14:20,705 --> 00:14:21,845 And that was a big deal. 378 00:14:22,105 --> 00:14:25,045 And they said it was specifically because of my input 379 00:14:25,045 --> 00:14:26,485 and how I helped them navigate that. 380 00:14:26,825 --> 00:14:29,325 And then later in that afternoon, had a meeting 381 00:14:29,355 --> 00:14:30,645 with the Poly Club 382 00:14:30,705 --> 00:14:32,165 and we had one of our school board 383 00:14:32,485 --> 00:14:34,005 directors attend that meeting. 384 00:14:34,145 --> 00:14:36,685 Before the meeting started, they had a ceremony 385 00:14:36,895 --> 00:14:40,405 where they sung us, they chanted, they gave us a lay, 386 00:14:40,835 --> 00:14:42,445 they gave us, um, their skirts. 387 00:14:42,485 --> 00:14:45,885 I think it's a Morrow whatever said, you are now family. 388 00:14:46,025 --> 00:14:47,125 You are now one of us. 389 00:14:47,555 --> 00:14:49,445 They have seen me in their meetings and like, Mr. 390 00:14:49,515 --> 00:14:51,570 Will, you're cool. But at that particular point, 391 00:14:52,485 --> 00:14:53,685 I was embraced by them. 392 00:14:53,705 --> 00:14:55,765 And now when they see me, they give me hugs. 393 00:14:55,765 --> 00:14:58,005 They high five and that's significant 394 00:14:58,105 --> 00:15:00,005 and that's all in the past week. 395 00:15:00,105 --> 00:15:02,285 I'm not one that needs the limelight 396 00:15:02,345 --> 00:15:04,245 or the my picture everywhere. 397 00:15:04,305 --> 00:15:06,205 Any any of that stuff, the right look at me. 398 00:15:06,205 --> 00:15:07,245 But just seeing that stuff 399 00:15:07,245 --> 00:15:09,405 and seeing the changes that have been done 400 00:15:09,405 --> 00:15:11,405 behind the scenes was very significant. 401 00:15:11,405 --> 00:15:12,965 - Awesome. I love those successes for you. 402 00:15:13,005 --> 00:15:14,405 I love what you said about student voice. 403 00:15:15,045 --> 00:15:16,245 I think that's so critical. 404 00:15:16,345 --> 00:15:18,765 We know what it's like to work with students 405 00:15:19,155 --> 00:15:20,245 that are in school now. 406 00:15:20,385 --> 00:15:22,885 We don't know what it's like to be students in school now. 407 00:15:23,205 --> 00:15:24,845 I think that is a huge piece 408 00:15:24,845 --> 00:15:26,685 that you all are bringing to our district. 409 00:15:26,745 --> 00:15:28,525 And also you said you don't like to be photographed, 410 00:15:28,525 --> 00:15:29,525 so we won't put you in the Bethel 411 00:15:29,525 --> 00:15:30,885 Pride in January, February. 412 00:15:30,885 --> 00:15:32,925 We're gonna have an article about this. That's okay. 413 00:15:33,345 --> 00:15:36,245 - No, take my picture, right, . Right, right. 414 00:15:36,245 --> 00:15:38,325 Take my picture just next to Sasha. 415 00:15:38,325 --> 00:15:39,925 Not next to Michael. And I'm good. 416 00:15:40,285 --> 00:15:41,285 - . 417 00:15:42,085 --> 00:15:43,245 Excellent. Well that brings us over to Michael. 418 00:15:43,465 --> 00:15:46,205 You can close this out. Student success stories thus far. 419 00:15:46,515 --> 00:15:48,525 - Well, I just finished gargling my salt water 420 00:15:48,585 --> 00:15:50,525 and see I had a couple things that I wanted 421 00:15:50,525 --> 00:15:53,645 to say about my amazing veteran counterpart, will Waverly, 422 00:15:53,645 --> 00:15:56,885 but, um, threw a little little salt on my game over here. 423 00:15:57,065 --> 00:15:58,885 So . But this is how we do, I, 424 00:15:59,005 --> 00:16:01,445 I really enjoy our banter and on this group. 425 00:16:01,505 --> 00:16:04,605 But coming back to Student Voice, I wanted to piggyback off 426 00:16:04,605 --> 00:16:06,965 what Will was saying because I think student voice is super, 427 00:16:06,965 --> 00:16:11,045 super amazing and probably the most impactful thing we can 428 00:16:11,045 --> 00:16:14,565 do is to give student voice the other reason why we're here. 429 00:16:14,945 --> 00:16:18,845 So success story for me is kind of trying to piggyback off 430 00:16:18,845 --> 00:16:21,365 what Will and Darius have been doing over the years 431 00:16:21,365 --> 00:16:22,525 with these legacy groups 432 00:16:22,545 --> 00:16:25,285 and trying to make these legacy groups more impactful. 433 00:16:25,345 --> 00:16:28,645 And what the legacy groups are is putting student-focused 434 00:16:28,645 --> 00:16:33,365 groups of young people together to help them have a voice, 435 00:16:34,475 --> 00:16:37,005 show them what leadership is being an 436 00:16:37,005 --> 00:16:38,485 ambassador at their school is. 437 00:16:38,665 --> 00:16:41,125 And I'm really trying to work on this at the elementary 438 00:16:41,125 --> 00:16:44,165 school level and make this something 439 00:16:44,165 --> 00:16:46,525 that's very intrinsic in the young people 440 00:16:46,665 --> 00:16:47,805 in the elementary school. 441 00:16:48,145 --> 00:16:49,525 So as they go through middle 442 00:16:49,585 --> 00:16:51,565 and up to high school, we're gonna see less, 443 00:16:51,565 --> 00:16:52,725 hopefully less issues, 444 00:16:52,835 --> 00:16:54,805 less problems with these young people. 445 00:16:55,185 --> 00:16:56,765 So with these legacy groups, what I'm trying 446 00:16:56,765 --> 00:16:58,605 to do is teach 'em how to be leaders. 447 00:16:58,605 --> 00:17:01,285 We're gonna pull out fourth, fifth grade students, 448 00:17:01,745 --> 00:17:04,845 put them in these legacy groups, teach 'em about leadership, 449 00:17:04,845 --> 00:17:05,965 what it means to be a leader 450 00:17:06,025 --> 00:17:07,565 or an ambassador at their school. 451 00:17:07,865 --> 00:17:09,685 And then when you have the younger students 452 00:17:10,155 --> 00:17:12,725 that come into the office that end up having problems 453 00:17:12,725 --> 00:17:15,125 with the principal for disciplinary actions 454 00:17:15,125 --> 00:17:18,005 and things like that, you can bring in these, these leaders, 455 00:17:18,175 --> 00:17:21,045 these fourth and fifth grade ambassadors at the school. 456 00:17:21,695 --> 00:17:23,365 After the discipline has been done, 457 00:17:23,785 --> 00:17:25,805 you bring in these fourth and fifth grade leaders 458 00:17:26,425 --> 00:17:29,765 as peer leaders to help with the kinders, the ones, 459 00:17:29,825 --> 00:17:33,685 the twos, because then we don't have this two 460 00:17:34,545 --> 00:17:36,445 adults to one student ratio. 461 00:17:36,445 --> 00:17:38,885 And we're now gonna have two students in the room 462 00:17:39,225 --> 00:17:40,925 and an adult supervising. 463 00:17:40,985 --> 00:17:42,325 And then we have the student 464 00:17:42,585 --> 00:17:45,925 who is actually delivering why we should be good ambassadors 465 00:17:45,925 --> 00:17:48,605 at the school, what good leadership looks like, 466 00:17:49,035 --> 00:17:52,285 what it looks like to be a successful student from another 467 00:17:52,285 --> 00:17:53,445 student to a student. 468 00:17:53,665 --> 00:17:55,845 And that way we have students, teaching students 469 00:17:56,185 --> 00:17:58,885 and not always us adults coming in, 470 00:17:59,205 --> 00:18:01,085 bringing deliverables to students. 471 00:18:01,185 --> 00:18:03,645 So that's what I'm really excited about is piggyback on, 472 00:18:03,665 --> 00:18:07,365 on those ideas of student leadership that Darius 473 00:18:07,705 --> 00:18:09,365 and will have already been doing over the course 474 00:18:09,365 --> 00:18:10,445 of the last four or five years. 475 00:18:10,775 --> 00:18:12,685 - Everything that Michael, Sasha 476 00:18:12,685 --> 00:18:16,405 and Will have been talking about is relationships 477 00:18:17,025 --> 00:18:18,685 and how critical those are 478 00:18:19,265 --> 00:18:21,285 and how successful we can be 479 00:18:21,865 --> 00:18:24,525 as a school community when we do 480 00:18:25,225 --> 00:18:27,085 really focus on relationships 481 00:18:27,185 --> 00:18:30,125 and getting to know our students and partnering with them 482 00:18:30,385 --> 00:18:32,485 and letting them know that they do belong. 483 00:18:32,505 --> 00:18:35,445 So I just so grateful for this team 484 00:18:35,665 --> 00:18:37,205 and what we are doing in Bethel. 485 00:18:37,385 --> 00:18:38,885 - And I know our schools are grateful 486 00:18:38,885 --> 00:18:39,925 for the work you all are doing. 487 00:18:40,165 --> 00:18:41,245 I have a surprise question. 488 00:18:41,285 --> 00:18:42,685 I sent you some of the questions ahead of time. 489 00:18:42,995 --> 00:18:44,805 I've thought of one as we've been sitting here 490 00:18:44,805 --> 00:18:46,605 and I honestly just wanna spend more time with you all. 491 00:18:46,665 --> 00:18:49,125 So we're gonna drag this out for one more question. 492 00:18:50,225 --> 00:18:51,845 As we started our conversation, 493 00:18:51,945 --> 00:18:53,325 equity teams have not been a 494 00:18:53,325 --> 00:18:54,405 thing in school districts for forever. 495 00:18:54,625 --> 00:18:57,525 But we all had people that impacted our lives growing up 496 00:18:57,905 --> 00:19:00,125 and helped us remove barriers that were in our way. 497 00:19:00,625 --> 00:19:04,845 Who is a, a teacher, a family member, a community member 498 00:19:04,995 --> 00:19:07,725 that helped you out on your journey through school? 499 00:19:08,105 --> 00:19:10,925 - So me growing up here in the Bethel School District was 500 00:19:11,155 --> 00:19:15,005 back in the eighties, early nineties was challenging. 501 00:19:15,425 --> 00:19:20,005 It was very hard, first of all to see a male in any schools 502 00:19:20,345 --> 00:19:21,645 and everybody was fighting 503 00:19:21,825 --> 00:19:23,685 for male teachers in the elementary school. 504 00:19:23,685 --> 00:19:25,205 There was one who's still a teacher 505 00:19:25,215 --> 00:19:26,325 today, which is really cool. 506 00:19:26,385 --> 00:19:29,245 Mr. Ley, he's at Bethel High School right now. 507 00:19:29,725 --> 00:19:31,045 I think he's teaching pottery. 508 00:19:31,105 --> 00:19:32,885 And it was really cool to walk in that building 509 00:19:32,945 --> 00:19:34,365 and see Maize still there 510 00:19:34,435 --> 00:19:36,365 because I fought, I wanted him as my, 511 00:19:36,465 --> 00:19:38,285 my fifth grade teacher when I was at Oak Plain. 512 00:19:38,745 --> 00:19:41,685 Really cool guy and really cool to see him still here. 513 00:19:41,905 --> 00:19:43,605 But some of the people that were really impactful 514 00:19:43,705 --> 00:19:46,765 for me was when I first came to Camas Prairie 515 00:19:47,225 --> 00:19:48,485 to see Carl Peterson. 516 00:19:48,795 --> 00:19:50,845 Carl Peterson was a black principal there 517 00:19:51,185 --> 00:19:55,365 and Carl, it was really cool to see Carl in that, in 518 00:19:55,365 --> 00:19:58,965 that role because I had never seen a black educator before. 519 00:19:59,705 --> 00:20:02,245 I'd never seen a black male in leadership before. 520 00:20:02,985 --> 00:20:05,285 And just seeing that gave me hope 521 00:20:05,285 --> 00:20:06,485 that I could do that as well. 522 00:20:06,865 --> 00:20:08,565 And I think that's really what's really 523 00:20:08,565 --> 00:20:09,925 important about what we're doing. 524 00:20:09,925 --> 00:20:13,685 This equity work is for students to see people 525 00:20:13,685 --> 00:20:14,765 around the district 526 00:20:14,865 --> 00:20:18,245 and leadership roles as teachers, as administrators, 527 00:20:18,305 --> 00:20:20,485 as district leadership that look like them. 528 00:20:20,625 --> 00:20:23,965 So we should have a broad diverse group 529 00:20:23,965 --> 00:20:25,845 of individuals here at the district 530 00:20:26,025 --> 00:20:27,205 and in the building levels. 531 00:20:27,505 --> 00:20:30,205 So as these kids walk around the the hallways, 532 00:20:30,205 --> 00:20:32,165 they can see individuals that look like themselves 533 00:20:32,545 --> 00:20:35,245 so they can in turn put themselves in those places. 534 00:20:35,665 --> 00:20:37,725 So we shouldn't just be in the buildings as 535 00:20:38,025 --> 00:20:41,565 as security guards or as lunch folks and stuff like that. 536 00:20:41,785 --> 00:20:43,485 We have to be administrators, we have 537 00:20:43,485 --> 00:20:44,645 to be district leadership. 538 00:20:45,065 --> 00:20:46,885 So these young people can see that. So 539 00:20:46,885 --> 00:20:49,045 - Yeah, Carl Peterson would be the guy for me. 540 00:20:49,405 --> 00:20:51,205 I love that. So they can see all possibilities, 541 00:20:51,355 --> 00:20:52,925 just the the the range of 542 00:20:52,925 --> 00:20:54,285 of jobs that are out there for kids. 543 00:20:54,645 --> 00:20:56,525 Absolutely. And be able to have role models to look up to. 544 00:20:56,735 --> 00:20:58,725 Thank you. Michael. Will, looks like you're ready. 545 00:20:59,545 --> 00:21:00,565 - I'm absolutely ready. 546 00:21:00,745 --> 00:21:05,005 So who helped me out is my parents, my mom and dad. 547 00:21:05,425 --> 00:21:07,805 And I'll speak specifically on my father. 548 00:21:08,225 --> 00:21:09,245 So for the first 10 549 00:21:09,245 --> 00:21:10,245 or 11 years of my life, 550 00:21:10,325 --> 00:21:12,325 I grew up in Richard Allen Heights in Philadelphia. 551 00:21:12,745 --> 00:21:14,525 That's the projects, anything you think 552 00:21:14,525 --> 00:21:15,885 of at inner city projects. 553 00:21:16,065 --> 00:21:17,885 That's the environment that we grew up in. 554 00:21:17,995 --> 00:21:19,405 When my dad was 34 years old, 555 00:21:19,405 --> 00:21:20,925 he said he was in having a dream 556 00:21:21,145 --> 00:21:24,605 and he said God told him that he needed to join the military 557 00:21:24,905 --> 00:21:26,925 or he would lose his family there in the projects. 558 00:21:27,145 --> 00:21:28,245 He joined the military. 559 00:21:28,705 --> 00:21:30,925 At that time you had to be 35 years 560 00:21:31,025 --> 00:21:32,765 or you were too old to join the army. 561 00:21:33,145 --> 00:21:34,765 He was 34 and four months. 562 00:21:34,985 --> 00:21:37,165 So almost too old to join the army. 563 00:21:37,505 --> 00:21:40,325 The significance of that is it got us out of 564 00:21:40,325 --> 00:21:42,445 that urban jungle, that environment, 565 00:21:42,625 --> 00:21:45,765 and then now moved all over the world seeing things 566 00:21:46,335 --> 00:21:48,965 learn different things from people learn different cultures. 567 00:21:49,305 --> 00:21:50,805 One of the things about the inner city, 568 00:21:51,065 --> 00:21:52,725 and you still have family that's in there. 569 00:21:52,745 --> 00:21:56,005 You think the world just exists around that block radius. 570 00:21:56,345 --> 00:21:58,485 So understanding these are the challenges. 571 00:21:58,485 --> 00:22:00,685 Understanding, having conversations with children 572 00:22:01,235 --> 00:22:03,965 that have lower socioeconomic status. 573 00:22:04,405 --> 00:22:06,805 I can talk to them and I can relate, I can also relate 574 00:22:06,805 --> 00:22:10,245 to those that have overcame that with their families 575 00:22:10,265 --> 00:22:11,445 and what does that look like? 576 00:22:11,545 --> 00:22:13,325 So that would be the biggest thing. 577 00:22:13,385 --> 00:22:14,965 My parents are still together and great. 578 00:22:15,225 --> 00:22:18,085 And even seeing them, how they handle loss. 579 00:22:18,265 --> 00:22:21,405 And over a period of 18 months, I lost two brothers. 580 00:22:21,825 --> 00:22:24,325 One was 25, he died of aids. 581 00:22:24,465 --> 00:22:26,525 And then a year and a half later I had another one. 582 00:22:26,665 --> 00:22:28,965 He died of a heart attack playing basketball two weeks 583 00:22:28,965 --> 00:22:30,845 before he's supposed to graduate high school. 584 00:22:31,305 --> 00:22:32,965 The significance of that with my parents, 585 00:22:33,395 --> 00:22:35,445 they still continue to pour into others. 586 00:22:35,595 --> 00:22:39,045 They still continue to be a beacon of strength to others. 587 00:22:39,065 --> 00:22:42,165 And it's been over 25 years. Do they still have that pain? 588 00:22:42,885 --> 00:22:45,125 Absolutely. But they still say you still need to serve 589 00:22:45,145 --> 00:22:48,445 and give and I still follow their footsteps into serving 590 00:22:48,505 --> 00:22:50,685 and giving to the communities I'm a part of. 591 00:22:51,405 --> 00:22:53,805 - Powerful. Thank you for sharing that with us. Will Sasha, 592 00:22:54,025 --> 00:22:55,025 - That's hard to follow. 593 00:22:55,445 --> 00:22:57,805 I would say that I had a teacher in high school, 594 00:22:57,805 --> 00:22:59,525 Kerry Street, she was a journalism teacher. 595 00:22:59,665 --> 00:23:01,685 As a kid I was pretty disengaged from high school. 596 00:23:01,805 --> 00:23:02,845 I didn't have a good experience. 597 00:23:03,185 --> 00:23:05,245 You know, I didn't see that there were a whole lot 598 00:23:05,245 --> 00:23:08,165 of avenues where, you know, I had very like clear interests 599 00:23:08,165 --> 00:23:09,925 as a kid, but I didn't see where there was a whole lot 600 00:23:09,925 --> 00:23:12,085 of avenues where I could really explore those in some 601 00:23:12,085 --> 00:23:14,125 of my other classes and, and the 602 00:23:14,125 --> 00:23:15,285 things I was learning about. 603 00:23:15,545 --> 00:23:16,765 And it was really hard for me 604 00:23:16,765 --> 00:23:18,845 to see myself in the curriculum and what I was learning. 605 00:23:19,095 --> 00:23:21,645 Journalism was kind of an avenue where I could kind 606 00:23:21,645 --> 00:23:23,005 of explore what I wanted to, right? 607 00:23:23,105 --> 00:23:25,965 Um, and write about what I, what I wanted to do, interviews 608 00:23:25,965 --> 00:23:27,965 with people and learn about things that I wanted to. 609 00:23:27,985 --> 00:23:29,965 And, and so that was, that was kind of, yeah, 610 00:23:29,985 --> 00:23:31,045 she really supported me. 611 00:23:31,485 --> 00:23:32,405 - Excellent. I love that. I know 612 00:23:32,405 --> 00:23:33,765 our teachers would love to hear that too. 613 00:23:33,785 --> 00:23:35,845 You never know what teacher is really gonna make an impact, 614 00:23:35,845 --> 00:23:38,765 whether it's a pottery teacher or, or a journalism teacher 615 00:23:38,865 --> 00:23:39,885 or your math teacher. 616 00:23:40,385 --> 00:23:43,565 It could be anybody. And Deb that leaves you right back 617 00:23:43,565 --> 00:23:45,685 where we started our conversation with you 618 00:23:45,685 --> 00:23:46,845 and our equity team here. 619 00:23:47,065 --> 00:23:49,205 Who is somebody from your past growing up 620 00:23:49,395 --> 00:23:50,885 that really made an impact on you. 621 00:23:51,225 --> 00:23:52,325 - So I'm gonna be vulnerable. 622 00:23:52,905 --> 00:23:55,565 We are all learning that vulnerability is absolutely, 623 00:23:56,155 --> 00:23:57,965 it's essential for us to grow. 624 00:23:58,595 --> 00:24:02,765 When I was a student through all, all middle school, 625 00:24:03,035 --> 00:24:06,405 well it was junior high then and high school, I wore a brace 626 00:24:07,385 --> 00:24:11,765 and I had extremely supportive 627 00:24:11,765 --> 00:24:14,845 and loving parents, but they were also very protective. 628 00:24:15,465 --> 00:24:18,405 And so the conversation a lot of times was, 629 00:24:18,405 --> 00:24:19,445 Debbie, you can't do that. 630 00:24:20,585 --> 00:24:21,885 No, Debbie, you can't do that. 631 00:24:22,345 --> 00:24:24,285 And what I really wanted to do was be a nurse. 632 00:24:24,505 --> 00:24:26,205 That's all I ever wanted to do. 633 00:24:26,865 --> 00:24:29,485 And my parents very lovingly said, 634 00:24:29,485 --> 00:24:30,565 Debbie, you can't do that. 635 00:24:31,705 --> 00:24:35,325 And I thought, well, what am I gonna do? What, what? 636 00:24:35,325 --> 00:24:36,485 That's all I wanted to be. 637 00:24:37,145 --> 00:24:39,605 And I had a teacher in high school, Mr. 638 00:24:39,965 --> 00:24:42,485 Esau, I was a very good student and it wasn't that. 639 00:24:42,545 --> 00:24:46,405 And I was concert mistress of the orchestra 640 00:24:47,145 --> 00:24:49,885 and I was in choir and all of those things. 641 00:24:49,985 --> 00:24:52,925 And it wasn't that I didn't feel like I had abilities 642 00:24:53,225 --> 00:24:55,285 or a place, but I did 643 00:24:55,515 --> 00:24:59,445 because what I wanted to be was what I was told. 644 00:24:59,665 --> 00:25:01,445 That's not gonna work. You know, you, 645 00:25:01,785 --> 00:25:02,965 you can't do that physically. 646 00:25:03,025 --> 00:25:04,085 And so anyway, Mr. 647 00:25:04,405 --> 00:25:06,965 Esau just pulled me aside one day 648 00:25:07,225 --> 00:25:10,485 and said, you know, I, I'm not sure what's going on 649 00:25:10,485 --> 00:25:13,605 with you, which was an amazing thing in itself, 650 00:25:14,305 --> 00:25:15,445 but I want to talk to you. 651 00:25:15,445 --> 00:25:17,725 What do you wanna do when you graduate? 652 00:25:18,585 --> 00:25:20,365 And I said, well, I'm gonna go to college. 653 00:25:20,945 --> 00:25:24,485 And he said, well what if you were a music teacher? 654 00:25:25,425 --> 00:25:27,485 And I said, oh, okay. 655 00:25:28,425 --> 00:25:31,085 And he goes, no, but look at where you are accelerating. 656 00:25:31,305 --> 00:25:33,365 And he just had this conversation with me 657 00:25:33,475 --> 00:25:35,685 that brought some confidence. 658 00:25:36,585 --> 00:25:38,925 And I ended up doing that 659 00:25:39,185 --> 00:25:42,045 and then kind of changed things, changed a little bit. 660 00:25:42,145 --> 00:25:44,485 And now I'm . I was in Human Resources. 661 00:25:44,505 --> 00:25:45,645 That's actually my degree. 662 00:25:46,225 --> 00:25:50,365 But what that did for me was just having a conversation 663 00:25:50,365 --> 00:25:52,405 with somebody that it mattered. 664 00:25:52,825 --> 00:25:55,085 And he saw what I was going through 665 00:25:55,785 --> 00:25:59,605 and helped me realize that, you know, 666 00:25:59,785 --> 00:26:01,405 why don't you try this or do this? 667 00:26:01,705 --> 00:26:04,645 And it was just really, I'll never forget it. 668 00:26:04,875 --> 00:26:07,045 I'll never forget it. And even though I'm not a music 669 00:26:07,045 --> 00:26:10,285 teacher, , it has gotten me where I am today, 670 00:26:10,285 --> 00:26:12,405 which I really believe things happen for a reason. 671 00:26:12,945 --> 00:26:15,125 - I'm so glad all of you were so honest 672 00:26:15,185 --> 00:26:16,685 and open and vulnerable. 673 00:26:16,725 --> 00:26:18,925 I love what you said, vulnerability helps us grow. 674 00:26:19,075 --> 00:26:21,325 It's so true. And the work that you all are doing 675 00:26:21,585 --> 00:26:24,605 for students in our district, just like you said, Deb, 676 00:26:24,745 --> 00:26:27,605 you're making students feel seen and feel heard. 677 00:26:27,625 --> 00:26:28,965 And that is so critically important. 678 00:26:29,065 --> 00:26:30,405 And I want to thank you all for 679 00:26:30,405 --> 00:26:31,565 what you do here in the district. 680 00:26:31,825 --> 00:26:33,405 And thank you all for being on the podcast. 681 00:26:34,105 --> 00:26:37,125 Deb Carman, Michael Dwyer, Sasha Fishel Freeman, 682 00:26:37,145 --> 00:26:39,445 and Will Waverly, thank you all for 683 00:26:39,445 --> 00:26:40,685 what you do here in the district. 684 00:26:40,745 --> 00:26:42,245 And thank you for joining us today. 685 00:26:45,395 --> 00:26:46,925 - Well, thanks for finally letting me 686 00:26:46,925 --> 00:26:48,005 back into the studio, Doug. 687 00:26:48,285 --> 00:26:50,365 I really love what they had to say about student voice 688 00:26:50,385 --> 00:26:53,725 and some pretty interesting answers about the reality tv. 689 00:26:54,225 --> 00:26:56,485 Now I'm gonna turn the question to you, my man, 690 00:26:56,905 --> 00:26:58,765 if you could be on a reality TV show, 691 00:26:59,055 --> 00:27:00,245 which one would you choose? 692 00:27:00,675 --> 00:27:05,325 - Four words. America's Next Top Model. 693 00:27:05,635 --> 00:27:07,765 - Doug, I don't want to crush your dreams, 694 00:27:07,865 --> 00:27:09,645 but you do not have the cheekbones 695 00:27:09,645 --> 00:27:10,645 - For that. 696 00:27:10,645 --> 00:27:12,125 I know, I know. I'm loading up on collagen. 697 00:27:12,425 --> 00:27:14,125 I'm gonna make this happen. How about you Connor? 698 00:27:14,275 --> 00:27:17,525 Reality TV show you wanna be on and I assume win. I'm gonna 699 00:27:17,525 --> 00:27:19,645 - Go with the Great British Bake Off. 700 00:27:20,035 --> 00:27:21,085 It's the best show ever. 701 00:27:21,335 --> 00:27:22,525 - Don't you have to be British for 702 00:27:22,525 --> 00:27:23,525 - That. 703 00:27:23,525 --> 00:27:24,925 No, Bob, Doug, I can fake it, isn't it? 704 00:27:25,305 --> 00:27:27,405 - Oh my gosh, that's worse than your Michael Cain. 705 00:27:27,745 --> 00:27:30,445 - How dare you talk about my Michael Kain 706 00:27:30,765 --> 00:27:31,765 - . 707 00:27:31,765 --> 00:27:32,245 That is hard on the ears. 708 00:27:32,245 --> 00:27:33,365 But that's Michael Cain in the sixties. 709 00:27:33,395 --> 00:27:38,365 Dude, Michael Kane talks like this now. I'm Michael Kain. 710 00:27:38,585 --> 00:27:42,485 - And I'm Michael Kane. And we'll see you next week in it.