What I Want to Know, with Kevin P. Chavous

Research finds that mindfulness can help decrease stress and anxiety while strengthening resilience and emotional regulation in adults and children. This is why the use of mindfulness programs in schools is becoming more and more popular. What exactly is mindfulness? What are the benefits of mindfulness on students? And how can we incorporate mindfulness into the classroom? In this episode, Linda Ryden joins Kevin to share how we can incorporate mindfulness into the classroom. Meet Linda: Linda Ryden is the founder of Peace of Mind, a nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping children with mindfulness tools. Linda is also a teacher and the author of six mindfulness-based children’s books. This is, What I Want to Know.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in science, technology, engineering, and math are projected to grow by almost 11 percent by 2031 much faster than non-STEM occupations. While numerous students are interested in STEM careers, many do not feel prepared to pursue jobs in the field. Why is it important for students to understand science? What opportunities are available for students interested in STEM? And how can we make science fun for kids? In this episode, Dr. Kate Biberdorf shares how we can make science fun. Meet Kate Dr. Kate Biberdorf is a chemist, science entertainer, best-selling author, and professor at The University of Texas. Through her theatrical and hands-on approach to teaching, Dr. Biberdorf is breaking down the image of the stereotypical scientist while reaching students who might otherwise be intimidated by science. This is, What I Want to Know.

According to the CDC, guns are the leading cause of death among American children and teens. From mass shootings to isolated incidents, gun violence has emerged as a tragic issue continuously plaguing our schools. How can we identify the signs of violence? How can students, parents, and educators safely intervene? And how can we prevent violence in schools? In this episode, Nicole Hockley, CEO of Sandy Hook Promise, joins Kevin to discuss how we can prevent violence in schools. Meet Nicole Nicole Hockley is the co-founder and CEO of the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation. After her youngest son, Dylan, was murdered during the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, Nicole transformed her grief into action. She works every day to protect children from gun and school violence. This is, What I Want to Know.

According to the Entertainment Software Association, 76% of kids play video games. With their ability to build problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills video games are starting to make their way to the classroom. What are the benefits of video games? What role should parents have in choosing the games their child plays? And how can video games be used as tools for learning? In this episode, Stanley Pierre-Louis joins Kevin to discuss how video games can be used as a tool for learning. Meet Stanley: Stanley Pierre-Louis is the President and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, an organization dedicated to being the voice and advocate for the video game industry. With more than two decades of entertainment and media experience, Stanley leads ESA’s efforts to showcase the impact the video game industry has on business, entertainment, and culture. This is, What I Want to Know.

Research shows that girls and young women lose interest in science and math as they move through their school years. And now, women make up only 28% of the STEM workforce. How can we use science to inspire kids? Why is it important for girls to see themselves represented in the field? And how can we encourage an interest in science in young girls? In this episode, Melissa Alderete joins Kevin to share how we can encourage an interest in science in young girls. Meet Melissa Melissa Alderete is the founder of Science Girl’s Lab, an organization that provides science activities, experiments, and experiences to teachers, students, and their families to inspire the next generation of scientists. This is, What I Want to Know.

Research shows that girls and young women lose interest in science and math as they move through their school years. And now, women make up only 28% of the STEM workforce. How can we use science to inspire kids? Why is it important for girls to see themselves represented in the field? And how can we encourage an interest in science in young girls? In this episode, Melissa Alderete joins Kevin to share how we can encourage an interest in science in young girls. Meet Melissa: Melissa Alderete is the founder of Science Girl’s Lab, an organization that provides science activities, experiments, and experiences to teachers, students, and their families to inspire the next generation of scientists. This is, What I Want to Know.

We all know that philanthropy is important in education. Many worthwhile organizations rely on the generosity of philanthropic groups who are determined to help kids and schools through their donations. But the needs of schools have changed, particularly following the pandemic. What is the role of philanthropy in education? How has education philanthropy changed in recent years? And where do we expect future philanthropy to focus their support for schools. In this episode, Hanna Skandera joins Kevin to discuss the role of philanthropy in education. Meet Hanna: Hanna Skandera is the President and CEO of the Daniels Fund, a private charitable foundation dedicated to making life better for the people of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming… through its grants program, scholarship program, and ethics initiative. Previously, Hanna served as the Secretary of Education for the state of New Mexico. This is, What I Want to Know.

Over the past decade, children’s literature has become far more diverse. In fact, research found that in 2022 about 45 percent of kids’ and teens’ books had a nonwhite author, illustrator, or compiler, which was up from only 8 percent in 2014. How can we encourage representation in children’s books? What are the impacts of diverse representation in children’s literature? And why is it important for kids to see themselves in their favorite books? In this episode, Alliah Agostini joins Kevin to discuss why representation matters in children’s literature. Meet Alliah: Alliah Agostini is an author and speaker. She is the author of several books… including the acclaimed The Juneteenth Story: Celebrating the End of Slavery in the United States and the upcoming Oprah Winfrey: A Little Golden Book Biography. Alliah writes to spread joy, truth, and to help more children see themselves reflected on the page. This is, What I Want to Know.

During the pandemic, 35% of the world increased their reading habits. And now, from book clubs to #BookTok, people have continued to turn to books as an anecdote to isolation and a way to build community. Why is reading so transformative? How can we ensure everyone has access to books? And how can books build community? In this episode, Greig Metzger joins Kevin to discuss how books can build community. Meet Greig: Greig Metzger is the executive director of Little Free Library, a nonprofit organization dedicated to being a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Library book-exchange boxes. This is, What I Want to Know.

According to the Department of Education, more than 8 million Americans are considered functionally illiterate, meaning they cannot read and comprehend short texts or understand basic vocabulary. Illiteracy often leads to low self-esteem and isolation, as well as higher chances of unemployment and poverty. What are the impacts of illiteracy? What factors influence literacy development? And how can learning to read change lives? Oliver James joins Kevin in this episode to share how learning to read can change lives. Meet Oliver: Oliver James is a literacy advocate and social media influencer. In 2022, he began using TikTok to share his struggle with reading. He has more than 300,000 TikTok followers and has formed a community focused on literacy and mental health. This is, What I Want to Know.

A survey found that one in five parents struggle to have meaningful conversations with their children. When it comes to topics like mental health, racism, shame, violence, and more, parents often strain to find the right way to introduce these topics to their children. Could books be the answer to this problem? What challenges are parents facing when it comes to communicating with their children? How can books introduce kids to tough topics? And why is it important to speak to children about difficult subjects? Jelani Memory joins Kevin in this episode to discuss how books can introduce kids to complicated topics. Meet Jelani: Jelani Memory founded A Kids Book About. This company publishes books to help parents start conversations with their kids about complex topics, like divorce, feminism, mental health, shame, and mindfulness. A Kids Book About website: https://akidsco.com/ This is, What I Want to Know.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, known as ADHD, is among the most common mental conditions in children with an estimated 6 million kids having been diagnosed with the disorder. Children with ADHD often feel misunderstood, and their parents often feel uncertain about the best way to be there for their child. What is ADHD, and how does it impact children? What should parents and educators know about the disorder? And how can we best support students with ADHD? In this episode, Dr. Sharon Saline joins Kevin to discuss how we can best support students with ADHD. Meet Sharon: Dr. Sharon Saline is a clinical psychologist & ADHD expert. She specializes in an integrative approach to managing ADHD, anxiety, executive functioning skills, learning differences, and mental health in neurodivergent children, teens, and adults. Dr. Sharon Saline’s website: https://drsharonsaline.com/ Learn more about Promising Practices 2024: https://promisingpractices24-spdc.vfairs.com/?leadsource=organic_social&utm_product=stride&lead_source_detail=podcast&utm_campaign=comms_wiwtk This is, What I Want to Know.

According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, 95% of teenagers reported using social media and more than a third of them use it “almost constantly.” High social media usage in children has caused concern in parents with many wondering if social media is safe for their kids. What are the negative and positive impacts of social media? Should parents place a limit on their kids’ social media usage? Linda Charmaraman joins Kevin in this episode to discuss how we can talk to our kids about social media. Meet Linda Linda Charmaraman is the director and founder of the Youth Media and Well-Being Research Lab at Wellesley College. Her research and action interests include social technology and adolescent health, digital citizenship, innovative research methods, and how social identities affect wellbeing. Youth Media and Well-Being Research Lab at Wellesley College website: https://www.wcwonline.org/Youth-Media-Wellbeing-Research-Lab/youth-media-wellbeing-research-lab Learn more about Promising Practices 2024: https://promisingpractices24-spdc.vfairs.com/?leadsource=organic_social&utm_product=stride&lead_source_detail=podcast&utm_campaign=comms_wiwtk This is, What I Want to Know.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 5.9 million Americans were unemployed as of 2022. And as traditional jobs evolve, there is an increasing demand for skills training and personal development. How can we equip individuals with sustainable employment? What challenges are job seekers and employers facing today? And how can we best support the future workforce? In this episode, Dr. Kathleen St. Louis Caliento joins Kevin to discuss how we can best support the future workforce. Meet Kathleen Dr. Kathleen St. Louis Caliento is the president and CEO of Cara Collective, a workforce development organization dedicated to transforming the lives of individuals affected by poverty and promoting a more inclusive economy. Cara Collective website: https://caracollective.org/ Learn more about Promising Practices 2024: https://promisingpractices24-spdc.vfairs.com/?leadsource=organic_social&utm_product=stride&lead_source_detail=podcast&utm_campaign=comms_wiwtk This is, What I Want to Know.

Chronic absenteeism has been a growing challenge for our schools, especially following pandemic learning disruptions. In fact, a report found that chronic absenteeism rates more than doubled from 26% during the 2017–2018 school year to 66% during the 2021–2022 school year. What causes chronic absenteeism? How is this impacting our students and school communities? And how can schools and parents work together to solve this issue? In this episode, Hedy Chang joins Kevin to discuss reducing chronic absenteeism in our schools. Meet Hedy: Hedy Chang is the founder and executive director of Attendance Works, a national and state-level initiative to advance student success by addressing chronic absence. She has spent more than three decades working in the fields of family support, family economic success, education, and child development. Attendance Works website: https://www.attendanceworks.org/ Learn more about Promising Practices 2024. https://promisingpractices24-spdc.vfairs.com/?leadsource=organic_social&utm_product=stride&lead_source_detail=podcast&utm_campaign=comms_wiwtk This is, What I Want to Know.

It’s more common than ever now to see adults and children glued to a screen. But when it comes to children and screen time, it is a particularly loaded topic. A recent study found that since the pandemic, screen time among children has gone up 52 percent globally. This increase has led to concerns about developmental delays, impaired socialization skills, and health issues. How does screen time impact our children? Is there good and bad screen time? And how can parents make the right decision when it comes to technology and their children? In this episode, Dr. Kecia Ray joins Kevin to discuss how screen time impacts our children. Meet Kecia: Dr. Kecia Ray is a globally recognized leader in education and a transformation coach. She leads K20Connect, an educational consulting network, where she works to create positive change in the education system. K20Connect website: https://www.k20connect.net/ Learn more about Promising Practices 2024: https://promisingpractices24-spdc.vfairs.com/?leadsource=organic_social&utm_product=stride&lead_source_detail=podcast&utm_campaign=comms_wiwtk

Now more than ever, nontraditional learning environments are gaining popularity with parents. In fact, a 2023 parent survey revealed that nearly half of parents said they would send at least one child to a different school for the 2023–2024 school year. And many states are following suit, with a record 20 states saying “yes” to expanding school choice in 2023. What is the state of the school choice movement today? What’s leading parents and states to make a shift? And what do parents need to know about finding the right learning environment for their children? In this episode, Andrew Campanella joins Kevin to discuss the state of the school choice movement. Meet Andrew: Andrew Campanella is one of the nation’s leading experts on K–12 school choice. He serves as the president and CEO of the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, a nonprofit organization that aims to inform, inspire, and empower parents to discover, navigate, and access schools and education options. National School Choice Awareness Foundation website: https://schoolchoiceawareness.org/ Learn more about Promising Practices 2024. This is, What I Want to Know.

Applying for college is often a stressful and complicated endeavor. Students must manage various deadlines and portals, submit resumes and essays, coordinate test scores and letters of recommendation, and so much more. A recent survey of 16- to 22-year-olds found that more than half of them said applying for college is their most stressful academic experience. Should we rethink the college admissions process? What could a new process look like? And could simplifying the process lead to more accessible access to higher education? In this episode, Melanie Heath joins Kevin to discuss if we should rethink the college admissions process. Meet Melanie Melanie Heath is the strategy director for participation at Lumina Foundation, an independent, private foundation committed to making learning opportunities beyond high school available to all. Melanie leads a portfolio of work designed to increase student enrollment and re-enrollment in bachelor’s degree programs. Lumina Foundation website: https://www.luminafoundation.org/

Since the Columbine High School shooting in 1999, more than 338,000 students in the United States have experienced gun violence in school. School shootings lead to an increase in student absenteeism, antidepressant drug usage, and lower test scores. Research also shows that students exposed to school shootings are less likely to graduate high school, go to college, and be employed. What challenges do survivors of school shootings face? What resources are available to help survivors thrive? And what can parents and schools do to support students after tragedy? In this episode, Zoe Touray joins Kevin to share how we can support students after tragedy. Meet Zoe: Zoe Touray is the founder of S.E.E. (Survivors Embracing Each Other), an organization dedicated to building a community of compassion for survivors. Zoe survived the November 2021 Oxford High School shooting in Michigan and is on a mission to preserve the innocence of America’s students. Now, she travels nationwide to advocate for safer schools, increased crisis and trauma prevention and intervention services for students and staff. https://www.survivorsembrace.org/ This is, What I Want to Know.

According to the CDC, more than 800,000 high school students skip school at least once per month due to fear for their safety. And almost 200,000 teens miss school each day due to bullying. From fear of bullying and school shootings to facing mental health and behavioral issues, many students are feeling uneasy when it comes to school. What issues are students experiencing in school, and how can we support them? How can we help students feel more connected to their school and peers? And how can we help students feel safe at school? In this episode, Kristi Krings joins Kevin to discuss how we can help students feel safe at school. Meet Kristi: Kristi Krings is the CEO of Rachel’s Challenge, a non-profit organization created after the Columbine High School shooting in honor of Rachel Scott and the other victims lost that day. During her tenure with Rachel’s Challenge, Kristi has delivered programs to more than 1 million people. This is, What I Want to Know.