What I Want to Know, with Kevin P. Chavous

Nearly 30 million U.S. children and teens participate in some form of organized sports. While sports have physical health benefits for kids, they can also benefit their mental, emotional, and social health. How can sports help kids heal, grow, and thrive? Why is it essential to provide kids with high-quality, healing sports? And what can parents and schools do to ensure a healthy sports environment for their students? In this episode, Megan Bartlett joins Kevin to share how sports can help kids heal, grow, and thrive. Meet Megan: Megan Bartlett is the founder of The Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport, a national nonprofit working to ensure more young people and athletes have access to sports experiences that are healing-centered, inclusive, and address issues of systemic injustice. This is, What I Want to Know.

Revisit this episode on whether college is the best path for students to have successful careers with Mark C. Perna. For the past few decades, there’s been a significant push for students to enroll in a four-year university immediately after high school. But according to a recent survey, almost 70 percent of parents would support their children entering the workforce right after high school. What’s causing parents to accept and seek alternative routes for their children? What skills do students need to thrive in today’s careers? And is college the right fit for all students? Meet Mark: Mark C. Perna is a speaker, best-selling author, and Forbes contributor. He considers himself a champion of the younger generations, devoting his career to understanding their untapped potential. This is, What I Want to Know.

Public charter schools currently serve more than 3.7 million students. In fact, according to a report by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, enrollment in public charter schools grew by more than 300,000 students between 2019 and 2023. What are charter schools? What are the benefits of the charter school model? And how can charter schools create opportunities for our students? In this episode, Cheryl Stahle joins Kevin to discuss how charter schools can create opportunities for students. Meet Cheryl Cheryl Stahle is the academic advisor at West Virginia Virtual Academy. She is the recipient of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools annual Changemaker Award. The award honors individuals who are advocates for public education and creating more high-quality public education options for families. This is, What I Want to Know.

As the school year ends and summer begins, many parents and teachers worry about the “summer slide.” The summer slide is the tendency for students to lose some of the achievement gains they made during the previous school year. To combat this learning loss, many districts are focusing on providing additional opportunities for students to learn over the summer. How can we combat the summer slide? Are summer learning programs the answer? And how can we ensure all students have access to these programs? In this episode, Aaron Dworkin joins Kevin to discuss if summer learning programs can combat the summer slide. Meet Aaron Aaron Dworkin is the CEO of the National Summer Learning Association, which works to ensure all young people in America, especially the most vulnerable, can access and afford a high-quality summer learning experience every year. This is, What I Want to Know.

In response to pandemic learning loss, many school districts across the country turned to intensive tutoring. And studies have shown that methods like high-impact tutoring can increase a student’s learning and be more effective than standard methods. Can tutoring help students overcome pandemic learning loss? What works and doesn’t work when it comes to tutoring? And why is it important for all students to have access to effective tutoring methods? In this episode, Dr. Susanna Loeb shares why access to tutoring is important for students. Meet Susanna Dr. Susanna Loeb is the founder and executive director of the National Student Support Accelerator, an organization aiming to expand access to high impact tutoring to address inequities in educational opportunities. This is, What I Want to Know.

More than 7.5 million students in the United States have disabilities that qualify them for individual education plans. However, teachers trained in special education are in short supply. In fact, a survey found that 65% of public schools report being understaffed in special education. What is causing this shortage? How is this affecting teachers and students across the country? And what can we do to combat the shortage of special education teachers? In this episode, Kimber Wilkerson shares how we can combat the shortage of special education teachers. Meet Kimber Kimber Wilkerson is a professor of special education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has broad expertise in preparing teachers to provide instruction to students with disabilities and improve their long-term outcomes. This is, What I Want to Know.

Revisit our episode on digital safety featuring Titania Jordan, chief marketing officer and chief parent officer of Bark Technologies. Technology can open up doors to more information and content than ever before. That can be good – and bad – for kids. How can we teach kids healthy tech habits? What are the risks of cyberbullying, access to predators, image distortion, or self-harm? And how should personal devices be managed in the classroom? In this episode, Kevin discusses healthy digital use with tech parenting expert Titania Jordan of Bark Technologies.

To celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month, revisit our episode on promoting mental health with Anne Brown, President and CEO of the Cook Center for Human Connection. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, nearly 20 percent of youth in the United States age 6 to 17 experience a mental health disorder and suicide is the second leading cause of death among 10- to 14-year-olds. With so many youth struggling today, most parents are left feeling helpless and concerned. In fact, a report found that mental health is the greatest concern among parents. How can parents help their children who are struggling? Where can parents turn for support?And how can schools and parents work together to foster positive mental health in their students? In this episode, Anne Brown joins Kevin to discuss how parents and caregivers play a crucial role in children’s mental health. This is, What I Want to Know.

Storytelling is one of the most powerful learning devices. Not only does it play a role in a child’s language and cognitive development, but it can also teach them about the world around them. What are the benefits of storytelling? How can children’s literature help develop important skills? And how can we encourage a love of storytelling in our students? In this episode, Jesse Byrd joins Kevin to discuss the importance of storytelling for children. Meet Jesse Jesse Byrd is an award-winning children’s book author and the youngest African American NPR Foundation Board Member. Jesse has performed readings of his children’s books to over 25,000 kids and partnered with Airbnb Experiences to provide families and corporations with virtual storytime experiences during the pandemic. This is, What I Want to Know.

Studies show that every school year almost 3 million public school students receive one or more out-of-school suspensions, while more than 100,000 students are expelled. Along with doing little to reduce children’s misconduct, one out-of-school suspension increases a child’s chance of dropping out of school and increases their chances of entering the juvenile justice system. How can we keep students out of the school-to-prison pipeline? How can trauma-informed teaching benefit students and schools? And what can we do to help schools address the needs of youth? In this episode, Dr. Tammy Hughes joins Kevin to discuss what teachers and school leaders can do to combat the school-to-prison pipeline. Meet Tammy Dr. Tammy Hughes is a school psychologist and professor. She has devoted her life’s work to keeping kids in school and out of jail. This is, What I Want to Know.

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.