Notes from the Backpack: A PTA Podcast

From addressing climate change to destigmatizing mental health, young people are stepping up as leaders to create a better world. Our hosts talked with DeNora Getachew, CEO of DoSomething.org, to learn how we can empower youth to create change. DeNora shares about the causes most important to young people, how they're getting involved and what families and educators can do to encourage service learning. @DoSomethingRaising Kids Who Change the World with Marley DiasHealthy Lifestyles page

It’s time to think creatively about school reform! Co-CEO of Transcend Education Aylon Samouha joined the show to share the latest in school transformation. Tune in to explore the purpose of education, innovative learning models and the journey towards creating extraordinary, equitable learning environments. TranscendEducation.orgInnovative Models ExchangeLeaps for Equitable 21st Century Learning@TranscendBuildsParents Want More From Their Child’s K-12 Education. Here are Five Ways to Find it.

How can families partner with schools to ensure their children are enjoying nutritious meals? Our hosts talked with Briana Webster-Campbell, the managing director of Center for Best Practices at No Kid Hungry to get an inside look into the school cafeteria. Briana shares how schools determine what foods to serve, how families can get more involved and why your child’s cinnamon roll may be healthier than you think! Learn moreHealthy Lifestyles page

Innovations in rural schools are paving the way for more successful futures for our youth! Tune in as Michael Gonzalez, executive director of the Rural Schools Innovation Zone shares about the challenges rural schools face and how they’re facing them head on. From expanding career and technical offerings to substantial teacher retention bonuses, Mike shares how pooling resources between districts in rural Texas has been a game changer for their students. Rural Schools Innovation Zonemgonzalez@ruralschoolsinnovationzone.orgEducational Equity for Rural Students: Out of the Pandemic, but Still Out of the Loop@RSIZ4GMikeG

How is the political climate shaping the curricula in schools today? From book bans to censorship, our guest Denise Forte, president and CEO of the Education Trust, delves into the tensions facing education today. Tune in to discover current challenges and bright spots and to explore where we go from here. Social, Emotional and Academic Development through an Equity LensThe Search for More Complex Racial and Ethnic Representation in Grade School Booksarticle@Denise_EdTrust @EdTrust

From supplemental instruction to grade skipping, there are options when it comes to challenging our most advanced learners, but these opportunities can be hard to access. Brandon Wright, editorial director at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute joins the show to share best practices in gifted education and what families can do if their child would benefit from a more advanced curriculum. Building a Wider, More Diverse Pipeline of Advanced LearnersFailing Our Brightest Kids@BWrightEd here

How do teachers find the most effective ways to engage families? Teachers often learn from their colleagues and even their own experiences as students. In this episode, Dr. Soo Hong, researcher and professor at Wellesley College, highlights the lack of formal family engagement training and the systemic changes needed to support early career teachers. Educator Preparation Framework for Family and Community PartnershipsA Cord of Three StrandsNatural Alliesher websiteTeacher Talk Miniseries

As new state and local laws target LGBTQ+ students, what can families do to ensure schools treat all students with care and empathy? Teen transgender activist Harleigh Walker and her father, Jeff Walker, join the show to share their advocacy experience. They highlight how harmful policies are impacting school life for kids around the country and what you can do to help. How to Help LGBTQ Youth Thrive@harleighawalkerSouthern Pride ParentingPTA.org/LGBTQ

Friendships are a cornerstone of childhood, but some kids have an easier time making friends than others. We talked to psychologist, author and friendship expert, Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore to learn how families can support their children in building and maintaining healthy relationships with their peers. Dr. Kennedy-Moore shares how friendships change and develop as children age and how parents can coach from the sidelines. 4 Ways to Help Your Child Create True FriendshipsWhy Some Kids Have Trouble Making Friends@DrFriendtastic here

Many parents feel unsure when they should start talking to their children about addiction and even more uncertain about what to say. In this episode, author and educator, Jessica Lahey, offers practical tips and guidance for having conversations about drug and alcohol abuse. She draws on the latest research and her own experiences to share what families need to know to keep their kids safe. 5 Things You Need to Know About Youth Vapinghere@TeacherLahey@JessLahey Read Jessica Lahey’s books The Addiction Innoculation and The Gift of Failure

There is so much children can learn from the great outdoors! We spoke with Bianca Myrick, executive director of the Virginia Association of Environmental Education to learn how families can explore the environment together and raise kids who care for the planet. Bianca shares ideas on how you can replace screentime with green time at home and advocate for environmental education in your child’s school. websitehereHow Your Family Can Be More Green at HomeHealthy Earth webpage

Choosing a summer program that is fun, educational and affordable is no easy task. Brodrick Clarke, VP of Programs at the National Summer Learning Association joined the show to help. He talks about the tools families can use to find high-quality summer programs and offers tips for finding a program that will be a good fit for your child. Resources: DiscoverSummer.orgSmarter Summers, Brighter Futures: A Summer Playbook for PTA and School LeadersTips to Keep Your Kid Learning this SummerSummerLearning.org@SummerLearning

When our kids talk about the latest social media trends, it can feel like they’re speaking a foreign language. Founder and CEO of the Social Institute, Laura Tierney, joined the show to help us understand how we can best support our children in navigating the current social media landscape. She highlights the importance of positive social media education and shares how technology can support our children’s mental health and even their study habits. Resources: family resourceswebinarsSchools and Social Media: A Survey of NSPRA and CoSN MembersSocial Media & Cyberbullying 101@TheSocialInst@SoLaur

While segregation may seem like a thing of the past, it’s still a major issue affecting our schools today. We spoke with Stefan Lallinger, executive director of Next100, to explore why schools aren’t more diverse and how we can advocate for systemic change. He also shares his insight on the upcoming Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action and its implications for the future of K-12 education. Resources: The Benefits of Socioeconomically and Racially Integrated Schools and ClassroomsSchool Segregation in Cities Across America MappedBridges Collaborativeepisode with Dr. Shawn Jones@StefanLallinger

We often ask kids what they want to be when they grow up, but how often do we help them figure out the answer? We invited Jean Eddy, Executive Director of the American Student Assistance (ASA) and ASA’s “Solve It” contest winner and high school student, Elliana Cabellon to talk about career exploration. They share how families can help kids follow their passions, plan for their futures and explore STEM career pathways. Resources: ASA.orgFuturescapesPTA.org/PropellingOurWorldSTEM Careers: Introducing Kids to Innovation

Is your school district prioritizing Family-School Partnerships? The Director of Family-School Partnerships at Colorado Department of Education, Darcy Hutchins, shares how states and districts can embed best practices into their protocols to ensure strong family-school partnerships. She also offers advice for where families can look for information about policies affecting their own communities. Strengthening Family-School PartnershipsNational Standards for Family-School PartnershipsFramework for Family-School PartnershipsPromising Partnership Practices

What does it mean to be an advocate for all children and how can you jumpstart your own advocacy journey? We discussed the answers to these questions and so much more with Rosazlia Grillier, a founder and governing council member of the United Parent Leaders Action Network (UPLAN). She shares her own experience, how you can find the leader in you, and how to get connected to a network of advocates and take action. Resources: COFIOnline.orgunitedparentleaders.orgEveryone Wins! TheEvidence for Family-School Partnerships and Implications for PracticePTA.org/Advocacy

Since the start of 2020, it feels like we’ve experienced—or witnessed—one crisis after another. How should we talk with our children about these challenging topics—and how can we cope with them ourselves? We interviewed Dr. Pamela Cantor, founder and senior science advisor at Turnaround for Children to get her advice. She shares how relationships, routines and resilience can help us traverse these tumultuous times. Resources: • Visit TurnaroundForChildren.org for resources and resources focused on whole child development • Follow Pamela Cantor on social media at @DrPamelaCantor and read her articles in Psychology Today • Check out “Racism and Violence: How to Help Kids Handle the News” in PTA’s Our Children online magazine

Do you start sweating when your kids ask for help with math homework? Lots of parents struggle with math anxiety—our child’s and our own—but math is everywhere and it’s our job to help our children embrace it. We sat down with Eugenio Longoria Sáenz, founding director of the Center for Family Math at The National Association for Family, School and Community Engagement (NAFSCE). He shares how you can overcome your own math anxiety and help your child learn how to approach math with curiosity and an open mind. Resources: FamilyMath.org@NAFSCE STEM+ Families Math NightHave a Math Chat with Your Kids

What goes into a school rating? School ratings often leave families feeling confused, wondering what a singular number tells them about the quality of a school. To get to the bottom of this, our hosts interviewed Jon Deane, CEO of GreatSchools.org who shares how families can use school ratings as a starting point for making informed choices for their child’s education. Resources: What Do Public School Rankings Really MeanGreatSchools.orgcollege success award@GreatSchools