First Lady & Friends

Teaching is one of the noblest professions, and the well-being of teachers is a critical component of student learning and overall community advancement. During this special podcast episode recorded at SXSW EDU 2024, hosts Dr. Stacey Ludwig Johnson and Abby Cox are joined by National University President & CEO Dr. Mark Milliron, and Rady Children’s Hospital Senior Director Domonique Hensler, to continue the conversation on the importance of teacher well-being. During this episode, the expert panel examines the key positive strategies to implement to sustain educator well-being in the context of teacher preparation programs and K-12 schools, and concrete actions that should occur to keep educators well, despite elements that can exist beyond their control. About Dr. Mark Milliron Dr. Mark Milliron is an award-winning leader, author, speaker, and consultant, who works with universities, community colleges, K-12 schools, foundations, corporations, associations, and government agencies across the country and around the world. He serves as President & CEO of National University (NU), one of the largest private, nonprofit universities in the United States. NU is designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and has a 50-year history of innovating around the needs of military, working, and other nontraditional students. About Domonique Hensler Domonique Hensler is the Senior Director for Care Redesign Planning and Mental Health Integration for Rady Children’s Hospital – San Diego and Rady Children’s Health Network. Her experience includes positions as a Fellow and Analyst at Sutter Health; a Network Manager for TRICARE Southwest at Health Net, formerly Foundation Health; and Executive Director of the Community and Family Network. Since joining Rady Children’s in 1998, Domonique has served in various leadership, strategic implementation, and project management roles in healthcare administration. Related links: WGU: https://www.wgu.edu/about/governance/education/educator-well-being-from-principles-to-practice-podcast.html YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlwjT_YKfmk

Aubree Oliverson (Violinist) joins Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox to share her earliest memories of growing up playing violin, some of her favorite teachers who made an impact on Aubree’s success, and moving away to Los Angeles at fifteen years old to pursue violon. Aubree also talks about being one of this year’s Governor’s Mansion Artist Award recipients, some of her fondest memories of attending the Colburn Conservatory of Music, and her decision to make Berlin, Germany her home base to continue pursuing her career as a violinist. We also talk about Aubree’s goals of working with the best orchestras and conductors at the highest level as she continues to excel in her career. Related Links Aubree Oliverson: https://www.aubreeoliverson.com/ Instagram: @olversonaubree Deborah Moench: https://giftedmusicschool.org/faculty/deborah-moench Eugene Watanabe: https://www.giftedmusicschool.org/faculty/eugene-watanabe Robert Lipsett: https://www.giftedmusicschool.org/event/2012/robert-lipsett-masterclass

The original version of this episode can be found at https://stand4kind.podbean.com/. In this in-depth exchange, Utah's First Lady Abby Cox, Candy Olandt, and Maggon Osmond discuss the essence and urgency of education. Abby Cox, a pillar for educators and a special education background holder, gives riveting insights into the discernment needed at various institutional levels, building meaningful relationships, and the mastery of effective communication. The conversation focuses on the significance of educators' links with the key policymakers in their communities and how their voices and influence can create waves of change. Abby further delves into the benefits of educators forming connections with legislators, resulting in a more seamless educational policy process. Discussion progresses to the topic of 'Disagree Better,' an initiative aimed at promoting healthier dialogues, particularly within the educational sector. The philosophy stresses the importance of engaging in difficult conversations, understanding differing views, and acknowledging disagreements as opportunities for growth. The phrase, "Tell me more about why you think that," symbolizes a tool for navigating these tricky exchanges. Further into the conversation, the significance of emotional intelligence in fostering strong relationships in the education arena is emphasized. The potency of the 'Disagree Better' campaign is shown along with the transformation that occurs in classrooms where amicable discourse takes place. The focus shifts to the vital role of educators in fostering future leaders who possess not just academic proficiency, but also important life skills such as critical thinking. The discussion concludes by acknowledging the worldwide network of teachers and their extraordinary mission of shaping future generations. Join the lively conversation and get a glimpse of educational transformation in action. Related links: The S4K Talks podcast can be found on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Meikel Reece (Emotional & Relational Intelligence Consultant & Utah Influencer), joins Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox to talk about how social justice was a fundamental aspect of her home growing up in Provo, UT., her desire to fit in with a predominantly white community when she was younger while being biracial, and how she learned to belong and feel at home with who she is. Then we talk about Meikel’s passion for teaching emotional intelligence, learning to understand and process the emotions that we experience, and some strategies for acknowledging our triggers and taking control of them. Lastly, we dive into the concerns surrounding trigger behaviors that negatively influence us, and why emotional intelligence can help communities disagree better. Related Links Instagram: @meikelreece Permission to Feel by Mark Bracket

Vanessa Quigley (Cofounder of Chatbooks and Host of The MomForce Podcast), joins Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox to talk about moving back to Utah with her husband, Nate, to help build Chatbooks, how chasing her dreams of becoming an International opera singer shifted once Chatbooks started to take off, and the first viral video that helped put Chatbooks on the map. Vanessa also opens up about the impact that Chatbooks has had on strengthening her relationship with her husband, how the family has helped contribute to the company over the years, and what’s next for Chatbooks. Then we talk about Vanessa being named Miss Utah USA despite not being from Utah and some of the challenges that are not often talked about with adult parenting. Related Links Chatbooks: https://chatbooks.com/ The MomForce Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-momforce-podcast-hosted-by-chatbooks/id1464755075

Superintendent Mark Ernst (Tooele County School District) and Charlie Roberts (Assistant Coach for Tooele High School) join Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox to talk about many of the challenges that teachers face nowadays, how social media has impacted the classroom, and the impact that Unified Sports has had on the schools throughout Tooele County. Then Superintendent Ernst talks about the inclusion that has come with the introduction of Unified Sports, bridging the differences between regular and special ed experiences in the classroom, and the lifelong friendships that are built through Unified Sports. Related Links Special Olympics Utah: https://sout.org/

In the third episode of our Educator Well-Being series, our hosts are joined by Rachael Black, a WGU graduate and award-winning teacher. Together they explore some of the unique challenges facing rural educators – from funding models and policies that can sometimes skew toward urban schools, to helping educators get access to the services they need to address mental and physical health concerns. Rachael shares some of her innovative practices that fully use available resources, including regional grant funding. She also discusses the importance of collaborative learning groups among educators to build communities of practice that support each other and share knowledge, which is especially important as rural educators often teach more than one subject. Listen to learn about the positive outcomes of educators maintaining a growth mindset. Related Links WGU Website: https://www.wgu.edu/about/governance/teachers-college/educator-well-being-from-principles-to-practice-podcast.html# YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6maVMdcovrU About Rachael Black Rachael Black is a passionate educator with a strong commitment to transforming education in rural communities. Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from WGU since 2016, Rachael is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Learning Experience Design and Educational Technology. With an impressive eight years of teaching experience, she has been recognized for her outstanding contributions, including a nomination for New Teacher of the Year and winning an Innovative Teaching Award from Aledo (Texas) Independent School District. Rachael's dedication extends beyond the classroom, as she has successfully secured over $160,000 in educational grants for innovative teaching projects. As a published author, Rachael shares her insights and experiences, advocating for accessible education for all. She has spoken before the Texas Senate in support of a bill aimed at increasing financial aid for adult learners. Rachael's journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment to creating meaningful learning experiences and championing educational equity in rural settings.

Mariluz Cook (Miss Utah USA, Sports Broadcaster, and Host), joins Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, to talk about sharing her culture with others as a Cuban-American, her decision to move to Utah from Florida to pursue sports broadcasting, and where her passion for sports originated when she was younger. Then Mariluz talks about her experience being selected to host the Rising Stars and All-Star Saturday night during NBA All-Star weekend last year, how competing in pageants helped persuade her to chase a dream of public speaking, and why she was hesitant to pursue Miss Utah USA as a known broadcaster to avoid being put into a box. Lastly, we talk about Mariluz’s experiences in a male-dominated field, some of the amazing women who have paved the way to propel others in the sports landscape, and how approaching an opportunity with a, “Why Not Me?” attitude can help build the confidence to chase your dreams. Related Links Mariluz Cook: https://www.mariluzcook.com/

Emily Bell McCormick (Founder & President), Mary Catherine Perry (Director of Policy & Government Affairs), and Kristin Andrus (Community Champion) from The Policy Project join Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, to talk about the originations of The Policy Project, the group's efforts to raise awareness of child sexual abuse, and the legislative steps the organization is taking to ensure that all K-6 students receive sexual abuse prevention education through The Safe Child Project. We also talk about the importance of having difficult conversations with our children about child sexual abuse prevention, the need for prevention curricula to be taught in schools, and the easiest ways anyone can get involved. Lastly, we dive into The Period Project, which was developed by The Policy Project to increase access to menstrual products in schools, workplaces, and public spaces, as well as how The Teen Center Project raised over $18,000,000 to develop Teen Centers in schools throughout the state to support teens in need. Related Links The Policy Project: https://www.thepolicyproject.org/ The Safe Child Project: https://www.thepolicyproject.org/thesafechildproject#:~:text=THE%20SAFE%20CHILD%20PROJECT%20SOLUTION,through%20a%20public%2Dprivate%20partnership. The Period Project: https://www.thepolicyproject.org/theperiodproject The Teen Center Project: https://www.thepolicyproject.org/theteencenterproject

Jared Quan (Award-Winning, Best-Selling Author) joins Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, to talk about being a 2023 ​Utah Governor Spirit of Service Award Recipient, his work with non-profits throughout the state, and his passion for inspiring others who are interested in reading and writing. Jared also shares some of his favorite authors and how his time driving for Lift to pay for expenses that accrued from his son’s heart condition inspired his book, “Lifted: Adventures in Ridesharing”, and the moment that Jared received the call that his son was going to get a heart transplant. Then we talk about Jared’s work with both Jimmer Fredette’s and Steve Young’s organizations, the goal of bringing students more access to reading and writing resources, and some of the barriers preventing others from getting involved with volunteering and service. Related Links Jared Quan: http://www.jaredquan.com/ List of recipients: https://governor.utah.gov/2023/07/27/gov-spencer-cox-recognizes-recipients-of-second-annual-governors-spirit-of-service-award/ Fredette Family Foundation: https://jimmerosity.org/ Forever Young Foundation: https://foreveryoung.org/

Sarah Allred (Director of First Lady Initiatives) joins Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, to recap some of our favorite moments of the year which include the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, various service projects, and the ways we’ve been connecting with our youth to help promote positive change in our communities. Then we dive into our latest Care Communities project that we’ve been working on to help provide support for our foster families and what we’ve learned from listening to our teachers during our annual Show Up for Teachers conference. Lastly, we also talk about our favorite holiday traditions, the best books we read this year, and our favorite meals/restaurants we’ve had. Related Links: Show Up Utah: https://www.showuputah.org/ Demon Copperhead by Barbera King Solver: http://barbarakingsolver.net/books/demon-copperhead/ Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man's Fight for Justice by Bill Browder: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/22609522 The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/4934 Surrender by Bono: https://surrendermemoir.com/

Celeste Edmunds (The Christmas Box Executive Director, Co-Author of Garbage Bag Girl) and Richard Paul Evans (Author, The Christmas Box Founder, Co-Author of Garbage Bag Girl) join Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, to talk about Celeste’s story of publishing ‘Garbage Bag Girl’, sharing her story of survival after being adopted by an abusive family as a child, and the hope and inspiration behind ‘Garbage Bag Girl’. Then Richard opens up about the origination of The Christmas Box House and how Christmas Box House aims to change what childhood can look like for children who are victims of abuse, neglect, trafficking, or are facing homelessness. We also dive into preventative measures that must be addressed to help protect the future of our children who come from unfortunate circumstances and the impact that drugs and substance abuse have on our struggling youth. Related Links: Garbage Bag Girl: https://www.amazon.com/Garbage-Bag-Girl-Celeste-Edmunds/dp/1958626635 The Christmas Box House: https://thechristmasbox.org/ The Christmas Box: https://richardpaulevans.com/books/the-christmas-box/ Celeste Edmunds: https://celesteedmunds.com/ Richard Paul Evans: https://richardpaulevans.com/

Aaron Hall (Missionary Department Director for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) joins Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, to talk about how his upbringing taught him the importance of helping others, his journey to joining the Missionary department for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and various ways that parents can help prepare their children to be a successful service missionary. We also talk about the Light the World event that took over Times Square in New York City, NY, how Giving Machines create charitable opportunities in our communities, as well as all over the country, and the impact that local charities have on being able to help others through Giving Machines. Related Links: The Light the World Initiative: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/light-the-world Giving Machines: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/light-the-world/giving-machines

Curtis Bennett (Executive Director at One Kind Act a Day) joins Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, to talk about the creation behind One Kind Act a Day and how the organization is focused on introducing kindness throughout early education to create positive change in society, one kind act at a time. Then we dive into the science behind the psychological effects that follow negative thoughts and actions, the positive effects that come along with being kind and helping others, and how everyone can get involved with One Kind Act a Day to bring kindness in their own way. Lastly, we talk about the need to have a sense of personal belonging to create a community of caring. Related Links: One Kind Act a Day: https://thepowerofkind.org/

Steve Young (Hall of Fame NFL Quarterback) joined Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, and Governor, Spencer Cox, last month to share his experiences and views on solving conflict and disagreeing better with each other at this year's Fall One Utah Summit. The audio quality is less than what you're used to but we're sure you'll love the conversation!

Educator Well-Being: From Principles to Practice Podcast This podcast is brought to you by Utah First Lady Abby Cox and Western Governors University Senior Vice President and Executive Dean of the School of Education Dr. Stacey Ludwig Johnson, facilitated by Marty Carpenter of Northbound Strategy. This limited series focuses on supporting teachers nationwide by providing strategies and resources to help educators thrive. This podcast is designed as a discussion forum with topics important to classroom teachers as well as school district leaders and other community members who have a vested interest in the well-being of our nation’s educators. Hosts and guests will share practical advice, tips, and tools to support teachers and help them thrive. Also included in each episode are reflective questions to help expand educator expertise. Episode 2: Thriving Teachers, Schools, and Communities In this episode, the hosts are joined by Amelia Azul-Elgas, Learning Experience Designer/Online Community Engagement Specialist on the Healthy Learning Team in WGU’s School of Education. Together, they explore the traits and characteristics that can help create environments where teachers and students will thrive. Azul-Elgas talks about taking a research-based, character-focused approach that contributes not only to the well-being of the teacher, but also to the classroom, school, and the community it serves. They share empirical data and results from 500 worldwide studies with more than half a million students to understand what works in this holistic approach that begins with self-reflection and includes compassion, empathy, respect, critical thinking, and other key proven characteristics to positively impact teachers while also creating healthy thriving classrooms. The panel also shares personal and professional experiences that highlight the importance of teacher candidates having this training embedded in their curriculum to build resilience and reduce burnout. About Amelia Azul-Elgas Amelia Azul-Elgas is a former classroom teacher who worked with more than 3,000 pre-service teachers as faculty in the WGU School of Education during her first seven years at WGU. She currently serves as learning experience designer/online community engagement specialist on the Healthy Learning team in WGU’s School of Education. She is also the elected director of membership for the WGU Latinx Employee Resource Group. With over 25 years of experience in education, community, and government organizations, Amelia is passionate about advancing equity and thriving in education. She holds a master’s degree in Education from UC Berkeley, and a bachelor’s degree in Humanities and Community Development from New College. She also has a certification in trauma-informed Dynamic Mindfulness from Niroga Institute. Related Links WGU Website: https://www.wgu.edu/about/governance/teachers-college/educator-well-being-from-principles-to-practice-podcast.html# Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5v7jcd16wVNVj641jmBHmz WGU YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPA99rNPivw Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2-thriving-teachers-schools-and-communities/id1715758947?i=1000634810273

Sarah Sun (Miss Utah 2023) joins Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, to talk about her experience growing up as a Chinese-American in Cedar City, UT, Utah’s first monument honoring Chinese railroad workers that’s set to be displayed on the southeast lawn of the state capitol, and how her mother’s desire to be more fluent in English helped inspire Sarah to be passionate about her education. Then we dive into Amy Chua’s book, ‘Political Tribes’, the correlations between various disciplinary parenting styles and how they develop positive habits in children, as well as how Sarah’s parent's support for her passions helped lay the groundwork for her to become Miss Utah. Lastly, Sarah opens up about using her platform as Miss Utah to advocate for better education and programming in prisons, the impact that different cultural evolutions have had on modesty, and why we need more women in leadership. Related Links: Political Tribes: Group Instinct and the Fate of Nations by Amy Chua Miss Utah: https://missutah.org/

Corey Fairholm (Utah PTA President) joins Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, to talk about how she initially got interested in the Utah PTA, the need for parents to be more involved with their children’s education to give their children the best chance at success, and why there are always opportunities to help serve our kids through the PTA. Corey also talks about how the PTA is bringing support to schools and communities throughout the state, the work that the PTA board puts in during the General Session to advocate for our children, and why attending the local school board meetings is so important to understand the changes that are being made in schools. Lastly, we dive into the importance of having a great parent-teacher relationship to help reinforce a child’s education. Related Links: Utah PTA https://www.utahpta.org/

Educator Well-Being: From Principles to Practice Podcast This podcast is brought to you by Utah First Lady Abby Cox and Western Governors University Senior Vice President and Executive Dean of the School of Education Dr. Stacey Ludwig Johnson, facilitated by Marty Carpenter of Northbound Strategy. This limited series focuses on supporting teachers nationwide by providing strategies and resources to help educators thrive. This podcast is designed as a discussion forum with topics important to classroom teachers as well as school district leaders and other community members who have a vested interest in the well-being of our nation’s educators. Hosts and guests will share practical advice, tips, and tools to support teachers and help them thrive. Also included in each episode are reflective questions to help expand educator expertise. Episode 1: The Importance of Healthy Learning and Working Environments for Teachers In this episode, the hosts are joined by Dr. Mamie L. Pack, WGU’s Manager of Healthy Learning. In a “Help the Helper” approach, Dr. Pack shares the six Healthy Learning Pillars at WGU that are being integrated into the curriculum for teacher preparation and explains why helping teachers requires a holistic approach. The conversation goes deep into specific steps teachers can take to protect and grow their healthy learning and working environments through self-reflection, community, and advocacy, all to increase educator wellness so teachers and students can thrive in today’s classrooms. About Dr. Mamie L. Pack Dr. Pack is the manager of healthy learning at WGU. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Pack is an innovative and transformational leader with a proven history of building safe spaces for faculty and students to thrive. As a thought leader promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, Dr. Pack is committed to amplifying diverse voices in education centering her work in restorative and trauma-informed practices to improve equitable outcomes for all learners. She is passionate about breaking barriers in education and creating inclusive environments for healthy learning. Dr. Pack holds a Ph.D. in Education and a M.Ed. in Divergent Learning. Related Links WGU Website: https://www.wgu.edu/about/governance/teachers-college/educator-well-being-from-principles-to-practice-podcast.html# Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5v7jcd16wVNVj641jmBHmz WGU YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh-kMylOxkw Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2-thriving-teachers-schools-and-communities/id1715758947?i=1000634810273

Michael Bonner (Teacher at the Ron Clark Academy, International Speaker, CEO of Bonnerville) joins Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, to talk about developing ways for students to be passionate about the process of learning, how the Ron Clark Academy is transforming the classroom, and why pouring love into students is so important for their growth in and outside of the classroom. We also talk about the challenges that Michael faces in the education system, some of the ways that he recharges to stay focused on being the best teacher possible, and why we all need to be advocates for our teachers as a community. Lastly, we dive into practical ways to talk about social media in the classroom, how to navigate AI in the classroom, and why traditional educational curriculums may need to be reformed to fit in today's era of technology. Related Links: The Ron Clark Academy https://ronclarkacademy.com/ Michael Bonner https://twitter.com/MichaelBonner_ https://www.michael-bonner.com/