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Episodes
The Making After-School Cool Podcast is an essential part of the CASE for Kids push to increase the awareness of resources that improve quality in the after-school and out-of-school time field. Join Mike Wilson and field experts as they discuss best practices, the growth mindset, project-based learning, social emotional learning, restorative practices and student engagement all with after-school providers in mind. Brought to you by Case4Kids
Episodes

Tuesday Jan 25, 2022
EP 77: Implementing & Managing a 21st Century High School Program
Tuesday Jan 25, 2022
Tuesday Jan 25, 2022
This episode focuses on managing 21st Century after school program on a high school site. The 21st Century programs supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. Additionally, the program offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.
During the episode you will learn:
- The difficulties and success of starting a new 21st Century program
- Stratigies for getting high school students to stay after school
- The balance between developing a positive relationship with school staff and making the program attractive to students
- Advice for someone who is interested in working in the after- school field
Guest
Melvin Mead, is a Regional Program Coordinator for Case for Kids Site at Sanchez High School in Houston Tx.
Resources
Mike Wilson
mwilson@hcde-texas.org
Harris County Department of Education
https://hcde-texas.org
CASE for Kids
https://hcde-texas.org/afterschool-zone

Friday Jan 21, 2022
Preview EP 77: Implementing & Managing a 21st Century High School Program
Friday Jan 21, 2022
Friday Jan 21, 2022
Today we are going to preview episode 77, where our topic focused on the implementation and management of a 21st Century Community Learning Center after school program on a high school campus. The 21st Century programs supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools.
To discuss his experience with implanting a 21st Century high School program is my guest Melvin Mead, who is a Regional Program Coordinator for Case for Kids Site at Sanchez High School in Houston Tx.

Tuesday Jan 18, 2022
EP 76: Talking with Youth about Their Problems and Concerns
Tuesday Jan 18, 2022
Tuesday Jan 18, 2022
This episode of the Making After School Cool podcast focuses on what should youth do when they are dealing with problems or have concerns. According to Dr. D’Arcy Lyness, it is important for parents and adults to make a habit of communicating with kid regularly. As a result, youth become more relaxed sharing their thoughts, which could help them feel a bit more comfortable when discussing more serious issues. To go into more detail regarding this subject is my guest Charmette Jones.
During this episode you will learn:
- How parents, educators, and out of school practitioner can notice if youth are struggling with an issue or problem?
- Why is it important for adults to establish ongoing communication with the youth in their lives?
- Why is it important for adults to learn non-judgmental listening techniques?
- Why is it important for adults to remember to never compare youth to other youth or other situations?
- What are some negative outcomes when adults belittle a problem or say get over it?
Guest
Charmette Jones is an accomplished author, speaker and teacher with a heart for inspiring youth. She is the founder of Shamelessly Saved Productions. Charmette is currently completing her master’s studies in Counseling and crisis trauma.
Resources
Shamelessly Saved Productions
www.shamelesslysaved.com/
Mike Wilson
mwilson@hcde-texas.org
Harris County Department of Education
https://hcde-texas.org
CASE for Kids
https://hcde-texas.org/afterschool-zone

Friday Jan 14, 2022
Preview Ep 76: How to get Youth to talk about problems and concerns
Friday Jan 14, 2022
Friday Jan 14, 2022
This is a preview of episode 76 where we discussed the best way to make youth comfortable sharing their problems and concerns with adults. To discuss this topic in more detail is my guest is my guest Charmette Jones, who is an accomplished author, speaker, teacher and is currently completing her master’s studies in Counseling and crisis trauma.

Wednesday Dec 15, 2021
Episode 75: The Correlation among Students Identity, Racial group, & Mental Health
Wednesday Dec 15, 2021
Wednesday Dec 15, 2021
The topic for this episode of the Making After School Cool podcast focuses on The Correlation among Students Identity, Racial group, and Mental Health. Knowing this relationship exist, can potentially cause problems when we wonder what what is the correct group identity the students we work with and familes belong to.
During this episode you will learn:
- Why it is important for people to develop and understand their own unique group identity?
- Why comic illustrations are an effective way to introduce people to sensitive topics?
- Why is it important for adults, who work with diverse populations of students and families, identify people using the correct group term?
- Can Hispanic and Latino be used interchangeably
- How to find out what is the appropriate term a person wants to identify as?
Guest
Terry Blas is the illustrator and writer behind the viral web comics You Say Latino and You Say Latinx. He has written comics for Ariana Grande and the series Steven Universe, and Rick and Morty. His original graphic novels are Dead Weight: Murder at Camp Bloom, Hotel Dare, and Lifetime Passes. He is currently the writer for the Marvel series Reptil.
Resources
Mike Wilson
mwilson@hcde-texas.org
Harris County Department of Education
https://hcde-texas.org
CASE for Kids

Monday Dec 13, 2021
Monday Dec 13, 2021
This is a preview of episode 75, where we discussed the correlation among individual’s identity, racial group, and their mental health. Knowing this relationship exist, can potentially cause problems when we wonder what what is the correct group identity the students we work with and familes belong to. To help us with learning how to use Hispanic, Lationo or Latin X appropriately and understand there differences, is my guest Terry Blast. Terry is the illustrator and writer behind the viral web comics You Say Latino and You Say Latinx.

Friday Dec 03, 2021
EP 74: Teaching Youth The Importance of Etiquette
Friday Dec 03, 2021
Friday Dec 03, 2021
This is episode 74, where we discussed the benefits of teaching kids the rules of etiquette. Etiquette provides youth with skills to improve their social networking, provides them with a range of phrases and behaviors which they can use in whatever social situation they find themselves in and can also set youth up for a lifetime of success.
During this episode you will learn:
- A brief history of the Monica Lewis School of etiquette
- At what age should kids start learning the elements of proper etiquette
- The differnce between knowing good manners and knowing proper etiquette
- Different types of acceptable behaivor for different settings
Guest
Darian Lewis is the Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Operations Officer for the Monica Lewis School of Etiquette. He has over 20 years of experience in business leadership, working with Fortune 500 companies like Enterprise, AIG, American General Life, and Sun America.
Resources
Monica Lewis School of Etiquette
monicalewisschoolofetiquette.com
Mike Wilson
mwilson@hcde-texas.org
Harris County Department of Education
https://hcde-texas.org
CASE for Kids
https://hcde-texas.org/afterschool-zone

Wednesday Dec 01, 2021
Preview of EP 74: Teaching Youth The Importance of Etiquette
Wednesday Dec 01, 2021
Wednesday Dec 01, 2021
This is a preview of episode 74, where we discussed the benefits of teaching kids the rules of etiquette. Etiquette provides youth with skills to improve their social networking, provides them with a range of phrases and behaviors which they can use in whatever social situation they find themselves in.
To discuss the benefits of teaching youth etiquette is my guest Darian Lewis. Darian is the Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Operations Officer for the Monica Lewis School of Etiquette. Darian’s ability to command an audience has allowed him to share his thoughts, experiences, and wisdom with audiences across the country.

Wednesday Nov 17, 2021
EP 73: Benefits of High School Students Working in After School Programs
Wednesday Nov 17, 2021
Wednesday Nov 17, 2021
The topic for this episode of the Making After School Cool podcast focuses on the benefits for youth having job responsibilities while they are in High School. Research indicates that employed youth develop the capacity to take responsibility, develop time-management skills, and overcome shyness while working with adults. When high school students help with an after-school programs the results can be beneficial to both the program and the students. To discuss the benefits of youth taking roles in after school programs is my guest Dr. Carol Hill.
During this episode you will learn about the following:
- The personal developmental benefits for youth who may get jobs, volunteer for an organization or have responsibility over a project
- The benefits of work experience youth gain when they are work or volunteer with an organization
- The importance of staff being trained to work with HS students who may be assisting with after school programs
Guest
Dr. Hill brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in the development, implementation and management of successful educational programs and initiatives, including leadership in the San Francisco Beacon Initiative. She is a nationally recognized leader and trainer for the Coalition for Community Schools and for the National Beacon Initiative. and has trained on the Community Schools Model at many national conferences.
Resources
Dr. Carol Hill
The San Francisco Beacon Initiative
Mike Wilson
mwilson@hcde-texas.org
Harris County Department of Education
https://hcde-texas.org
CASE for Kids

Friday Nov 12, 2021
Friday Nov 12, 2021
This is a preview of episode 73, where we discussed the benefits of using high school students to work or volunteer in after school programs. Research indicates that employed youth develop the capacity to take responsibility, develop time-management skills, and overcome shyness while working with adults.
To discuss the benefits of youth taking roles in after school programs is my guest Dr. Carol Hill. Dr. Hill brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in the development, implementation and management of successful educational programs and initiatives, she is a nationally recognized leader and trainer as well as a lecturer in ethnic studies at San Francisco State University