Making After-School Cool Podcast

The Positive Influence of Male Mentors Featuring Keith Corenelius

Today’s topic focuses on the influence a positive male role model can have on at risk minority boys. According to research there are three strategies frequently used with developing male mentoring programs. They include some form of rites of passages, social responsibility training, and introduction to successful men. Therefore, the focus of this episode of the Making After School Cool podcast highlights the work of Mr. Keith Cornelius, the current Director of the Urban Enrichment Institute, and an advocate for male mentorship.

 During this episode you will hear about:

1. What motivate men to be mentors
2. Why it is important for teenaged males, to have a caring mentor in their lives
3. How to recruit mentors, and do you look for a particular skill set for mentors
4. How are the students identified and selected to participate in the program

JC Pohl with Teen Truth

Today’s topic focuses on building a supportive environment that address the concerns and issues faced by youth in today’s multifaceted society.  My guest today is Mr. JC Pohl of Teen Truth. JC Pohl is an award-winning producer, nationally recognized speaker, and certified counselor who has reached over 12 million people in 8,000+ schools.

During this Episode you will learn more about the following:

 1. What motivated JC to start Teen Voice?

2. How to identify and recruit who are willing to share their experiences

3. What can be learned listing to youth voice?

4. Why is it important for youth to have vehicles to develop their own unique voice?

Reaching Youth in OST Programs: Featuring Mr. Dupree Jackson

Today’s topic of the Making After School Cool Podcast focuses on the power of building quality relationship with youth in OST programs. There is currently an explosion of research based on the need & interest in after-school programs. According to research published in the American Journal of Community Psychology “More Than Attendance: The Importance of After School Program Quality (Barton J. Hirsch • Megan A. Mekinda • Julie Ann Stawick, 2010)”

The rationale for these programs may include supporting working parents; enhancing school reform initiatives; providing mentors to young people; and/or providing youth with a voice in programs.  Today's episode highlights the work of my guest today, Mr. Emanuel “Dupree” Jackson, Founder and Executive Director of the EJS Project, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization which a focus on building and empowering our future leaders.

During this podcast you will learn more about:

1. This history of the EJS Project
2. Offering services that are attracted to youth.
3. The importance of community involvement and support a successful program.
4. Suggestions for mentoring youth?

The Power of Poetry

This episode of the Making After School Cool Podcast focuses on the Power of Poetry and the Spoken Word. Since, 1996, the month of April has been designated as National Poetry Month. This distinction reminds the public that poets have an integral role to play in our culture and that poetry matters. My guest today is a poet in the Houston area, Ms. Jo-Ann Blanchard. Ms. Blanchard has been writing since the age of 10 and is an advocate of domestic violence prevention and intervention.  During this podcast you will learn more about the following:

1. How Ms. Blanchard started to get recognized as a poet
2. How to develop poems
3. Overcoming the fear of sharing writings with others?
4. Overcoming Writers’ Block
5. How can the written word help youth struggling with mental health issues.

Resources

Mike Wilson – mwilson@hcde-texas.org

Ms. Jo Anne Blanchard – jahsayblancard@gmail.com

Harris County Department of Education – www.hcde-texas.org

CASE for Kids - www.hcde-texas.org/afterschoolzone

 

After School Cool Youth College & Career Expo

The Afterschool is Cool Youth Expo focused on career opportunities in the field of technology, including digital innovation, energy entrepreneurship and life sciences, and incorporated the gamification of learning. The Expo is part of LevelUp Houston, Harris County’s newest student badging platform, developed by CASE for Kids and MyVoluntier and funded by the Houston Endowment through the Education Foundation of Harris County. 

City Of Houston's Youth Ambassadors

Today’s topic features teenagers who are a member  of the City Of Houston Youth Ambassadors advisory group.  This group, under the direction of Ms. Laura Cuellar, are advisors to the city of Houston Mayor’s Office. The City of Houston Championing Change Youth Ambassadors include youth ages 13-18 who work to advance children’s rights and ensure youth voice is considered in the City of Houston's programs and decision-making.  They provide the youth’s perspective regarding issues faced by their age group.

During the episode you will hear the follow:

• Current issues faced by their age group
• What motivated them to get involved with advising the mayor’s office on youth issues
• What advice would you give other students on why they should be involved with local government
• There plans after high school

Resources

Mike Wilson – mwilson@hcde-texas.org

 Another Step for Youth child rights podcast 

The Importance of Youth Practing Self-Care

My guest today on the Making After School Cool podcast is Dr. Crystal Belle. Dr. Belle is a published writer, activist, educator and professional development trainer.  She is an authority in, Diversity. Equity and Inclusion and education consultant, self-care coach and author. As the founder of Self Love Life 101, her goal is to help people live their best lives through online video coaching, educational consulting and fitness/wellness. 

Resource

Dr. Crystal Belle

Home | Dr Crystal Belle

Mike Wilson

mwilson@hcde-texas.org

EEpisode 132: Inspiring students attending Low Economic Schools

This episode of the Making After School Cool Podcast highlights the work of Dr. William Parrett research regarding strategies schools with alarge number in impoverished students yet still produce high academic achievement.  According to theories among many psychologists and child development specialists a child’s behavior can stems from many things including a combination of genes and their environment. This episode presents step those working with students from low economic environment can to to empower these youth

During this podcast you will lean the following:

• The mission of Parrett Associates
• The differences between successful schools who teach students from diverse economic and cultural backgrounds from those who struggle with this populations.
• How the out of school time environment can play a role in supporting students’ academic success.
• Suggestions regarding how to  create an environment that is responsive to youth living in poverty

Resources

Parrett Associates

www.schoolsdisruptingpoverty.com

Mike Wilson

mwilson@hcde-texas.org

 

Ep 131: The Teenage Life

Todays topic features a podcast series developed, and produced by  students attending Chavez Highschool.  These students learned the fundamentals of podcasting and host their own show entitled the Teen Aged Life.  This segment of their episode centers on a debate regarding the availability of cell use for high school students during school hours.

Guest

I would like the thank the  students producing their own podcast “The Teenage Life, “  podcast at Chavez High school. They are  Christopher Rodriguez, Gianna Garcia, Seryna Sandoval, David Lara, Savana Chavarria, Mariana Reyes, Gloria Handres  Jandres, Jezabelle Longoria, and Moses Garcia

Resources

Katherine Shaw

luevaletgj2o.pbworks.com/f/Student%20Cell%20Phone%20Use.pdf

Mike Wilson

mwilson@hcde-texas.org

CASE for Kids

www.hcde-texas.org/page/17

 

Ep 130: Working with Students In Urban Setting Featuring Dr. Richard Milner

This episode of the Making After School Podcast features my interview with Dr. Rich Milner, Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair of Education in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Vanderbilt Peabody College of Education and Human Development. We discuss the unique challegenes of working with students living in urban setting and how to address the opportunity gaps that many if these students encounter

Guest

Dr. H. Richard Milner IV. Dr. Milner is President of the American Educational Research Association, the largest research organization in the world. He is also an elected member of the National Academy of Education. He is a researcher, scholar and leader of urban education and teacher education. Centering on equity and diversity, he has spent hundreds of hours observing teachers’ practices and interviewing educators and students in urban schools about micro-level policies that shape students’ opportunities to learn.. 

During This Podcast you will learn information regarding the following

1. A Description of urban education, what do we know regarding the subject, and what other information do we need to know
2. Recommendations concerning how educators should support students of color, students living in poverty line, and those whose first language is not English.
3. The difference between the term  “opportunity gaps.” and “achievement gap”
4. The Teachers Race Talk Survey,one of the first survey instruments focused on teachers’ reported beliefs about race and discourse.
5. The three types of urban education

Resources

Dr. Richard Milner

rich.milner@vanderbilt.edu

Mike Wilson

mwilson@hcde-texas.org