![Ep 89: Part 2 of Case for Kids End of the Year Celebration]()
May 13, 2022
Today’s episode of the Making After School Cool podcast features installment 2 of our 2-part series focusing on the CASE for Kids, End of the Year Celebration to highlight After School Professionals Appreciation Week. As stated in the first episode of this series, Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week is annually celebrated the last week of April and includes celebrations and public relations efforts to highlight and support all the afterschool professionals who make a significant difference in the lives of young people.
During this podcast you will learn the following:
- What is great about the OST field?
- What motivates them to work with youth?
- Why is it important to have after school programs available in your community?
- What advice would you give anyone who wants to work with youth?
Guest
During this episode my guest will include, Brian Ervin with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Houston, Monica Lewis with the Monica Lewis School of Etiquette, Lisa Baily with Educational Solutions and Chris Cortez with Houston Healthy hip-hop.
Resources
Brian Ervin, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Houston
bervin@bgcgh.org
Monica Lewis, Monica Lewis School of Etiquette
info@mlsoe.com
Lisa Bailey,
Lbailey604@gmail.com
Chris Cortez, Houston Healthy Hip Hop
www.houstonhealthyhip-hop.com/contact
Mike Wilson
mwilson@hcde-texas.org
Harris County Department of Education
https://hcde-texas.org
CASE for Kids
https://hcde-texas.org/afterschool-zone
![EP 88: Part 1 of CASE for Kids End of the Year Celebration]()
May 6, 2022
Today we are featuring the CASE for Kids, End of the Year Celebration to highlight After School Professionals Appreciation Week. Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week is annually celebrated the last week of April and includes celebrations and public relations efforts to highlight and support all the afterschool professionals who make a significant difference in the lives of young people. This episode I interviewed OST professionals to learn their perceptions of the importance of after school programs.
During this podcast you will learn the following:
- What is great about the OST field?
- What motivates them to work with youth?
- Why is it important to have after school programs available in your community?
- What advice would you give anyone who wants to work with youth?
Guest
My guest includes Michael Ewing, Director of Program Services with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Houston, AnaKaren Valerio with After School to Achieve, Dr. Courtney Jones with Perfection Connection, and Telicia Fogle- Simon, with Choice Nation Academy,
Resources
Michael Ewing, Director of Program Services Boys and Girls Clubs of Houston
ewing@bgcgh.org
AnaKaren Valerio After School to Achieve,
AnaKaren@afterschooltoachieve.com
Dr. Courtney Jones Perfection Connection,
Curtney@theperfctconnection.org
Telicia Fogle- Simon, Choice Nation Academy
tfoglesimon@choicenationacademy.oeg
Mike Wilson
mwilson@hcde-texas.org
Harris County Department of Education
https://hcde-texas.org
CASE for Kids
https://hcde-texas.org/afterschool-zone
May 5, 2022
This is a preview of episodes 88 and 89 which features CASE for Kids, End of the Year Celebration to highlight After School Professionals Appreciation Week. Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week is annually celebrated the last week of April and includes celebrations and public relations efforts to highlight and support all the afterschool professionals who make a significant difference in the lives of young people.
I took advantage of our End of the Year program to interview out of school time professionals to get their perceptions of their experience working with youth during non-school hours.
My guest answered the questions including what is great about the OST field; What motivates them to work with youth; Why is it important to have after school programs available in your community; And what advice would you give anyone who wants to work with youth?
![Ep 87: The Level Up Houston Initiative Providing Students the opportunity to earn Digital Badges]()
April 29, 2022
Today’s topic focuses on a project CASE for Kids is implementing. The Level Up Houston initiative provide students with the opportunity to earn digital badges for completion of an activity or task. A digital badge gives learners a method to convey their abilities in a way that is simple, trusted and can be easily validated. To discuss the Level Up Houston initiative is Mark Niles, CASE for Kids Manager of College and Career Readiness.
During this podcast you will learn the following:
- What is the Level Up Houston initiative
- What is digital badging
- How will digital badging play a role with Level up Houston
- What are the benefits for students earning a digital badge?
- What other assistance will be needed to continue the initiative’s progress.
Guest
To discuss the Level Up Houston initiative is Mark Niles, CASE for Kids Manager of College and Career Readiness. Prior to working with CASE. Mark worked with Hooson ISD for 10 years and was the Director of the Houston Urban debate league for approximately 3 years. He lives in Houston with his wife and two kids.
Resources
Mark Niles
Mark.niles@hcde-texas.org
713-696-1346
Mike Wilson
mwilson@hcde-texas.org
Harris County Department of Education
https://hcde-texas.org
CASE for Kids
https://hcde-texas.org/afterschool-zone
April 27, 2022
This is a preview of Episode 87 of the Making After School Cool podcast where this week’s topic focuses on The Level Up Houston initiative which will provide students with the opportunity to earn digital badges for completion of an activity or task. My guest will be Mark Niles, CASE for Kids Manager of College and Career Readiness.
![EP 86: Now is the Time to Finalize Your Summer Program Ideas]()
April 25, 2022
If you have not before now made plans for your summer camp you are running a little late. Therefore, the topic of this week’s episode is “the time is now to finalize your ideas for a great summer program.” For the last couple of years, I’ve discussed with Kristin Miller, our summer camp expert and founder of eteachingme, to provide advice for parents concerning selecting the right summer program for their kids, as well as guidance for summer camp staff with planning a fun, safe and great summer camp
During this podcast you will learn:
- Lessons learned from dealing with COVID the last few years?
- Factors parents should look for when considering the type of summer program, they may want to enroll their children?
- What are benefits for kids when they attend summer programs?
- What are the main components summer program practitioners should include in their summer program?
- What types of training do program staff need to have access to prior to the start of their placement in a program site?
- Even though Covid numbers have decreased, what are some best practices staff should implement when hosting a summer program this year?
Guest
Kristin Miller is an author of many educational resources and has over 18 years of professional and direct experience in early education, including classroom teaching, tutoring, and presenting workshops. She is a professional curriculum writer, and self-publisher of eTeachingMe. eTeachingMe is an online early childhood curriculum for parents, and educators to use when teaching children aged 1 to 5 years old. She also has experience planning and operating summer camps and is a valuable resource for parents, and summer program staff with creating a positive summer experience for children.
Resources
Kristin Miller
www.eteachingme.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
April 22, 2022
This is a preview of Episode 86 of the Making After School Cool podcast the topic of this week’s episode is “the time is now to finalize your ideas for a great summer program.” If you have not already made plans for your summer program you are running a little late. Most after school programs are nearing the end of the spring semester, so site directors should be shifting their focus to their summer program
For the last couple of years, I’ve discussed topic with Kristin Miller, founder of eteachingme, to provide advice for parents concerning selecting the right summer program for their kids, as well as guidance for summer camp staff with planning a fun, safe and great summer camp. She has experience planning and operating summer camps and is a valuable resource for parents, and summer program staff with creating a positive summer experience for children.
![EP 85: Teaching Students SEL Skill Featuring Dr. Lorea Martínez]()
April 13, 2022
Episode 85 of the Making After School Cool podcast centers on the growing trend of teaching students Social Emotional Learning skills. People with strong social-emotional skills are better equipped to manage daily challenges, build positive relationships, and make informed decisions. To discuss what it can look like to implement SEL skills in schools, after school programs, and at home is my guest Dr. Lorea Martinez.
During this interview you will learn:
- Why is awareness of Social Emotional Learning important
- The benefits for schools to teach social emotional learning
- The connection between students understanding of SEL and their social behavior at school?
- How to get the book Teach with the HEART in Mind, A complete educator’s guide to social emotional learning
Guest
Dr. Lorea Martínez Pérez is the award-winning founder of HEART in Mind Consulting, a company dedicated to helping schools and organizations integrate Social Emotional Learning in their practices, products, and learning communities. She has worked with schools, districts, and organizations to guide SEL implementation efforts, including training teachers and leadership teams, and provided guidance to educational technology and media companies to help them integrate SEL in their products.
An educator who has worked with children and adults internationally, Dr. Martínez is a faculty member at Columbia University Teachers College, educating aspiring principals in Emotional Intelligence. She has conducted extensive research in the SEL field with a focus on SEL implementation, principals’ Emotional Intelligence, teacher preparation, and school climate. She frequently blogs about how to incorporate SEL in teaching practices, leadership, and parenting. Dr. Martínez started her career as a special education teacher and administrator. A native of the Costa Brava in Spain, she currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and two daughters.
Resources
Dr. Lorea Martinez
Loreamartinez.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
April 11, 2022
Today we are going to preview episode 85 which centers on the growing trend of teaching students Social Emotional Learning skills. People with strong social-emotional skills are better equipped to manage daily challenges, build positive relationships, and make informed decisions. To discuss what it can look like to implement SEL skills in schools, after school programs, and at home is my guest Dr. Lorea Martinez. Dr. Martínez is the award-winning founder of HEART in Mind Consulting, a company dedicated to helping schools and organizations integrate Social Emotional Learning in their practices, products, and learning communities.
![Ep 84: The Girls Empowerment Network]()
March 29, 2022
Today the Making After School Cool Podcast honors Women’s History Month by Highlighting the Girls Empowerment Network. Through a variety of services, the Girls Empowerment Network help girls realize they are powerful and there is nothing they can’t accomplish. To speak on today’s topic is my guest Kameryn Poullard Sampson, who is the Program Manager of the Girls Empowerment Network in Houston.
During this podcast you will learn:
- A short history of the Girl Empowerment network
- Why it is important to work with girls in the age range of 3rd grade, to 12th grade
- Are the services the Girls Empowerment Network provide hosted on school campus, community youth serving organization or, small groups
- How can people volunteer or be involved with Girls Empowerment Network
Guest
Kameryn Poullard Sampson began working with the Girls Empowerment Network a little over three years ago. However, her involvement regarding women’s issues began during her colligate undergraduate years when she was a volunteer hotline advocate for STAR, which stands for (Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response) as well as with the Iris Domestic Violence Shelter. Kameryn also was an Executive Board Member for the Minority Women’s Movement, a group in advocates and provide female students from minority communities with networking, mentoring, community service, and overall fellowship experiences on the campus of Louisiana State University campus.
Resources
The Girls Empowerment Network
https://www.girlsempowermentnetwork.org/
Mike Wilson
mwilson@hcde-texas.org
Harris County Department of Education
https://hcde-texas.org
CASE for Kids
https://hcde-texas.org/afterschool-zone
