Making After-School Cool Podcast

Ep 30: Houston public library services during COVID-19

This episode of the Making Afterschool Cool Podcast is a continuation of the series of interviews exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the out-of-school time field. Today, Mary Wagner of the Houston Public Library will be discussing summer youth services offered through the library.

During this episode you will learn more about:
• Adjustments implemented since the COVID-19 pandemic began
• Action steps if you have books or other items checked out
• Return for checked out items and fee assessment for overdue items
• Summer services provided through the library
• Resources available for all age groups

Guest
As Youth Services Advocate for Houston Public Library (HPL), Mary Wagoner, M.L.I.S., has a combined 28 years of Library Management, Project Management and Youth Services experience at Houston Public Library. Mary served as Project Director for two Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grants, the Fountain of Youth grant in 2009 and Pop Up Library grant in 2012. In her former role as Special Project Manager, she served as the Project Lead and Steering Committee Chair of several Lean 6 Sigma studies, including the Library Materials Selection Division which resulted in reorganization of the division, a new Holds print solution and new Holds labels. Mary was the Project Lead for TLA Award Winning Children’s Zone in response to Hurricane Ike.
Mary served as President of Texas Library Association’s TALL Texans from 2010 to 2011. She belongs to, and has made professional presentations at ALA, ALSC, PLA and TLA on various topics, including: Disaster Response (Katrina, Ike & Harvey), the Pop-Up Library, YPQI (Weikert’s Youth Program Quality Improvement) and Library Collections. In her current role, Mary and her team strive to meet the challenges of providing cohesive and innovative free youth programming and services for children of all ages and parent education as part of a dynamic organization that serves 2.2 million Houston residents and 4.3 million residents in the greater Houston metropolitan area.

Resources
Houston Public Library
https://houstonlibrary.org

Harris County Department of Education
https://hcde-texas.org

CASE for Kids
https://hcde-texas.org/afterschool-zone

Ep 29 OST supports Working families during Covid19

This episode of the Making Afterschool podcast explores the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the connection between OST providers and families that need support. The guest for this episode, Kimberly Woods, is a working parent and designated essential worker. She shares her family’s experiences adapting to the new normal, as well as, how childcare provided by the YMCA of Greater Houston has helped her family.

During this episode you will learn more about:
· Her response to uncertainty and questions since learning about COVID-19
· The YMCA childcare program and its impact on her child
· The special precautions the Y had in place to keep children, staff and parents safe
· The procedures the Y has in place to connect parents with students during the day
· Questions parents should ask when choosing an OST provider

Guest
Kimberly Woods is an occupational therapist on the Spinal Cord Injury Unit at the VA hospital and has been for the last 14yrs. Prior to COVID-19 she was full-time in-hospital, however currently M-F teleworking at home; and in-hospital treating patients two days a week. For years, her sons have been cared for by YMCA facilities when not at home, with one son attending the Medical Center YMCA since 12wks old and the other attends summer camps there as well. Her husband works for the city of Houston and has also been an essential employee during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Resources
YMCA of Greater Houston
www.ymcahouston.org

Harris County Department of Education
https://hcde-texas.org

CASE for Kids
https://hcde-texas.org/afterschool-zone

 

 

Ep 28: Motivating students to learn during COVID-19

This episode of the Making Afterschool Cool Podcast features Dr. Dan Vollrath. We will be discussing strategies for motivating students to learn during the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote learning has brought many new challenges, but the need to effectively engage students remains constant. Today’s topic focuses on keeping students motivated during COVID-19, especially those with learning disabilities. During this episode you will learn about:

1. Strategies parents and teachers can use to keep students motivated, especially those with learning disabilities.
2. Best practices for dealing with student procrastination
3. Movement breaks and exercise and their benefits for students completing schoolwork
4. Benefits of reflective time for students during learning
5. Mindful-hyper focus and the importance of practicing it

Guest
Dr. Daniel Vollrath is a special education teacher at Hunterdon Central Regional High School in New Jersey. In addition, Daniel serves as a U.S. professional development trainer with the Institute for Habits of Mind. With a strong passion for developing curriculum, building student relationships, and fostering executive function techniques infused with the Habits of Mind, Vollrath has created a more responsive and mindful classroom culture. Dispositional thinking, reflective techniques, and instructional procedures connected to Habits of Mind serve an integral role in his daily pedagogy. Feel free to email Daniel at danvollrath44@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @HabitsofMindInc, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Resources
De-escalation with Habits of Mind Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UETaYQnXO28&t=4s

De-escalation Exercise article
https://www.edutopia.org/article/de-escalation-exercise-upset-students

Building Resilience in Students
https://www.edutopia.org/article/encouraging-students-develop-resilience

A collection of blogs and articles through the Institute for Habits of Mind
https://www.habitsofmindinstitute.org/category/authors/daniel-vollrath/

Harris County Department of Education
https://hcde-texas.org

CASE for Kids
https://hcde-texas.org/afterschool-zone

 

Ep 27: Out 2 Learn Resources during COVID-19

This episode of the Making Afterschool Cool Podcast features the Out 2 Learn resource network. Initiated in 2017, Out 2 Learn is a collaborative initiative dedicated to increasing access to and improving the quality of out-of-school time (OST) opportunities in Greater Houston. This is a collaborative effort led by Houston Endowment, the City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Education, Harris County Department of Education’s CASE for Kids, and United Way of Greater Houston. Out 2 Learn is a valuable resource for parents in Houston to find out-of-school and afterschool programs that will benefit and engage their children.

During this this podcast you will learn about:

· The purpose of Out 2 Learn
· Other similar quality initiatives in Texas and United States
· Out 2 Learn as a resource for youth service providers
· Out 2 Learn as a resource for parents
· Future funding opportunities related to COVID-19

Guest
Tiffany Echevarria has served the community for over seven years through various capacities. She is tremendously grateful for the opportunity to have served as an AmeriCorps member implementing an afterschool program. She credits that experience for inspiring her dedication to the OST field. Tiffany currently manages grant processes aimed at strengthening programs that support youth ages five to early adulthood. She also supports several projects that convene partners to work collaboratively, including Out 2 Learn.

Resources
Greater Houston COVID-19 Recovery Fund
https://www.greaterhoustonrecovery.org

Greater Houston COVID-19 Recovery Fund -- Inquiry Fund
https://www.greaterhoustonrecovery.org/covid-19-nonprofit-inquiry-form

Out 2 Learn's Website
www.Out2LearnHOU.org

Harris County Department of Education
https://hcde-texas.org

CASE for Kids
https://hcde-texas.org/afterschool-zone

 

Ep 26: High school students share COVID-19 experiences

This episode of the Making Afterschool Podcast focuses on the viewpoints of two high school students adjusting to new ways of doing things because of COVID-19. They share their thoughts and experiences while practicing social distancing.

During this this podcast you will learn:
• Virtually getting and completing class assignments
• Elective courses which requires the use of special equipment
• Socializing with friends without being in contact
• Advice for teachers and other students if something like this ever happens again

Guests
Brandon Cephus is originally from New Orleans, LA. He is a senior at Wheatley High School in Houston, TX who likes to write stories and play video games. He is a car enthusiast and plans to attend Houston Community College to study Game Design.

JonMitchell Goode is a senior at Wheatley High School from Houston, TX. He is a prolific music producer, recording artist and visual artist. He enjoys writing poetry, playing video games, and watching video games during his free time. He plans to follow his passion and study Music Production at Houston Community College

Together, they are the hosts of the Pen and Paper Podcast. In each episode, they explore the many aspects of student life, from getting to school to field trips to interviews with some of their most engaging teachers. If you enjoy funny, educational stories, this podcast is for you.

Resources

Andrew Karnavas
andrew@yawprecords.com

Harris County Department of Education
https://hcde-texas.org

CASE for Kids
https://hcde-texas.org/afterschool-zone

Ep 25: Be Confident Parents for Confident Kids During COVID-19

This episode of the Making Afterschool Cool Podcast focuses on strategies parents and caregivers can use to inspire confidence in kids during the pandemic.  Building youth’s self esteem and resilience has never been more important as they confront issues related to the coronavirus. Consequently, the lessons we learn during this new normal can assist parents and out-of-school time (OST) professionals with new innovative methods to teach youth. Our guest, Jennifer Miller is a published author, writer of the Confident Parents Confident Kids blog and sought after expert contributor on national news outlets regarding promoting social and emotional learning at home.

During this this podcast you will learn how:

• Youth serving institutions and school programs are changing and adapting to this new normal
• Parents can promote youth resiliency and social emotional skills at home     
• Parents can be be a role models to keep kids calm or decrease their fear
• Adults can help youth express their thoughts and feelings regarding the pandemic

Guest

For twenty-five years, Jennifer Miller has worked with educators and families to help them become more effective with children through social and emotional learning (SEL). She is author and illustrator of the new book “Confident Parents, Confident Kids: Raising Emotional Intelligence In Ourselves and Our Kids” and her blog has more than 23,000 followers in 152 countries world-wide. She serves as a regular expert contributor to NBC TODAY Parenting and to PBS Kids. She writes and offers expertise for numerous publications including The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, and Parent Magazine. She serves on the Tauck Family Foundation’s Advisory Committee along with members from Child Trends, Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, and Harvard’s School of Education. She consults with schools, conducts research and creates tools on parenting and SEL with partners at the University of Pittsburgh, Montana State University, and the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning. She frequently speaks at conferences, offers coaching to parents one-on-one, and conducts workshops in Ohio and nationally. She has her master’s degree in Instructional Leadership with a focus on social and emotional development and lives with her husband and twelve-year-old son in Columbus, Ohio.

Resources

Confident Parents Confident Kids webpage

https://confidentparentsconfidentkids.org/

CASEL CARES: SEL Resource During COVID-19

https://casel.org/covid-resources

Harris County Department of Education

https://hcde-texas.org

CASE for Kids

https://hcde-texas.org/afterschool-zone

 

 

Ep 24: Staying mentally healthy during COVID-19

This episode of the Making Afterschool Cool Podcast focuses on strategies family members can use to help with stress and anxiety during the coronavirus pandemic. As the coronavirus pandemic continues, many are feeling overwhelmed while adjusting to the limitations of life under social distancing practices. For adult caregivers trying to keep school-age kids busy, and/or assisting older parents, this can be an increasingly difficult time. Our guest, Lauren Pursley of Mental Health America of Greater Houston will share coping strategies for this time.

 

During this podcast we will discuss the following:

 

• Strategies for best coping mentally with news reports detailing effects of the COVID-19 outbreak
• Practical tips to deal with anxiety​
• Practices to implement to overcome the feeling of loneliness caused by social distancing
• Activities that can be used in a program to decrease anxiety for students
• Suggestions to help others feeling grief over the loss of routines, and the uncertainty of the future

 

Guest

Lauren Pursley is an experienced Training Specialist with years of experience in the mental health care industry. She trains educators and community members in the signs and symptoms of mental illness, trauma and trauma-informed practices and suicide prevention. In addition, Lauren develops trainings in areas of mental health, such as Self-care and Burnout Prevention, Postpartum Disorders and Mental Health Law.

 

Resources

Mental health of America upgraded Houston 

https://mhahouston.org/

 

Family Services of Greater Houston

https://www.familyhouston.org/

 

Texas Department of State Health Services

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/faq.aspx

Ep 23: Teaching Students a Social Mindset

This episode of the Making Afterschool Cool podcast focuses on the positive influence a social mindset can have on students' interactions with their peers, adults, and accomplishing academic endeavors. Researchers have found that students who positively engaged with their classmates and community members tend to remain on strong academic paths through high school as well as college (Hurtado and DeAngelo, 2012). To speak on the benefits of a social mindset is our featured guest, Dr. Rodney Glasgow, an expert in the field of civic engagement and developing a social mindset in youth.

Today's guest

Dr. Rodney Glasgow is a noted speaker, facilitator, trainer, and activist in the areas of diversity, equity, and social justice and has given numerous keynote presentations, delivered workshops, and offered consultation to schools and organizations nationwide. He was a member of Call-to-Action, the advisory board to the Vice President of Equity and Justice for the National Association of Independent Schools. He is an advisory board member for the Family Diversity Projects, Inc. and serves as Chair of the Diversity and Education Committee of the Board of Trustees for Sheridan School in Washington, DC.  He is one of the founding members and now Chair of the National Association of Independent School's annual Student Diversity Leadership Conference, a 25-year-old training ground drawing over 1600 high school students nationwide. In 2014, Rodney launched the National Diversity Practitioners Institute, an intensive summer program that is now a highly respected training ground for school leaders run by his consortium of consultants known as The Glasgow Group.

You'll Learn

• Ways to encourage students to develop a social mindset
• Why is it important for students to be aware of the diversity, equity, and social issues existing around them
• Ways to create a setting where students can display compassion and understanding of the needs of others who may be different from them
• The roles adults play in encouraging a dialogue regarding diversity and equity and social issues
• Ways after school programs and other non-profit organizations can support the diversity and cultural differences which exist in their communities

Resources

CASE for Kids

• https://hcde-texas.org/afterschool-zone/

 

• Information regarding Dr. Glasgow
• https://www.rodneyglasgow.com/
• https://www.theglasgowgroup.org/rodney-glasgow.html

 

• Why Middle School Is an Ideal Time to Teach Civic Engagement by Dr. Rodney Glasgow
• https://www.nais.org/learn/independent-ideas/september-2015/why-middle-school-is-an-ideal-time-to-teach-civic/

 

• 4 Ways to Use a 'Social Mindset' and Boost Employee Engagement by Andre Lavoie
• https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/295012

 

• Social Mindset: A Key to Engaging People by Tanmay Vora
• http://qaspire.com/2017/05/08/social-mindset-a-key-to-engaging-talent/
• Mindset: What they are and why they matter by Dr. Gary Kline
• https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/seeing-what-others-dont/201605/mindsets

 

 

Ep 22: Food Insecurity of Youth

This episode of the Making After School Cool podcast focuses on factors contributing to food insecurity experienced by youth.  Hear Lauren White and Anna Burrows of the Houston Food bank discuss programs and services available to communities to combat hunger. For more information regarding services provided by the Houston Food Bank, visit houstonfoodbank.org

Resources

Harris County Department of Education

https://hcde-texas.org

CASE for Kids

https://hcde-texas.org/afterschool-zone

Ep 21: The Power of Words

This episode of the Making After School Cool podcast focuses on using the power of words to create a great 2020 program year.  Hear from CASE for Kids staff as they share their hopes for the new year.

Resources

Harris County Department of Education

https://hcde-texas.org

CASE for Kids

https://hcde-texas.org/afterschool-zone