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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

Feb 7, 2023
Feb 7, 2023
3 min
This is a preview of episode 113 the Making After School Cool podcast which focuses on the importance of youth knowing how to dress for success and features my conversation with Mr. Michael Williams, founder of Ties Required Plus.
Understanding what is expected for various environments can help people avoid embarrassing situations. But there's more to it than knowing the correct way to sit at a formal function. It really comes down to relationships between people.

Jan 26, 2023
Jan 26, 2023
25 min
This episode of the Making After School Cool podcast tackles the subject of discussing body diversity with youth and features my conversation with Pam Luk, Founder at Ember & Ace. The perceptions of body image changes when kids go through puberty, is shaped by the media, and what others say about beauty standards. During this time in their lives youth need educators, parents and other adults in their lives to do things to help support a child's healthy body image.
During this Podcast you will learn more about the following:
- Advice parents can give to youth regarding how they could help kids love their bodies.
- Why is it important for parents to be aware of how they speak around youth regarding beauty standards and body types?
- Why is it important to use the term body diversity to when discussing how people come in all shapes and sizes
- Why it is important for parents and other caring adults to have small conversations with youth concerning different body types as well as listen to kids concerns regarding the issues.
Guest
Pam Luk, Founder at Ember & Ace. In 2021, Pam left behind the world of tech product management to start a new athletic clothing line specifically for bigger-bodied kids. Ember & Ace is an athletic wear brand designed exclusively for plus size kids.
Resources
Pamela Luk
Ember and Ace
Mike Wilson
Harris County Department of Education
https://hcde-texas.org
CASE for Kids
https://hcde-texas.org/afterschool-zone

Jan 24, 2023
Jan 24, 2023
3 min
This is a preview of episode 112 of the Making After School Cool podcast which will tackle the subject of discussing Body Diversity with Youth. The perceptions of body image grow over time. It changes when kids go through puberty and shaped by the media and what others say about beauty standards. During this time in their life’s youth need educators, parents and other adults to help support a child's healthy body image.
Therefor this upcoming episode of the Making After School Cool podcast features my conversation with Pam Luk, founder of Ember and Ace.

Jan 18, 2023
Jan 18, 2023
17 min
Welcome back for part 2 of my 2-part interview with my guest Julia Gabor and Michelle Pina with Kid- Grit. During this episode you will hear our ongoing discussion concerning the importance of students being resilient and having grit. This is a continuation of our previous interview so it is already in progress.
During this podcast you will learn more about the following:
- How do parents and educators teach students patience and a strong work ethic
- Services available to adults, which compliments the training given to students
- How the skills present in kid-grit are transferable to the corporate sector
Guest
Julia Gabor is an award-winning educator and national speaker. She is the co-founder of kid-grit. kid-grit supports students (PK-12) with curriculum and workshops and supports educators with evidence based professional development and coaching. Currently, kid-grit is expanding into corporate learning space in partnership with Academic Solutions Group. She designs, trains, and facilitates workshops for educators, small businesses, mentor programs and students. Julia has been teaching/leading groups since she was a teenager working alongside her mother, who is a master acting teacher, and coach in the USA and Europe.
Michelle Pena education background began as a toddler accompanying her mom to college classes, helping her set up her elementary classrooms, and eventually as a substitute teacher while her mom was a middle school principal. Michelle’s professional career launched as middle school teacher and quickly evolved into administrative roles. Her experiences include professional development coordinator, program evaluator, federal grant director, and out-of-school time program director for school districts. She has over 15 years of experience in leading and starting up self-funded OST programs for school districts and 25 years in education management. More recently, Michelle has worked as a consultant, with out-of-school time organizations, technology companies and various non-profits in the areas of business development, strategic and sustainability planning, professional development, curriculum design and grant writing.
Resources
kid-grit
Mike Wilson
Harris County Department of Education
https://hcde-texas.org
CASE for Kids

Jan 11, 2023
Jan 11, 2023
26 min
This is part one of a two part series of episodes which features a conversation I had with my guest Julia Gabor and Michelle Pina with kid- grit as we discuss the importance of students being resilient and having grit. Talent alone is not always what makes individuals succeed. People seldom achieve their goals without effort. That is why grit is essential element for success.
During this podcast you will learn more about the following:
- Their inspiration for providing resources and trainings designed to empowers students and educators
- Their definition of grit and why is it important for youth to have it
- What is kid-grit, when was it developed, it purposes and target groups
- How do parents and educators teach students patience and a strong work ethic
- Services available to adults, which compliments the training given to students
- How the skills present in kid-grit are transferable to the corporate sector
Guest
Julia Gabor is an award-winning educator and national speaker. She is the co-founder of kid-grit. kid-grit supports students (PK-12) with curriculum and workshops and supports educators with evidence based professional development and coaching. Currently, kid-grit is expanding into corporate learning space in partnership with Academic Solutions Group. She designs, trains and facilitates workshops for educators, small businesses, mentor programs and students. Julia has been teaching/leading groups since she was a teenager working alongside her mother, who is a master acting teacher, and coach in the USA and Europe.
Michelle Pena education background began as a toddler accompanying her mom to college classes, helping her set up her elementary classrooms, and eventually as a substitute teacher while her mom was a middle school principal. Michelle’s professional career launched as middle school teacher and quickly evolved into administrative roles. Her experiences include professional development coordinator, program evaluator, federal grant director, and out-of-school time program director for school districts. She has over 15 years of experience in leading and starting up self-funded OST programs for school districts and 25 years in education management. More recently, Michelle has worked as a consultant, with out-of-school time organizations, technology companies and various non-profits in the areas of business development, strategic and sustainability planning, professional development, curriculum design and grant writing.
Resources
kid-grit
Mike Wilson
Harris County Department of Education
https://hcde-texas.org
CASE for Kids

Jan 9, 2023
Jan 9, 2023
4 min
Talent alone is not always what makes individuals succeed. People seldom achieve their goals without effort. That’s why grit is essential element for success. This a preview of a two part series of episodes featuring a conversation with my guest Julia Gabor and Michelle Pina with Kid- Grit as we discuss the importance of students being resilient and having grit.

Dec 20, 2022
Dec 20, 2022
30 min
Today’s episode of the Making After School Cool podcast centers on the positive influence a role model can have on youth. According to Dr. Marilyn Price-Mitchell by the time children become adolescents, they should be able to separate the positive and negative behaviors of the people they admire. This episode features my conversation with Juliet Stipeche, a true role model for countless people in the Houston Area.
Guest
In 2010, Juliet Stipeche wished to serve her community and support public education and was elected to the Houston Independent School District (HISD) Board of Education as the Trustee of District 8. During her tenure, she served as Chairperson of HISD’s Audit Committee for three years, pushed for administrative and educational reform, and was elected by her peers to serve as the Board President.
In 2013, Juliet joined Rice University as the Associate Director for the Richard Tapia Center for Excellence and Equity. In 2016, Mayor Sylvester Turner selected Ms. Stipeche to serve as the Director of Education for the Mayor’s Office of Education (MOE), a new position and office within the mayor’s administration. She developed a new office focused on educational equity and opportunity for all ages in Houston by promoting city-wide collaboration, communication, and coordination. Juliet worked on education and workforce issues from cradle to career and developed city-wide programs from Hire Houston Youth to Be Well, Be Connected.
She currently serves as Director of Human Services, leading the Gulf Coast Workforce Solutions, and the Houston-Galveston Area Agency on Aging, and Aging and Disability Resource Center programs. Juliet has a long and distinguish history of developing creative programs and collaborations to support educational and workforce efforts for her community.
Resources
Juliet Stipeche
juliet.stipeche@wrksolutions.net
Mike Wilson
mwilson@hcde-texas.org

Dec 16, 2022
Dec 16, 2022
4 min
Today’s preview episode of the Making After School Cool podcast centers on the positive influence a role model can have on youth. According to Dr. Marilyn Price-Mitchell by the time children become adolescents, they should be able to separate the positive and negative behaviors of the people they admire. During this preview I will be highlighting and speaking with Juliet Stipeche. A true role model for countless people in the Houston Area.

Dec 1, 2022
Dec 1, 2022
15 min
This episode of the Making After School Cool podcast focuses on helping teens face complex issues in their lives.
The transition from childhood to teenager can sometimes be difficult for parents and the teens alike. To address adolescent dilemmas and challenges, is my guest Mr. Kevin Price,
During this podcast you will learn more about the following:
- Best practices to equip youth with the aptitude to handle the various societal issues
- Resources for educators, parents, and youth serving institutions to help youth address their concerns
- Information regarding FACS purpose, services, and how long as it been in existence
- A summary of the different e-courses available through FACS
Guest
Mr. Price retired from Aldines ISD as a twenty-one year veteran educator with a solid history of successfully supporting students by facilitating discussions groups, pro-social activities, intervention strategies and discipline management techniques that enhanced his student success.
Mr. Price is a former pastor, youth minister and instructor at Lone Star College, He has been recognized by Kappa Alpha Psi Incorporate as 1 of 4 Top Educators in Houston, he’s been a Campus Educator of the Year at Aldine Ninth Grade School; Co-Creator of the Aldine Male Initiative Program: Co-Authored FACS Youth Intervention Series and Authored “Education in America; Together, We Can Put It Back on Track.
Resources
Kevin Price
krprice@facsprogram.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

Nov 29, 2022
Nov 29, 2022
This is a preview of episode 109 of the Making After School Cool podcast. The topic focuses on situations teenagers face that without the proper guidance from a caring adult, their concerns can become problematic.
To address these dilemmas, will be my guest Mr. Kevin Price. Mr. Price retired from Aldines ISD as a twenty-one year veteran educator with a solid history of successfully supporting students by facilitating discussions groups, pro-social activities, intervention strategies and discipline management techniques that enhanced his student success.
