Making After-School Cool Podcast

Ep 104: CASE Debates New Project Coordinator Jimi Morales (Part 1)

Today’s episode of the Making After School Cool podcast is the first part of a two-part series which highlights our CASE for Kids Case Debate project . It features my conversation with Jimi Morales, the Project Coordinator for Case Debates. CASE Debates funded by Harris County Department of Education, is a collaboration between CASE for Kids and the Houston Urban Debate League (HUDL). Although this is a free program for students, participants receive training in different formats of debate, and meet other like-minded students locally and nationally.

During this podcast you will learn more about:

1. What can create interest in debate
2. What it is like to be on a debate team and participate in tournaments
3. The different types of debating formats.
4. What are some benefits for students participating in debate

Guest

Jimi Morales is currently the Project Coordinator for Case Debates with Harris County Department of Education. He has taught or coached students in debate all over the country including being the Assistant Director of Debate at the Riverdale Country School  in the Bronx, New York, and Senior Head Coach at Silicon Valley Urban Debate League  in the San Francisco Bay Area. Additionally, Jimi is  a classically trained keyboardist playing and recording with number groups of artists.

Resources

Jimi Morales

Jimi.Morales@hcde-texas.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

Ep 103: OST Professionals Reflections During COVID-19

This episode of the Making After School Cool podcast features the initial experiences of Out of School time professionals during initial stages of the COVID pandemic. During this time of uncertainty, many Out of School time professionals had questions regarding COVID, as well as how to provide safe services for the youth. To learn about the adaptation’s programs had to make, Ms. Helen Spencer conducted interviews with leaders working in the after-school field. These professionals discussed their difficulties to continue services during this time, the importance of  trusting collaborative partners, and the lesson they learned during the pandemic 

During the episode you will learn about:

1. Why was access to quality after school services important during the initial and ongoing stages of the COVID pandemic
2. What adaptations organizations had to implement in their service delivery
3. How were limited English-speaking student populations impacted when services that addressed their needs were reduced
4. What were lessons organizations learned because of COVID

Guest

Ms. Spencer is currently a doctoral student and research assistant at the University of Houston’s Graduate College of Social Work. Her study includes researching contextual factors such as school support that promote adolescent wellbeing in complex families.  She is a former journalist, who previously served as HCDE’s Chief Information Officer, supporting Technology and Communications. In this role, she became familiar with Out of School Time field including providing support for the mission of CASE for Kids to increase equitable access to youth services.  Helen received her Master of Social Work from the University of Houston, and has a daughter, who is also a student at the University of Houston, a stepdaughter, and two stepsons. She and her partner currently live in Houston TX

 Resources

Helen Spencer

helencspencer@gmail.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

Preview Ep 103: OST Professionals Describing Lessons Learned During COVID 19

This is a preview of episode # 103 of the Making after school cool podcast. During this preview you will hear my conversation with Helen Spencer, who is a doctoral student with the University of Houston. Ms. Spencer discussed her work concerning the experiences of Out of School time professional during the peak of COVID 19.  During her interviews, she heard personnel working in the after-school field describe their difficulties during this unprecedented time, their trusting of collaborative partners  and the lesson they learned during the pandemic 

Ep102: How the current climate of divisive opinions Shapes the way Educators Teach

This episode of the Making After School Cool podcast features a discussion with Dr. Deborah Appleman, professor at Carleton College and author of the recently published book Literature and the New Cultural Wars. We examine the challenges those who write and teach secondary literature face in today’s current climate of scrutiny and disagreement.

During this podcast you will learn more about the following:

1. Why literature such an important subject matter for students to study
2. Factors which have made it more complicated to teach literature, and other subject dealing with historical time periods
3. Why cultural representation and diversity is needed in literary works
4. How the current climate of divisive opinions has altered the way educators must currently teach
5. How limiting literary work available to students can hamper their educational, social, and emotional development

Guest

Deborah Appleman previously taught high school English for nine years before receiving her doctorate from the University of Minnesota. She has also been a visiting professor at Syracuse University and at the University of California, Berkeley. Currently Professor Appleman is the Hollis L. Caswell professor of educational studies and director of the Summer Writing Program at Carleton College. Her recent research has focused on teaching college-level language and literature courses at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater for inmates who are interested in pursuing post-secondary education. She is the author  or co-author of more than a dozen books on literacy instruction.

Resources

Dr. Deborah Appleman

deborahappleman.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

 

Preview Ep 102: How the Current Climate of Divisive Opinions Shape the way Educators Teach Today

This is a preview of episode # 102 of the Making after school cool podcast. During this preview you will hear a discussion I had Dr. Deborah Appleman, professor of educational studies at Carleton College, regarding the difficulty of teaching Literature in today’s current state of divisiveness and politics.  Dr. Appleman is the author of the recently published book Literature and the New Cultural Wars, where she offers educators solutions to how to address the complications which might arise teaching literature, as well as other field of studying dealing with historical time periods.

Ep 101: Highlighting Spotivity, an Online Tool Linking Youth to After-school Opportunities

This episode of the Making after School Cool podcast focuses on Spotivity. Spotivity is an interactive search, mapping, and education app that helps students and parents make the best decisions about their after-school activities. To discuss Spotivity is its founder Montana Butsch.

During this podcast you will learn the following:

1. Why are extracurricular and after school activities beneficial to secondary students
2. Why is it important for school counselors and administrators to have knowledge of what students are engaged in during non-school hours.
3. How can the lack of awareness of the variety, and number of activities available to students, hamper their educational, social, and emotional development?
4. An overview of Spotivity and how it benefits students, parents, school administrators and providers

Guest

Montana Butsch is the Founder of Spotivity. Spotivity supports after school programs to increase enrollment and participation rates but also enables kids and their parents to make the best decisions about how to best use their time outside of school hours. Prior to Spotivity Montana Butsch was the founder and CEO of major sports non-profit organization which has served thousands of inner-city children in Chicago and who has formed extensive ties with Chicago business, philanthropy, and government leaders.

Resources

Spotivity

www.spotivity.com

 

Montana Butsch

montanabutsch@gmail.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

 

 

Preview Ep 101: Highlighting Spotivity, an Online Tool Linking Youth to Afterschool Opportunities

Today we are previewing episode 101 of the Making After School Cool podcase which highlights Spotivity, a one-stop online site that connects and tracks secondary students’ participation in after school activities. Spotivity supports after school programs to increase enrollment and participation rates but also enables kids and their parents to make the best decisions about how to best use their time outside of school hours.

EP 100: Starting an After School Program at the Start of the School Year

This is our 100^th full episode of the Making after School Cool podcast and I am excited to have colleagues of CASE for Kids to share in the impressive achievement. The topic of today’s episode focuses on the startup of after schools’ programs as we begin a new school year.  According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the more positive outlets students have at school the better they will feel about their campus.

During this episode you will learn about:

• What inspired professionals to work in the out of school time field
• Why are after school programs important for youth and their parents .
• What the most exciting part this program year

Guest

Chuntania Moore, and Melvin Mead, Regional Site Coordinators of Campus-based Afterschool Programs :Gabby Sams and Maria Adeoti, After School Program Coordinators and Monique Smith, Project Direct  of 21^st Century Cycle 10 campuses.

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

 

 

EP: 99: Resources to Build Students’ Self-esteem

This episode of the Making After School Cool podcast features a discussion concerning students’ self-esteem. The way students see themselves as it pertains to the world around them will influence how they feel and respond in different situations. Self-esteem includes a person’s level of confidence, security, sense of belonging and competence level.

To discuss resources to address students’ self-esteem is my guest today is Margo Jordan, CEO, and founder of Enrichly.

During this podcast you will learn more about:

• What low self-esteem looks like
• What impact does students’ perceptions of themselves have on their social skills, as well as their academic performance
• Why is important to have resources available to help address mental health and self esteem
• How can parents, school districts, and after school programs can Enrichly

Guest

Margo Jordan is a U.S. Army veteran and CEO and founder of Enrichly, an online platform which provides educators, out school professionals and parents with resources to build positive self-esteem in youth and empowerment programs geared towards young people.

Resources

Enrichly Self-Esteem Base E-Learning

www.enrich.ly

Margo Jordan

margob@youthenrichments.com

Mike Wilson

mwilson@hcde-texas.org

Harris County Department of Education

https://hcde-texas.org

 CASE for Kids

hcde-texas.org/afterschool-zone

 

Preview EP 99: Resources for Students’ Self-Esteem

Today we are previewing episode 99 of the Making After School Cool podcase which features a discussion regarding students’ self-esteem. Youths’ self-esteem relates to the way students see themselves as it pertains to the world around them and how they respond in different situations. Self-esteem includes a person’s level of confidence, security, sense of belonging and competence level.

To discuss resources that help to build students’ self-esteem, will be my guest Margo Jordan, CEO and founder of Enrichly, an online platform which provides educators, out school professionals and parents with resources to build positive self-esteem in youth.