Podcast – Blaire Penry, 2024 Washington state Teacher of the Year

by Arik Korman

Blaire Penry, the 2024 Washington state Teacher of the YearIn our Putting Students First podcast, we interview policymakers, partners, and thought leaders to spotlight education policies, research, and practices so that together we can create a brighter future for every Washington student.

In this episode, League of Education Voters Interim Co-CEO / Communications Director Arik Korman interviews Blaire Penry, the 2024 Washington state Teacher of the Year, about how career technical education and fine arts can be taught in an equitable way, how her students lead their learning, how to create culturally responsive practices at the school district level, and how she would change Washington state’s education system if she were in charge and there were no budgetary constraints.

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Podcast – Adar Abdi Student Profile

by Arik Korman

Adar AbdiIn our Putting Students First podcast, we interview policymakers, partners, and thought leaders to spotlight education policies, research, and practices so that together we can create a brighter future for every Washington student.

In this episode, League of Education Voters Interim Co-CEO / Communications Director Arik Korman interviews Adar Abdi, a senior at Evergreen High School in Highline Public Schools, a Running Start student at South Seattle College, the Director of Community Outreach for the Washington state Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC), and a current King County Equity Cabinet member. Adar discusses her education journey, how she envisions life after high school, and how she would change Washington state’s education system if she were in charge and there were no budgetary constraints.

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Podcast – Jeremiah Audet Student Profile

by Arik Korman

In our Putting Students First podcast, we interview policymakers, partners, and thought leaders to spotlight education policies, research, and practices so that together we can create a brighter future for every Washington student.

In this episode, League of Education Voters Interim Co-CEO / Communications Director Arik Korman interviews Jeremiah Audet, a sophomore at Rogers High School in Spokane Public Schools and a member of the Student Potential Youth Advisory Council (SPYAC), part of the Investing in Student Potential coalition that was created to design systems to give every learner what they need, when they need it. Jeremiah discusses his education journey, how he envisions life after high school, and how he would change Washington state’s education system if he were in charge and there were no budgetary constraints.

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Podcast – Isolation and Restraint in Washington state Schools

by Arik Korman

In our Putting Students First podcast, we interview policymakers, partners, and thought leaders to spotlight education policies, research, and practices so that together we can create a brighter future for every Washington student.

Isolation and restraint in schools hurts our most vulnerable students. In this episode, League of Education Voters Acting CEO Arik Korman discusses alternatives to isolation and restraint of students, policies that can be implemented at the school district level to support school leaders and staff, and direct impacts of isolation and restraint on students.

We were honored to interview:

  • Justin Hendrickson, Principal at South Shore PreK-8 in Seattle Public Schools
  • Liza Rankin, Vice President of the Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors
  • Dorian Taylor, a survivor of isolation and restraint practices who now works to advance disability justice at the county level
  • Chris Baglien, a survivor of isolation and restraint practices who now is a father and a student in a postsecondary automotive program in Skagit County

 

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Washington Game Changers Podcast – Dr. Tonya Drake of Western Governors University

by Arik Korman

Washington Game Changers with Lauri Hennessey features leaders who give back to our community, drive innovative solutions, and inspire others in making our state more equitable and just. This podcast is a one-on-one conversation with these powerful leaders in a time when we need to hear about more good in the world.

In this episode, League of Education Voters CEO Lauri Hennessey interviews Dr. Tonya Drake, Chancellor and Regional Vice President of Western Governors University. Dr. Drake talks about higher education, equity, and the importance of lifelong learning.

 

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Podcast – Dana Miles, the 2023 Washington state Teacher of the Year

by Arik Korman

In our Putting Students First podcast, we interview policymakers, partners, and thought leaders to spotlight education policies, research, and practices so that together we can create a brighter future for every Washington student.

In this episode, League of Education Voters Communications Director Arik Korman interviews Dana Miles, the 2023 Washington state Teacher of the Year, about why language is so important to students in the deaf community, strategies for preparing students in the deaf community for what comes after high school, her personal education journey, what she would change if she were in charge of our state’s education system, and why she loves the Harry Potter saga.

 

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Washington Game Changers Podcast – Author Karen Pruett on Media and Amanda Knox

by Arik Korman

Washington Game Changers with Lauri Hennessey features leaders who give back to our community, drive innovative solutions, and inspire others in making our state more equitable and just. This podcast is a one-on-one conversation with these powerful leaders in a time when we need to hear about more good in the world.

In this episode, League of Education Voters CEO Lauri Hennessey interviews Karen Pruett, who just co-wrote a book about Amanda Knox, a Puget Sound woman you may have heard of when she was accused of murder in Italy more than a decade ago. Karen’s new book, Trial By Liar, looks at the injustice of Knox’s imprisonment, the news media, our tendency to gossip and share bad information on social media, and the inspiring positive outlook of Amanda Knox today.

 

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Podcast – Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brent Jones

by Arik Korman

In our Putting Students First podcast, we interview policymakers, partners, and thought leaders to spotlight education policies, research, and practices so that together we can create a brighter future for every Washington student.

In this episode, League of Education Voters Communications Director Arik Korman interviews Dr. Brent Jones, Superintendent of Seattle Public Schools, about his priorities for Seattle Public Schools and how he measures success, how the district is supporting student mental health, his personal education journey, and what he would change if he were in charge of Washington state’s education system and there were no budgetary constraints.

 

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Washington Game Changers Podcast – Cindy Black of Fix Democracy First

by Arik Korman

Washington Game Changers with Lauri Hennessey features leaders who give back to our community, drive innovative solutions, and inspire others in making our state more equitable and just. This podcast is a one-on-one conversation with these powerful leaders in a time when we need to hear about more good in the world.

In this episode, League of Education Voters CEO Lauri Hennessey interviews Cindy Black, Executive Director of Fix Democracy First, an organization that is involved in everything from election reform to voter education for young people, from recruiting women to run for office to getting dark money out of politics.

 

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Podcast – NPR’s Anya Kamenetz on How COVID Changed Children’s Lives

by Arik Korman

In our Putting Students First podcast, we interview policymakers, partners, and thought leaders to spotlight education policies, research, and practices so that together we can create a brighter future for every Washington student.

In this episode, League of Education Voters Communications Director Arik Korman interviews former NPR Education Correspondent Anya Kamenetz about the impacts of keeping students out of school as long as we did during the COVID pandemic, why this past school year was so challenging for students and educators, and why it’s so important for schools to prioritize relationships and social-emotional well-being moving forward.

Anya’s new book is The Stolen Year: How COVID Changed Children’s Lives, and Where We Go Now.

 

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