Up Close Podcast with Sara Sneed

An Educator’s Role in Shaping Education Policy

Cindy Marten is the United States Deputy Secretary of Education. She was appointed deputy secretary in May 2021 under President Biden and works with Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to shape national education policy.  Her background, however, is not in politics but in the classroom. Her 35-year-long career as an educator took her from classroom teacher to superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District in California and finally to where she is today in the U.S. Department of Education.  In this episode, she discussed her personal journey in public education, some of the issues facing public education today, and what’s being done about them.

Stories, Lessons, and Strategies for a Culturally Responsive Classroom

Episode Description: Dr. Marlee Bunch is an educator, author, and creator of resources and tools for creating culturally competent classroom lessons, known as the un/HUSH Framework. Her work is focused on uplifting marginalized voices, unlearning biases, and fostering connection through storytelling. Dr. Bunch brings over 16 years of teaching experience to her work, with a deep commitment to providing equitable and rigorous instruction to all students. Her new publication, “The Magnitude of Us: An Educator’s Guide to Creating Culturally Responsive Classrooms [https://www.tcpress.com/the-magnitude-of-us-9780807769881],” can be preordered online.

Organizing For Education Equity in Mississippi and Beyond

Albert Sykes is a Jackson, Miss. native and the executive director of the Institute for Democratic Education in America, where he works in conjunction with students, educators, families, and communities to advocate and build capacity for education equity and racial justice. Sykes is a community organizer, education and civil rights advocate, and mentee of civil rights leader Bob Moses, who founded the Algebra Project. In this episode, Albert talks about inequalities within public education in Mississippi and the role of community advocacy in improving conditions in public schools.

Freedom Dreaming with an Education Advocacy Expert

Natosha Daniels is a parent, chief systems navigator for the Round Rock Black Parents Association, and expert in grassroots organizing and parent-led advocacy in public education. In this episode, Natosha describes how her background as an educator led her to pursue a doctoral program in education policy and planning. She also shares about her ongoing work with Black parent-led movements, how such movements are pushing back against structural inequities, and the importance of cultivating a practice of freedom dreaming.

Public Education's Road to Restorative Justice

Natalie Johnson-Berry is an award-winning, veteran educator, who has brought an equity focus and spirit of affirmation to her classroom and the broader community over her 25-year career. As an expert in restorative justice and culturally responsive teaching practices, Natalie and Sara discuss why these approaches to public education are critical to ensuring access to a high-quality education for all students.