eRaced Podcast

Episode 27: Tough questions about Private Schools with NAIS President, Donna Orem

This week Collette and Lisa ask Donna Orem, what, exactly, the organization is doing to help schools truly invest in equity, historically accurate curriculum and teacher training. Orem says the National Association of Independent Schools exists to lead and support a very diverse membership of independent schools. We ask her about the tools, the promises, and what schools and parents can do now to shift campus culture. See the full show notes at https://eracedpodcast.com Intro music by https://instagram.com/mikedupreemusic

Episode 26: “Wokeness”at Your Child’s Private School w/Brian Platzer from The Atlantic

A complete US history is better curriculum than one that leaves out Black history. Many elite private schools are struggling to fully embrace this in their school community. Some parents see a false dichotomy -- pitting academics against social justice. Some parents have a lot to learn. See the full show notes at https://eracedpodcast.com Intro music by https://instagram.com/mikedupreemusic

Episode 25: Black Parents, White Head of School, Every Day Lessons - with Parents of Alumni from Episode 24 & Dr. Laura Konigsberg

The classroom is traditionally where the teaching and learning takes place. Today, whole school communities are wrestling with all there is to learn - not just from the books, or the classics, but each other, every day, on campus. See the full show notes at https://eracedpodcast.com Intro music by https://instagram.com/mikedupreemusic

Episode 24: Was Private School Worth it? Recent Alumni Look Back

Both Jamie and Jay say they'd choose their high school again, although the experience had its challenges. Hear their insights about how navigating a school where you are one of a few can be hard, even distressing at times. Both students also say a lot of valuable life learning takes place outside of the classroom, too. Now sophomores in college, our guests advise keeping an open dialogue with parents throughout high school is helpful. Stuff happens and it helps to have guidance in advocating for yourself. And, yes, some thoughts about Black@. Spoiler: Yes, the posts seemed accurate. See the full show notes at https://eracedpodcast.com Intro music by https://instagram.com/mikedupreemusic

Episode 23: Are Private Schools Truly Indefensible? With Author Caitlin Flanagan

For students of color and their families, navigating the predominantly white spaces of a private school is typically a series of challenges. But it’s not because we are having issues, it's because America is having issues. The Atlantic writer, Caitlin Flanagan says the problem with private schools is the perpetuation of systemic elitism in our country, historically and still today staked to race and class. Flanagan's thesis is tied to something we say on this show almost every episode: The very presence of Black students and families offers more to private schools than the schools have to offer us. We are the gift. Yes, Black and brown students -- whether they pay full tuition or get some financial aid -- graduate from private schools and mostly go on to top colleges, already growing a strong network. But do we really want to be there, regardless of the costs? Our guest makes this analogy, reminding us that in his memoir, President Obama says he hasn’t given up…on America, yet. See the full show notes at https://eracedpodcast.com Intro music by https://instagram.com/mikedupreemusic