S6.E3 - Hold On To Hope in Hard Places

S7.E3 - Math Minds-Belonging, Brilliance, and Student Voice

A powerful conversation on reimagining math education through identity, belonging, and inquiry. Dr. Lateefah Id-Deen shares how educators can move beyond right answers to cultivate curiosity, critical thinking, and student voice—while preparing learners for a world shaped by AI and real-world problem solving.

S7.E2 - Breaking the Glass Ceiling - Women Superintendents on Leadership, Mentorship, and the Path to the Superintendency

In this special Women's History Month episode of the Getting to the Core podcast, five Wayne County women superintendents — Dr. Daveda Colbert, Amy Conway, Dr. Catherine Cost, Dr. Monica Merritt, and Dr. Andrea Tuttle — share their personal journeys to the superintendency, reflecting on the nonlinear paths, unexpected opportunities, and trusted mentors that shaped their careers. The conversation explores the systemic and cultural shifts still needed to make educational leadership more attainable and sustainable for women, including intentional mentorship, transparent hiring practices, and the normalization of bold, courageous leadership without the double standards women often face. The episode closes with each superintendent sharing a personal legacy statement, leaving listeners — especially aspiring women leaders — with a powerful reminder that the superintendency is not only attainable, but made stronger by the women who dare to lead it.

S7.E1 - 50 Years of IDEA: From Promise to Practice" Special Education's Past, Present, and Future

In this powerful crossover episode, the Getting to the Core team joins forces with Wayne RESA's Special Education Department to mark the 50th anniversary of IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). Hosts Nekeya Irby, Marvin Franklin, and Vonetta Clark-Tooles sit down with Dr. Terrance Scott, Beth Santer (Executive Director of Special Education), Theresa Franklin, and Celeste Johnson for an honest conversation about where we are—and where we need to go. From the promise of access to the reality of belonging, this episode tackles the hard questions: Why do silos still exist between general and special education? How do we move from compliance to meaningful inclusion? What would it take to truly reimagine teacher preparation and school culture? The team explores practical strategies like Universal Design for Learning (UDL), the power of relationships over curriculum, and why every educator needs to embrace that all students are gen ed students first. With personal stories, passionate advocacy, and a bold 50-year vision for the future, this conversation is a rallying cry for educators ready to do the hard work of making "all means all" more than just a slogan.

S6.E4 - Passing the Torch: Celebrating Legacy and Leadership in Education

Join us for a heartfelt conversation with retiring educational consultants Linda Kell and Ashara Shepard-Lance as they reflect on decades of transformative work in Wayne County schools. Alongside Dr. Markita Hall, they share powerful stories about building relationships, supporting educators, and the importance of empathy, curiosity, and courage in educational leadership. Both retirees look ahead to continued work in trauma-informed education, proving that their passion for building resilient schools doesn't retire.

S6.E3 - Hold On To Hope in Hard Places

Ron Walker, founder of COSEBOC (Coalition of School Educating Boys of Color) and author of Legacy of Leading, shares the powerful moments that shaped his 55-year journey in education—from seeing Emmett Till's photo as a nine-year-old to receiving a letter from his incarcerated former student. He discusses the urgent need for Black male educators who see themselves as liberators, the importance of rite of passage work to heal trauma, and why we must create a "conspiracy of care" that engages entire communities in supporting boys and young men of color.