The Joy of Learning

Teacher Appreciation Week: Interview with Kristina Muñoz

There are incredible people who commit their time, energy and efforts to serve such an military connected students. I was beyond thrilled to share space with Kristina Crane Muñoz [https://www.facebook.com/kcmunoz?__cft__[0]=AZX6JCW6yRrq7bju0MJnIZClOGr04DnBQV2y9LElI9OfcmMWwfLlf13yYc7MUAFoK2z9xIardnf5zz5M_63opTvmeHCmKeK36olkUBB9KRFSf47D2Ko7NvmMonNnS9LWwqMZIj-tLTMPdqkuMxVw1Hqg&__tn__=-]K-R], an Instructional Systems Specialist. In our time together we discuss adjusting to life in America, her heart for teaching and learning, and shifts in education.

Ukraine, Faith and Hope: Interview with Lyuba

Each day feels like heart break. As a finish reading Diary of Anne Frank, there are unnerving parallels of our current global affairs although written many decades ago. With the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces, hearts are broken, lives lost, families separated, and devastation is observed. This is hard for myself and many others to comprehend especially with 1.5 million people estimated to have left Ukraine. However, it is our stories which give hope and forge connections. Lyuba was born in Ukraine. At the age of 14 years old, she relocated to Italy with her family. This is where we met. In my brief interview with Luba, we focused on her faith, hopes, and her love for her country. In this interview you hear her heart. Serenissima Ukrainian Relief Fund: https://smgi.org/give [https://smgi.org/give?fbclid=IwAR3nhE0tPEARqhu6cDxYZ1fxOPGoHks5P8eT8RBTJ6RVm4EoIoEzY-a9MSg]

Black History Month, Words Beats & Life, and Finding Joy: Interview with Serena Lewis

For #BlackHistoryMonth [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/blackhistorymonth?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZVC-Nm7Jcny0aV255o-in-NAvY3len0_H6QzXjsnCmRjhv0OCC5f28Mhu7WhM0TD-rz97F9SmzHkh3joO979mx_vgeQ-9lciTjExcedQTtTjiQtHG_-Kdi-Ph860ZWSnRhxOhodqbLnySq5laGH_y5f7ZxLRTELbsQNzSV_4QbFCQ&__tn__=*NK-R], I was beyond thrilled to share time and space with Serena Lewis [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=9347293&__cft__[0]=AZVC-Nm7Jcny0aV255o-in-NAvY3len0_H6QzXjsnCmRjhv0OCC5f28Mhu7WhM0TD-rz97F9SmzHkh3joO979mx_vgeQ-9lciTjExcedQTtTjiQtHG_-Kdi-Ph860ZWSnRhxOhodqbLnySq5laGH_y5f7ZxLRTELbsQNzSV_4QbFCQ&__tn__=-]K-R]! Our conversation revolved around giving back, her critical work as the Academy Director of Words Beats & Life [https://www.facebook.com/WordsBeatsLife/?__cft__[0]=AZVC-Nm7Jcny0aV255o-in-NAvY3len0_H6QzXjsnCmRjhv0OCC5f28Mhu7WhM0TD-rz97F9SmzHkh3joO979mx_vgeQ-9lciTjExcedQTtTjiQtHG_-Kdi-Ph860ZWSnRhxOhodqbLnySq5laGH_y5f7ZxLRTELbsQNzSV_4QbFCQ&__tn__=kK-R], and what brings her joy!  SERENA WAS BORN AND RAISED IN NEW YORK, AND RECENTLY RELOCATED TO THE DMV AREA. SHE EARNED HER BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE WITH A MINOR IN AFRICAN & AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, AND HER JURIS DOCTORATE WITH A CONCENTRATION IN INTERNATIONAL LAW FROM WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY. WHILE STUDYING AT PENN STATE, SERENA BECAME A MEMBER OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED. SHE ATTRIBUTES HER LOVE AND PASSION FOR EDUCATION AND SUPPORTING THE YOUTH TO HER FATHER, WHO HAS ALWAYS BEEN A STAPLE IN HIS COMMUNITY AS A FOOTBALL COACH. SERENA BELIEVES ALL YOUTH DESERVE ACCESS TO RESOURCES THAT ARE NECESSARY TO SUCCEED IN LIFE, AND THAT IS WHY ORGANIZATIONS LIKE WORDS BEATS & LIFE ARE IMPORTANT.

Impromptu Interview: Switzerland, Thai Food, and Virtual Learning

On a visit to Lucerne, Switzerland in 2020, I interviewed Alex Messerli. Alex is a Swiss Educator (PreK-4) and joined my friend and I for dinner at a Thai restaurant. I was curious about his journey and how he navigated the challenges presented during the pandemic especially in the classroom. I found our conversation to be enlightening. At this very moment this interview provides perspective as many schools still strive to figure out how to navigate the pandemic.

"Passing the Baton" to the Next Generation: Interview with Mary C. Curtis

Happy New Year and Welcome to Episode 6 of Season 3 of The Joy of Learning Podcast. As we prepare to observe the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and his impact across the globe, it was a privilege and delight to speak with Mary C. Curtis. Mary is an award-winning journalist and educator based in Charlotte, N.C., and Washington, D.C. Mary is also a columnist at Roll Call and host of its ‘Equal Time’ podcast. Our conversation focused on passing the baton to the next generation and what this looks. I hope you enjoy this episode. Biography of Mary C. Curtis: Mary C. Curtis, columnist at Roll Call and host of its ‘Equal Time with Mary C. Curtis’ podcast, is an award-winning journalist and educator based in Charlotte, N.C., and Washington, D.C. A former Nieman Fellow at Harvard, Curtis, who covers the intersection of politics, culture and race, contributes to WFAE, an NPR affiliate in Charlotte and is a senior facilitator with The OpEd Project, which increases the range of voices in opinion writing. She has contributed to MSNBC, NPR, ESPN’s The Undefeated and The Washington Post, covered presidential campaigns since 2008, and has worked at The New York Times, Charlotte Observer, Baltimore Sun and the Associated Press. She was chosen for The HistoryMakers, the single largest collection -- archived in the Library of Congress -- which promotes successes and documents events important to the African American community and American society. Honors include the National Society of Newspaper Columnists’ 2022 Ernie Pyle Lifetime Achievement Award, Clarion Awards from the Association for Women in Communications, awards from the National Headliners and the Society of Professional Journalists, three first-place awards from the National Association of Black Journalists, and the Thomas Wolfe Award for an examination of Confederate heritage groups. Curtis has contributed to several books, including an essay in “Covering Politics in the Age of Trump” (LSU Press; 2021) and “Now What?” The Voters Have Spoken -- Essays on Life After Trump.” www.maryccurtis.com