Education Perspectives
Education Perspectives podcast explores the challenges and opportunities in education from birth through productive work. Everyone seems to agree in principle that education is important. So, why is it so hard for us to get to a system that works for our society as it exists today?
Taking the 30,000-foot view to look at the entirety of our multiple systems so that we might begin to plot a course toward transformational change is worthwhile. This type of change cannot happen until people are “rowing the boat” in the same direction.
Education Perspectives includes interviews with people engaged in the work at every level. Looking at challenges and opportunities and what they would like for decision-makers to know. This type of communication changes the dialog. Understanding where the other people in the room are coming from breaks down barriers and opens the conversation on a broader level.
Framed by the host through the lens of having worked in a consulting role with each level, Education Perspectives can give policymakers, administrators, education advocates and the community a unique view into this education journey. Considering these various perspectives to make for better communication can reframe discussions and move policymakers' understanding forward to make policy that will better meet the needs of our information economy.
Education Perspectives
EP 8 Penny Christian - Education Advocate
PODCAST EPISODE 8
Penny Christian - Parent and Education Advocate
Quote of the Podcast –
"Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. If there is no struggle, there is no progress." Frederick Douglass
Introduction of Guest BIO –
Kathleen “Penny” Christian is a native New Orleanian who has called Lexington, KY home since 1992. She and her husband Claude are the proud parents of 4 wonderful daughters. She has been fighting for equity in education for 20-plus years. Penny has served as PTA president at both the elementary and middle school levels. She then advanced to 16th District PTA President in Fayette County, from 2019-2021. She is currently Vice President of Leadership Outreach for Kentucky PTA. Over the years, her advocacy work at the district level includes serving on the Parent Superintendent Interview Committee and parent Representative on the District Safety Advisory Council. She has facilitated multiple presentations with school administrators on the importance of PTA and Family Engagement.
One of the most rewarding experiences for her has been being selected as a member of the Inaugural Cohort of the EdTrust Family Fellowship. In 2020, Penny completed her requirements to become a Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership (CIPL) Fellow with the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence. She was selected as a member of Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence in 2020. She also serves as a member of the KY Collaborative for Families and Schools Advisory Council. Penny is currently a NPTA Legislative Committee member and served as a parent (family) representative on the Kentucky Coalition for Advancing Education, and now the Kentucky United We Learn Council.
Interview
Agents of Change: Leaders/Innovators
- 30,000 ft. view – Why do we, as a society invest in education?
- What drew you to education?
- What do you love about what you do?
- Tell us a story or favorite memory about your work in education.
- What are the biggest challenges or obstacles you face?
- What would you like decision-makers to know?
Podcast/book shoutouts
Beyond the Bake Sale: The Essential Guide to Family/school Partnerships
Dual capacity framework by Karen Mapp
Education Perspectives is edited by Shashank P at https://www.fiverr.com/saiinovation?source=inbox
Intro and Outro by Dynamix Productions, Lexington, KY
Education Perspectives is edited by Shashank P athttps://www.fiverr.com/saiinovation?source=inbox
Intro and Outro by Dynamix Productions