My online podcast interviews will consist of me having conversations with experts in various roles and aspects of the educational system. Each podcast episode will feature an individual who will speak in reference to the importance of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), and its impact with students during the early and post-pandemic era. Each interviewee will provide information from their perspective; and share their expertise on how and what approaches they believe educators can consider, when it comes to improving students’ academic achievement and overall well-being, in an ever-changing society.

Episode 8: The State of SEL in NC and Beyond/Featured Podcast Guest Speaker -Beth Rice- currently works at the SERVE Center at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, which provides high quality research, evaluation, and customized support that drives positive educational outcomes for all learners. In her role as a Specialist for State Projects & Co-Founder of SEL4NC, Ms. Beth Rice joined the SERVE Center from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), where she was the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Lead on the Integrated Academic and Behavior Systems (IABS) Team within Educator and Student Advancement. She led SEL for the state, including leading the North Carolina Social and Emotional Learning Implementation Team and co-leading the North Carolina Social and Emotional Learning and Educational Equity Project. Through the MTSS framework, Beth initiated the Secondary MTSS Community of Practice (CoP); launched the state’s rollout of Check and Connect, an evidence-based mentoring program; and co-lead the School Mental Health Initiative’s Continuum Workgroup, which focused on a continuum of care for students. In 2018, Beth Rice resumed her long-time passion in social and emotional learning and school mental health; and, in 2019, Beth shifted from a regional consultant to a Practices Lead with a focus on SEL. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Leading and Learning in Organizations (LLO) at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College.

My online podcast interviews will consist of me having conversations with experts in various roles and aspects of the educational system. Each podcast episode will feature an individual who will speak in reference to the importance of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), and its impact with students during the early and post-pandemic era. Each interviewee will provide information from their perspective; and share their expertise on how and what approaches they believe educators can consider, when it comes to improving students’ academic achievement and overall well-being, in an ever-changing society.

Episode 7: SEL From A School Administrator's Perspective/Featured Podcast Guest Speaker - Ryan Kulikowski - Chapel Hill High School Assistant Principal, currently serves in the capacity of an Assistant Principal in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools district. His role within my school is very vital in terms of ensuring the overall daily operations of our building as well as providing guidance and leadership for our school faculty/staff, student population, their families and other local community agencies. Prior to coming to Chapel Hill High School, Mr. Kulikowski began his career as a middle school Social Studies and Humanities Teacher of 14 years, which afforded him the opportunity to travel the world internationally to teach for 9 years, at the American International School-Kuwait, Shanghai American School, and the Anglo-American School of Moscow, before pursuing a career in school administration. He has been involved with 1:1 laptop program implementation, standards-based assessment transitions, International Baccalaureate Middle Year Program training, and Common Core implementation. An interesting fact about Mr. Ryan Kulikowski is that he has also been a business owner of a local comic book store, which more than likely has helped him in developing and nurturing his superhero powers and instinct, to help him lead as an conscious, caring, and effective school administrator.

My online podcast interviews will consist of me having conversations with experts in various roles and aspects of the educational system. Each podcast episode will feature an individual who will speak in reference to the importance of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), and its impact with students during the early and post-pandemic era. Each interviewee will provide information from their perspective; and share their expertise on how and what approaches they believe educators can consider, when it comes to improving students’ academic achievement and overall well-being, in an ever-changing society.

Episode 6: SEL From A Social Worker's Perspective/Featured Podcast Guest Speaker - Linda Martinez-Cervantes - Chapel Hill High School Social Worker, who is a representative and member of our school’s Student Services Department. Ms. Linda Martinez-Cervantes is a unique individual, as she is one of our school community’s proud products, after witnessing her graduate from CHHS with the Class of 2016, and now returning as a celebrated alumna and faculty member, to help serve our current students. Upon graduating from CHHS, Ms. Martinez-Cervantes attended Guildford College in Greensboro, NC for her undergraduate studies and later attended North Carolina State University, to obtain her Masters of Social Work graduate degree, and has since gained her certification as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate to practice in her profession. Ms. Martinez-Cervantes has also taken on the role of one of our school’s Certified Stuctured Psychotherapy for Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress (SPARCS) Trainer, which is a program she will talk to us later about in our podcast episode, which is an evidenced-based group therapy program that helps adolescents experiencing chronic trauma regulate their emotions and behaviors. Along with a host of other duties, she is also the club advisor for The Mucho Orgullo Club (that translates to “much pride), which has brought a piece of Hispanic culture to Chapel Hill High School. It is relatively new to the school and centered around Latinx students and allies of the community. It has given many Chapel Hill High School students of Latin descent, the opportunity to connect with each other, and bond over their shared experiences. 

My online podcast interviews will consist of me having conversations with experts in various roles and aspects of the educational system. Each podcast episode will feature an individual who will speak in reference to the importance of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), and its impact with students during the early and post-pandemic era. Each interviewee will provide information from their perspective; and share their expertise on how and what approaches they believe educators can consider, when it comes to improving students’ academic achievement and overall well-being, in an ever-changing society.

Episode 5: SEL From A Guidance Counselor's Perspective/Featured Podcast Guest Speaker - Sonya Sutton, a Guidance Counselor and the Department Chair at Wilde Lake High School, located in Columbia, Maryland. Mrs. Sutton is a former Chapel Hill High School colleague of mine, where she served in the role of a Guidance Counselor, Instructional Counselor Lead for the AVID Program & a Certified SPARCS (Trainer). Due to her commitment, dedication, hard work ethic, and her great repoire with students and faculty, she went on to win both CHHS and the CHCCS School Support and Wellness District Employee of the Year awards in 2019. Ms. Sonya Sutton has been in the field of education for nearly 20 years, where she has been a mathematics instructor in addition to a host of other roles. I am also proud to call her one of my great friends as she has been a positive force in the lives of so many. She has since moved on to another state and school, where she continues to work tirelessly on the frontlines to rally and meet the needs for all of the students on her caseload. She certainly speaks truth to power when it comes to meeting her students where they are, and works hard to provide the appropriate support scaffolding, to assist students in gradually learning to experience success at its greatest levels. Mrs. Sutton certainly lives by her famous motto, which is: "To whom much is given, much will be required," (Luke 12:48 KJV) which is behind her purpose and her reason for being the person she is today.

My online podcast interviews will consist of me having conversations with experts in various roles and aspects of the educational system. Each podcast episode will feature an individual who will speak in reference to the importance of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), and its impact with students during the early and post-pandemic era. Each interviewee will provide information from their perspective; and share their expertise on how and what approaches they believe educators can consider, when it comes to improving students’ academic achievement and overall well-being, in an ever-changing society.

Episode 4: SEL From A Mental Health Perspective/Featured Podcast Guest - Weldon W. Bullock, III is the Mental Health Specialist at Chapel Hill High School in Chapel Hill, NC. His role within our school's Student Services Department is very vital in terms of supporting our students’ overall well-being and mental health as I will paraphrase an age-old adage which states that, “A Person’s Mental Health is their Wealth”. Mr. Bullock is a skilled crisis interventionist with case management and training experience with active military personnel and non-profits.  He is an adept Clinically Licensed Social Worker specializing in social justice and mental health. A recognized leader providing mentorship, personnel development and project management and is also a current doctorate student focusing on educational leadership in higher education. Mr. Bullock also has a background in the military as he is a United States Navy Veteran, which we ultimately salute him for his service in protecting our country’s homefront.

My online podcast interviews will consist of me having conversations with experts in various roles and aspects of the educational system. Each podcast episode will feature an individual who will speak in reference to the importance of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), and its impact with students during the early and post-pandemic era. Each interviewee will provide information from their perspective; and share their expertise on how and what approaches they believe educators can consider, when it comes to improving students’ academic achievement and overall well-being, in an ever-changing society.

Episode 3: SEL From An Instructional Viewpoint/Featured Podcast Guest - Karyn Dickerson, a current Instructional Literacy Coach and Academic Placement (AP) Coordinator at Chapel Hill High School, in Chapel Hill, NC. Mrs. Dickerson has been in the field of education for nearly 20 years, where she has led with passion and hard work to promote SEL throughout her educational career. She is a driving force in guiding her high school teaching staff with new, innovative and cutting-edge methods and approaches, to utilize in their classroom instruction and delivery. Karyn is also a part of North Carolina state’s history as an education legend, having won the respected title and prestigious honor of being the NC Teacher of the Year in 2013. She has traveled internationally and has also worked in the Guilford County Schools system as a High School English Teacher, prior to coming to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools system.

My online podcast interviews will consist of me having conversations with experts in various roles and aspects of the educational system. Each podcast episode will feature an individual who will speak in reference to the importance of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), and its impact with students during the early and post-pandemic era. Each interviewee will provide information from their perspective; and share their expertise on how and what approaches they believe educators can consider, when it comes to improving students’ academic achievement and overall well-being, in an ever-changing society.

Episode 2: Featured Podcast Guest -Megan Brinkman, a current History Teacher at Chapel Hill High School, in Chapel Hill, NC. Currently, she teaches Economics and Personal Finance (EPF) courses as well as Blended World History. Mrs. Brinkman comes with a wealth of knowledge and has been in the education field for over 10 years and counting. Having lived in Washington State, she brings a new perspective, experience, and energy to our history department.

My online podcast interviews will consist of me having conversations with experts in various roles and aspects of the educational system. Each podcast episode will feature an individual who will speak in reference to the importance of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), and its impact with students during the early and post-pandemic era. Each interviewee will provide information from their perspective; and share their expertise on how and what approaches they believe educators can consider, when it comes to improving students’ academic achievement and overall well-being, in an ever-changing society.

Episode 1: Featured Podcast Guest - Bill Melega, is a veteran educator who has been in the field of education for nearly 30 years. He is a current History Teacher at Chapel Hill High School, in Chapel Hill, NC, where he teaches a range of courses which include: Honors Great American Conflicts, Blended and AP World History. Mr. Melega is the 2010 National Teacher of the Year and Award Recipient with the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. in Chapel Hill, a National Board Certified Teacher, and an Assistant Football Coach, along with a host of other roles just to name a few.