Welcome to the Podcast
The Empower Students Now Podcast
Our Public Education System is in Crisis and the Solutions are Obvious
In this podcast episode, Trina and Amanda discuss major challenges in the American public education system, including the teacher shortage crisis, the state of reading instruction, and the impact of curriculum mandates on teacher autonomy. They reflect on previous...
Navigating Adult ADHD: A Personal and Professional Journey
Show Notes In this episode of "Empower Students Now," host Amanda interviews Vanessa Jones, an English teacher, writer, and voice actor who has recently authored a guidebook on adult ADHD. Vanessa discusses her personal experience with an adult ADHD diagnosis, the...
The Revealing Reality Struggling Readers Face within the U.S. Education System
In this episode of Empower Students Now, host Amanda interviews her sister Shelly Gonsalves, who opens up about her lifelong struggle with reading and learning difficulties. Shelly recounts her early educational challenges, the lack of support she faced, and the...
Forgotten Narratives from Frontline of the Reading Wars
In this episode, hosts, Amanda and Trina, discuss the significant challenges of reading instruction in education. They delve into their personal experiences as teachers and parents, grappling with the complexities of teaching reading effectively and the impact on...
Courageous Teachers Speak Out Against a Serious Problem Being Overlooked in K-12 Schools
In this episode, hosts Amanda and Trina, along with guest Manuwella Allen (Mani), discuss gender equity in education, with a focus on the intersection of race and gender. They address issues of sexual harassment and abuse in schools, highlighting several disturbing...
Gender Equity Issues in K-12 Schools are Neglected and It’s Harming Our Students and Staff
In this podcast episode, Trina shares her expertise around gender equity in K-12 schools. She discusses the lack of support and unjust treatment of female students in schools, emphasizing the need for comprehensive discussions on gender equity. Amanda and Trina...
True Educational Equity Reforms are NOT Happening in Schools and Repercussions are Severe
In this episode, hosts Trina and Amanda discuss the topic of educational equity and the confusion surrounding its definition. They criticize the narrowing down of the term equity to only focus on racial equity, excluding other marginalized groups. They also discuss...
An ESL Teacher’s Stand Against Canned Curriculum and the Shocking Consequences
In this episode, Amanda and Trina interview two teachers who pushed back against using canned curriculum and discuss the sensitive nature of the stories shared by teachers and the importance of protecting their identities. They share stories from Teacher A, a veteran...
Outsourcing Teacher Expertise to Canned Curriculum
In this podcast episode, Amanda and Trina discuss the use of canned curriculum in schools and its impact on teachers and the education system. They recognize canned curriculum is useful in certain contexts, such as for long term substitutes or new teachers. However,...
Red Tape and Teacher Induction Programs are Overburdening New Teachers
This is a discussion about the insane amount of time, money, and work it takes to becoming a teacher only to face even more red tape, expectations, costs, and time sucks from the teacher induction process. This podcast series is from real teachers' perspectives. Too...
The High Cost of Becoming a Teacher
In this podcast episode, Amanda and co-host Trina discuss the challenges and expenses involved in becoming a teacher. Trina highlights the financial, time, and emotional investment required to become a teacher in the United States, particularly in California. They...
A Discussion with a New Teacher Who Chose to Leave the Profession
In this podcast episode, the host introduces Kelvin Mak, a recently resigned high school English teacher, who shares his experiences and frustrations with the education system. Kelvin discusses his burnout and the lack of fair compensation for teachers. He and co-host...