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Welcome to Ridgemont4sFinest–The Podcast where we stretch out those 3-minute videos from TikTok and continue the unfiltered discussions around public education from the perspective of a veteran teacher. In each episode, I will share my insights and opinions on the issues that matter most to educators - from navigating difficult classroom dynamics to advocating for better funding and policy changes, this podcast will give you an inside look at what it's really like to be a teacher.
But this isn't just a one-sided conversation - I will also be interviewing other teachers, education policy experts, and others to get their perspectives on what's happening in our schools. This podcast is a space for honest conversations and unfiltered opinions about the challenges facing public education today.
If you're a fellow educator who's tired of feeling like no one really understands what you're going through, or if you're just someone who wants to learn more about the state of public education, then this podcast is for you. Join us for thought-provoking discussions and candid insights into the world of teaching.
57 Episodes
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Send us a text This week we are joined by the "Church Announcement" queen herself, Ms. Tiffiney Lee. Tiffiney and I sit down and have a long awaited for convo about the ups, downs, and pure chaos of being educators. From dealing with school politics to navigating life outside the classroom, we are giving y'all honesty and laughs in equal measure. The episode starts with some real talk about self-care. Tiffiney shares her thoughts on cutting off forced family bonds, while I explain how fishing...
Send us a text In this special "off-studio" episode, the Teachers After Dark crew wraps up 2024 in style—over a breakfast I was bullied into cooking! Teachers LOVE bullet points, so let's get into: The best (and worst) holiday gifts we got from students this year.That insane pre-break checkout list, complete with accommodations logs and the wildest parent/student requests we’ve ever seen.The resurfaced debate about school shootings: Should teachers really be expected to sacrifice themselves f...
Send us a text Continuing our discussion on Teen Dating Violence...In this heart-wrenching yet vital episode, I sit down with Quin Levy, a courageous mother who shares the story of her teenage daughter’s life, love, and tragic death at the hands of her boyfriend. While honoring the boundaries of an ongoing legal case, we discuss the devastating impact of teen dating violence and the subtle warning signs that many parents may overlook. This mother’s story sheds light on the emotional and psych...
Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Shannon, Licensed Professional Counselor of Hurt Speaks Wellness Center, to discuss the urgent issue of teen dating violence (TDV). We discuss what defines TDV and how it differs from adult domestic violence. We’ll explore the most common forms of abuse in teen relationships—emotional, physical, verbal, and digital—and unpack why so many teens stay in unhealthy or abusive situations. We’ll also tackle the romanticization of toxic relationships ...
Send us a text This week, we are discussing one of the most embattled school districts in the country—HISD. Joining us is the bold and unapologetic Ms. Michelle Williams, president of the Houston Education Association (HEA), who’s been at the center of HISD’s whirlwind headlines. If you’ve been following the drama, you know this isn’t just a story about schools—it’s about power, politics, and the fight for teachers' rights. We’re starting with Ms. Williams’s personal story. If you have tuned ...
Send us a text In this unapologetic episode, we tackle three major issues facing education today: the Texas voucher push, the unique challenges for Black women educators, and the presidential election that could reshape American education entirely. First, we examine Donald Trump’s presidential re-election bid and his promise to dismantle the Department of Education—a move that could have monumental consequences for teachers, students, and public education nationwide. What would this mean for ...
Send us a text As promised, WE ARE BACK! Welcome to Season 3 of Ridgemont4'sFinest-The Podcast! Catch up with the OG teacher crew as we get into all things the 24-25 school year! It has indeed, been whipping us all! We talk about what has been the most challenging things for us so far this year, how we are coping with parents/students/admin, who's already been written up/called to the office and much more! Support the show Thanks for listening! Follow me on TikTok @ Ridgemont4sFinest , ...
Send us a text In case you missed the YouTube LIVE with HISD Union leader Michelle Williams, here's the audio for you. In this episode of Ridgemont4'sfinest-The Podcast, we are discussing the controversial case of Michelle Williams, a dedicated teacher and union leader within the Houston Independent School District (HISD). Just days after being removed from her teaching position, Williams finds herself at the center of a storm, facing termination and alleging retaliation from district a...
Send us a text Welcome back to another episode of the podcast! We are continuing our conversation with some dynamic educators of HISD. In this episode, , Mrs. Muhammed and Mrs. Ebony, bravely share their experiences within Houston's education system post-state takeover. Mrs. Ebony pull back the curtain on the challenges teachers are facing at her NES-A campus. We discuss the struggles of navigating a compliance-driven environment, where scripted curricula fail to resonate with stu...
Send us a text Welcome back to another episode of the podcast! We are continuing our conversation with some dynamic educators of HISD. In this episode, , Mrs. Muhammed and Mrs. Ebony, bravely share their experiences within Houston's education system post-state takeover. Mrs. Ebony pull back the curtain on the challenges teachers are facing at her NES-A campus. We discuss the struggles of navigating a compliance-driven environment, where scripted curricula fail to resonate with stu...
Send us a text In this latest episode, we sit down with Mrs. Muhammed, a resilient educator who has just emerged from a termination hearing within the Houston Independent School District (HISD). With the results now in, we discuss the aftermath of the hearing, the ongoing uncertainty she faces, and what lies ahead for her and her students. Join us as we explore the critical issue of instructional gaps her students have endured during her absence, exacerbated by the challenges of teacher...
Send us a text In this episode, we bring you the firsthand account of a teacher who is courageously confronting the systemic challenges within the Houston Independent School District (HISD). Despite facing termination for her advocacy, she refuses to be silenced as she shares her story of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Join us as we discuss the obstacles she has encountered, from standing up against a hostile principal to grappling with hidden testing data that u...
Send us a text Join us for a candid conversation with Mrs. Jackie Anderson, President of the Houston Federation of Teacher (HFT), as we discuss the pressing issues facing the Houston Independent School District (HISD) and the broader implications for education in Texas. At the heart of our discussion is the controversial figure Superintendent Mike Miles and his implementation of the NES system, which has stirred significant animosity within the community. Mrs. Anderson sheds light on the reas...
Send us a text In this episode of our podcast, we dive into the recent student walkout and protest at Madison High School, where students are pushing back against a new cell phone policy imposed by their school district, HISD, the district that has recently been taken over by the state's education authority (TEA). Our guest, TB, a student at Madison High School, offers a firsthand account of what life has been like since the TEA took over their school district, implementing policy changes tha...
Send us a text In this episode of our podcast, we sit down with B. Drake, a seasoned professional in the field of child welfare with years of experience. We team up to really get into the nitty-gritty of the child welfare system, swapping heartfelt stories about kids finding their way through state custody and foster homes. We dive deep into the challenging realities of the child welfare system, shining a light on the serious issues it faces. We're not shying away from talking about the trou...
Send us a text Welcome to another episode of Ridgemont4'sFinest-The Podcast. We are prepping to return to work after the much needed winter break and I have some of my teacher besties with me to get the conversation started. We joke around about our holiday shenanigans and I try to pry about their holiday hook-ups, lol! We then get into the real discussion: Are teachers always supposed to be professional, selfless, sacrificial moral authorities with limited personal lives? How do socie...
Send us a text Welcome to another episode of R4F- the Podcast and today we sit down with THE INCREDIBLE Dr. Byron McClure, a rare gem in the field of school psychology—part of the less-than-1% club of Black male school psychologists. We’re jumping right into his journey, starting with how he got into the world of school psych. We’re not skirting around the issues. Dr. McClure discusses the culture of low expectations that often shackles Black students, the hesitation to set high standa...
Send us a text We left y'all with a cliffhanger on that last episode, so let's finish it off!!!! Welcome back to another episode of Ridgemont4'sFinest-The Podcast. On this episode, I am joined by some teacher-moms as we discuss the chaos of being a loyal employee of a school/district where your own children attend. How do you manage this juggling act without feeling like you're dropping the ball in either role? We discuss the complexities of navigating advocacy challenges w...
Send us a text Welcome back to another episode of Ridgemont4'sFinest-The Podcast. On this episode, I am joined by some teacher-moms as we discuss the chaos of being a loyal employee of a school/district where your own children attend. How do you manage this juggling act without feeling like you're dropping the ball in either role? We discuss the complexities of navigating advocacy challenges when it comes to our own children. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you d...
Send us a text In this long awaited episode, we get into the diverse and dynamic journey of Attorney Staci Childs, a remarkable woman who transitioned from the classroom to the courtroom. Staci, a former teacher turned attorney (and dope rapper), shares her insights and experiences serving on the Texas State Board of Educators, where she actively shapes policies that impact school districts across the state. As an outspoken advocate for education reform, Staci discusses with me the cont...
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