Early Childhood Journeys

Episode 57 features returning guest, Tina Wiggins Sykes and podcast guest debut of Gloria McGinty. Tina Sykes and Gloria McGinty are Arizona based Early Childhood Professionals, ECE Coaches, Trainers, College Instructors, Equity Specialists amongst their past or current roles. They are also long-time friends and colleagues of host, Marissa Calderón. All are involved in equity work both personally and professionally and lend some powerful insights to this subject matter. In this episode, host Marissa discusses the frustration in shifting white dominant curriculum practices that can come off as racists and culturally offensive, especially around the holidays. How do we begin to have these tough conversations in early childhood in public when we know they are being had in private? Addressing these uncomfortable topics can feel intimidating. A very insightful and relatable topic for many early childhood practitioners and eye-opening for early childhood program administrators. Notice: Podcast subject matter is not representative of podcast guest/host employers or specific agencies. Opinions are their own. Connect with host, Marissa and the award-winning Early Childhood Journeys podcast at: earlychildhoodjourneys.com or email at marissa@earlychildhoodjourneys.comLEAVE US A REVIEW!Music track is called Lemon Tea from GYVUS, provided by Chillhop Music, a platform dedicated to finding and sharing the best chilled hiphop, jazzhop and triphop music and connecting people.Used with permission and creative commons.More by Chillhop: http://chillhop.com/listen

Episode 56 features a Kindergarten Virtual Zoom Chat that was converted to an audio podcast with light editing for clarity.Guests, Lauren Degregorio is a K-1 teacher in New Mexico, previously a Kindergarten Teacher in Arizona. Catherine Norwood is an Arizona Instructional Coach for an Arizona school district. Both Educators are connected thru AZ's The Kindergarten Experience past grant work with podcast host Marissa Calderón.Discussion related to tips and strategies on how to meet the online kindergarten child's needs, what is equitable for the child and their family, what is realistic for families and what is based on the science of learning for young children. Website links are also included and real-life stories of parents and families on the difficult adjustment this new normal has created. The importance of social and emotional development and trauma that school districts have to recognize and focusing on strategies for parents and teachers. Discussion also includes recognition that many teachers are essentially learning a new method of delivery of information and it's stressful for everyone.Connect with host, Marissa and the award-winning Early Childhood Journeys podcast at: earlychildhoodjourneys.comLEAVE US A REVIEW!Music track is called Lemon Tea from GYVUS, provided by Chillhop Music, a platform dedicated to finding and sharing the best chilled hiphop, jazzhop and triphop music and connecting people.Used with permission and creative commons.More by Chillhop: http://chillhop.com/listen

In Episode 55, Carla Rivera-Cruz is back on the podcast to talk about current events involving the oppressive policies and systems in the classroom and at the school board level. The conversation includes the reference of the video, The Four I's of Oppression and how it connects to her work in Education. Carla is a former classroom teacher and school board member as well as the co-host of #LatinasInED with host Marissa. Carla does not hold back discussing the oppressive Arizona education policies and laws that hold back teachers and most of all, Black and Brown students. Get ready for a passionate conversation!Connect with Carla for anti-racism, equity, diversity or other professional development at the teacher and/or admin level through her EDpiphany agency. You can also learn about her future "teachers lounge" set to open in January 2022 in the Phoenix Metro-Area by connecting with her on social media.To follow her on...FacebookTwitterInstagram Connect with host, Marissa and the award-winning Early Childhood Journeys podcast at: earlychildhoodjourneys.comLEAVE US A REVIEW!Music track is called Lemon Tea from GYVUS, provided by Chillhop Music, a platform dedicated to finding and sharing the best chilled hiphop, jazzhop and triphop music and connecting people.Used with permission and creative commons.More by Chillhop: http://chillhop.com/listen

Episode 54 is with advocate and outspoken champion for BIPOC, Lark Sontag from the Will Start Small Collective.Lark's points include a very honest and uncomfortable array of topics regarding the current injustices of COVID, how child care is rooted in oppressive policies and how much of the programming in early childhood is for the benefit of white populations that hold power. Take a deep breath in this hard-hitting episode and be ready to advocate for child care teachers. More about Lark SontagLark is a New York metro early childhood education specialist, curriculum developer, speaker, children’s advocate, and the author of the children’s book “What Every Child Should Know” on Sanctuary Press. She is committed to writing literature that showcases all children, creating an equitable world for neurodiverse children, and centering children in all discussions regarding economic justice.Lark is also the founder of the Will Start Small Collective which works collaboratively with nonprofits, schools, and social justice groups to create curriculum and programming rooted in anti-racism, critical race theory, and culturally relevant pedagogy. She is the publisher of Sweet Potato Pie, A Children's Literary Journal.Lark holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Mount St. Mary’s University and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Pacific Oaks College.To follow....Will Start SmallTwitterFacebook Connect with host, Marissa and the award-winning Early Childhood Journeys podcast at: earlychildhoodjourneys.comMusic track is called Lemon Tea from GYVUS, provided by Chillhop Music, a platform dedicated to finding and sharing the best chilled hiphop, jazzhop and triphop music and connecting people.Used with permission and creative commons.More by Chillhop: http://chillhop.com/listen

Episode 53 is with guest and Arizona early childhood education colleague, Tina Sykes. Tina Sykes is a social justice advocate, a poet a wife and parent to three children. Our conversations about the recent murder of #GeorgeFloyd online sparked an opportunity to have a candid conversation on the podcast about racism, white centric views in early childhood and the connection of social emotional development in social justice work. This topic was HEAVY.A call for deep reflection along with some websites to add to your teacher toolkit were also discussed. A big thank you to all of the amazing black women, and IBPOC in my personal and professional circles leading the change in this work!Check out Tina Wiggins Sykes on Facebook or connect with her on Linkedin.Some notable resources:Dr. Kira Banks from Raising EquityWoke KindergartenIndigo Cultural CenterIjuma JordanWill Start Small Connect with host, Marissa and the award-winning Early Childhood Journeys podcast at: earlychildhoodjourneys.comMusic track is called Lemon Tea from GYVUS, provided by Chillhop Music, a platform dedicated to finding and sharing the best chilled hiphop, jazzhop and triphop music and connecting people.Used with permission and creative commons.More by Chillhop: http://chillhop.com/listen

Season 3 debuts and podcast host, Marissa Calderón updates everyone on being on hiatus and launches the new season addressing homeschool during COVID19 with past guest and K-6 Instructional Coach in Arizona, Catherine Norwood. Catherine and Marissa discuss what the focus should be for teachers during the last weeks of virtual school, what parents can do to help their children get thru the summer and the urgent need to build children's social and emotional skills during these stressful and anxiety inducing times for everyone. Connect with host, Marissa and the award-winning Early Childhood Journeys podcast at: earlychildhoodjourneys.comMusic tracks are called Lemon Tea and Pizza and Video Games from GYVUS, provided by Chillhop Music, a platform dedicated to finding and sharing the best chilled hiphop, jazzhop and triphop music and connecting people. Used with permission and creative commons.More by Chillhop: http://chillhop.com/listen

Episode 50 marks a milestone of the podcast! Join host, Marissa chat with the Executive Director of the Arizona Educational Foundation, Kim Graham. Kim shares all of the resources and mentorship programs and initiatives available for incoming teachers and seasoned educators overall. AEF believes that "amazing things happen in schools every day.Their mission is to identify, support and celebrate excellence in Pre-K-12th grade Arizona public education through business and community partnerships."To learn more about the AZ Educational Foundation and to contact Kim Graham, connect with them here. Connect with host, Marissa and the Early Childhood Journeys podcast at: earlychildhoodjourneys.comMusic track is called Lemon Tea from GYVUS provided by Chillhop Music, a platform dedicated to finding and sharing the best chilled hiphop, jazzhop and triphop music and connecting people.Used with permission and creative commons.More by Chillhop:http://chillhop.com/listenGYVUS - Weekend:http://soundcloud.com/gyvusListen on Spotify:http://bit.ly/ChillhopSpotify

Episode 49 is with the newly elected Superintendent of Arizona's Department of Education, Kathy Hoffman. With her historic electoral win, Marissa and Kathy discuss some of the past campaign rhetoric and the current legislative progress for education she's helped with. We get some additional information on the current education policy focus and what we may expect in the coming year. Superintendent Hoffman's personal background is also inspiring. Did you know Kathy's first job out of college was working for a preschool program? Get ready to learn more about this trilingual Speech Pathologist turned policy pusher and advocate for Arizona's children in this episode. Parents and teachers can begin to breathe a sigh of relief hearing how much her leadership is pushing for more evidenced-based progressive policies for Arizona's classrooms.To stay connected to the AZ Superintendent and her initiatives, please follow her on her official Facebook and Twitter accounts.Learn more about the Arizona Department of ED here. Connect with host, Marissa and the Early Childhood Journeys podcast at: earlychildhoodjourneys.comMusic track is called Lemon Tea from GYVUS provided by Chillhop Music, a platform dedicated to finding and sharing the best chilled hiphop, jazzhop and triphop music and connecting people.Used with permission and creative commons.More by Chillhop:http://chillhop.com/listenGYVUS - Weekend:http://soundcloud.com/gyvusListen on Spotify:http://bit.ly/ChillhopSpotify