Getting to the Core with Wayne RESA
Welcome to Getting to the Core: a Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency podcast. We invite you to join us as we discuss a variety of educational topics, and hopefully plant a few seeds that get to the ‘core’ of our mission: Leading, Learning...for ALL!
Episodes
A powerful conversation on reimagining math education through identity, belonging, and inquiry. Dr. Lateefah Id-Deen shares how educators can move beyond right answers to cultivate curiosity, critical thinking, and student voice—while preparing learners for a world shaped by AI and real-world problem solving.
In this special Women's History Month episode of the Getting to the Core podcast, five Wayne County women superintendents — Dr. Daveda Colbert, Amy Conway, Dr. Catherine Cost, Dr. Monica Merritt, and Dr. Andrea Tuttle — share their personal journeys to the superintendency, reflecting on the nonlinear paths, unexpected opportunities, and trusted mentors that shaped their careers. The conversation explores the systemic and cultur...
In this powerful crossover episode, the Getting to the Core team joins forces with Wayne RESA's Special Education Department to mark the 50th anniversary of IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). Hosts Nekeya Irby, Marvin Franklin, and Vonetta Clark-Tooles sit down with Dr. Terrance Scott, Beth Santer (Executive Director of Special Education), Theresa Franklin, and Celeste Johnson for an honest conversation about where...
Join us for a heartfelt conversation with retiring educational consultants Linda Kell and Ashara Shepard-Lance as they reflect on decades of transformative work in Wayne County schools. Alongside Dr. Markita Hall, they share powerful stories about building relationships, supporting educators, and the importance of empathy, curiosity, and courage in educational leadership. Both retirees look ahead to continued work in trauma-informe...
Ron Walker, founder of COSEBOC (Coalition of School Educating Boys of Color) and author of Legacy of Leading, shares the powerful moments that shaped his 55-year journey in education—from seeing Emmett Till's photo as a nine-year-old to receiving a letter from his incarcerated former student. He discusses the urgent need for Black male educators who see themselves as liberators, the importance of rite of passage work to heal tr...
In this powerful episode of Getting to the Core, the Wayne RESA SEED team shares transformative stories of courage, identity, and community through their Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity work. From the deeply personal “crossover” activity to building brave spaces for healing and dialogue, each educator reflects on how SEED fosters authentic belonging and systemic change. Ten years strong, SEED continues to cultivate a cultu...
What happens when talented educators are stuck in limbo-teaching for years but unable to pass certification exams? Getting To the Core sits down with the innovators behind Wayne County's groundbreaking teacher certification program that's achieving success where traditional pathways have failed. Through a unique blend of content expertise, test preparation, and something most programs overlook entirely, WTCP is turning long-term ...
The "Getting to the Core of Wayne RESA" podcast features Dr. Jennifer Banks (Washtenaw), Yarisha Johnson (Oakland), and Cherron Ramsey (Wayne County), the trio behind Tri-County Culturally Responsive Mathematics, who have transformed a pandemic-era vision into a five-year movement serving nearly 850 students. These three educators are proving that culturally responsive pedagogy combines rigorous mathematics with meaningfu...
Dr. Aaron Johnson's interview examines how traditional education systems often fail to connect with the lived experiences of students, particularly young Black males, emphasizing the need for more culturally relevant teaching approaches. He advocates for educational environments that authentically value students' existing knowledge and identities rather than imposing disconnected academic standards. The discussion highlight...
Dr. Muhammad, a renowned educational consultant and author, focuses on his newest book, "The Way Forward," while also delving into the legacy of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), the critical importance of equity, the current state of teacher well-being, and the potential dismantling of public education in the US.
This podcast episode delves into the origins, evolution, and impact of Wayne RESA's "Cultivating Genius" programs, focusing on culturally responsive instruction for Black children. It emphasizes the importance of addressing educator biases, understanding the holistic needs of Black students, and creating empowering and healing learning environments. The discussion honors the legacy of the late Ginni Winters, a key figure in the pro...
The Getting To The Core team collaborates with Leadership Consultant, Linda Kell to discuss why it’s important for our students to have their basic needs met in order to access higher order thinking skills author Dr. Bryan Pearlman.
Wayne State Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Dr. Rema Reynolds Vassar joins our podcast team, Getting To The Core to discuss the current challenges of teaching and learning in urban communities today.
Dr. Jay Marks, a renowned educator, discussed his work on anti-racism, social justice, and cultural proficiency. He highlighted the legacy of Dr. Ginni Winters, emphasizing her impact on education and equity. Marks stressed the importance of radical love, self-awareness, and accountability in education. He shared examples of successful community partnerships, such as the Social Justice Project in Oakland County, which improved dive...
Chronic absenteeism is a widespread issue in schools and districts across the country. It has raised concerns about academic rigor, student behavior, and performance. In an interview with Getting To The Core, author Jessica Sprick discusses best practices that have been effective in addressing these concerns.
The Executive Director of BFDI Training Institute, Dr. Keisha Allen joins Getting To The Core to discuss the power of Restorative Practices from a facilitator’s perspective.
Recently, our team at Wayne RESA had the pleasure of discussing the Strategic Planning process of Kentwood Public Schools with their leadership team, including Veronica Lake, Suni Joy, Andrew Telvin, and Carrie Tellerico. One of the key initiatives of their plan was the district-wide adoption of Restorative Practices. This approach has been proven to foster positive relationships and promote a sense of community within the school.
As we recognize National Homeless Awareness Week this month, we will be providing some information about the Special Populations Team at Wayne RESA, the McKinney-Vento Law, Homeless Awareness and why raising awareness on this subject is so important. We will be discussing what some common signs of homelessness are, the barriers that students experiencing homelessness face, how districts and PSAs can support their McKinney-Vento eli...
Wayne RESA Presents: Getting to the Core - MiCIP.
Today's content will be about continuous improvement. The State of Michigan has revamped our school and district planning to be more reflective, intuitive and responsive to the needs of staff and students. The process of district and school improvement is meant to be used for setting and aligning goals and expectations to the district and schools mission and vision. The...
Sometimes it’s easy to forget that “communication” encompasses so much more than language we speak, hear, or read. While language is one form of communication, humans communicate in numerous other ways with their body, eyes, hands, sounds, actions, and more.
“AAC, or Augmentative and Alternative Communication, refers to any form of communication that we use. So not just our mouth words. It could be our gestures…It encompasses forms...
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