Square Pizza

Square Pizza

The Square Pizza podcast focuses on the intersection of education, innovation, and diversity. We host and interview leaders doing incredible work around the country to ensure all students have access to an equitable education. The Square Pizza podcast is hosted by SchermCo, a social-impact implementation firm that offers strategic implementation and project management services to schools and education-focused organizations across the country.

Episodes

May 12, 2023 37 mins

Welcome back to another episode of the #squarepizzapod. This week, Greg is in conversation with Alejandro Gibes de Gac, CEO & Founder, of Springboard Collaborative. Springboard closes the literacy gap by closing the gap between home and school.

In this episode:

FELA Methodology

  • 6 basic steps of FELA methodology
  • Importance of setting a winnable goal within 5 to 10 weeks
  • Three cycles of FELA recommended over a...
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Welcome back to another episode of the #squarepizzapod. This week, Jia Lin-Bothe, who is our Director of Family Empowerment, is in conversation with Katura DeVane and Syrina Rice. Both are parents and part of SchermCo’s family empowerment work. 

In this episode:

  • PLI in CLT
    • First-ever in-person East Coast Training!
    • 7 parents from our partner schools completed this training 
  • Reflections
    • What did they gain from this opportu...
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Welcome back to another episode of the #squarepizzapod. This week, we have two guest hosts from the SchermCo team! Alex Abisch, Director of Strategic Implementation, and Taylor James, Strategic Implementation Associate. Alex and Taylor are in conversation with Jerika Jones who is the Executive Director of INTech Foundation.

In this episode: 

  • Background
  • How did she get interested in Women and Gender Studies?
  • How does her ...
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March 30, 2023 51 mins

We are excited to bring you this episode of the #squarepizzapod. This week, Greg is in conversation with three Charlotte Lab students, Ara Jenkins, Ahmir Lee, and Aliyah Walker, who are in 11th grade. One fun fact: this is part two of their first episode (#78) as they hold the 4th most downloaded episode in Square Pizza history. 

In this episode:

  • What’s new?
  • How has their educational experience changed in the past year?
  • H...
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Welcome back to another episode of the #squarepizzapod. This week, we have a guest host, Mathu Gibson, who is our Associate Director of Family Empowerment. Mathu is in conversation with Principal Glenn Starnes II, Harding University High School, and LeDuan Pratt, Garinger High School. Two Black Male Principals from our partner schools. 

In this episode: 

  • Influence and Story
    • How did they get to where they are today? 
    • W...
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Welcome back to another episode of the #squarepizzapod. This week, Greg is in conversation with Lakisha Young, Founder & CEO, The Oakland REACH.  

Who is Lakisha Young?

Lakisha Young is the Founder & CEO of The Oakland REACH, a parent-run organization founded in 2016. She knows from her own story that winning in education is par for the course when you already have what you need to win in life — and becau...

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Welcome back to another episode of the #squarepizzapod. This week, Greg is in conversation with Jia Lin-Bothe, Director of Family Empowerment Work, Charlene Mack, Vice President, National Partnerships & Training, Innovate Public Schools, and Katura DeVane, Parent, and part of SchermCo’s family empowerment work.

What does Innovate Public Schools Do?

  • Innovate Public Schools is a nonprofit organization worki...
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Welcome back to another episode of the #squarepizzapod. This week, Greg is in conversation with Nehemiah Frank, Black Wall Street Time. 

The Black Wall Street Times was founded by Nehemiah in 2017. He is the descendent of two families that survived the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

This prosperous community was the victim of the worst act of racial violence against Black people in American history. As a means of honoring the vi...

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Welcome back to another episode of the #squarepizzapod. This week, Greg is in conversation with another set of members from SchermCo. Alex Abisch is our Director of Strategic Implementation, and Jia Lin-Bothe is our Director of Family Empowerment. This is the second time we have interviewed team members of SchermCo, and this won't be the last! We hope you enjoy! 

In this episode:

  • Alex Abisch
    • Artist and Art Therapy, Master...
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December 14, 2022 7 mins

Welcome back to another episode of the #squarepizzapod. This week, Greg is wrapping up the 2022 year! We have had one of the best years thus far and are excited to share these milestones with you. Here’s to many more years to come. 

In this episode: 

  •  What we’ve done over the course of the year 
  • Accomplishments we’ve achieved 
  • Who we’ve interviewed on the Pod 
  • Plans for the future 
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November 18, 2022 37 mins

Welcome back to another episode of the #squarepizzapod. This week, Greg is in conversation with the two newest members of SchermCo. Taylor James is our Strategic Implementation Associate, and Mathu Gibson is our Associate Director of Family Empowerment. Did you know Taylor published a book or that Mathu is a former NFL player turned educator? This is the first time we have interviewed team members of SchermCo and this won't be...

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November 4, 2022 32 mins

Welcome back to another episode of the #squarepizzapod. This week, Greg is in conversation with Maurice Jones, CEO of OneTen. One fun fact you will learn about Mr. Jones is that he grew up on a tobacco and corn farm. 

In this episode:

  • Background
  • Birth of OneTen
  • Creating 1 million family-sustaining jobs for Black talent in America by 2030
  • Board of  OneTen
  • How leaders helped shape the vision of OneTen

Guest Question:

  • Dewey Norwo...
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Welcome back to another episode of the #squarepizzapod. This week, Greg is in conversation with Reuben Ogbonna, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Marcy Lab School. One fun fact you will learn about Marcy Lab School is that they aspire to be incredibly transparent with their team, including sharing salaries. You will find out why this is important to them in this episode. 

In this episode:

  • Advice for securing a majo...
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Welcome back to another episode of the #squarepizzapod. This week, Greg is in conversation with three guests, Jonathan Gardner,  Director of GardHouse, Jania Massey,  Founder and Executive Director of Stiletto Boss University, and Manuel Campbell, CEO of Aspire Community Capital. One fun fact you will learn about these three incredible individuals is that they served on a panel together recently about leading non-profits of small b...

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Welcome back to another episode of the #squarepizzapod. This week, Greg is in conversation with Dr. Shontoria Walker, Education PowerED, Executive Director. One fun fact you will learn about Dr. Walker is her love for Houston, Texas.  

In this episode:

  • Education PowerEd
  • Culture to the Max book 
    • The inspiration behind writing book
    • Who is culture to the max for
    • How educators and families can work toge...
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Welcome back to another episode of the #squarepizzapod. This week's episode is a little different from the rest. This particular episode is a special mash-up of recent guests sharing what square pizza reminds them of.  Sometimes square pizza reminds you of nothing so it actually makes you think of something, or maybe it reminds you of a book, or times with friends at school. In our eyes, square pizza day was the best day of th...

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Welcome back to another episode of the #squarepizzapod. This week, Greg is in conversation with Brittany Young, Founder + CEO of B-360. One fun fact you will learn about Brittany and B-360 is the Mayor of Baltimore designated March 25th as "B-360" day to honor the five-year anniversary of their organization. The celebration includes a press conference and a proclamation from the Mayor. 

In this episode:

  • B-360 ...
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Welcome back to another episode of the #squarepizzapod. This week, Greg is in conversation with Abi Olukeye, Founder + CEO of Smart Girls HQ.  One fun fact you will learn about Abi is her love for tv shows, especially Ozark.   

In this episode:

  • Big picture vision for the Smart Girls HQ
  • Why outreach and community service is so important despite all the growth 
  • Things learned as a IOT strategy development at Fortune 500 
  • How...
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We are excited to bring you this episode of the #squarepizzapod. To kick off year 3, Greg is in conversation with  Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues. He is also known as the Godfather of Smallball. He played 14 seasons in the NBA, with 10 of those being with our beloved Charlotte Hornets. One fun fact about Muggsy is that he was a wrestler in high school and how that sport influenced his basketball career.

In this episode:

<...
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    March 17, 2022 55 mins

    We are excited to bring you this episode of the #squarepizzapod. This week's episode is from a recent webinar hosted by Greg and Rachel Tutwiler Fortune from the Jacksonville Public Education Fund. We recently concluded a partnership with them. The two main objectives of the partnership were helping them, and their community partners think and build out a strategy around measurable goals for diversifying the teaching force in ...

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