Category: Education

You'll want to meet and get to know Special Education teacher Dena Grushkin, who recently retired after 35 years in the classroom. However, a 2004 trip to Nigeria turned out to be a seminal moment in her life, opening her eyes to the reality of children living and attending school under the most challenging circumstances. She managed to raise $5,000 from friends, colleagues and strangers for books and other supplies. That visit prompted Dena to create the Nigerian School Project, a nonprofit educational organization that supports teachers and students. In 2009 her organization built a junior secondary school; 5 years later a senior secondary was completed, both on the river community of Tomaro Island. This June marked the first graduation class. This is a conversation you can't afford to miss!

Yasmine Rana has a lot on her mind. A playwright, drama therapist and educator, her plays have been developed and produced in the U.S. and abroad. In 2014, Yasmine was one of 16 finalists for the Francesca Primus Prize for her play, "The War Zone is My Bed." A year later, she received a fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts for "Another Spring." Her plays and monologues have been published in numerous reviews. As a drama therapist, Yasmine has worked with refugees in Bosnia, The Republic of Georgia and Switzerland. You'll enjoy meeting and getting to know yet another creative woman.

Past guest Jennifer Baumgardner's back and for good reason. The feminist activist, journalist, author and former publisher of The Feminist Press has launched a new venture. She's the founder of Dottir Press, an independent publishing house. Dottir is Icelandic for daughter and speaks to its mission of passing down and building upon feminist intellectual and creative legacies to fill the void in our history and present culture through storytelling in all forms and for all ages. Join us for yet another important and powerful conversation.

It's both an honor and pleasure to introduce Melissa Salguero: teacher, musician, role model, mentor and...2018 Grammy Music Educator Award winner! She joined the faculty of P.S. 48 Joseph R. Drake elementary school in New York's South Bronx neighborhood in 2010. In the years since, Melissa has built its music program from the ground up, raising more than $160,000, including the $50,000 she received on the Ellen DeGeneres show. Melissa combines science and musical concepts by transforming her classroom into a Mad Scientist lab. You're about to listen to one uplifting, inspiring, feel good conversation.

Clearly a sin of omission when it comes to teaching American history and one Carol Berkin, PhD has worked to correct. The author of several books, including: First Generations: Women in Colonel America; Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for America's Independence, Dr. Berkin has been a frequent contributor on PBS and The History Channel. There's much to learn in this fascinating, eye-opening, 'you're kidding' conversation!