For this bonus episode of Red Pens & Red Flags, I sit down with alternative school educator Tazz Groffe to discuss what real accountability and care look like for students who the system has failed. We dig into state vs. federal control of curriculum, vouchers and funding, DEI done right, and why “choice” without oversight hurts the most vulnerable. Tazz shares frontline worries, from surveillance creeping into classrooms to National Guard deployments in U.S. cities, and the one thing that still gives him hope: students learning to think critically. If you care about the future of public education, this conversation is a must-listen. Teacher Groffe has a wonderful message to the Trump administration at the end of the podcast.

In this powerful season finale of Red Pens and Red Flags, we step outside the classroom and into the heart of the home with parent and advocate Bertha Robinson. A single mother of 14 (and counting), Bertha shares what it’s like raising a neurodiverse, multiracial family in today’s volatile education landscape. From busing and DEI rollbacks to special education funding and Project 2025, Bertha offers a raw, unfiltered view into how political decisions are impacting real families, especially those raising children with disabilities.

With humor, passion, and a deep sense of justice, Bertha calls out the hypocrisy of leaders who gut public education while never having relied on it themselves. She questions the morality of autism registries, defends ELD programs, and reminds us that equity isn’t charity, it’s a right. Whether she’s explaining why her autistic son plays 17 instruments or why she checks ParentSquare daily, Bertha shows us what real parental involvement looks like. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who thinks public education should serve all children, not just the privileged few.

After the interview, there are some closing thoughts from Rictor Riolo on the current state of public education, which ends with an inspiring quote from poet and teacher Maya Angelou. History is watching.

In this powerful sixth episode of Red Pens and Red Flags, host Rictor Riolo steps into the metaphorical (and literal) principal’s office to tackle the deeply unsettling implications of Project 2025 on America’s most vulnerable students. He’s joined by Jennifer Jones, a district administrator for alternative education, and Kaitlen Green, a high school social worker, who offer raw, unfiltered insights into how marginalized students are already fighting to survive in a system that’s stacked against them. Together, they examine the role of trauma-informed education, the erosion of federal protections, and what happens when discipline policies abandon equity in favor of “common sense” punishment. Spoiler: it’s anything but common or sensible.

The conversation doesn’t just critique, it galvanizes. Jennifer and Kaitlen bring receipts, personal stories, and decades of experience working with students who’ve been pushed out, written off, and underserved. From the gut-punch reality of the school-to-prison pipeline to the glimmers of hope in Oregon’s DEI resistance, this episode dares to imagine a better way forward, even as the walls seem to be closing in. If you care about public education, civil rights, or the survival of empathy in policy, this episode is required listening. Like what Mr. Rogers once said, "In times of disaster, look for the helpers."

In the fifth episode of Red Pens and Red Flags, self-described MAGA conservative high school math teacher, Aaron Megrian, joins the conversation to discuss the shifting landscape of American education. While he presents himself as a champion of neutrality, Aaron openly acknowledges that students may be treated differently based on race and socioeconomic status, yet he resists challenging these disparities. He frames assimilation as the solution, suggesting that tailoring education to meet diverse student needs is inconvenient for the broader community. Aaron advocates for returning power to the states, trusting local values over federal oversight, even though he admits that some states have historically failed marginalized groups. His comments reveal a preference for stability over equity and a belief that equality comes through conformity rather than transformation.

Despite insisting that political indoctrination has no place in the classroom, Aaron contradicts himself when discussing religious mandates. He expresses no concern over Bible placements in public school classrooms, arguing that moral instruction aligned with “traditional American values” is beneficial, so long as it reflects his personal ideology. He dodges a direct answer when asked if he supports DEI, opting instead to reframe it as a political buzzword that divides rather than unites. Likewise, when questioned about the educational inequities rooted in the Jim Crow era, he skirts the topic entirely, claiming he can’t speak to it. In doing so, Aaron inadvertently highlights a common tension in education today: the desire to appear apolitical while endorsing ideologies that reinforce existing power structures.

In this emotionally charged and deeply human 4th episode of Red Pens and Red Flags, host Rictor Riolo sits down with middle school band director Mylo, a fierce advocate, passionate educator, and proud queer non-binary teacher, to talk about what it means to hold space for students during a time when education feels like it’s under siege.

Mylo speaks candidly about the realities of being a public school teacher in a system riddled with inequities: from fighting for basic instrument repairs and equitable funding, to protecting students’ identities in a climate where DEI is being politicized and weaponized. They explain the emotional labor behind trauma-informed teaching and the pressure of showing up every day as a safe, nonjudgmental adult when many students don’t have that anywhere else. Through every moment, Mylo’s commitment to student voice, inclusive classrooms, and the power of the arts shines through like a spotlight on a quiet stage.

The conversation takes a turn as Mylo reflects on Project 2025, state-mandated religious materials in classrooms, and the frightening possibility of the Department of Education being dismantled. They articulate the heartbreak of having to hide their identity, and the devastation of watching students be told, implicitly or explicitly, that they don’t belong. And yet, despite the fear and the fatigue, Mylo offers hope. Their faith in youth activism, grassroots change, and the sheer tenacity of the next generation is inspirational. Whether you're a fellow educator, a student, or just someone trying to understand what’s at stake in today’s schools, this episode offers honesty, empathy, and a powerful reminder: the fight for inclusive, safe, and equitable education is personal, and it's far from over.

In this third episode of Red Pens and Red Flags, host Rictor Riolo sits down with Nancy Gonzalez, an ELD (English Language Development) paraprofessional at the middle school level, for an honest and insightful conversation about the realities of supporting multilingual learners in today’s political climate. Nancy discusses her role in guiding newcomer students, those who have recently arrived in the U.S., through their academic day, helping them navigate not only English but also the cultural shift of a new country. She opens up about the linguistic diversity she sees in the classroom, including students from Micronesia, Mexico, Ukraine, and Indonesia, and how tools like Google Translate, push-in support, and personalized assistance are essential in creating an inclusive environment. Nancy also critiques standardized assessments like the ELPA (English Language Proficiency Assessment), questioning whether they accurately reflect a student’s English ability and expressing concern over how long some students, especially U.S.-born kids, remain trapped in the ELD system, limiting their academic growth.

The conversation takes a powerful turn as Nancy addresses the political threats to the Department of Education, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs, and dual language immersion. She reflects on the potential dismantling of these systems and what that would mean for vulnerable students who still need support, even if the programs disappear. Nancy passionately advocates for inclusive, integrated classrooms where students can see themselves reflected in their teachers and feel emotionally supported amidst growing national anxiety. She shares her own journey as a former ELD student, her aspirations to become a social studies teacher, and her unwavering hope that, even if the policies change, dedicated educators will continue to show up, speak up, and care deeply for every learner. This episode is a must-listen for anyone invested in the future of equitable education.

In this second episode of Red Pens and Red Flags, host Rictor Riolo sits down with Veronica Spedner, a veteran special education teacher working in one of Oregon's most diverse high schools. Veronica shares how her core values—hard work, preparation, and inclusion—guide her daily work with students who have IEPs. She emphasizes the importance of supporting students not just academically, but socially and emotionally, so they can thrive beyond high school, whether in college, the workforce, or independent living. The conversation takes a powerful turn as Veronica critiques the current political climate, expressing deep concern about efforts to dismantle the Department of Education and roll back DEI policies. She argues that the erosion of federal oversight could severely impact students with disabilities, English learners, and other marginalized groups. Veronica shares her fears that without strong federal protections, we risk returning to an era of segregation and exclusion. Her response to Project 2025 is blunt: “It feels like we’re going backward.” But amid these challenges, Veronica remains hopeful. She believes in the resilience of educators and the power of inclusive classrooms where students with disabilities not only belong but also enrich the learning experience for everyone. Her message to policymakers is clear: spend time in public schools, talk to students, and see the impact of inclusive education firsthand. This episode is a powerful reminder that equity in education isn’t a luxury, it’s a legal and moral imperative.

In this introductory episode of Red Pens and Red Flags, host Rictor Riolo speaks with Dr. Gina Rogers, a middle school educator, about the emotional and political landscape facing her English Language Development (ELD) students in the United States. As the lead teacher for a newcomer program serving refugee and immigrant students, Dr. Rogers discusses the challenges her students face, from navigating school for the first time in a new country to coping with fears of deportation and housing instability. She describes the heightened stress levels in her classroom after the election and the profound impact of national uncertainty surrounding the Department of Education’s future under Trump’s administration. Drawing from her personal journey as a Romanian immigrant during the Carter era, Dr. Rogers emphasizes the power of safety, stability, and compassion in the classroom. This heartfelt conversation blends policy, pedagogy, and personal experience, showing that in a time of political upheaval, educators like Dr. Rogers are fighting to keep schools a sanctuary for their most vulnerable students.