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 cultural shifts still needed to make educational leadership more attainable and sustainable for women, including intentional mentorship, transparent hiring practices, and the normalization of bold, courageous leadership without the double standards women often face. The episode closes with each superintendent sharing a personal legacy statement, leaving listeners — especially aspiring women leaders — with a powerful reminder that the superintendency is not only attainable, but made stronger by the women who dare to lead it.

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 we are—and where we need to go.

From the promise of access to the reality of belonging, this episode tackles the hard questions: Why do silos still exist between general and special education? How do we move from compliance to meaningful inclusion? What would it take to truly reimagine teacher preparation and school culture?

The team explores practical strategies like Universal Design for Learning (UDL), the power of relationships over curriculum, and why every educator needs to embrace that all students are gen ed students first. With personal stories, passionate advocacy, and a bold 50-year vision for the future, this conversation is a rallying cry for educators ready to do the hard work of making "all means all" more than just a slogan.

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-informed education, proving that their passion for building resilient schools doesn't retire.

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 trauma, and why we must create a "conspiracy of care" that engages entire communities in supporting boys and young men of color.

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 culture of accountability, empathy, and hope—one conversation at a time.

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 substitutes into certified teachers and addressing the teacher shortage crisis one success story at a time.

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 meaningful, community-centered learning that empowers students to see themselves as mathematical thinkers and problem-solvers. Through summer institutes, leadership conferences, and student showcases featuring renowned speakers like Dr. Chris Emdin and Dr. Bettina Love, they're breaking the generational curse of "I'm not a math person" and replacing it with mathematical empowerment. Their collaborative approach across three Michigan counties demonstrates how educators can work together to create lasting systemic change that serves all students.