Welcome to another episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast. In this thought-provoking episode, we welcome Dr. Robin Gustafson, Professor of Psychology at Western Connecticut State University and Cognitive Scientist, for a deep dive into the science of learning and the cognitive effects of school integration.

Dr. Gustafson, who holds a Ph.D. in Human Cognition and Learning from Columbia University, shares her insight into how learning is a fundamental, automatic process of the human brain, something the mind cant stop doing. Drawing on years of research in cognitive science, she breaks down what this means for students, educators, and the environments in which we learn.

Dr. Gustafson reflects on her own educational journey growing up in Massachusetts, where she attended a predominantly white public high school that bused Black and Brown students in from Boston. As an early ally of the schools Black Student Union, she emphasizes the critical importance of creating safe spaces for marginalized students within educational environments.

In this thought-provoking episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast, we dive deep into the impact of school desegregation in the North and Midwest, asking the critical question: Did it truly result in better opportunities for Black children?

Join our host, Dr. Theresa J. Canada, as she reflects on her personal experience as a young student in a desegregation experiment and how it shaped her global perspective. We explore whether desegregation led to greater access to higher education, career pathways, and long-term professional success for Black students.

This episode also highlights the 1970s Effective Schools Movement, a pivotal chapter in education reform. With its core belief that "schools can be effective regardless of racial composition," the movement emphasized that school success depends more on social and economic conditions than race alone. We also focus on the critical role of social context, including cultural norms, values, beliefs, traditions, social structures, and relationships. These elements shape how individuals experience and interpret education, opportunity, and identity. Dr. Canada thoughtfully navigates the complexities of this topic, acknowledging what truly drives student success.

Thank you for joining us for another episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast. In this episode, we are honored to welcome Amy Cohen, an educator, storyteller, and author. After teaching middle and high school social studies for 20 years, Ms. Cohen transitioned in 2013 to become the Director of Education at History Making Productions. Today, she shares insights from her book, Black History in the Philadelphia Landscape: Deep Roots, Continuing Legacy, which uncovers the rich and often overlooked Black history of Philadelphia.

Together, we explore the deep and complex history of Philadelphias Black community: its leaders, its legacy, and its lasting impact. Ms. Cohen shares compelling stories, historical context, and data that shed light on the city's legacy of African American leadership, the impact of desegregation in the North, and Malcolm Xs connection to Philadelphia. Ms. Cohen also reflects on her experience teaching African American history in the first district in the U.S. to require it.

This episode is a deep dive into the importance of inclusive history, the power of education, and the need to acknowledge and amplify the voices that have shaped our cities and our country. As Ms. Cohen powerfully reminds us: Being American is more than a pride we inherit; it's the past we step into and how we repair it.

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast, host Dr. Theresa J. Canada, an experienced educator and researcher, dives deep into the psychological and emotional impact of segregation on students. Drawing from both academic research and her own lived experiences, Dr. Canada explores how the environment in which children learn significantly shapes their mental health, self-concept, and academic achievement.

This episode focuses on the crucial role of education in shaping a more equitable and mentally healthy society. Dr. Canada discusses how teachers and quality education play a pivotal role in supporting students emotional well-being, regardless of whether schools are segregated or desegregated. She also reflects on her personal journey, as detailed in her book Desegregation of the New York City Schools: A Story of The Silk Stocking Sisters, revealing how the past continues to shape and influence todays educational system.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into how systemic inequities continue to affect students today, why mental health must be prioritized in education, and how shifting attitudes can lead to meaningful behavioral change. Dr. Canada emphasizes that education is about more than academics, it's also about supporting the emotional and developmental needs of the student.

Welcome to another episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast. In this episode, we welcome Stephanie Deutsch, acclaimed writer and critic whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The Weekly Standard, The Millions blog, and numerous local publications. Ms. Deutsch is the author of You Need a Schoolhouse: Booker T. Washington, Julius Rosenwald, and the Building of Schools for the Segregated South, a compelling exploration of one of the most impactful educational partnerships in American history.

Growing up in segregated Arlington, Virginia, where she attended an all-white elementary school, Ms. Deutsch offers a personal perspective on how recent and lasting the impact of segregation remains. Through research and lived experience, she highlights educations power to drive change.

At the center of our conversation is the extraordinary collaboration between Booker T. Washington, founder of the Tuskegee Institute, and Julius Rosenwald, president and part-owner of Sears. Together, they started a transformative school-building program that led to the creation of over 5,000 Rosenwald Schools, which provided access to quality education for Black children across the segregated South. The generations that attended these schools would go on to become key leaders in the Civil Rights Movement, proving that education truly is the foundation of change.

Thank you for joining us for another episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast. Today, we welcome Rosa E. Blackwell, a retired educator and former Superintendent of Cincinnati Public Schools, who dedicated 36 years to transforming education and uplifting communities. Ms. Blackwell shares her personal journey growing up in Cincinnati, shaped by a foundation of faith, family, and work ethic. Influenced by teachers who held high expectations and showed respect for all students, she made it her mission to ensure every child, regardless of background, had access to quality education.

Ms. Blackwell highlights the critical role adults play in shaping the lives of young people, emphasizing that excuses should never be the reason children fall victim to low expectations. Her commitment to excellence and community empowerment is evident as she speaks passionately about the need to hold all students to high standards.

Our host, Dr. Canada and Ms. Blackwell reflect on their contrasting academic experiences: Dr. Canadas shaped by desegregation and Ms. Blackwells by segregation. This comparison opens a deeper conversation about the level of support students receive in different educational environments and the effects of systemic inequities. Ms. Blackwell discusses the integration of Cincinnatis school system. She shares her insights on the ongoing challenges of training teachers and administrators to effectively educate students across diverse racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds.

Welcome to another episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast. In this episode, we dive into Reauthoring Savage Inequalities: Narratives of Community Cultural Wealth in Urban Educational Environments, a powerful book exploring the dynamics that shape education in urban communities. Our host, Dr. Theresa J. Canada is not only leading this conversation, but shes also a contributing author. Her chapter, titled "Old School Urban Education: How Friends, Families, Communities, and Teachers Support Success in Early Childhood Education", centers on early childhood education, which has long been her passion and research focus.

Dr. Canada shares insights from her lived experiences and academic journey, highlighting the four key areas that have had a profound impact on educational outcomes for Black children in urban schools: friends, teachers, family, and community. Through personal reflection, she discusses how these support systems shaped her own path and how they continue to influence children today.

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast, we are honored to welcome Dr. Jacqueline Jones, a recognized policymaker, researcher, educator, and former President and CEO of the Foundation for Child Development. Dr. Jones brings decades of experience in both education policy and research, having served as the country's first Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Early Learning and as Senior Advisor on Early Learning to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

Together, we explore the impact of the Abbott v. Burke decision, the pivotal 1998 New Jersey Supreme Court ruling that established the legal mandate for high-quality preschool programs in 30 underserved school districts, now known as the Abbott districts. These districts serve approximately 25% of New Jerseys public school students and contributed to the states reputation as a national leader in early childhood education.

Dr. Jones offers an in-depth analysis of the historical context, the legal and policy journey behind the Abbott decision, and the vital role research and advocacy played in its success. We delve into the foundational studies from the 1960s that continue to inform best practices in early education, and we discuss whats working, what still needs attention, and where the future of early childhood policy must focus.