This week on the show, Jason Klein!
He just started as the senior director of Education Partnerships and Learning Solutions with the Northern Illinois Universitycollege of education and Center for P-20engagement.
He’s spent the past 25 years working in just about every level of education. He’s been a classroom teacher, lead technology and instruction, a principal and assistant superintendent. Now, he works with state agencies, advocacy groups and so many others to help schools collaborate and find solutions across Illinois.
“One of the questions I learned to ask early in my career as an educator is ‘was my experience maybe not everybody's experience or was it?’” he said. “And how can we help ensure that all the ways in which I may have been lucky or that the system was biased in my favor, that we make sure we unbias systems so that all kids are lucky in those same ways?”
He’s at once looking at education through this macro, statewide lens and then also spending time in schools to see how things are working from a school-by-school, student-to-student perspective. We dive into his work and the big issues in education he has his eye on.
If you’ve never listened before, our show is based on an idea -- we’ve all had teachers in our lives who shaped who we are. And we want to hear about the teachers who inspired you or deserve a spotlight in your community. Every educator we have on this podcast, whether teacher, coach, counselor or professor, is nominated by our listeners.
So, tell us about the person who comes to your mind. Shoot us an email and nominate an educator at teacherslounge@niu.edu and they could be on the podcast! And subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to speed on everything to do with the show.
Also, Teachers’ Lounge is now on the radio! The podcast won’t change one bit, but you can now catch the show as an hour-long radio program every month on WNIJ. We’ll have multiple guests, stories, and new segments to hear. Our next episode airs on Friday, August 26th at 11 a.m. on 89-5 FM and right here WNIJ.org. Tune in on the last Friday of the month at the same time for future episodes.
SHOW NOTES
Educator(s) in this episode:
Jason Klein
Stories in this episode:
DeKalb School District says police can no longer fine students for in-class behavior
Music: Our show's theme music is from the northern Illinois-based band "Kindoves" and their songs "Popn," "Origins" and "Quiche." You can find more of their music on their Soundcloud page. You can also listen to the episode of WNIJ's own Sessions from Studio A where they were featured.
Teachers! People who know teachers! People with stories about teachers! Send us an email and be part of the show! Also, send us your topic recommendations: teacherslounge@niu.edu
