Our podcast Teachers’ Lounge is on the radio! We’ve got all the interviews with Illinois teachers and education stories you love -- along with exclusive segments -- in a monthly, hour-long show on WNIJ.
On this episode, we’re talking with Joseph Flynn. He’s an associate professor of curriculum & instruction at Northern Illinois University. He’s also the university’s executive director of equity & inclusion.
And, if you are a regular WNIJ listener -- you probably know him from his frequent commentaries on our “Perspectives” series.
We had a wide-ranging conversation about his path into the classroom, how teaching can be a tool for profound growth or oppression and the Social Justice Summer Camp he helps lead.
Also, our chat with Sycamore High School agriculture teacher and FFA advisor -- Kara Poynter!
She’s about as busy of a teacher as you can be -- between teaching speech, a Farm-to-Fork food class, traveling all around the country with her students for FFA competitions and conferences -- and then she goes home to her husband, two kids, and 100 sheep.
It’s a lot, but we talk about how she stays motivated, connecting her students with the community, how agriculture education is evolving and focusing on issues like sustainability, and so much more.
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. Every educator we have on Teachers’ Lounge, 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 show!
Don’t worry – the podcast isn’t going anywhere. You can still catch episodes every other Friday on WNIJ.org or wherever you get podcasts.
