This conversation explores the profound impact of recent immigration policy changes on teachers and students, focusing on the emotional and practical challenges faced in educational settings. Panelists discuss the anxiety and fear stemming from the potential presence of immigration agents in schools, the importance of clear communication and support systems, and strategies for creating safe spaces for students. The discussion highlights the importance of collaboration among educators, community organizations, and school leadership in effectively navigating these challenges.

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Jehan Hakim is a mother and Houston-based educational consultant with over a decade of experience in empowering educators and organizational leaders through culturally responsive pedagogy and professional development.

Jen Schwanke, Ed.D., has been an educator for almost three decades, teaching or leading at all levels. She is the author of four books published by ASCD, including The Principal’s Guide to Conflict Management, and has published hundreds of articles in various education publications. In addition to providing professional development to districts in the areas of school climate, personnel, and instructional leadership, Schwanke presents at conferences for ASCD, NAESP, NASSP, AASA, and various state and local education organizations. She is the co-host of the popular “Principal Matters” podcast and an instructor in educational administration at The Ohio State University and Miami University of Ohio. Dr. Schwanke currently serves as a Deputy Superintendent in Ohio.–

Kenya Bustos Diaz is a freshman ENL Teacher From Veracruz, Mexico, DACA recipient. Social Justice Mentor for Future Teachers of Color at Butler University Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education from Butler University.

Dara Laws Savage is a 26-year educator from the great state of Delaware. She has served on numerous local, regional, and state committees, and has been Teacher of the Year in two different districts. She is an Emeritus national faculty member of PBLWorks, and is presently the English 9 teacher and Instructional Coach at the Early College High School at Delaware State University while working on her doctorate. Dara is a proud Board of Education member for the Seaford School District (alumna) and she is the owner of Savage Educational Consulting.

Tom Rademacher has spent the last two decades devoted to students and education. He’s the author of 50 Strategies for Learning without Screens, It Won’t Be Easy, Raising Ollie, and the forthcoming chapter book series Bucket and Friends. Tom was named Minnesota’s 2014 Teacher of the Year, and before teaching mostly wrote bad poetry and talked about Kurt Cobain. He lives too close to the Mall of America in Minnesota with his wife, son, and absolute chonk of a dog.

This conversation explores the implications of recent changes to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in education. A panel of educators discusses how these changes affect teaching practices, classroom environments, and student relationships. They emphasize the importance of maintaining inclusivity and building strong relationships with students and families, regardless of policy shifts. The discussion highlights the need for educators to adapt while remaining committed to fostering an equitable learning environment.

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Crystal Watson is a passionate mathematics educator from Cincinnati, serving as an elementary school principal. She is dedicated to helping cultivate spaces of belonging where deep learning and positive growth can happen. Her motto, “What do the students think?” reminds her to always take time to hear different perspectives, especially the children, in order to make sound decisions.

Jehan Hakim is a second-generation Arab-American Muslim woman and mother of four. She is a Bay Area native who was born and raised in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco, California – and graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Though she’s been a community organizer and educator for decades. The depths  of her experience span from program management and coordination within school districts, to interfaith coalition building, community outreach, foreign affairs, and diversity.

Robert “Bob” Maranto is the 21st Century Chair in Leadership in the Department of Education Reform at the University of Arkansas, has served on his local school board, and with others has written or edited 18 books so boring his own mother refused to read them. He co-edited a forthcoming book, The Free Inquiry Papers, to by published by the American Enterprise Institute in April. Maranto. “Bob”and James V. Shuls. (2011). Lessons from KIPP Delta. Phi Delta Kappan 93: (November) 52-56, at https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/003172171109300313.

Jonathan Butcher is the Will Skillman Senior Research Fellow in Education Policy at The Heritage Foundation. He has researched and testified on education policy around the U.S., including testimony before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. He is the author of Splintered: Critical Race Theory and the Progressive War on Truth (Bombardier Books, April 2022). He co-edited and wrote chapters in The Critical Classroom (The Heritage Foundation, 2022), discussing the racial prejudice that comes from the application of critical race theory in K-12 schools. In 2021, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster nominated Jonathan to serve on the board of the South Carolina Public Charter School District.

Ashley Eberhart is in her 11th year of teaching as a Spanish Teacher at Round Rock High School in Round Rock, Texas. She serves as the Vice President for the Texas Foreign Language Association and the Austin Area Chairperson for the Texas A&M Hispanic Network. Ashley has presented from the campus level all the way to the national level on various topics such as SEL classroom strategies, building relationships in the virtual space, and implementing authentic resources for World Languages to advance interpretive proficiency.

Devon Beck is a dynamic leader and advocate for education, equity, and community development. His career spans multiple sectors, including education, community engagement, and the music business, where he has pioneered new roles to address organizational needs.

A graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Devon began his career in education, holding various roles such as Teacher’s Assistant, Behavior Specialist, Geometry/Algebra Teacher, Family & Student Liaison, and Pre-Referral Coordinator for the Talbot County Board of Education. Through these positions, he developed expertise in mentoring and supporting students who faced learning challenges. His work reinforced his belief that reaching students at critical stages in life can have a lasting impact.

This conversation explores the challenges educators face in creating safe and supportive environments for students. It highlights the importance of emotional support, effective discipline, and collaboration among teachers and administrators. The discussion emphasizes the need for empathy and understanding in addressing student behavior, as well as the critical role of school leadership in fostering a positive school culture.

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Larry Ferlazzo is the author or editor of 12 books, including Helping Students Motivate Themselves: Practical Answers To Classroom Challenges, The ESL/ELL Teacher’s Survival Guide, and Building Parent Engagement In Schools. He also maintains the popular Websites of the Day blog. In the Education Week Opinion blog, Classroom Q&A With Larry Ferlazzo, he responds to readers’ questions on classroom management, ELL instruction, lesson planning, and other challenges teachers face. He is an award-winning English and social studies teacher at Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, Calif.

Zach Groshell, PhD, is a former classroom teacher who now supports schools around the globe in implementing high-quality instruction based on the science of learning. He is the host of the popular podcast Progressively Incorrect and the author of Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching. His advocacy and consulting have resulted in powerful changes in culture, behavior, coaching, and instruction in a variety of school settings.

Jonah Davids is a research fellow at Maine Policy Institute, an analyst at The America Fund, and writes the Substack newsletter Mental Disorder.

Dennis Griffin, Jr. serves as the principal of Prairie Elementary School and is pursuing his doctoral studies in Educational Leadership at Cardinal Stritch University. Dennis is a servant leader who seeks to build collaborative cultures that enhance the future for ALL students, educators, and communities at large.