Episode 1014

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Published on:

14th Oct 2025

The Wheelhouse Encore - The Lifeblood of Education: Exploring Equity and Inclusion

The Wheelhouse is currently in hiatus and returns on October 28th. In the meantime, we wanted to revisit some of our favorite episodes from season 9 as we prepare for season 11, “Future Ready Schools: Innovation Rooted in Humanity.” This is episode 11 from Season 9 – “The Lifeblood of Education: Exploring Equity and Inclusion.”  

How does Matthew Pinchinat define “Diversity”?

Summary

This episode delves into the paramount significance of nurturing hope within educational environments through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We engage with Matthew Pinchinat, an esteemed educator and administrator specializing in these critical areas, who elucidates the transformative power of these values in fostering an inclusive atmosphere for all students. Our dialogue explores the profound implications of recognizing and affirming the dignity of every individual, emphasizing that such efforts are not merely beneficial but essential for the psychological safety of our learners. Furthermore, we discuss the historical context that has shaped current perceptions of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the urgent need to counteract prevailing misconceptions. Ultimately, we reaffirm that the commitment to these principles is not only a matter of educational policy but a fundamental moral obligation that can significantly alter the trajectories of our students’ lives.

Additional Notes

A profound exploration of the essence of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the educational landscape unfolds through a compelling dialogue with Matthew Pinchinat, an esteemed educator and DEI administrator. The episode delves into the transformative power of these principles, emphasizing their critical importance in fostering an inclusive environment for students. Pinchinat articulates the intrinsic values that underpin successful educational practices, highlighting how a genuine love for teaching and a commitment to community can cultivate a sense of hope among learners. Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, he reveals that DEI efforts are not merely bureaucratic policies but essential frameworks that affirm the dignity and humanity of every student. This conversation invites educators to reflect on their roles in shaping narratives that empower diverse voices, ensuring that every child feels seen, heard, and valued in their educational journey.

Takeaways:

  • The conversation centers around the essential values of learning, community, and intrinsic human values.
  • We explore how diversity, equity, and inclusion serve as catalysts for cultivating hope.
  • The episode emphasizes the critical importance of understanding and supporting diverse student experiences.
  • It is asserted that the work of educators in fostering a safe environment is paramount.
  • Matthew Pinchinat shares his journey from educator to DEI administrator, highlighting the importance of this role.
  • The discussion underscores the idea that protecting student dignity and psychological safety is fundamental in education.

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About the Podcast

The Wheelhouse
Where Each Student is Distinctive and Irreplaceable
The Wheelhouse exists to create an inclusive community of empowered educators who believe that, together, we can disrupt the transactional herding nature of schooling to create districts, schools, and classrooms where each student feels confident, optimistic, capable, well-supported, and emboldened to be and to become who they are meant to be.

Guiding Principles
1. We are steadfastly committed to each learner and each educator believing they are distinctive and irreplaceable.
2. We believe that educating our children should be a humanizing, relational, and transformational endeavor. All else is secondary.
3. We believe that dignity is a birthright; it is not earned. Each child deserves a future filled with open doors and unlimited possibilities. Our work is in service to this central aspiration.
4. We believe that each human life is unique and precious; as such we are compelled to remove aspects of schooling that disregard any student’s dignity.

About your hosts

Grant Chandler

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Dr. Chandler is currently the president and chief executive officer of Students Matter, the producer of The Wheelhouse. Along with Kathleen M. Budge, Chandler, is the author Powerful Student Care: Honoring Each Learning as Distinctive & Irreplaceable (ASCD, 2023). Chandler brings over 35 years of practical experience as a high school teacher, building and central office administrator, higher education dean, professional learning director in an outreach department at a large research university, and as a technical support provider and executive coach. . Since 2005, Chandler has provided technical support to over 350 districts in developing systemic approaches to solving student learning issues and was recognized by the US Department of Education as a national expert in small learning communities. He has designed and led professional learning experiences at many levels of the K-12 arena and for many different audiences and has conducted numerous workshops at national, state, and regional conferences. His consultancies include boards of education, state and regional service providers; as well as individual schools and local districts across the United States and internationally. In his spare time, he’s writing a children’s book and raises standard poodles for animal assisted activities. Contact him at grantchandler@ourstudentsmatter.org or www.linkedin.com/in/grant-a-chandler.

Katherin Mohney

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Kathy Mohney continues as an inspiring voice and thinker on The Wheelhouse since she began in Season 4. Katherin is a veteran educational leader having served as a local superintendent, a local state and federal program officer, and as a technical service provider for local districts in additional to her work as an elementary teacher, , instructional coach, principal, and consultant. Kathy strongly advocates for each student, understanding that a high-quality education is the foundation for having more opportunities beyond their K-12 education. Kathy earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Western Michigan University and her Master’s in Educational Leadership from Michigan State University. In her spare time, Kathy enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, son-in-law, son, and her two fur babies.

Michael Pipa

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Mike is a 36-year veteran educator. Before joining the CASDA faculty, he worked as an administrator at both the high school and middle school levels. Prior to his administrative career, Mike taught English Language Arts in middle and high school, achieving National Board Certification in 2006. He has worked extensively in support of students at risk as well as led his building’s professional development efforts.

Mike has worked as an instructional and administrative coach supporting staff in several area schools.

Alicia Monroe

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Alicia Monroe, EdD, is a PK–20 experienced educator, international education consultant, and career coach. She has served as a teacher, supervisor, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, and adjunct professor. Her notable success in creating a culture of belonging and achievement in schools along with her expertise in developing equity and access models that frame educational opportunities for all students are the core of the ongoing professional learning and support she provides to school districts.

Dr. Monroe teaches undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral courses in Africana Studies and education at a state university. Her partnership with the Office of Accessibility Services and Center for Neurodiversity has provided for collaborative planning, mentoring, career coaching, and internship and job placement for diversability students and alumni.

Dr. Monroe is the CEO and founder of Solutions for Sustained Success, LLC. Through her private practice, she serves as national faculty for the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD). The whole child/whole student/whole educator framework that she was instrumental in designing is a trademark of ASCD.