Episode 1015

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Published on:

21st Oct 2025

The Wheelhouse Encore: The Role of Allyship in Education: Insights from James VanNada

Production of The Wheelhouse is in hiatus and new episodes return 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 09 from Season 9 – “The Role of Allyship in Education: Insights from Jim Van Nada.”  

Summary

This podcast episode features an insightful dialogue with Jim Van Nada, who returns to the Wheelhouse to explore educational issues through the lens of equity. Our discussion commences with the imperative of examining how our decisions impact students, particularly in terms of privilege and systemic barriers. Van Nada emphasizes the distinction between being an ally as a mere identity versus actively engaging in allyship as a verb, highlighting the necessity of genuine actions over superficial declarations. Throughout the conversation, we delve into the profound questions surrounding decision-making that affects diverse student populations, encouraging educators to reflect on the broader implications of their choices. As we strive to cultivate hope rather than extinguish dreams, we invite our listeners to engage deeply with these transformative ideas.

Additional Notes

A profound exploration of equity in education unfolds as Jim Van Nada returns to the Wheelhouse, engaging in a rich dialogue that challenges the status quo within our educational frameworks. The discourse embarks with a critical examination of how educators can approach school-related issues through an equity lens, prompting us to consider not only the decisions made but their broader implications on diverse student populations. Vaneda, a seasoned higher education professional, articulates the necessity of understanding the nuanced needs of each student, emphasizing that decisions should be informed by the lived experiences of those impacted. This conversation delves into the intricate balance between administrative decisions and their potential ramifications, urging educators to refine their approaches to cultivate hope rather than inadvertently stifle dreams.

The discussion transitions into a compelling differentiation between being an ally as a mere identity versus embodying allyship as a dynamic verb. Van Nada elucidates the importance of active engagement and vulnerability in fostering genuine connections with students and communities. The dialogue invites us to reflect on our own biases and the inherent challenges of navigating institutional frameworks that may impede our ability to act justly. As the conversation progresses, the panelists confront the uncomfortable realities of privilege and the importance of dismantling barriers that obstruct equitable access to education. This episode serves as a clarion call to educators: to reflect critically on their practices and to strive for an inclusive environment that nurtures every student's potential.

In the concluding segments, the discourse emphasizes the imperative of self-reflection and accountability in educational settings. Van Nada and the panel explore poignant questions surrounding the impact of decisions on individual students and the systemic issues that often remain invisible. The narrative crescendos with a compelling reminder that inaction equates to complicity, potentially perpetuating inequities and undermining the educational aspirations of marginalized students. The episode encapsulates a vital message: as educators, we must endeavor to cultivate hope, ensuring that our actions align with our professed values and commitments to equity. This episode not only illuminates the complexities of allyship but also challenges us to confront our own roles within the educational ecosystem, inspiring a collective journey towards transformative change.

Takeaways:

  • The conversation emphasizes the importance of viewing educational issues through an equity lens, which enables a more nuanced understanding of student needs.
  • Jim Van Nada elucidates the distinction between being an ally as a noun versus an ally as a verb, highlighting the importance of action over mere identity.
  • The panel discusses the critical role of vulnerability in fostering trust within educational environments and the necessity of listening to diverse voices.
  • Throughout the episode, the hosts reflect on the profound impact that daily decisions have on students, emphasizing the need for intentionality in educational practices.
  • The episode underscores the significance of building relationships and fostering genuine engagement to create inclusive educational spaces.
  • Finally, the discussion concludes with a call to action, urging educators to consider whether their actions cultivate hope or inadvertently stifle dreams.

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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.