Healing Spaces and Emotional Intelligence in Education with Dr. Kezia Jackson
Navigating STL Schools: A Podcast
Release Date: 02/03/2025
Supporting Early Literacy in STL with St. Louis County Library’s Laura Polak
Navigating STL Schools: A Podcast
“The library really exists for the community. So we want people to come and take advantage of our services. We want people to let us know if there's something that they think that we could be helping with that they need.” -Laura Polak Today’s guest is Laura Polak, the Early Literacy Coordinator at St. Louis County Library. Laura sat down with Staci to discuss the positive impact an early exposure to reading has on a child, what the library has to offer beyond books, and the community programs that SLCL has to help keep everyone engaged in reading at any age.
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Starting 60’s: Fighting for Fair Teacher Salaries with Jeffrey “Bo” Dean
Navigating STL Schools: A Podcast
“You can’t survive in this economy with making $40,000, especially if you have children, a car note, rent, things of that nature.” -Jeffrey “Bo” Dean Today’s guest is Jeffrey “Bo” Dean, Assistant Principal and Founder at Starting 60’s Initiative. Jeffrey sat down with Staci to discuss the impact of technology and virtual learning, fighting for a living starting wage for teachers, and the role of educators beyond teaching.
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Empowering Students to Take the Lead at Kairos Academies with Jack Krewson
Navigating STL Schools: A Podcast
“Kairos Academies’ mission is to empower students to direct their own lives and learning. That requires a different kind of school model. A school that allows students to make decisions for themselves, and to practice making decisions for themselves.” -Jack Krewson Today’s guest is Jack Krewson, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Kairos Academies. Jack sat down with Staci to discuss how Kairos Academies empowers students to make their own decisions, the difference between growth and proficiency scores, and instilling solid executive functioning skills in students.
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Healing Spaces and Emotional Intelligence in Education with Dr. Kezia Jackson
Navigating STL Schools: A Podcast
“Mental health services are something that is very proactive. So, yes, you can come when you’re at your breaking point, but let’s prevent you from getting there.” -Dr. Kezia Jackson Today’s guest is Dr. Kezia Jackson, Founder and Licensed Psychologist at Healing Spaces Psychological Services. Dr. Jackson sat down with Staci to discuss the work Healing Spaces does, the importance of proactive mental health care for students, and the impact of social media in the mental health space.
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Blues for Kids and Navigate STL Schools Change the Game with Eva O’Shea and Devon Furash
Navigating STL Schools: A Podcast
“Blues for Kids felt like Navigate STL Schools was doing something that other organizations weren't…providing tangible resources for children and families in the Saint Louis area from the get go.” -Eva O’Shea Today’s guests are Eva O’Shea, Senior Manager of Community Management, and Devon Furash, Senior Coordinator of Community Development for Blues for Kids of the St. Louis Blues. They sat down with Staci to discuss Navigate STL Schools receiving their Captain’s Grant and the kid’s programs that Blues for Kids and the Blues offer.
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Navigate STL Schools: A Podcast - 2024 Season Recap
Navigating STL Schools: A Podcast
In this special episode, we take a look back at some of the impactful insights from this season’s guests. We’ve covered everything from misconceptions of unhoused people, PNC’s Grow Up Great Program, the need for improving child literacy, helping students get to college, and much more. Listen again or get caught up to help you Navigate STL Schools and make informed choices for your children.
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STLDD and Navigate STL Schools Unite for Family Support with Nate Head
Navigating STL Schools: A Podcast
“STLDD is trying to make that roadway for families not so complicated and confusing. That there’s going to be someone there with them along the way to open doors and guide them in their journey and maybe even hand off to the next person.” -Nate Head Today’s guest is Nate Head, the Director of Agency and Community Relations for the St. Louis Office of Developmental Disability Resources. Nate sat down with Staci to discuss how Navigate STL Schools received a grant from them to create informational videos, and ways that STLDDR helps support families and individuals with developmental...
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Helping Students Become College Bound with WyKeshia Atkins and Kynidi Miller
Navigating STL Schools: A Podcast
“College Bound is a great extracurricular, but it's also a commitment for our students.our goal is to make our students as comfortable and confident as they can be, as they matriculate to college and go on campuses.” -WyKeshia Atkins Today’s guests are College Bound’s WyKeshia Atkins, Director of Strategic Partnerships, and Kynidi Miller, Recruitment Coordinator. WyKeshia and Kynidi sat down with Staci to discuss the expansive services offered by College Bound, instilling confidence in students heading into college, and the impact of community throughout the process.
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Media Arts as a Catalyst for Learning with STL Voices Academy’s Steward Stiles
Navigating STL Schools: A Podcast
“School choice is not a problem when you have families that are paying for the schools…it is only weaponized when our middle and low class families are offered this choice…[STL Voices Academy is] bringing the benefits that affluent families have benefitted from for years now, and we’re bringing it, making it more accessible for all families, and now it’s a problem.”-Steward Stiles Today’s guest is Steward Stiles, the Associate Director of Student Recruitment and Family Partnership at STL Voices Academy of Media Arts. Steward sat down with Staci to discuss finding the right...
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The Power of Simple Positive Play with Jennifer Ilardi
Navigating STL Schools: A Podcast
“When we are playing with our kiddos, and we have those positive interactions with them, we’re building relationships in a situation that’s not so intense. So, when we are able to play in times of low stress, when stressors do come up, you can open up those communication lines.” ” -Jennifer Ilardi Today’s guest is Jennifer Ilardi, the founder of Simple Positive Play. Jennifer sat down with Staci to discuss the inspiration behind Simple Positive Play, how the community benefits from a playful space like this, and how play can prepare children for the classroom.
info_outline“Mental health services are something that is very proactive. So, yes, you can come when you’re at your breaking point, but let’s prevent you from getting there.”
-Dr. Kezia Jackson
Today’s guest is Dr. Kezia Jackson, Founder and Licensed Psychologist at Healing Spaces Psychological Services. Dr. Jackson sat down with Staci to discuss the work Healing Spaces does, the importance of proactive mental health care for students, and the impact of social media in the mental health space.