Encore: Jesse Byrd on Why Storytelling Matters for Children | Creativity, Confidence & Connection
What I Want to Know with Kevin P. Chavous
Release Date: 02/26/2025
Amani Jones on Representation and the Role of Black Male Teachers in Education
What I Want to Know with Kevin P. Chavous
In classrooms across America, only about 1% of teachers are Black men. That gap shapes how millions of students see themselves and their futures. In this episode, Kevin P. Chavous talks with Ahmoni Jones, a seventh-grade math teacher at Soulsville Charter School in Memphis, who’s part of that 1%. Jones grew up in a predominantly Black district, surrounded by teachers who looked like him—but never by a Black man at the front of the room. Now he’s changing that story. They talk about what drew him to teaching, the influence of his parents—both behavior specialists—and the moment he...
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How Community and School Choice Transformed Denisha Merriweather’s Life
What I Want to Know with Kevin P. Chavous
In this episode, host Kevin P. Chavous introduces Denisha Merriweather, founder of Black Minds Matter and a leading advocate for education freedom. Her path includes failing third grade twice, growing up amid instability, earning a scholarship, and becoming the first in her family to graduate from college before completing a master’s degree. The theme is second chances in education reform, and the promise is access and dignity for every child, especially those too often left behind. Key Moments [00:00] Failing third grade twice and early struggles [03:00] Poverty, instability, and how it...
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Shaka Mitchell on How Federal Legislation Could Transform Education
What I Want to Know with Kevin P. Chavous
In this episode of What I Want to Know, host Kevin P. Chavous sits down with Shaka Mitchell, Senior Fellow at the American Federation for Children and a national leader in education reform. From classrooms to courtrooms, Shaka has been at the center of the fight for school choice, charter schools, and equitable education policy. Together, they explore whether choice truly expands opportunity, how legislation is reshaping access, and what the future of education innovation might look like. Chapters [00:00] Introduction & framing the debate [01:10] Shaka Mitchell’s personal education story...
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From Prison to PhD: David Heiber’s Fight to Change Urban Schools and Inspire Hope
What I Want to Know with Kevin P. Chavous
Every once in a while, there's a story that stops you in your tracks - a reminder of what's possible when someone refuses to let their circumstances define them. In this episode, host Kevin P. Chavous shares one of those stories with David Heiber, CEO and founder of Concentric. David's journey reads like something out of a movie: from serving time in prison to earning a doctorate, from being pushed out of the education system to helping over 70,000 students find their way back in. This isn't just a conversation about second chances—it's about what happens when someone decides to go against...
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Corey DeAngelis on Building Political Momentum for School Choice
What I Want to Know with Kevin P. Chavous
Corey DeAngelis joins Kevin P. Chavous to unpack the rapid rise of the education freedom movement. They explore school choice’s impact on public schools, bipartisan momentum, the role of teachers’ unions, and how personalized learning will reshape education’s future. Corey DeAngelis is a leading voice in the school choice movement, a researcher, author, and advocate for giving parents control over their children’s education. He currently serves as a senior fellow at the American Federation for Children and is affiliated with multiple education policy think tanks. Chapters 00:00...
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What It Takes to Run One of America’s Largest Virtual Schools With Kris Stewart
What I Want to Know with Kevin P. Chavous
Kris Stewart leads Ohio Virtual Academy, the largest high school in the state and one of just two virtual schools in the U.S. with a RAMP-certified counseling program. With 17,000 students and 750 staff, she’s proving that online learning can deliver real connection, support, and results. In this episode, Kris joins Kevin to share how her team tracks student well-being daily, supports mental health with wraparound services, and helps students earn industry credentials before they even graduate. She also explains how AI, co-teaching pods, and intentional leadership keep students engaged and...
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How MedCerts Is Training Teens for In-Demand Healthcare Jobs With Jennifer Kolb
What I Want to Know with Kevin P. Chavous
In this episode, Kevin sits down with Jennifer Kolb, Vice President of Workforce Development at MedCerts, to examine a growing question: What if college isn’t the only path to a good career? They dive into how MedCerts is helping high school students land well-paying jobs in healthcare—no four-year degree required. From AI-powered training to employer-backed certifications, Jen shares how this new model is reshaping how students prepare for work, and why school systems—and employers—are paying attention. They also unpack the rise of career exploration in high school, how virtual...
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Can AI Tutors Fix What Schools Can’t? With Vida C. Williams
What I Want to Know with Kevin P. Chavous
In this episode, Kevin sits down with Vida Williams, Chief Data Officer at Stride, to explore the promise—and risks—of artificial intelligence in education. From personalized tutoring to curatorial learning, they dive into how AI is reshaping what it means to teach, learn, and build trust in a digital world. They discuss how AI can reduce teacher overload, personalize instruction, and expand access—but also unpack why how we build it matters as much as what we build. And in a world where machines are getting better at guiding student learning, they ask a fundamental question: What’s...
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The Tax Bill That Could Change American Education with John Schilling
What I Want to Know with Kevin P. Chavous
Public dollars. Private schools. Political firestorms. In this episode, Kevin talks with long-time school choice advocate John Schilling about what happens when education funding follows the student instead of the system. They dig into the proposed federal scholarship tax credit: what it is, who it helps, and why supporters say it's about opportunity—not ideology. Opponents fear it's the beginning of the end for public schools. Advocates say it's already helping students, especially those in underserved communities. From Florida’s model programs to Washington’s sharp divisions, this...
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Encore: How can teachers maintain their passion for the profession?
What I Want to Know with Kevin P. Chavous
We’re re-releasing this episode because the questions it raises are more relevant than ever. In 2025, as technology transforms how students learn and entire industries evolve, the role of educators is shifting rapidly. Classrooms are becoming more digital, expectations more complex, and the pressure to keep students engaged—and prepared for the future—has never been greater. Yet, many teachers are stepping away. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly half of public education employees who leave the field aren’t retiring or laid off. They’re choosing to resign. Amid...
info_outlineThis is an encore episode of What I Want to Know, revisiting one of our most impactful conversations on the power of storytelling. Storytelling isn’t just about entertainment—it’s a crucial tool for learning, connection, and confidence-building in children.
In this episode, host Kevin P. Chavous sits down with award-winning children's book author and NPR Foundation board member Jesse Byrd to discuss how storytelling shapes young minds, promotes literacy, and empowers kids to see themselves in the stories they read.
🎙 In This Episode:
✔️ How storytelling fuels language and cognitive development
✔️ The journey from a tech career at Google to writing for children
✔️ Overcoming rejection and breaking into publishing
✔️ The need for diverse representation in children's books
✔️ Teaching kids to think critically about the stories they consume
✔️ The role of storytelling in social media and digital literacy
✔️ Navigating book bans and challenges in education
📚 Guest Spotlight: Jesse Byrd
Jesse is a celebrated children's book author, publisher, and advocate for inclusive storytelling. He has read to over 25,000 kids and worked with Airbnb Experiences to bring virtual storytime to families and corporations. His mission? Making sure every child sees themselves reflected in literature.
🔗 Resources & Links:
👉 Learn more about Jesse Byrd: [Website / Socials]
👉 Explore Stride Learning: https://www.stridelearning.com
👉 Follow Kevin P. Chavous on social: #WIWTK
📢 Join the Conversation:
How has storytelling impacted your life? Comment below or share your thoughts using #WIWTK on social media!
🚀 If you found this episode valuable, hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on notifications so you never miss an inspiring discussion. Let’s keep learning, together! 🔥
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