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​CLASSCAST
Podcast

Episode 030 -- Leleda Beraki -- Class of 2020, Better Schools, Pandemics, Racism, & More

6/11/2020

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ClassCast Podcast Ep.030 features Leleda Beraki, an incredibly intelligent and focused member of the high school Class of 2020, discussing her high school experience, her reflections on the pandemic closure/online learning, how to improve school, and how honest discourse can help resolve racism in school and society.  As she prepares to enroll at Yale in the fall, Leleda has given serious thought to school's shortcomings and the social struggles we must all work to correct.  At the end, Leleda shares her unofficial graduation address -- it was not selected for her school's virtual graduation ceremony, but it includes serious and determined tones that beautifully represent the world in 2020.  

Also, to be sure to check out www.instagram.com/Advice4Action. Leleda and other members of the college Class of 2024, all of whom are entering "elite" or more selective institutions, are banding together in a new form of advocacy and activism. The brilliant young people are offering help with college admissions to other young people in exchange for donations to Black Lives Matter and related charities, attending rallies/protests, promoting local events, reading race-related books, and making promises to raise awareness.  If you know students in need of free/cheap college admissions help, they can get that help by supporting the BLM cause.  Check out their IG page; a new website will follow soon. 

Be sure to like, follow, share, and comment to let us know what you think and help boost ClassCast's reach. If you listen on a platform that supports reviews, we would appreciate some positive comments! 

** DISCLAIMER -- This episode contains honest, open discussions about race, racism, and bias in schools. Both Leleda Beraki and host Ryan Tibbens engaged in this discourse to share perspectives and learn. As the host, as a white male with my upbringing, I assume there are plenty of flawed statements in this discussion, but the only thing that's clear to me after recording is that I talked a little too much.  Also, as a teacher, I have referred to professional experiences that have occurred in six different schools and with a wide variety of coworkers; I do not intend to disparage any person or institution, nor do I intend to speak "out of place" or on behalf of my employer.  I am solely responsible for my views.  For those listening with a more critical ear (or predisposition to cancel culture/virtue signalling), please extend a little grace.  We're all trying to get better.  If you have a suggestion or question about content in this episode, you can email ClassCast Podcast directly. 


Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)!

Clip 030.1 -- Leleda Beraki -- Entering College, Graduating HS, & Motivation

In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.030, Leleda Beraki talks about her recent experiences as a member of the high school Class of 2020. She addresses her hopes and concerns as she prepares to enroll at Yale in the fall; her memories, concerns, and observations of distance learning at the end of her senior year; and how pandemic responses and shifts to online schooling revealed serious problems with students' educational motivations. 

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)!

​Clip 030.2 -- Leleda Beraki -- Unschooling, Voice & Choice, and the Ideal School

In this highlight clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.030, recent high school graduate Leleda Beraki shares her experience visiting an unschooling/independent learning center, thoughts about public school requirements, desires for more student choice, and visions of what would be her ideal school. Increased student participation in policy and administrative decisions has become an unintentional theme in this podcast, and this discussion fits right in -- Leleda is the youngest guest so far on the ClassCast Podcast and offers the freshest, most clear representation of what high school students want. 

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)!

​Clip 030.3 -- Leleda Beraki -- Discussing Race & Racism in School & Society

In this highlight clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.030, recent high school graduate and future Yale student Leleda Beraki talks with host Ryan Tibbens about race and racism in schools, in society, and how honest, purposeful discussion offers a path to a more just and equitable world. Ryan Tibbens was Leleda's teacher in Advanced Placement English Language and Composition and served as his teacher's assistant during her senior year, so they know each other well and have engaged in conversations about race many times in the past, both in and out of class. In this clip, Leleda offers criticisms and suggestions for how schools can do better, and Ryan explains his decision-making when teaching classes that focus on rhetoric, justice, and equity.

** DISCLAIMER -- This episode contains honest, open discussions about race, racism, and bias in schools. Both Leleda Beraki and host Ryan Tibbens engaged in this discourse to share perspectives and learn. As the host, as a white male with my upbringing, I assume there are plenty of flawed statements in this discussion, but the only thing that's clear to me after recording is that I talked a little too much.  Also, as a teacher, I have referred to professional experiences that have occurred in six different schools and with a wide variety of coworkers; I do not intend to disparage any person or institution, nor do I intend to speak "out of place" or on behalf of my employer.  I am solely responsible for my views.  For those listening with a more critical ear (or predisposition to cancel culture/virtue signalling), please extend a little grace.  We're all trying to get better.  If you have a suggestion or question about content in this episode, you can contact ClassCast Podcast directly via readthinkwritespeak@yahoo.com.

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)!

​Clip 030.4 -- Leleda Beraki -- Racism from Eritrea to America

In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.030, guest Leleda Beraki shares her experiences growing up, moving, and adapting to new cultures. Leleda was born in Eritrea, a small African nation, and moved to the United States during elementary school. Because of her family's experiences on two continents and in several cultures, she explains how she has come to understand racism and how her family's views may vary from those of black people born in the United States. 

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)!

​Clip 030.5 -- Leleda Beraki -- Unofficial Graduation Address for the Class of 2020

In this quick clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.030, Leleda Beraki presents her unofficial commencement address, reflecting upon challenges and opportunities facing members of the Class of 2020. Leleda tried out to be graduation speaker, and though her speech was good, competition was stiff; the main graduation speaker did an excellent job. However, host Ryan Tibbens was on that selection committee, so he knew Leleda's speech was also great and offered her the opportunity to share it at the end of the podcast. While it may be more serious than most graduation speeches, it is also real, sincere, and, ultimately, hopeful. 

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)!

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