The Church & Reopening Schools

I was blessed to speak to a panel of diverse educators for today's episode. We discussed the best way for our schools to reopen, concerns regarding children with special needs, how they incorporate faith in their role as educators, and more. Get ready for an eye-opening conversation about The Church & Schools Reopening. 

Today's guests listed in alphabetical order: 

Jennifer Adkins - Special Education Teacher 

Ms. Adkins is entering her 30th year as an educator for the Chester County School District.  She teaches K-5th moderate to severe special needs.  These students are near and dear to her heart and have been on her mind ever since the Coronavirus forced our schools to close. As a concerned educator, she has kept up with the news regarding COVID-19, followed what our SC government has been recommending for schools, and been in discussions with other educators regarding the impact of this virus on our educational system.

Connect with Jennifer at [email protected].

Ilesha Graham - Director of Educational Services 

Mrs. Ilesha Graham is an educator, speaker, and writer who is passionate about enhancing the educational outcomes for young students and their families. Ilesha has spent the past 25 years in the field of education, serving most recently as the Director of Educational Services for a large urban school district in California.

When not working with children and their families, Ilesha conducts workshops and training on diversity, education equity, empowerment, and faith. Ilesha has been a Huffington Post contributor, and has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX 40 News affiliates, Yahoo!News, Mashable, TVOne, and multiple other media outlets.

Ilesha also serves as the Pacific Region and California state chaplain for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.

Connect with Ilesha on Facebook & Instagram @cocospeaks, cocospeaks.net, and LinkedIn @IleshaGraham.

Cynthia Knotts - Semi-Retired Teacher

Ms. Knotts was born, raised, and educated in Columbia, SC graduating from Booker T. Washington High School in 1973. She has earned a Bachelor's in Psychology and Masters in Education from the University of South Carolina. Ms. Knotts has 21 total years of teaching experience in Richland County School District One schools. Her teaching career is equivalent to a Master's plus 30 (credits towards a Doctorate). She served as a Social studies teacher at CA Johnson High School for 15 years. 

Connect with Cynthia at [email protected].

Pete Stone - High School Teacher 

Pete Stone currently serves as Chester County School District's 2019-2020 District Teacher of the Year and the current SCEA Chester Chapter President as well as SC for ED area rep.   He also serves on the Brainerd Institute Heritage Board of Directors where he works to help promote the poetic, artistic, and educational work and vision of Dr. Vivian Ayers.  He teaches English and Journalism at Lewisville High School and promotes artistic, ethical, and educational issues through a social media show called Today in the Woods.   He is passionate about advocating for students and teachers to be listened to, supported, and fully funded, so public education becomes more than forced test-prep but instead supports students on their journey to realizing and communicating their greatness to the world with clarity and confidence. 

Connect with Pete on Facebook @todayinthewoods 

Connect with Sherry: IG- @wearethechurch_podcast, [email protected], https://linktr.ee/sherryspeakslife.