In the old days—like last year—mid-August was a time when students prepared to get back to class. A time to reconnect with friends and compare summer vacation stories and to show off the fashion of your new school outfits, if you were so lucky. In 2020, instead of students worrying about who has a crush on who, they’re thinking about who has COVID and who doesn't. Parents are concerned with how their kids will get a quality education. Teachers are not only focused on the adjustment to teaching remotely but on the health risks of being called back to campus. In Episode 6, we hear from a panel of teachers, students in three different levels of school, a union rep for college instructors, Khalil’s mom Olufemi Ekulona, as well as renowned anti-racism educator Jane Elliott.
Jane Elliott has led trainings all over the world, exposing racism for what it is. Fifty-two years ago, she created the Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes exercise to show the impact of prejudice and bigotry in our society. She talks on the show about teachers leaving their biases at the door of the classroom.
Even before the pandemic, there was already a scarcity of educational resources on tribal lands. The lack of access to the internet and technology are only a couple. People are working to make the situation better. Jasmine Yepa is the coordinator for the Tribal Education Alliance and senior analyst for the Native American Budget and Policy Institute. She sheds light on what kids are facing—even her own.
Antonio Granillo is the community advocacy manager at Partnership for Community Action. He describes some of the barriers parents in New Mexico face as they try to get involved—including schools not providing required translators when parents don’t speak English. He also talks about Abriendo Puertas, a network aiming to connect parents so they can take the lead in advocating for their kids.
College football is a big moneymaker for colleges and universities. But is it safe to play? ESPN’s John Brickley breaks it down.
Daily Lobo reporters Cameron Ward and Andrew Gunn talk about the COVID case count at UNM on the first day of school and rising tuition rates even though classes are online and many of the university’s extracurriculars—funded by steep student fees—are on pause.
Ryan Lowery is an award-winning independent journalist who covers a lot government transparency issues. He tells the opaque story of the Las Vegas City School District.
Next week: It’s back to the basics. We look at food access, shelter and surviving the pandemic. Tune in Sunday, Aug. 30, at 11 a.m.
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No More Normal is brought to you by Your New Mexico Government, a collaboration between KUNM, New Mexico PBS, and the Santa Fe Reporter. Funding for our coverage comes from the New Mexico Local News Fund, the Kellogg Foundation and KUNM listeners like you, with support for public media provided by the Thornburg Foundation.
