The question of a school’s “success” is the thread underlying this entire podcast – and the specific target we aim at today by listening to the voice and experience of four representative Bailey students. In the face of all we could put in the basket of “learning loss,” the educators at Bailey reconstructed their interactions and their expectations to experience success for themselves and their students …. Yes, success (or at least substantial improvement) in test scores, but success understood far more broadly and deeply to incorporate mental health, social and emotional capacity, academic achievement, and growth in intelligence.
Listen to four Bailey students speak for themselves about why they were there, what they remember, and how they have made their way – with stories still very much being told. Success for these young adults is not so much about achievement understood in test-based terms as about who these young people are and why we might feel good about who the Bailey students have become and are still becoming. You will meet Damisha, Brandon, Maia, and Zee, all in their early 20s. As you’ll see, their stories differ but what they share is that Bailey, a middle school, was a place where they experienced both love and limits. It felt to them like a place where they could grow and develop.
00:00 A meditation on “success” in school Barbara Stengel
04:50 Introduction, Barbara Stengel
06:03 Damisha Hanserd, transfer from KIPP and East, who stayed through 8th grade
The power of Black teachers
Getting in trouble and academic achievement
Education at Bailey better than East
Juggling college, the pandemic, and responsibility as a mom
Bailey shaped me
17:31 Brandon Tok, transfer from Rutherford County, who spent his 8th grade year
From the “best” high school, leaving college for a family business
Diversity among students at Bailey
Influential, even “life-saving,” teachers
Parental presence matters
Bailey’s social impact
31:00 Maia Black, arrived in 6th grade and left after 7th
“Trouble” moved her to Bailey
Athletics as a form of self-discipline
Student diversity at Bailey
Teachers wanting to understand
Admin working together for student success
All that Bailey had to offer
47:25 Zionna Jennings, at Bailey before the Sawyer/Jasper era
When people believed in me
On my own and overwhelmed
Love and limits – and a new family
Mental health in disadvantaged communities
Bailey as a school community for “student teachers”
(Not) Reaching for the stars
64:20 Wrap-up and lead in to Bailey’s being closed Barbara Stengel, Christian Sawyer
In this seventh episode, there are references to a variety of social, educational and historical news and commentary. You can find sources to find out more about these at our website: www.chasingbaileypod.com.
Chasing Bailey is hosted and narrated by Dr. Barbara Stengel, Vanderbilt University.
This episode was edited and co-produced by Brenna Fallon. The executive producer is Dr. Lowery Woodall, Millersville University of Pennsylvania.
Our theme music is Midnight Blues by lemonmusicstudio. Occasional music for this episode includes Soul Food by Chris Haugen and Good Friends by Caffeine Creek Band.
New episodes will drop on the last day of the month. You can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, and Stitcher, and nearly anywhere else you find your podcasts.
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