<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:psc="http://podlove.org/simple-chapters" xmlns:podcast="https://podcastindex.org/namespace/1.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Real Educators Matter]]></title><description><![CDATA[<h2>Real Educators Matter: The Podcast</h2><p><b>Hosted by Kyle Newsome</b></p><p>Dive into the heart of the school system with <b>Real Educators Matter</b>, a podcast dedicated to the people behind the profession. Hosted by Kyle Newsome, author of the transformative book <i>I Before E</i>, this series challenges the status quo by exploring Kyle’s core philosophy: <b>Influence impacts Effectiveness, and we must forget about control.</b></p><p>In a landscape often obsessed with standardized metrics and rigid structures, this podcast shifts the focus back to the human experience. Kyle sits down with passionate educators, administrators, and culture-shapers to peel back the layers of the education system. Together, they explore the raw, unpolished, and inspiring reality of what it means to teach and lead today.</p><p><b>What We Discuss:</b></p><ul><li><b>The "Why":</b> Reconnecting with the spark that led educators to this line of work in the first place.</li><li><b>The Reality:</b> Honest conversations about the pain points, systemic challenges, and cultural hurdles facing our schools.</li><li><b>The "Blue Sky" Vision:</b> Asking the big question—<i>What would you do if there were no boundaries?</i> We explore ideal scenarios for individualized learning and community growth.</li><li><b>The Legacy:</b> What imprint do we want to leave on the next generation?</li></ul><p>From navigating the nuances of school climate to advocating for the unique needs of every student, <b>Real Educators Matter</b> is a space for deep reflection and forward-thinking dialogue. Whether you are a teacher, a parent, or an administrator, join us as we explore how moving from control to influence can change lives.</p><p><b>New episodes drop weekly</b></p><hr /><h3>Alternative "Short" Bio (For Social Media profiles)</h3><p><b>Real Educators Matter</b> is hosted by Kyle Newsome, author of <i>I Before E</i>. We move past the idea of "control" in the classroom to focus on <b>Influence and Effectiveness</b>. Join us for deep conversations with educators about their "why," their challenges, their legacies, and their vision for a school system without boundaries. It’s time to focus on the human experience in education.</p>]]></description><link>https://linktr.ee/kylenewsome</link><generator>Riverside.fm (https://riverside.com)</generator><lastBuildDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2026 14:41:02 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://api.riverside.com/hosting/k5WUL4Av.rss" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><author><![CDATA[Kyle Newsome]]></author><pubDate>Sun, 25 Jan 2026 03:49:41 GMT</pubDate><copyright><![CDATA[2026 Kyle Newsome]]></copyright><language><![CDATA[en]]></language><ttl>60</ttl><category><![CDATA[Education]]></category><category><![CDATA[Self-Improvement]]></category><itunes:author>Kyle Newsome</itunes:author><itunes:summary>&lt;h2&gt;Real Educators Matter: The Podcast&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Hosted by Kyle Newsome&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Dive into the heart of the school system with &lt;b&gt;Real Educators Matter&lt;/b&gt;, a podcast dedicated to the people behind the profession. Hosted by Kyle Newsome, author of the transformative book &lt;i&gt;I Before E&lt;/i&gt;, this series challenges the status quo by exploring Kyle’s core philosophy: &lt;b&gt;Influence impacts Effectiveness, and we must forget about control.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In a landscape often obsessed with standardized metrics and rigid structures, this podcast shifts the focus back to the human experience. Kyle sits down with passionate educators, administrators, and culture-shapers to peel back the layers of the education system. Together, they explore the raw, unpolished, and inspiring reality of what it means to teach and lead today.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;What We Discuss:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;The &quot;Why&quot;:&lt;/b&gt; Reconnecting with the spark that led educators to this line of work in the first place.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Reality:&lt;/b&gt; Honest conversations about the pain points, systemic challenges, and cultural hurdles facing our schools.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;The &quot;Blue Sky&quot; Vision:&lt;/b&gt; Asking the big question—&lt;i&gt;What would you do if there were no boundaries?&lt;/i&gt; We explore ideal scenarios for individualized learning and community growth.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Legacy:&lt;/b&gt; What imprint do we want to leave on the next generation?&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;From navigating the nuances of school climate to advocating for the unique needs of every student, &lt;b&gt;Real Educators Matter&lt;/b&gt; is a space for deep reflection and forward-thinking dialogue. Whether you are a teacher, a parent, or an administrator, join us as we explore how moving from control to influence can change lives.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;New episodes drop weekly&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;hr /&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Alternative &quot;Short&quot; Bio (For Social Media profiles)&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Real Educators Matter&lt;/b&gt; is hosted by Kyle Newsome, author of &lt;i&gt;I Before E&lt;/i&gt;. We move past the idea of &quot;control&quot; in the classroom to focus on &lt;b&gt;Influence and Effectiveness&lt;/b&gt;. Join us for deep conversations with educators about their &quot;why,&quot; their challenges, their legacies, and their vision for a school system without boundaries. It’s time to focus on the human experience in education.&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><itunes:owner><itunes:name>Kyle Newsome</itunes:name><itunes:email>mrkylenewsome@gmail.com</itunes:email></itunes:owner><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:category text="Education"><itunes:category text="Self-Improvement"/></itunes:category><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/d8638e34-8a3e-482a-8e52-702195d41482/logos/bbb92cb1-befd-40a5-982c-9af8dd4be3f7.png"/><item><title><![CDATA[Real Educators Matter Ep. 8]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>The importance of providing extra help to students who need it and the impact it has on their academic performance and well-being.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Extra help can significantly improve a student's academic performance.</li><li>Parents and teachers play a crucial role in identifying and providing the necessary support for students.</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 The Impact of Extra Help</li></ul>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">f9433103-3772-4696-a631-1f63f474d1f6</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Kyle Newsome]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 16:55:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/a25642c7bda35171646254f3d3c1a4c16eef3cf44c5fd571829ce6cc3460b29a/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmOTQzMzEwMy0zNzcyLTQ2OTYtYTYzMS0xZjYzZjQ3NGQxZjYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJkODYzOGUzNC04YTNlLTQ4MmEtOGU1Mi03MDIxOTVkNDE0ODIiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OGJkYmRhYmNmOTU3ZmI3NWJhMGYxMzgiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNmExNGQyZDNjODA2ZTZlODAzMzM1Y2M0L2t5bGUtbmV3c29tZXMtc3R1ZGlvLWNvbXBvc2VyLTIwMjYtNS0yNl9fMC01My03Lm1wMyJ9.mp3" length="70391997" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/d8638e34-8a3e-482a-8e52-702195d41482/episodes/f9433103-3772-4696-a631-1f63f474d1f6/transcripts.txt" type="text/plain"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;The importance of providing extra help to students who need it and the impact it has on their academic performance and well-being.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Takeaways&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Extra help can significantly improve a student&apos;s academic performance.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Parents and teachers play a crucial role in identifying and providing the necessary support for students.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;00:00 The Impact of Extra Help&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:36:40</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/d8638e34-8a3e-482a-8e52-702195d41482/logos/bbb92cb1-befd-40a5-982c-9af8dd4be3f7.png"/><itunes:title>Real Educators Matter Ep. 8</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Real Educators Matter Ep. 7]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>The conversation covers Ke-Shaun Jones' journey into education, the importance of authenticity in teaching, pain points in education, bridging the gap between parents and teachers, supporting students with cognitive disabilities, and the challenges of student retention and suspensions. The conversation covers the importance of emotional regulation and coping skills in classroom management, the impact of standardized testing, the influence of parenthood on teaching, the significance of male educators in schools, changes in education over time, future plans and impact in education, creating a dream school, and words of wisdom for educators.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Authenticity in teaching</li><li>Challenges of student retention and suspension</li><li>Support for students with cognitive disabilities Emotional regulation and coping skills are essential for effective classroom management.</li><li>Standardized testing may not accurately assess a student's abilities and can have negative consequences.</li><li>The impact of being a parent on a teacher's approach to education and discipline.</li><li>The importance of male educators in schools and the impact they have on students.</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 The Journey to Education</li><li>07:39 Bridging the Gap Between Parents and Teachers</li><li>13:13 Supporting Students with Cognitive Disabilities</li><li>41:22 Words of Wisdom for Educators</li></ul>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">d63b647e-343b-4fba-b140-058eea083619</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Kyle Newsome]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 21:35:37 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/8703e6b626cf74c06c01792c81567d0010a5d1f600362f564ad8ab22cd84dc97/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJkNjNiNjQ3ZS0zNDNiLTRmYmEtYjE0MC0wNThlZWEwODM2MTkiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJkODYzOGUzNC04YTNlLTQ4MmEtOGU1Mi03MDIxOTVkNDE0ODIiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OGJkYmRhYmNmOTU3ZmI3NWJhMGYxMzgiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjlkZDVlN2U1YzM0YWMzMjBjYzE2OWQ1L2t5bGUtbmV3c29tZXMtc3R1ZGlvLWNvbXBvc2VyLTIwMjYtNC0xM19fMjMtMjItNi5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="64025016" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/d8638e34-8a3e-482a-8e52-702195d41482/episodes/d63b647e-343b-4fba-b140-058eea083619/transcripts.txt" type="text/plain"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;The conversation covers Ke-Shaun Jones&apos; journey into education, the importance of authenticity in teaching, pain points in education, bridging the gap between parents and teachers, supporting students with cognitive disabilities, and the challenges of student retention and suspensions. The conversation covers the importance of emotional regulation and coping skills in classroom management, the impact of standardized testing, the influence of parenthood on teaching, the significance of male educators in schools, changes in education over time, future plans and impact in education, creating a dream school, and words of wisdom for educators.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Takeaways&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Authenticity in teaching&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Challenges of student retention and suspension&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Support for students with cognitive disabilities Emotional regulation and coping skills are essential for effective classroom management.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Standardized testing may not accurately assess a student&apos;s abilities and can have negative consequences.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The impact of being a parent on a teacher&apos;s approach to education and discipline.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The importance of male educators in schools and the impact they have on students.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;00:00 The Journey to Education&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;07:39 Bridging the Gap Between Parents and Teachers&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;13:13 Supporting Students with Cognitive Disabilities&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;41:22 Words of Wisdom for Educators&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:44:28</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/d8638e34-8a3e-482a-8e52-702195d41482/logos/bbb92cb1-befd-40a5-982c-9af8dd4be3f7.png"/><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>7</itunes:episode><itunes:title>Real Educators Matter Ep. 7</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Real Educators Matter Ep. 1]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>The conversation with Kevin Brown delves into the essence of education, the challenges within the education system, and the vision for an ideal educational setting. It emphasizes the importance of caring for the human experience and the ongoing pursuit of learning and adaptability.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Education is about caring for the human experience</li><li>The importance of ongoing learning and adaptability</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 The Importance of Education</li><li>07:33 Thoughts on IEPs and SPED</li><li>14:39 Responsibility of Parents and Teachers</li><li>21:15 Evolution of Teaching and Learning</li><li>28:49 The Ideal School Setting</li><li>34:50 Message for Educators</li></ul>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">cecaec79-c44a-48a1-8c44-1d1acc2773eb</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Kyle Newsome]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:45:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/9e735eee316e375d9fd34cd754c5d9f1db826717a278c9cbee254b91e6871e42/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJjZWNhZWM3OS1jNDRhLTQ4YTEtOGM0NC0xZDFhY2MyNzczZWIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJkODYzOGUzNC04YTNlLTQ4MmEtOGU1Mi03MDIxOTVkNDE0ODIiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OGJkYmRhYmNmOTU3ZmI3NWJhMGYxMzgiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjk5ODk0YTRmNTIxODRkMmZlMjk1MmIzL2t5bGUtbmV3c29tZXMtc3R1ZGlvLWNvbXBvc2VyLTIwMjYtMi0yMF9fMTgtNi00NC5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="51652379" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/d8638e34-8a3e-482a-8e52-702195d41482/episodes/cecaec79-c44a-48a1-8c44-1d1acc2773eb/transcripts.txt" type="text/plain"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;The conversation with Kevin Brown delves into the essence of education, the challenges within the education system, and the vision for an ideal educational setting. It emphasizes the importance of caring for the human experience and the ongoing pursuit of learning and adaptability.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Takeaways&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Education is about caring for the human experience&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The importance of ongoing learning and adaptability&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;00:00 The Importance of Education&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;07:33 Thoughts on IEPs and SPED&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;14:39 Responsibility of Parents and Teachers&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;21:15 Evolution of Teaching and Learning&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;28:49 The Ideal School Setting&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;34:50 Message for Educators&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:35:52</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/d8638e34-8a3e-482a-8e52-702195d41482/logos/bbb92cb1-befd-40a5-982c-9af8dd4be3f7.png"/><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>1</itunes:episode><itunes:title>Real Educators Matter Ep. 1</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>bonus</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Real Educators Matter Ep. 6]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>The conversation with Paula Bethea, a principal in Trenton, New Jersey, covered her journey into education, the impact of education, diversity in education, balancing work and family, the impact of parenthood on teaching, her approach to student retention, views on standardized testing, support for students with IEPs, reflection on her education experience, challenges in education, vision for the perfect school, future plans, and her message for educators. Paula's dedication to education and her emphasis on cultural relevance were evident throughout the conversation.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Dedication to Education</li><li>Cultural Relevance</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Message for Educators</li></ul>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">f0ecf162-4cc5-46dc-9b45-1dbdf459a649</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Kyle Newsome]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:42:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/63cb0713394d89f3e611b1c4e40748dd91d5b2db3f4fe3494298224f209f27e3/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmMGVjZjE2Mi00Y2M1LTQ2ZGMtOWI0NS0xZGJkZjQ1OWE2NDkiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJkODYzOGUzNC04YTNlLTQ4MmEtOGU1Mi03MDIxOTVkNDE0ODIiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OGJkYmRhYmNmOTU3ZmI3NWJhMGYxMzgiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjk5OGZiOWYxZmNiZjBkNjhiNDFkM2Y0L2t5bGUtbmV3c29tZXMtc3R1ZGlvLWNvbXBvc2VyLTIwMjYtMi0yMV9fMS0yNi02Lm1wMyJ9.mp3" length="52562694" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/d8638e34-8a3e-482a-8e52-702195d41482/episodes/f0ecf162-4cc5-46dc-9b45-1dbdf459a649/transcripts.txt" type="text/plain"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;The conversation with Paula Bethea, a principal in Trenton, New Jersey, covered her journey into education, the impact of education, diversity in education, balancing work and family, the impact of parenthood on teaching, her approach to student retention, views on standardized testing, support for students with IEPs, reflection on her education experience, challenges in education, vision for the perfect school, future plans, and her message for educators. Paula&apos;s dedication to education and her emphasis on cultural relevance were evident throughout the conversation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Takeaways&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Dedication to Education&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Cultural Relevance&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;00:00 Message for Educators&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:36:30</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/d8638e34-8a3e-482a-8e52-702195d41482/logos/bbb92cb1-befd-40a5-982c-9af8dd4be3f7.png"/><itunes:episode>6</itunes:episode><itunes:title>Real Educators Matter Ep. 6</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Real Educators Matter Ep. 5]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>The conversation with Tamika Killins, a principal in an elementary school, covers her journey in education, her views on retention, culture vs. instruction, suspension, standardized testing, SPED, and the impact of parenting on her approach as an educator. The conversation explores the impact of parenthood on educators, the responsibility of schools in raising students, the challenges of inequity in education, and the vision for an ideal school. It also delves into the experience of being a woman of color in education and the importance of representation.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Black girl magic</li><li>Aha moments in education Impact of parenthood on educators</li><li>Responsibility of schools in raising students</li><li>Challenges of inequity in education</li><li>Vision for an ideal school</li><li>Experience of being a woman of color in education</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Journey in Education</li><li>06:45 Culture vs. Instruction</li><li>13:59 Standardized Testing</li><li>21:23 Changes in Education</li><li>29:34 Challenges of Inequity in Education</li><li>34:48 Vision for an Ideal School</li></ul>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">5c6b4763-4168-4304-9ea7-8a14fbe07736</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Kyle Newsome]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 07 Mar 2026 00:09:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/1ee897071575ffe3f355c513a577347334606f932c729ba548b257c94648dce8/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI1YzZiNDc2My00MTY4LTQzMDQtOWVhNy04YTE0ZmJlMDc3MzYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJkODYzOGUzNC04YTNlLTQ4MmEtOGU1Mi03MDIxOTVkNDE0ODIiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OGJkYmRhYmNmOTU3ZmI3NWJhMGYxMzgiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjlhYjY5MWU5N2RhYTM0ZWEyNjRiZmYwL2t5bGUtbmV3c29tZXMtc3R1ZGlvLWNvbXBvc2VyLTIwMjYtMy03X18wLTU0LTYubXAzIn0=.mp3" length="66166012" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/d8638e34-8a3e-482a-8e52-702195d41482/episodes/5c6b4763-4168-4304-9ea7-8a14fbe07736/transcripts.txt" type="text/plain"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;The conversation with Tamika Killins, a principal in an elementary school, covers her journey in education, her views on retention, culture vs. instruction, suspension, standardized testing, SPED, and the impact of parenting on her approach as an educator. The conversation explores the impact of parenthood on educators, the responsibility of schools in raising students, the challenges of inequity in education, and the vision for an ideal school. It also delves into the experience of being a woman of color in education and the importance of representation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Takeaways&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Black girl magic&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Aha moments in education Impact of parenthood on educators&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Responsibility of schools in raising students&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Challenges of inequity in education&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Vision for an ideal school&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Experience of being a woman of color in education&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;00:00 Journey in Education&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;06:45 Culture vs. Instruction&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;13:59 Standardized Testing&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;21:23 Changes in Education&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;29:34 Challenges of Inequity in Education&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;34:48 Vision for an Ideal School&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:45:57</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/d8638e34-8a3e-482a-8e52-702195d41482/logos/bbb92cb1-befd-40a5-982c-9af8dd4be3f7.png"/><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>5</itunes:episode><itunes:title>Real Educators Matter Ep. 5</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Real Educators Matter Ep. 4]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>The conversation with Glenn Wright, an assistant principal, covers his journey in education, motivation, rewarding moments, pain points, integration of personal passion, IEP, learning styles, retention, suspension, and parental involvement. The impact of Black male educators and the use of restorative practices in education are key takeaways. The conversation covers the importance of the parent-teacher partnership, the impact of educational experiences, and the need for representation in education. Glenn discusses the open-door policy for parents, the changes in his perspective as a father, and the significance of representation in education. He also reflects on his educational experiences and the impact of educators on students.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Impact of Black Male Educators</li><li>Restorative Practices in Education Parent-Teacher Partnership</li><li>Educational Experience and Impact</li><li>Representation in Education</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Journey in Education</li><li>06:00 Integration of Personal Passion</li><li>12:51 Experience in Education Levels</li><li>18:30 Parental Involvement</li><li>30:12 Representation in Education</li></ul>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">1ec7fca3-77fc-4279-865e-194167459bd1</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Kyle Newsome]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 18:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/5d49f4df46bf16cfa40d577978dbb3d8bd8ca52ad363a6149cea749925dc7365/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIxZWM3ZmNhMy03N2ZjLTQyNzktODY1ZS0xOTQxNjc0NTliZDEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJkODYzOGUzNC04YTNlLTQ4MmEtOGU1Mi03MDIxOTVkNDE0ODIiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OGJkYmRhYmNmOTU3ZmI3NWJhMGYxMzgiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjk2ZGExNjAwZWRmMTEwNWZkODcwOWYzL2t5bGUtbmV3c29tZXMtc3R1ZGlvLWNvbXBvc2VyLTIwMjYtMS0xOV9fNC0xMy0zNi5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="55596451" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;The conversation with Glenn Wright, an assistant principal, covers his journey in education, motivation, rewarding moments, pain points, integration of personal passion, IEP, learning styles, retention, suspension, and parental involvement. The impact of Black male educators and the use of restorative practices in education are key takeaways. The conversation covers the importance of the parent-teacher partnership, the impact of educational experiences, and the need for representation in education. Glenn discusses the open-door policy for parents, the changes in his perspective as a father, and the significance of representation in education. He also reflects on his educational experiences and the impact of educators on students.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Takeaways&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Impact of Black Male Educators&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Restorative Practices in Education Parent-Teacher Partnership&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Educational Experience and Impact&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Representation in Education&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;00:00 Journey in Education&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;06:00 Integration of Personal Passion&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;12:51 Experience in Education Levels&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;18:30 Parental Involvement&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;30:12 Representation in Education&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:38:36</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/d8638e34-8a3e-482a-8e52-702195d41482/logos/bbb92cb1-befd-40a5-982c-9af8dd4be3f7.png"/><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>4</itunes:episode><itunes:title>Real Educators Matter Ep. 4</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Real Educators Matter Ep. 3]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>The conversation explores the experiences and challenges of a black educator in the field of education, focusing on special education and the IEP process. It delves into the impact of compliance on student needs and the overdiagnosis of black students in special education. Additionally, it addresses the lack of representation of black men in education and leadership roles. The conversation with Maurice Foster covers a range of topics related to education, including the representation of black men in teaching, student retention, standardized testing, the role of parents in education, and the need for a culturally relevant curriculum. Maurice also shares his trajectory in education and delivers a powerful message to educators.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Overdiagnosis of black students in special education</li><li>Challenges of compliance vs. student needs</li><li>Lack of representation of black men in education and leadership Representation Matters</li><li>Challenges in Education</li><li>The Role of Parents</li><li>Culturally Relevant Curriculum</li><li>Empowering Educators</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Representation of Black Men in Education</li><li>30:14 Student Retention and Engagement</li><li>36:41 The Perception of Educators</li><li>43:33 The Ideal School and Curriculum</li></ul>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">511d4352-4894-4f85-a265-5c3efaa941c7</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Kyle Newsome]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:09:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/790ea87fe23feb9b5214770ba34222e4cee8cd0672937b45975f5602a0c475ba/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI1MTFkNDM1Mi00ODk0LTRmODUtYTI2NS01YzNlZmFhOTQxYzciLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJkODYzOGUzNC04YTNlLTQ4MmEtOGU1Mi03MDIxOTVkNDE0ODIiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OGJkYmRhYmNmOTU3ZmI3NWJhMGYxMzgiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjk5NjUwOTFkZmY2NGEyMzIzOWU5MTNiL2t5bGUtbmV3c29tZXMtc3R1ZGlvLWNvbXBvc2VyLTIwMjYtMi0xOV9fMC01MS00NS5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="68655586" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;The conversation explores the experiences and challenges of a black educator in the field of education, focusing on special education and the IEP process. It delves into the impact of compliance on student needs and the overdiagnosis of black students in special education. Additionally, it addresses the lack of representation of black men in education and leadership roles. The conversation with Maurice Foster covers a range of topics related to education, including the representation of black men in teaching, student retention, standardized testing, the role of parents in education, and the need for a culturally relevant curriculum. Maurice also shares his trajectory in education and delivers a powerful message to educators.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Takeaways&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Overdiagnosis of black students in special education&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Challenges of compliance vs. student needs&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Lack of representation of black men in education and leadership Representation Matters&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Challenges in Education&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The Role of Parents&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Culturally Relevant Curriculum&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Empowering Educators&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;00:00 Representation of Black Men in Education&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;30:14 Student Retention and Engagement&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;36:41 The Perception of Educators&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;43:33 The Ideal School and Curriculum&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:47:41</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/d8638e34-8a3e-482a-8e52-702195d41482/logos/bbb92cb1-befd-40a5-982c-9af8dd4be3f7.png"/><itunes:title>Real Educators Matter Ep. 3</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Real Educators Matter Ep. 2
]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>Ray James, a head of school, shares his insights on the importance of education, the fulfillment of education, challenges in education, retention and advancement, individualized education plans (IEPs), standardized testing and certifications, teaching and parenting, HBCUs vs. PWIs, creating a new school, and future plans and impact.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Education is a lifelong process</li><li>Equity and access are essential in education</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 The Importance of Education</li><li>09:31 Retention and Advancement</li><li>15:05 Teaching and Parenting</li><li>20:42 HBCUs vs. PWIs</li><li>29:09 Creating a New School</li></ul>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">5a8d35ca-4fab-4bd7-a3e3-20eb6c6a6a19</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Kyle Newsome]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 31 Jan 2026 23:13:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/b55b179630e542239262088cde8e13d88f4f79caca8119f7a6d5e48f8178872c/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI1YThkMzVjYS00ZmFiLTRiZDctYTNlMy0yMGViNmM2YTZhMTkiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJkODYzOGUzNC04YTNlLTQ4MmEtOGU1Mi03MDIxOTVkNDE0ODIiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OGJkYmRhYmNmOTU3ZmI3NWJhMGYxMzgiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjhmMmMyNDJiMmQyODRjMzczM2I1MjZmL2t5bGUtbmV3c29tZXMtc3R1ZGlvLWNvbXBvc2VyLTIwMjUtMTAtMThfXzAtMjUtNi5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="32529653" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;Ray James, a head of school, shares his insights on the importance of education, the fulfillment of education, challenges in education, retention and advancement, individualized education plans (IEPs), standardized testing and certifications, teaching and parenting, HBCUs vs. PWIs, creating a new school, and future plans and impact.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Takeaways&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Education is a lifelong process&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Equity and access are essential in education&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;00:00 The Importance of Education&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;09:31 Retention and Advancement&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;15:05 Teaching and Parenting&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;20:42 HBCUs vs. PWIs&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;29:09 Creating a New School&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:40:42</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/d8638e34-8a3e-482a-8e52-702195d41482/logos/bbb92cb1-befd-40a5-982c-9af8dd4be3f7.png"/><itunes:title>Real Educators Matter Ep. 2
</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item></channel></rss>