Hey Exit Interview Community!
As a consulting firm focused on supporting youth-serving organizations, we feel it important to focus on some of the most minoritized folks in the youth-serving spaces; Black educators. Amid ongoing conversations surrounding the recruitment of Black educators, it's crucial that we also address the pressing issue of retention.
Welcome to the first edition of our newsletter, where we spotlight The Exit Interview: A Podcast for Black Educators —an essential platform that amplifies the experiences of Black educators who have felt compelled to leave the education system.
With a focus on elevating their stories, The Exit Interview Podcast delves into the personal journeys of guests who have been pushed out of the classroom or administrative roles. Through candid discussions, they share their educational experiences, the pivotal moments that led to their departure, and, most importantly, how they have successfully transitioned outside of traditional educational spaces.
Our podcast serves as an informative resource for school district administrators, teachers' unions, families, educators, and anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges surrounding the retention of Black individuals within the field of education. The Exit Interview aims to foster dialogue and promote meaningful change by shedding light on these important stories.
Join us as we listen, learn, and engage in critical conversations about retaining Black voices in education.
In solidarity,
Dr. Asia Lyons and Kevin Adams
The Exit Interview: A Podcast for Black Educators
Episode Highlights
At the beginning of June, we dropped our 22nd Episode! I met Janet after seeing her post via LinkedIn about a course she created supporting BIPOC folks healing their racial battle fatigue - the response to racism-related stressors. Since a part of the conversation that we have on our podcast is about racial battle fatigue, I was excited to have her on our show. Janet's episode didn't disappoint. Not only did she share her story of experiencing stress within the catholic school where she was teaching, but she also shared five ways that schools, districts, and other spaces can retain Black educators.
Janet's Top 5 Suggestions for Supporting Black Educators
- "I think there are a number of things that administrators can do to keep black educators one, create an environment where our expertise is valued."
- "And I think it also, is important to make sure that if we bring, for instance, any incidents of racial microaggressions that we experience in the workplace, it's important that we are believed."
- "Treat us as though we could leave tomorrow."
- "Sometimes, the way in which people may affirm a Black educator is by giving them more work. Granted, it's wonderful. It's flattering to be given the space to have greater influence on one's colleagues and so on and so forth. But if the reward is, more work we do have to think about what kind of impact it is this having on that very faculty member. What kind of additional weight, additional invisible labor, as you mentioned, is being laid upon the shoulders of this faculty member? And if this opportunity is being opened up making sure that there's compensation, then not just expecting it to be done out of the goodness of the faculty member's heart, that there has to be some compensation." (This means all those racial equity committees us Black folks lead for free.)
- "Include an annual wellness stipend that can be used at the, at the faculty member's discretion."
Do you have more suggestions? Comment below!
Listen to Janet's full episode here!
Finally, Janet will be back in the studio in July to talk more about the course she has created CenterJoyPWR®: Strategies for Healing Racial Battle Fatigue—an online experience for professionals of color who want to center joy in their lives! She will also be sharing more tips on how members of our community can combat racial battle fatigue in the workplace and beyond.
Behind-the-Scenes
Soooo...you may have noticed a few things have changed with our podcast over the past month or so.
The first, is that we have started using Descript to edit and transcribe our episodes! Transcripts are important for many reason, the main one is that our podcast is not accessible to folks who need to or prefer to read the podcast. This is a long process as we need to go back and transcribe all of our episodes. However, we are committed to the process and will have all back episodes transcribed by end of summer!
Also, did you notice the new intro music? Episode 22 was the first time with new music for the intro and outro and we're loving it. Let us know what you think.
Upcoming Episode: Talking to Dr. Asia's Husband
A few weeks ago, Dr. Asia's husband, Cliff Lyons, made the comment that he should be on the podcast. Knowing that he understood the podcast's premise, she wanted to know more details. He explained that while she was experiencing pushout as an educator, he was watching it happen and experiencing vicarious trauma. He felt that the audience might want to hear the perspective of a family member of a Black educator who has experienced leaving education. The man is brilliant. That being said, Dr. Asia will be interviewing her husband on our next episode of The Exit Interview: A Podcast for Black Educators.
Listener Q&A or Feedback
We want to hear from you! Do you have a question you would like answered by our hosts or next guest? Ask us in the comments. We will be sure to include it in an upcoming episode and shout you out!
Resource Corner
Alternatives to Teaching - Thinking that it may be time to consider another career field? Check out this article on alternative careers to teaching.
What exactly is racial battle fatigue (RBF)? - Dr. William A. Smith has been writing about racial battle fatigue, a term that he coined over 20 years ago. Check out one of his articles here.
Racism-related stress is the root of RBF - Racism is complex and has been written about extensively. Here is an article from Dr. Shelley P. Harrell explaining the six types of racism-related stress.
We're Looking for Partners and Sponsors!
If you or your organization are interested in sponsoring The Exit Interview: A Podcast for Black Educators or a partnership, please reach out here!
Closin' It Up
Thank you all for supporting Lyons Educational Consulting and our podcast! If you are a former Black educator or expert on educator recruitment and retention we would love to speak to talk to you about being on an upcoming episode!
Peace out,
Dr. Asia and Kevin
