The Corner CAFE Podcast
Families, schools, and communities in Maryland and Pennsylvania are looking for strategies to increase family engagement. On The Corner CAFE Podcast, we sit down with family engagement experts to discuss the ideas, best practices, and strategies that they use so that the rest of us can do the same. Brought to you by Collaborative Action for Family Engagement (CAFE) at MAEC.
The EquiTable Podcast
EquiTable aims to raise awareness among educators, parents, and school districts about issues pertaining to equitable education. By creating an open forum, it fosters honest discussions surrounding the multiple interconnected factors contributing to educational inequity. Each episode provides a platform for rigorous discourse, featuring insights and solutions proposed by professionals and community members actively engaged in the field. EquiTable is a podcast by MAEC's Center for Education Equity (CEE).
Supporting Immigrant Students and Families in a Changing Context: Leadership, Belonging, and Community Engagement
Episode 3
Guests: Dr. Kathleen King Thorius, Dr. Daniel Liou
As immigration continues to shape school communities, educators are navigating complex and sometimes uncertain policy and social dynamics that shape the experiences of students and families in their school community.
Dr. Daniel Liou, a nationally-recognized advocate for immigrants, joins host Dr. Kathleen King Thorius to share how school and district leaders can create learning environments that are effective, legally grounded, and responsive to the needs of immigrant and newcomer students. Drawing on research and practice, we explore how leaders can engage families, foster belonging, and implement sustainable approaches that uphold access and opportunity for all students.
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Chicago at the Crossroads: Lessons for Leaders on School Integration and Advancing Public Education Equity
Episode 2
Guests: Dr. Kathleen King Thorius, Dr. Federico Waitoller
Chicago’s schools have a long history of segregation, school choice policies, and privatization: how do these patterns shape opportunities for integration today? This episode draws from Chicago’s history to offer school leaders practical lessons on advancing equitable opportunities and outcomes across student race, sex, national origin, and religion. Listen to learn how Equity Assistance Centers (EACs) can partner with districts to analyze data, address barriers, and implement inclusive strategies.
Facilitated by Dr. Kathleen King Thorius, former EAC Executive Director, and featuring Dr. Federico Waitoller, former Region 3 EAC Equity Fellow and leading scholar on inclusive education at University of Illinois Chicago, the conversation connects historical insights to actionable strategies for today’s schools.
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Navigating Legal and Enforcement Complexities
Episode 1
Guests: Dr. Kathleen King Thorius, Dr. Sarah Diem
In this episode of Integration Now, host Dr. Kathleen King Thorius from the Center for Education Equity speaks with nationally recognized desegregation and policy scholar Dr. Sarah Diem.
Together, they explore how districts can use data, redesign enrollment, and assignment strategies, and navigate shifting federal civil rights guidance.
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The Corner CAFE Podcast: Colonial IU 20 and Parent Support T.E.A.M.
Episode #110
Guests: Nikki Huggan, Nikevia Thomas, Jessica Webster, Chris Wolfel
In this episode, hosts Nikevia Thomas and Jessica Webster talk with Dr. Chris Wolfel, Executive Director of the Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 and Nikki Huggan, Co-lead of Parent Support T.E.A.M. (Together, Educating, Advocating, Moms, Dads, and Families) and Vice President of Families to the MAX, about the creation of the Parent Support Team. Chris and Nikki share how the program began, how it evolved, and the impact it’s had on both educators and families. They also provide honest reflections and practical advice on navigating tough moments to rebuild trust between families.
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The Corner CAFE Podcast: PPMD
Episode #109
Guests: Rene Averitt-Sanzone, Nikevia Thomas, Jessica Webster
In this episode of The Corner CAFE Podcast, hosts Nikevia Thomas and Jessica Webster talk with Rene Averitt-Sanzone, Executive Director of The Parents’ Place of Maryland. Rene shares insights on supporting families of children with disabilities, the importance of early intervention, and best practices for schools to build strong, inclusive partnerships with families. She also discusses the challenges families face in special education and how PPMD provides resources, advocacy, and training to empower parents.
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The Corner CAFE Podcast: PAT
Episode #108
Guests: Melissa Hassler, Anabel Oceguera, Karen Shanoski, Lauren Waite, Nikevia Thomas, Jessica Webster
In this episode, Nikevia and Jessica sit down with guests from the Parents as Teachers program, a trusted home-visiting model providing families with early childhood development support and resources. Hear from Parent Educators and the Pennsylvania state director as they discuss the benefits of PAT in building strong family-school partnerships.
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The Corner CAFE Podcast: Phyllis Fagell
Episode #107
Guests: Phyllis Fagell, Nikevia Thomas, Jessica Webster
In this episode of the Corner CAFE podcast, Nikevia and Jessica chat with Phyllis Fagell, a nationally recognized school counselor and author of Middle School Matters and Middle School Superpowers. Phyllis shares insights into navigating the complex middle school years, offering guidance on adolescent development, family-school partnerships, and supporting resilience in young teens.
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The Corner CAFE Podcast: Ari Gerzon-Kessler
Episode #106
Guests: Ari Gerzon-Kessler, Nikevia Thomas, Jessica Webster
In this episode of the Corner CAFE podcast, Nikevia and Jessica discuss the Families and Educators Together (FET) model with award-winning educational leader Ari Gerzon-Kessler, exploring effective strategies for building strong family-educator partnerships and transforming school communities.
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The Corner CAFE Podcast: APTT
Episode #105
Guests: Faith Burtamekh, Maria Paredes, Nikevia Thomas, Jessica Webster
Discover the effective strategies of Academic Parent Teacher Teams (APTT) in this episode of the Corner CAFE Podcast, where WestEd experts Faith Burtamekh and Maria Paredes share insights on data-driven family engagement and personalized learning.
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The Corner CAFE Podcast: MELLFIN
Episode #104
Guests: Young-chan Han, Nikevia Thomas, Jessica Webster
Nikevia and Jessica host Young-chan Han, a family engagement trailblazer, to discuss strategies for increasing family engagement in Maryland and Pennsylvania communities. Young-chan shares her immigrant journey and highlights the importance of equitable family engagement in education, offering practical steps for schools to support English Learners and immigrant families.
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The Corner CAFE Podcast: Jenny Portillo-Nacu
Episode #103
Guests: Jenny Portillo-Nacu, Nikevia Thomas, Jessica Webster
In this episode we're joined by MAEC's own Jenny Portillo-Nacu, Senior Education Equity Specialist to learn about building families' capacity and learning when it comes to supporting Multilingual Learner communities.
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The Corner CAFE Podcast: NAFSCE
Episode #102
Guests: Sherri Wilson, Nikevia Thomas, Jessica Webster
On this episode, we meet with Sherri Wilson, Senior Director of Training and Engagement, at the National Association for Family, School and Community Engagement (NAFSCE). NAFSCE's mission is to advance high-impact policies and practices for family, school, and community engagement to promote child development and improve student achievement.
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The Corner CAFE Podcast: Parent Teacher Home Visits
Episode #101
Guests: Tyler Post, Yesenia Ramirez, Nikevia Thomas, Jessica Webster
Join us for our inaugural Corner CAFE podcast as we meet with two experts from Parent Teacher Home Visits. Parent Teacher Home Visits is a powerful family engagement strategy that aims to create strong bonds between homes and schools centered around shared hopes and dreams.
