{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Ep 38: Meria Carstarphen on The Effects of Schooling Children in a Pandemic and Possibly the Silver Lining","description":"What are the effects that this pandemic is having on our children who are learning virtually? Is this increasing the disparity of quality education among socio-economic levels? What are some of the choices that need to be made? And could there be a silver lining to all of this? Today I am joined by Dr. Meria Carstarphen to discuss her perspective on the schooling of our children during this pandemic. She was most recently the superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools where she was charged with leading the transformation of the district following the largest cheating scandal in the history of public education. Dr. Carstarphen hails from Selma, Alabama, where she was born and raised in a family of four girls. Prior to serving in Atlanta, she was superintendent in other major metropolitan public school districts, including Austin, Texas, and Saint Paul, Minnesota.&amp;nbsp; Not only is Meria an expert in urban education, she is also a \u201cchampion for change\u201d and passionate about improving income disparity and creating a better future for those who are living in poverty. This is such a powerful interview that brings a great perspective on how this pandemic may be the crux of how choices can be made that will bring about positive change for our country. Listen in to hear about closing the gap in education, social injustice, and economic disparity. Notable Quotes: \u201cIt\u2019s a hard time for everyone. I don\u2019t think any decision is an easy decision.\u201d \u201cWe have an opportunity to challenge the way the [public education] system has failed black and brown and poor kids for decades now.\u201d \u201cThe silver lining is the opportunity. The opportunity to challenge the old system and build something better for the future.\u201d In this episode, you will hear: - Meria\u2019s choice to take the challenging positions like the APS superintendent position - The difficulties that students and schools are facing during virtual learning and the pandemic - Her perspective on the choices that can be made to close the gap in education, social injustice, and economic disparity Connect with Meria and other resources mentioned in this episode: https:\/\/www.meriacarstarphen.com\/ upliftcaregiverfund@gmail.com https:\/\/www.pewsocialtrends.org\/?attachment_id=27787 Are you ready to start a podcast? Use Libsyn, the podcast hosting, distribution, and monetization platform since 2004 and you can start for just $5 a month. Go to https:\/\/libsyn.com\/ and enter the code \u201cchoices\u201d for more than a month for FREE. Coaching Information: If you would like more information on the Clear Choices business and life coaching program, please e-mail me at rob@robaigner.com or go to our website at https:\/\/clearchoices.live\/. Thank you so much for listening! Please  subscribe to the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Find me on Instagram @clearchoicespodcast and on  Facebook .&amp;nbsp; If you have a guest idea or want to connect with me, please visit my website www.clearchoices.live. I am also available for speaking engagements. **This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click one and decide to make a purchase, we receive a tiny commission at no additional cost to you. We only share products and services we have tested and used ourselves!** ","author_name":"Clear Choices Podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/clearchoices.live","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/16858256\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/item\/16858256"}