Season 2, Episode 1: Be the Next Teacher of the Year with Dr. Lee-Ann Stephens

We're back for a new season at Rewriting the Rules® with Dr. Lee-Ann Stephens, Minnesota Teacher of Year (2006).  Lee-Ann joins the podcast to kick off Season 2 by welcoming students back into the classrooms across the globe, detailing evidence on what makes a GREAT teacher in the classroom, AND offering recommendations to decision-makers locally, nationally, and globally on how to do best (READ: not better) for education. At SPYS we are committed to thought leadership on proven practices and are excited to share this incredible conversation about our schools!  

About Dr. Lee-Ann Stevens:  

Dr. Lee-Ann Stephens, Minnesota Teacher of the Year 2006, has been an educator for over 30 years with kindergarten – 12th grade teaching and leadership experience. Lee-Ann currently serves as a Teacher on Special Assignment as a Culturally Relevant Literacy Coach. She is an affiliate with Pacific Educational Group: Courageous Conversations about Race, serves on the Governance Board of Lutheran Social Services and has been appointed by Governor Walz to the Education Commission of the States, a partner with education policy leaders to address issues by sharing resources and expertise. Lee-Ann served as supporting advisor for Integrated Schools, member of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and part of a team who created the Model Code of Ethics for Educators and standards for Educators Rising. 

Lee-Ann has been featured on national podcasts, authored several articles for Education Post, facilitated conversations on race, equity, and cultural responsiveness with various school districts.  

Lee-Ann's educational experience includes a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, a Bachelors of Science. in Elementary Education, a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership which authored dissertation focused on the lived experiences of Black and Brown students in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses. 

Find Lee-Ann: 

• LinkedIn: Lee-Ann Stephens, Ed.D. 

• X: @MNTOY2006 

*The music you hear on the podcast is provided by Blue Dot Sessions and is used here under a Creative Commons License.

References:   

• St. Paul Youth Services: spys.org 

• SPYS’ Behavior Intervention Program 

• Our Approach & Services   

• Vision, Mission, Services, and Values  

• Leading Equity Podcast: The Myths of BIPOC Students in Advanced Courses with Dr. Lee-Ann Stephans 

• Jarvis Givens lecture on “Fugitive Pedagogy” 

• National Education Association - A network of “educators, students, activists, workers, parents, neighbors, friends—who believe in opportunity for all students and in the power of public education to transform lives and create a more just and inclusive society.” 

• The Mis-Education of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson via historyisaweapon.com 

• Fugitive Pedagogy by Jarvis Givens at Jarvis Givens’ website. 

• Effect of Therapy Ball Seating on Learning and Sitting Discomforts among Saudi Female Students 

• MN Atlas: How School District Boundaries are Determined 

• Mission, Vision and Values of St. Louis Park Public Schools 

• Background on state writing tests history, called the Minnesota Basic Standards Test (MBST) in the early 2000s. 

• About Chick-fil-A Customer Service 

• Does ‘the Achievement Gap’ Evoke a Negative Stereotype? What the Research Says 

Further Reading:  

• EdPost: Are We Too Focused on How Black Boys Act to Know Who They Really Are? By Lee-Ann Stephens 

• Essence Magazine: 10 Banned Black Books You Should Be Reading 

• We Got This: Equity, Access, and the Quest to Be Who Our Students Need Us to Be 

• Tracine Asberry: Stop trying to ‘save’ kids. Partner with them instead 

• MPR: How do you center young Black voices in conversations about racism? One Twin Cities high school is trying 

• The country is talking about race in schools. Minneapolis offers lessons. 

• Rethinking Multicultural Education: Teaching for Racial and Cultural Justice 

• Are We Too Focused on How Black Boys Act to Know Who They Really Are?