Podcast
Who decides the future of education? We all do.
Our State of Education is The Skillman Foundation’s monthly show featuring a variety of voices, together forming a new vision for Michigan’s K-12 schools.
Tune in to hear students, parents, teachers, business leaders, policymakers, and more, hashing out the most pressing needs and promising solutions in schools. Our State of Education lets you know what’s happening in education and what you can do to support it.
Our State of Education airs on WJR radio (channel 760 AM) and is available to livestream online at WJR.com. Every episode recording will be available here, on YouTube, and on all podcast platforms.
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What questions do you have about Our State of Education? Submit your questions about education in Detroit and Michigan for a chance for your question to be featured on the podcast and answered by our guests.
This month on Our State of Education
For today’s students, technology isn’t something new or novel. From Chromebooks and online assignments to AI and social media, technology shapes nearly every aspect of the student experience. At the same time, schools are wrestling with questions about cell phone policies, AI tools, screen time, and how technology impacts learning, relationships, and mental health.
In this episode of Our State of Education, we turn to the people experiencing all this the most: high school students.
Rather than debating technology from the outside, we ask teens how it is affecting their lives inside and outside the classroom. What role does or should AI play in their education? Do cell phone restrictions help? How has technology changed the way students connect with teachers, friends, and the world overall?
Join us for a candid conversation with three high schoolers—Ricardo Carter, Emely Maciel, and Mireya Pouncy. They’ll talk about the opportunities, challenges, and realities of growing up in a world where technology is ever-present.
All Episodes
Featuring: Senator Darrin Camilleri, president & CEO of Bridgwater Interiors and The Skillman Foundation Board Chair Ron Hall, and Senator Ed McBroom
Featuring: Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist, Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and Genesse County Sheriff Chris Swanson
Featuring: Professor john powell, director of the Othering and Belonging Institute
Featuring: Messiah Bethel, senior at Jalen Rose Leadership Academy; Leela Dahabra, junior at International Academy–Oakland; and Grace Geresy, junior at Grosse Pointe South High School
Featuring: CEO of Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences Lawrence Hood & Superintendent of Detroit Public Schools Community District Dr. Nikolai Vitti
Featuring: former U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, president & CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy Monique Stanton, & data, research, and communications organizer for 482Forward Kayla Tate
Featuring: assistant superintendent of family and community engagement of Detroit Public Schools Community District Sharlonda Buckman, president & CEO of Detroit Parent Network Jametta Lilly, and parent perspectives from Angela Khater and Brandon Sylvester
Featuring: Bethany Little, managing principal at EducationCounsel, and Regina Bell, chief policy officer at the Council of Michigan Foundations
Featuring: Lori Higgins, bureau chief at Chalkbeat Detroit, Isabel Lohman, education reporter at Bridge Michigan, and Sascha Raiyn, news reporter at WDET
Featuring: State Senator Sarah Anthony; Venessa Keesler, president & CEO of Launch Michigan; and Craig Thiel, research director of Citizens Research Council
Featuring: State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Glenn Maleyko
Featuring: Mayor Mary Sheffield; Dr. Chanel Hampton, senior director of youth and education & special liaison to the mayor; Jerjuan Howard, director of youth affairs, City of Detroit; Imani Foster, communications lead of 482 Forward
Featuring: Director of MiLEAP Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, Chief Operating Officer of Henry Ford Health System Denise Brooks-Williams, Chair of Huntington Bank Gary Torgow, and former Michigan Representative and Partner at Plunkett Cooney Tom Leonard
Featuring: Yazeed Moore, director of Michigan programs at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation; Dave Egner, president & CEO of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation; Wendy Lewis Jackson, managing director of Detroit program at The Kresge Foundation; and Kelley Kuhn, president & CEO of the Michigan Nonprofit Association
Featuring: Skillman Youth Council members Ricardo Carter, junior at University Prep Academy; Emely Maciel, junior at Cass Technical High School; and Mireya Pouncy, senior at University Prep Academy.