October is National Bullying Prevention Month. And today, October 16, is Unity Day.

One out of every five (20.2%) students report being bullied. (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2019 ) On the podcast today, we talk about ways to change the culture of bullying with Pacer Center Executive Director Tonia Teasley.

Celebrate Unity Day by wearing and sharing ORANGE to send a powerful visual message of uniting for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to prevent bullying. Share your images on social media using #UnityEveryDay

Find out more here: https://www.pacer.org/bullying/

We meet with Dr. Marc Gorelick, President and CEO of Children's Minnesota, to discuss the number one public health emergency facing our kids today. In this podcast, Dr. Gorelick suggests that this is not a partisan issue but a universal problem affecting every community, and he shares the path forward to solving this public health crisis.

Today we visit with Licensed Social Worker and Therapist Erika Koopmans to discuss ways to help young people when they are struggling with mental health issues. Warning: This conversation is about suicide. If you, or someone you know needs help, we've got resources at the end of the video. If you feel suicidal, please call 911.

Kathie talks with Kristie Smith (her twin sister) and Executive Director at St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity about direct correlations between stable, healthy and safe housing and the impact it has on educational success.

Join us as we talk with 30-year veteran math teacher Wayne Anderson on what he calls Math Maturity. We'll talk about how your brain processes math. 1) Logical Reasoning involves identifying patterns and relationships between numbers and symbols. 2) Critical Thinking involves evaluating information, identifiying assumptions and making logical deductions based on evidence. 3)Problem solving involves using logic and critical thinking to identify steps required to solve a math problem. Requires a student to understand rules and procedures to manipulate numbers and 4) Working memory involves being able hold multiple pieces of information in your mind simultaneously to solve problems and understand concepts.

Today we talked with Lauren Haistings, Principal at School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley, Minnesota, about high school educational options. She shares an academic approach that immerses students in the study of environmental topics and issues, preparing them for college and beyond. As one of only a few programs like this, the School is regularly visited by education systems from around the world.

Today on the podcast, we talk with homeschool Mom Chloe Sassagawa about her experiences. She talks about the ability to spend time with your child, being their first educational role model and also incorporating unstructured playtime.

According to a recent University of Chicago study, Minnesota Reading Corps students gained an extra half to a full year's gains in reading with just 20 minutes of reading tutoring a day. Join Former MN Reading Corps Mentor Ryan Queenan as he shares his insights on the success of the program.