About the Family Engagement Podcast
Join our podcast to explore collaboration among families, schools, and communities in Washington State! Together, we will celebrate how these connections enhance education and strengthen neighborhoods. This series is a project of Roots of Inclusion and an extension of its work with the Washington Statewide Family Engagement Center (https://wasfec.org/)
LISTEN TO ALL 7 EPISODES BELOW AND THEN SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK ON OUR SURVEY LINK.
NEW! Podcast Professional Learning Guide
Rooted in WA is more than a podcast - it is a learning resource for educators, families, and community partners. Our Professional Learning Guide accompanies each episode, providing reflection questions, discussion prompts, and action planning. You can use the guide individually or with your school team - listen to episodes on your own, then come together for group discussions, or schedule team listening sessions followed by collaborative action planning. These materials are designed to help you explore key ideas in depth, spark conversation, and apply inclusive family engagement strategies in your own work. You can download the full guide or access episode-specific reflection questions below.
Episode 1 - "Half the curriculum walks in the door" with Erin Okuno
Description:
Join Erin Okuno, Director of the Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds, and Carrie Griffin Basas (host) as they discuss everything from what curriculum comes in the door to what good family engagement data tastes like. Hint: It’s not a green smoothie.
Join Erin Okuno, Director of the Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds, and Carrie Griffin Basas (host) as they discuss everything from what curriculum comes in the door to what good family engagement data tastes like. Hint: It’s not a green smoothie.
Episode 2 - "The real work happens when I leave those rooms and the work still
continues" with CiKeithia Pugh
Description:
Join host Carrie Basas and guest CiKeithia Pugh as they discuss what you begin to notice when you slow down, the counterproductive need for people to be seen as good before they'll be vulnerable, how we determine if we're actually relational, and how we advance family engagement in early learning. Together, we'll honor the reality that we had the power to do so much more and do better.
CiKeithia (she/her) is a mom, community member, facilitator, and early learning and social justice advocate. She enjoys time with family and friends. Her experiences during her son's time in the K-12 system highlighted the challenge of navigating systems and advocacy. She hopes that in her early learning and social justice work she can inspire other parents. It is important for all families to feel they are valued and belong.
Join host Carrie Basas and guest CiKeithia Pugh as they discuss what you begin to notice when you slow down, the counterproductive need for people to be seen as good before they'll be vulnerable, how we determine if we're actually relational, and how we advance family engagement in early learning. Together, we'll honor the reality that we had the power to do so much more and do better.
CiKeithia (she/her) is a mom, community member, facilitator, and early learning and social justice advocate. She enjoys time with family and friends. Her experiences during her son's time in the K-12 system highlighted the challenge of navigating systems and advocacy. She hopes that in her early learning and social justice work she can inspire other parents. It is important for all families to feel they are valued and belong.
Episode 3 - "I want the beauty and creativity to be emphasized in disability, and
simultaneously, the complexity" with Sarah Arvey Tov
Description:
Join host Carrie Basas as she engages in a heartfelt conversation with guest Sarah Arvey Tov on the Rooted in Washington Podcast. The episode delves into Sarah's journey from a special education teacher to a graduate student, and then from a graduate student to a professor, researcher, and new mom, touching on pivotal moments in their collaboration for a Washington state disability history and pride projects called One Out of Five (https://www.oeo.wa.gov/en/education-issues/one-out-five-disability-history-and-pride-project). Sarah shares the significance of intergenerational disability communities, the evolution of her work on disability justice, and the challenges and joys of parenting twins. They also discuss the role of family engagement in shaping disability identity and the importance of creating accessible educational spaces. The conversation emphasizes relational work, collective access, and the transformative power of disability culture in both personal and professional spheres.
Join host Carrie Basas as she engages in a heartfelt conversation with guest Sarah Arvey Tov on the Rooted in Washington Podcast. The episode delves into Sarah's journey from a special education teacher to a graduate student, and then from a graduate student to a professor, researcher, and new mom, touching on pivotal moments in their collaboration for a Washington state disability history and pride projects called One Out of Five (https://www.oeo.wa.gov/en/education-issues/one-out-five-disability-history-and-pride-project). Sarah shares the significance of intergenerational disability communities, the evolution of her work on disability justice, and the challenges and joys of parenting twins. They also discuss the role of family engagement in shaping disability identity and the importance of creating accessible educational spaces. The conversation emphasizes relational work, collective access, and the transformative power of disability culture in both personal and professional spheres.
Episode 4 - "Dreaming big is an act of resistance, and when we dream big together,
we can get to liberation for all of us" with Jen Chong Jewell
Description:
Join host Carrie Basas and guest Jen Chong Jewell as they discuss their journeys as mothers advocating for, and alongside, their children with disabilities. (Jen is also a new member of the State Board of Education.) They reflect on their personal challenges, the importance of community support, and the relentless pursuit of ensuring their children's right to dream big. Together, they delve into the need for better family engagement, sharing practical advice and hopes for policy. Carrie and Jen explore systemic barriers, the emotional toll of advocacy, and the critical need for inclusive practices in education.
Join host Carrie Basas and guest Jen Chong Jewell as they discuss their journeys as mothers advocating for, and alongside, their children with disabilities. (Jen is also a new member of the State Board of Education.) They reflect on their personal challenges, the importance of community support, and the relentless pursuit of ensuring their children's right to dream big. Together, they delve into the need for better family engagement, sharing practical advice and hopes for policy. Carrie and Jen explore systemic barriers, the emotional toll of advocacy, and the critical need for inclusive practices in education.
Episode 5 - "What are the societal choices we've made for access and how does that
make it possible for people in community to participate or not participate?"
Description:
Join host Carrie Basas and guest Anna Zivarts, author of When Driving Is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency (Island Press, 2024), as they discuss family engagement and the personal experiences of parenting with a disability and as a non-driver. Anna shares her journey as a low-vision parent, her family's history with nystagmus, transportation equity activism, and the challenges and triumphs of raising a child with a disability. They delve into the importance of disability identity, community connections, disability-identifying providers, and the role of public policies in creating inclusive environments and robust transportation systems. This episode sheds light on the impact of systemic barriers and the power of advocacy in shaping a more accessible world for all.
Join host Carrie Basas and guest Anna Zivarts, author of When Driving Is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency (Island Press, 2024), as they discuss family engagement and the personal experiences of parenting with a disability and as a non-driver. Anna shares her journey as a low-vision parent, her family's history with nystagmus, transportation equity activism, and the challenges and triumphs of raising a child with a disability. They delve into the importance of disability identity, community connections, disability-identifying providers, and the role of public policies in creating inclusive environments and robust transportation systems. This episode sheds light on the impact of systemic barriers and the power of advocacy in shaping a more accessible world for all.
Episode 6 - "97% of us are coming home. We will be reengaged with our families"
Description:
Join host Carrie Basas as she chats with guest Jim Chambers about the challenges facing families affected by incarceration. They discuss Jim's experiences of family engagement after serving a 23-year prison sentence and his advocacy work. Jim shares his journey from incarceration to becoming a peer leader in prison programs such as Long Distance Dads and an ally with the Black Prisoners Caucus. They delve into the challenges of reintegration, the barriers faced by incarcerated parents, the judgments that others can make about our worst moments, and the importance of supportive relationships. Jim also talks about the clemency process, working toward systemic change, and his hopes for building a better future for his family.
Join host Carrie Basas as she chats with guest Jim Chambers about the challenges facing families affected by incarceration. They discuss Jim's experiences of family engagement after serving a 23-year prison sentence and his advocacy work. Jim shares his journey from incarceration to becoming a peer leader in prison programs such as Long Distance Dads and an ally with the Black Prisoners Caucus. They delve into the challenges of reintegration, the barriers faced by incarcerated parents, the judgments that others can make about our worst moments, and the importance of supportive relationships. Jim also talks about the clemency process, working toward systemic change, and his hopes for building a better future for his family.
Episode 7 - "We just kind of run our family on rage."
Description:
Join host Carrie Basas and guest Taina Karru-Olsen in a lively discussion about family engagement, disability justice, and the importance of inclusive education. Taina shares insights from her personal journey as a parent of a multiply disabled child, and the creation of Inclusion for All, a grassroots movement advocating for systemic change. Together, they explore the power of community, what parent groups often get wrong, the limitations of traditional advocacy, and the need for schools to foster environments of belonging for all students.
Join host Carrie Basas and guest Taina Karru-Olsen in a lively discussion about family engagement, disability justice, and the importance of inclusive education. Taina shares insights from her personal journey as a parent of a multiply disabled child, and the creation of Inclusion for All, a grassroots movement advocating for systemic change. Together, they explore the power of community, what parent groups often get wrong, the limitations of traditional advocacy, and the need for schools to foster environments of belonging for all students.
Help Us Learn From You
Your voice helps us grow. If you have listened to a podcast episode or explored our resources, we would love to hear what resonated with you. Take 3 minutes to share your thoughts - we use your feedback to shape our resources.
With appreciation to the Washington Statewide Family Engagement Center
for their support in the production of this podcast.
