In 1980 Charmian Redwood had a Near Death Experience in which she returned to Oneness and remembered Who She Is. Since that time she has been assisting others through her workshops and personal sessions to reconnect with and their own Divine Self and to activate the DNA codes for ascension. She has remembered her many lives as a teacher and healer in the mystery schools always guiding her students to find the God Within and to empower themselves.

Since moving to Hawaii in 2006 Charmian Redwood has brought forward many memories of Ancient Lemuria where we lived in Oneness and used our intention and connection to the Source to create everything we needed in our lives. Her work now is to bring back the teams who worked in the Ancient Crystal Cities so that we can begin to create our New World.

Charmian offers sessions of Hypnotherapy for the Soul. She guides her clients to experience themselves as Soul, to ask what The Soul wishes to say to the personality self and to look at the cause of any issues which clients may be experiencing in their lives such as illness, relationships, employment. The Soul knows everything about us, past, present and future. These sessions can be done by skype or phone. She also offers Akashic soul readings where she brings through memories of past lives in the temples, on other stars and guides the client through initiations they had in Lemuria, Atlantis, Egypt, Sirius etc. Charmian taught in all of the Mystery Schools of the past and in this lifetime she is meeting her former students and taking them in just a few sessions to reclaim the knowledge which once took years of apprenticeship to achieve.

Charmian offers many workshops on connecting with archangels, a Mystery school where students learn to receive their own messages.

Ceresta Smith, an American University alumna, is a twenty-three-year veteran educator who has taught grades six through twelve reading and language arts, as well as beginning and advanced television production. Contact Ceresta at cerestas@yahoo.com or 786-303-4785. She earned her National Board Certification in Adult/Young Adult English/language arts in 2002 and now serves as a teacher leader and mentor.

In September of 2008, she moved from a school deemed “high performing” to serve as a teacher leader and literacy coach in a school deemed “low performing.” While there, she became a 2009 – 2010 recipient of a Jordan Fundamental Grant that facilitated the implementation of Text Titans, a literacy building initiative designed by her and funded by Brand Jordan. A private foundation created by basketball great Michael Jordan, Brand Jordan honors teachers who motivate and inspire students toward achieving excellence.

As a committed educator and activist, Ms. Smith founded the Concerned Teacher Coalition in 2009 to address the inequities in Miami-Dade County’s predominantly African-American public schools. One of the original organizers of Save Our Schools March and National Call to Action, she continues to champion for equity and quality pedagogy in America’s public schools.

Rosemarie has been with United Opt Out from the beginning of our journey.  She has attended every national UOO event and has been by our side the last four years as we have grown and increased our efforts to resist corporate education reform and reclaim and improve public schools for all children.

Here is a brief bio on Rosemarie:

Rosemarie Jensen is a former teacher and currently a parent activist. She received her M. Ed. from the University of Florida and taught K-1 for ten years in both Alachua and Broward Counties. In addition, she trained teachers in Alachua and surrounding counties in Math Their Way and later worked as a K-2 literacy trainer for teachers in Broward County. In the past 15 years she has been an active participant in her local schools  and has worked to end high stakes testing and corporate reforms. She has been involved in  community, state and national efforts to support public education and teachers. She has opted her son out of FCAT for the past three years in Florida.

Timothy D Slekar is currently the Dean of the School of Education at Edgewood College in Madison, WI.

He began his career 24 years ago as a 2^nd grade teacher in Virginia. He then taught 5^th grade in Pennsylvania. Dr. Slekar attended Millersville University where he earned a Master’s degree in Education and continued on to earn his PhD in social studies education at the University of Maryland at College Park. During his studies Dr. Slekar worked with 7^th and 8^th grade teachers in the city of Baltimore Maryland. Dr. Slekar has published research in various top education research journals including Teacher Education Quarterly, Theory and Research in Social Education and Journal of Thought. Dr. Slekar is one of the founding members of United Opt Out National. He has been a radio cohost on podcast, local & national radio as well as on numerous television news shows as an expert education policy analysist including MSNBC, CNN & Fox News

About his blog talk show - Busted Pencils - Fully Leaded Education Talk

BustED Pencils; Fully Leaded Education Talk is a new, weekly, one hour talk show dedicated to public education.  It is the only talk on the radio about education by educators.  BustED Pencils is known for its commitment to the hard facts with a humorous twist.  Hosts Tim Slekar and Jed Hopkins cover the “real” issues in education.

This show establishes and alternative space and discusses education reform from an entirely progressive perspective.  Our approach is funny, edgy, passionate, witty and gritty.  BustED Pencils explores the political and commercial influences behind education policy.  We translate education news into laymen terms so the everyday person can understand the issues — not loaded with edu-jargon.  We strongly promote public schools and their democratic and civic mission.  Lastly, we talk about the most important issue facing the future of America — public education.

BustED Pencils appeals to parents, grandparents, guardians, teachers, policy makers, tax payers and students alike.

Proponent and advocate of individual rights and personal liberty. Husband, father, jack of many trades including experience property development and management, carpentry, plumbing, electrical. Licensed Michigan auto mechanic, songwriter composer, musician, and even had stint as a government bureaucrat working for the Chicago Housing Authority as a Section 8 building inspector and later as a construction coordinator with no formal training in any of the above. Holds a Bachelor's degree in Professional Business Communications from Siena Heights University and is currently studying for LSAT exam. Holds a Black belt in Chang Hon Style Tae kwan do. Certified Michigan Citizen planner through Michigan State University Extension. Speaker to local groups including the Tea Party about police brutality and increasing militarization of the police forces and host of a Facebook page titled “Exposing Excessive Policing.” Has formerly held precinct delegate positions and executive committee positions in political party subdivisions while working with grass roots movements which advocate liberty. Works diligently in recruiting other delegates and political candidates for like-minded reasons. . Drafted and assisted in pushing through resolutions in local political subdivisions against the NDAA (National Defense Authorization act of 2012), and anti United Nations Agenda 21 resolutions. Not partisan issues, but rather American Constitutional issues. Ran for County Commissioner twice in four years nearly unseating a 24 yr incumbent while getting nearly 49% of the vote this last November; the closest county wide race there was. Currently seated on a local Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals. Actively involved in making every attempt possible to slow down the ”Monster” which is actively and incrementally eroding any semblance of freedom we have left in this country.

Steve Kelley spent 31 years as a sports writer at the Seattle Times.  Steve has covered thousands of games, and events all over the world.  From Super Bowl's to the Olympics, Kelley has seen it all.

Alisha "Bee" Forrester Scott is an artist and businesswoman who currently resides in Arizona, where her daughter will begin at the local university this August. She's one of the planet's top social entrepreneurs; focusing on 'growing' solitary bee cocoons for pollinating local and regional organic farms and gardens. She is a proud faculty member at BodyMind Institute, a solitary bees sales broker for Bee With Me project, and is a media consultant and writer for Green Living Magazine (AZ). Each day, Alisha Bee's combined life and career missions are 'to save and restore bees and the food supply chain'. Alisha has dedicated her entire abilities, talents, network, fun and spiritual joy, into her "bee-friendly" missions and projects.

Alisha is the executive producer and hostess of the inaugural Free The Bees.org EZ Enrollment educational media series e-courses, which begin this fall 2015 at BodyMind Institute.com. BMI has committed to helping Alisha Bee to get the ball rolling on a global scale. Free The Bees.org with Alisha Bee at BMI offers participants with dedicated worldwide educational programming and access to distribution in 90 countries. Beginning with the USA and North America, each day, Alisha will be providing daily progress and adventures, learning homework and community news, entertainment, intuitive support, real tools and helpful technology, and opportunities to improve 'offline' quality of life to all participants. The EZ Enrollment ongoing educational media learning series at BMI represents a 'first-of-its-kind', multi-media, advertising and online publishing campaign.
 

Alisha "Bee" Forrester Scott is an artist and businesswoman who currently resides in Arizona, where her daughter will begin at the local university this August. She's one of the planet's top social entrepreneurs; focusing on 'growing' solitary bee cocoons for pollinating local and regional organic farms and gardens. She is a proud faculty member at BodyMind Institute, a solitary bees sales broker for Bee With Me project, and is a media consultant and writer for Green Living Magazine (AZ). Each day, Alisha Bee's combined life and career missions are 'to save and restore bees and the food supply chain'. Alisha has dedicated her entire abilities, talents, network, fun and spiritual joy, into her "bee-friendly" missions and projects.

Alisha is the executive producer and hostess of the inaugural Free The Bees.org EZ Enrollment educational media series e-courses, which begin this fall 2015 at BodyMind Institute.com. BMI has committed to helping Alisha Bee to get the ball rolling on a global scale. Free The Bees.org with Alisha Bee at BMI offers participants with dedicated worldwide educational programming and access to distribution in 90 countries. Beginning with the USA and North America, each day, Alisha will be providing daily progress and adventures, learning homework and community news, entertainment, intuitive support, real tools and helpful technology, and opportunities to improve 'offline' quality of life to all participants. The EZ Enrollment ongoing educational media learning series at BMI represents a 'first-of-its-kind', multi-media, advertising and online publishing campaign.

David Lewis is a masterful singer/songwriter – 7 CD’s published - who became a messenger for the Ascended Masters about 11 years ago.

David brings harmony and prescience of divine order that is stepping through the thinning veil for winning from the beginning of the Aquarian Dispensation.

In this show, David provides some timely insight from the Master Jesus regarding the big shift of Earth energies with evolutionary ascent of mass consciousness from talking about problems to focusing on solutions with loving kindness.

We live in a miraculous time when quantum science of the divine matrix is unveiling not only the mysteries of quantum power (free energy), quantum wisdom (heart coherence), and quantum healing (global TeLeCare), but also the mysteries of conscious evolution with revelations from ascended realms that give us INsight for OUTlook of a more enlightened nature.

For those who like waking up with song and inspiration in the morning, David’s website provides free live and prerecorded messages from those who ascended with momentums of mastery that comes through these messages. The ‘look’ and ‘feel’ of your day may well benefit.
So welcome David Christopher Lewis to Cosmic LOVE in the spirit that matters for overcoming faithless fears with fearless faith, neutralizing the inordinate love of power in the world with the ordained power of love.

KEVIN SLOCUM “KONSCIOUS”

Like all of us, Kevin has been on quite the journey. The birth of “Konscious” hip-hop music arose out of a necessity to process his viewpoints and feelings, serving to heal himself and eventually inspire change in others through a positive, uplifting message of self realization. His hypnotic delivery helps to unravel the mind, creating a space to receive a transmission of light. His gift of explanation comes through in his lyrics, creating a unique style of hip hop designed to awaken the spirit.

Learn More about Kevin Slocum “Konscious” at

https://www.facebook.com/konscioushiphop

LEIGH RACHEL FAITH FUJIMOTO

Heather is an internationally recognized intuitive guide and success coach for spiritual seekers and holistic entrepreneurs who want to go from “what’s my purpose?” to “mission accomplished!” by manifesting their inner greatness and living a spiritually centered life. Through developing strong intuitive abilities mixed with emotional empowerment, her clients are able to break up with self-limitation, gain clarity and momentum, and find their success-filled happy place in life and business.

Since an early age, Heather was a profound empath, with a deep understanding of the emotional blocks and trauma of others. She began coaching in 2003. However in 2012, she had a near-death medical crisis which left her with the ability to “hear and see” energetic information. She conducts intuitive sessions via Skype/Phone with clients all over the world in her signature down-to-earth style full of humor, heart, and the occasional swear word.

Heather received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of North Florida; graduating summa cum laude. Her undergraduate research was presented at the 25th Annual Association of Psychological Science Convention in Washington, D.C. She is a Certified Hypnotist with the International Certification Board of Clinical Hypnotherapy, a licensed HeartMath® Life Coach and Mentor, and a graduate of Marie Forleo’s B-school. She is also a past life regression hypnosis expert (Dolores Cannon method), and her first meditation CD debuted in Spirituality & Health Magazine.

Kathryn Andries is a nationally known author, teacher and public speaker. Her books include "Soul Choices: Six Paths to Find Your Life Purpose," "Soul Choices: Six Paths to Fulfilling Relationships" and "Naked in Public: Dream Symbols Revealed." Her childrens books include "The Dream Doctor" and "The Big Desire" (fall 2014). She also produced the video Inside the California Missions.

Kathryn Andries hosted the television show Discover Your Life Purpose and is a frequent guest on radio programs. She co-founded the School of Intuitive Arts and Sciences where she teaches astrology, numerology, palm reading, eye analysis, past lives and family birth order.

Kathryn Andries earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan, and a holistic health practitioner degree from Body Mind College in California. She completed extensive studies in the intuitive arts at the Berkeley Psychic Institute, the School of Metaphysics and the American Federation of Astrologers.

A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Mr. Marrs earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of North Texas in 1966 and attended Graduate School at Texas Tech in Lubbock for two years more. He has worked for several Texas newspapers, including the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, where beginning in 1968 he served as police reporter and general assignments reporter covering stories locally, in Europe and the Middle East. After a leave of absence to serve with a Fourth Army intelligence unit during the Vietnam War, he became military and aerospace writer for the newspaper and an investigative reporter. Since 1980, Mr. Marrs has been a free-lance writer, author and public relations consultant. He also published a rural weekly newspaper along with a monthly tourism tabloid, a cable television show and several videos.

In 2007, Mr. Marrs retired from the University of Texas at Arlington where he had taught a course on the Kennedy assassination since 1976. In 1989, his book, Crossfire: The Plot That Killed Kennedy, was published to critical acclaim and reached the New York Times Paperback Non-Fiction Best Seller list in mid-February 1992. It became a basis for the Oliver Stone film JFK. Mr. Marrs served as a chief consultant for both the film’s screenplay and production.

Beginning in 1992, Mr. Marrs spent three years researching and completing a non-fiction book on a top-secret government program involving the psychic phenomenon known as remote viewing only to have it mysteriously canceled as it was going to press in the summer of 1995. Within two months, the story of military-developed remote viewing broke nationally in the Washington Post after the CIA revealed the program but put their own spin on psychic studies. Psi Spies was finally published by New Page Books in 2007.

In May, 1997, Marrs’ in-depth investigation of UFOs, Alien Agenda, was published by HarperCollins Publishers. Mr. Marrs has been a featured speaker at a number of national conferences including the Annual International UFO Congress and the Annual Gulf Breeze UFO Conference. It has been translated into several foreign languages and become the top-selling non-fiction UFO book in the world. He began teaching a course on UFOs at the University of Texas at Arlington in 2000.

Also in early 2000, HarperCollins published Rule by Secrecy, which traced the hidden history that connects modern secret societies to the Ancient Mysteries. It too reached the New York Times Best Seller list. In 2003, his book The War on Freedom probed the conspiracies of the 9/11 attacks and their aftermath. It was released in 2006 under the title The Terror Conspiracy. In mid-2008, his book The Rise of the Fourth Reich, detailing the infiltration of National Socialism into the USA, was published followed by a study of mysteries entitled Above Top Secret.

An award-winning journalist, Mr. Marrs is listed both in Who’s Who in the World and Who’s Who in America. Mr. Marrs has won several writing and photography awards including the Aviation/Aerospace Writer’s Association’s National Writing Award and Newsmaker of the Year Award from the Fort Worth Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. In 1993, Mr. Marrs received Freedom Magazine’s Human Rights Leadership Award.

Mr. Marrs has appeared on ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, CSPAN, the Discovery, Learning and History Channels, This Morning America, Geraldo, Montel Williams, Today, Tech TV and The Larry King, George Noory and Art Bell radio programs along with numerous national and regional radio and TV shows.  He is a former president of the Press Club of Fort Worth and a current member of the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi, and the Investigative Reporters and Editors.

‘The World According to Jesse’ is a variety news show that will tackle today’s biggest political stories, as well as deeper issues such as “government hypocrisy and corporate deception” through a mix of thought-provoking interviews and on-the-ground reporting. Viewers can expect Ventura to be just as bold and uncensored in his approach as he has been all his life.

“What you will hear from me is opinions, not agendas,” says Ventura. “I look forward to holding our government accountable. I will be exercising my First Amendment rights with no filters.”

During RT America's 2016 Election coverage, Ventura contributed pointed commentary about third-party candidates – something he was familiar with from personal experience.

In 1998, Jesse “The Body” Ventura transitioned from a professional wrestler into a surprise political success when he won a shocking victory as a third-party candidate to become governor of Minnesota. Ventura served as the 38th governor of Minnesota from 1999 and 2003 after a stint as mayor of Brooklyn Park, MN. His rise to fame started in the 1970s, when Ventura began performing with the World Wrestling Federation. He later starred in the 1987 sci-fi cinema classic “Predator” and has since authored more than half-dozen politically-themed books, including 2011’s “American Conspiracies: Lies, Lies, and More Dirty Lies That the Government Tells Us."Since then, his trademark has been his ability to “speak for the common man.”

‘The World According to Jesse’ will air Fridays, with repeats on weekends.

A well known talk show host for over four years on Achieve Radio and World Puja Network, Hillary Raimo's thought-provoking interviews on her Internet Radio Show are appreciated worldwide by millions of listeners. Her discerning, inspiring, and empowering interviews include famous experts, authors, artists, teachers, scientists, researchers, and military/industrial complex executives and officers.

In her interviews, Hillary focuses on issues ranging from urgent earth matters to space and defense, metaphysics, technology applications to solving problems of health, the environment, and energy, to the spiritual, paranormal, and consciousness realms. Hillary explores esoteric and scientific teachings, including new discoveries of the mind/body connection.

Hillary Raimo is an internationally renowned clairvoyant. She is also an expert on multi-dimensional healing. Hillary specializes in communicating about how the mind/body healing process frees consciousness on a personal to global level in order to help enable body energy and collective consciousness to transcend time and space.

Her international client-base consulting ranges from high level corporate complex executives to filmmakers, best selling authors, celebrities, and to thousands of world citizens.

Hillary's interviews, writings and client work include her focus on personal and on current world situations and events, interpretations and perspectives with a deep understanding of ancient cultures, sacred sites, the paranormal, and esoteric systems applied within the context of the unique universal tapestry of unfolding knowledge, with her intuitive insights. Her writings share the combination of her special intuitive and self-empowerment skills to help people on all levels and from all cultures so they can become aware of current paradigms and choices available for their future. She presents updated researching and information that can help everyone move into states of higher frequency in order to live in the best of health and well-being for multi-dimensional living.

Hillary is a project consultant to the Outer Space Security and Development Treaty founded by Dr. Carol Rosin. She is a board member for Yraceburu Earthwisdom and founding member of Taa-nash-kaa-daa Sanctuary in New Mexico. She is a founding member of Health Source Now, and maintains a full-time Reiki practice as a licensed Usui & Karuna Master Teacher at A Peaceful Place in Clifton Park, NY. Hillary is a sought after facilitator and has been invited to numerous conferences as a key note speaker, and has participated frequently on guest panels across the country as an expert on a variety of topics ranging from higher consciousness to healing.

Hillary has contributed to numerous articles and publications including recently published books entitled Kids Who See Ghosts, by Dr. Caron Goode, Prophetic Voices, by Maria Yraceburu, Whose Stuff Is This? by best-selling author Yvonne Perry, and Oracle of Initiation: Rainbows in the Dark by Melissa Weiss-Steele. Hillary is the author of Money Matters for Mind, Body & Spirit, and Life According to an Unknown.

Among her most popular articles are Money Matters for Mind Body and Spirit (published Healing Springs Magazine April/May 2007, re-published Healing Matrix Magazine August 2008, and Spiritside Ezine August 2008 Issue), Relationship Matters for Mind Body and Spirit (published Healing Springs Magazine Oct/Nov 2007), Soul Connections: Understanding Karmic Relationships in Today's High Tech World (published Healing Springs Magazine Aug/Sept 2008), The Economy: A Reflection of Higher Consciousness (published Healing Springs, Spiritside Magazine, Wisdom Magazine), Bridging Dimensions (published Healing Springs April/May 2010), Multidimensional Healing (published Healing Springs Magazine, 4Corners Magazine Oct/Nov 2009 issue)

Internationally recognized, Hillary has been an invited guest star on a variety of radio and TV shows including Universal 7 Radio, LA Talk Radio Sam & Suzy in the Morning, Dr. Gabriella Kortsch Radio in Spain, Dynamic Transformations with Mark Patterson, Extreme Dream Radio with Laurie Santos, Wake Up Your Magic TV with Susan Guild, Knights of Awakening Radio, Multidimensional Healing with Esateys on World Puja Network, Law of Distraction and Interruption with Joe Carroccio, The Lois Berman Show WXBR 1460AM radio, The Love by Intuition Show with Deborah Beauvais WARL 1320AM, Higher Dimensions with Phyllis Pricer BBS Radio, Inspirations Expressed with Tina Bueno, The Wise Woman Way with Susun Weed, Sisters of Honua Radio, Red Ice Radio, Spiritual But Not Religious TV with Host George Lewis, Raise Your Intuition IQ with Monique Chapman, The Gary Mantz Show 1150am KKNW Seattle, WA, Temple of Health Radio with Dr. Susan Kolb, Heaven Scent KKNW 1150AM with host Maureen St. Germain on The Doctor Pat Network.

Hillary has been interviewed in numerous films and documentaries including The Path: Afterlife Series and Hope for Humanity.

As a highly respected writer and producer for radio, television, movies and documentaries, Hillary has produced and consulted on many projects.

DOV is a musician who writes many environmental songs from his experiences in nature. In this interview with DOV we will journey via his stories, music and insights to observe our ecosystems and planetary challenges. Topics include The Earth Summit, the Oceans, Forests, Earth Day, Solar Power, and musical experiences.

the earth harmony channel on youtube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVkCMlBGvwJLk_CYcTdPT-A
the abundance channel on youtube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnhFreK5rk9B69CTjHjSokA

Guest Biographry From: http://www.terravivos.com/secure/management.htm

The Vivos Project is headed by Robert Vicino, an entrepreneur with a global history of success in manufacturing, marketing and real estate development. In 1980, Robert was inspired to build a shelter for 1,000 people, deep underground to protect us from a coming life-extinction event. That was 30 years ago, but it was so vivid and compelling, that he dropped everything and started looking for an underground cave or abandoned mine that could be hardened to create a shelter of epic proportions, to save as many people as he could.

He was not very religious at the time, did not know who the Mayans were and had no other motivation or cause to be alarmed – just a very strong inspiration, that he now believes was from God. In his young 20’s, Robert was already very successful with nearly 100 employees. What he quickly learned was that the world wasn’t ready to hear, or consider this ‘doomsday’ concern. That was true until 2008, when he mentioned it, once again to a small group in another business. Their reaction was, “It is time, the world is on the verge and people are ready”.

In 2008, the Vivos project was officially launched as a privately funded venture to provide a life assurance shelter solution for as many people as possible in the face of any catastrophe. Now, with the conviction that this was his true mission, clearly inspired by God, because either fortunately, or unfortunately, he had the unique skill set to get it done. What a huge responsibility, sticking his neck out for ridicule, and investing years of his life and savings to save others.

He now accepts that responsibility with great humility and gratitude that he can, together with a team of visionaries and experts in engineering, architecture, construction, medicine, psychology, healthcare, nutrition, law and the constitution, finance, management, logistics, manufacturing, security and self defense each dedicated to bring the Vivos network to reality around the world.

Jamaal Bowman is the founding principal of Cornerstone Academy for Social Action Middle School. In its 4th year, based on the New York City Department of Education's progress report, Cornerstone ranks in the 83rd percentile of all middle schools. Jamaal was trained to be a school leader by New Leaders for New Schools in 2008. New Leaders is a national principal recruitment and training program, which admits less than 7% of applicants. During his time with New Leaders, Jamaal's principal residency took place at Achievement First Endeavor Charter School in Brooklyn New York, and he participated in seminars and visits to exemplary middle schools in New York and throughout the country. Prior to joining New Leaders in 2008, Jamaal served as Guidance Counselor, teacher, and Dean of Students at The High School of Art and Technology at the Martin Luther King Jr. Campus for 3 years. Before working at M.L.K, Jamaal began his career as an elementary school teacher at P.S. 90 in the Bronx for five years.

More about CASA Middle School:

Ruth Powers Silverberg is an Associate Professor in the School of Education at the College of Staten Island, City University of New York. Her teaching and research focus on preparing educational leaders to foster constructivist learning communities and countering the damaging effects of neoliberal education reform. She actively advocates for reclaiming schooling for the democratic project with colleagues, parents, and teachers.

Recent projects include the following:

Scholarship / Publications :
Dodge, A. &  Powers Silverberg, R. (forthcoming) Dominant Discourse, Educational Research and the Hegemony of Test Scores: If You Only Have a Hammer Every Problem Looks Like a Nail. Critical Education.

Kempf, A. and Powers Silverberg, R. (forthcoming). Academic Disobedience: Engaging
Michael Apple’s Nine Tasks of the Critical Scholar in an Age of Standardization. Chapter in School against neoliberal rule. Information Age Publishing: Charlotte, NC.

Powers Silverberg, R. (2013). From Compliance to Activism: The case of the New York
Principals. Roundtable Presentation, 2013 Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Francisco, California.

Ayers, W., Dodge, A., Nunez, I., Powers Silverberg, R.  (2013). Edu4: Social Imagination and Political Activism in Education. Session, 2013 Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Francisco, California.

Powers Silverberg, R. (2013). From Compliance to Activism: The case of the New York
Principals. Roundtable Presentation, 2013 Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Francisco, California.

My name is Aggie Kurzyna and I am running for the New Britain Board of Education. I am a parent, a grandparent and a lifelong New Britain resident who cares deeply about my community. I am taking the leap to run for a seat on the BOE as I have found education advocacy is my life’s purpose and passion.

For too many years, New Britain parents have struggled with trusting the New Britain school district.  My mission once on the board of education will be to rebuild the trust between parents, students and the school district. Clearly, if families and schools are to form partnerships that work, there must first be a foundation of mutual trust, confidence, and respect.

Students will need more than just good teachers and smaller class sizes to meet the challenges of tomorrow. For students to get the most out of school, we need to promote a partnership between parents, community leaders, and schools. Only through partnerships can our schools keep improving and stay on the right track. In my opinion, the biggest single dilemma in local education today is making significant decisions about schools without genuinely accepting input from parents and community members. This demoralizes and discourages those who are most actively involved in our city’s schools.

Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I am a first generation Polish American, born and raised in New Britain. My parents emigrated here in 1973. My significant other, Gerry Benitez, is Puerto Rican, which makes our children Polorican. Gerry and I have been together for 15 years.

I was a high school dropout who worked diligently to get my GED and college degree and have established an 18 year career in Project Management. In addition to my job as a Project Manager, I also chair a mentoring program at my place of employment. Now in its 30th year, the program provides an opportunity for students in grades 3-8 from the Fred D.Wish Elementary School in Hartford to spend time with a caring adult in the business community.

I am a parent and a woman with a diverse background that has been through many life experiences which have brought me to where I am today. I am a passionate, caring person who wants to work with other compassionate and focused people to bring about meaningful and sustainable changes to this community. The amount of heart I possess for this work is clearly displayed in the amount of research, time, and energy I give to the many issues that must be addressed.

For over five years I have dedicated nearly all my free time to advocating for an equitable and quality education for ALL children. I've worked hard with many other passionate people to bring concerns to light and look for solutions.