Books over Bars

by BreakFree Education

Season 3

Learning Lab Episode #19 Cultivating Restorative Practices with Arne Duncan and Cedric Hawkins

In this special episode of Learning Lab, we’re sharing a live conversation hosted by David Domenici featuring Arne Duncan and Cedric Hawkins from Chicago CRED on the transformative role restorative practices can play in schools, communities, and juvenile justice spaces. The conversation examines how restorative practices can reduce violence, strengthen relationships, and create environments where young people feel valued, supported, and seen for their full humanity. Arne and Cedric reflect on the importance of building systems rooted in trust and dignity, particularly for youth impacted by trauma and the justice system, and discuss what it takes to create communities focused on healing rather than harm. This episode offers a powerful look at how restorative practices can transform not only classrooms and schools, but the broader systems and relationships that shape young people’s lives.

S3 · E19

Jun 9, 2026

39:37

Learning Lab Episode #18 The Why Not Mentality with Kimberly McKenzie

In this episode of the Learning Lab, Christina and Kaylah sit down with Kimberly McKenzie, a teacher in a mid-level security facility, to explore what she calls a “why not” mentality in education. From hatching chicks and raising classroom animals to integrating AI and student-led inquiry, Kimberly shares how creating experiences—not just lessons—builds engagement, responsibility, and real-world skills. This episode highlights how curiosity, care, and creative “side quests” can transform learning, even within the structure of standards and testing.

S3 · E18

Apr 13, 2026

27:40

Learning Lab Episode #17 Cultivating Social Emotional Learning with Rachel Lewis

In this episode of the Learning Lab, Kaylah chats with Rachel Lewis, a New Orleans-based educator and leader with deep experience in trauma-informed care, restorative practices, social-emotional learning (SEL), and special education. In this conversation, Rachel reframes SEL as essential skill-building—not “soft skills,” but the tools young people need to advocate for themselves, regulate emotions, and navigate conflict. She shares practical strategies for embedding SEL into daily classroom routines, from greeting students at the door and starting class with emotional check-ins to creating cool-down corners and modeling vulnerability as adults. Rachel also explores why SEL must be taught when students are regulated. When practiced consistently, emotional regulation becomes like muscle memory—something students can access when they need it most. This episode highlights how building connection, teaching emotional language, and intentionally creating space for SEL can transform classroom culture and support meaningful growth for young people.

S3 · E17

Mar 20, 2026

34:16

Learning Lab Episode #16: Consistently Being Real with Jackie Alvarado

In this episode of Learning Lab, Christina and Kaylah sit down with Jackie to talk about what it means to show up with honesty, consistency, and dignity in juvenile justice classrooms. Jackie shares her journey into JJ education as a special education teacher and reflects on the importance of being real with students—naming hard truths, challenging limiting beliefs, and reminding young people that needing help is part of being human. The conversation explores rejecting labels, honoring students as still-developing individuals, and teaching self-advocacy through consistent care and presence. Jackie’s approach is a powerful reminder that when educators meet students where they are and show up every day, real growth becomes possible.

S3 · E16

Mar 2, 2026

28:15

Learning Lab Episode 15: Cultivating Family Engagement with Chyrl Johnson

In this episode of Learning Lab, Christina and Kaylah sit down with Chyrl Johnson, a cosmetology teacher at Macon YDC in Georgia Preparatory Academy, to explore parent engagement rooted in empathy, respect, and humanity. Chyrl shares how treating students the way she would her own children shapes everything. Through monthly phone calls, letters home, and joyful family engagement events, she shows how consistent, caring outreach strengthens trust, increases student engagement, and sparks meaningful conversations between students and their families. Chyrl reframes parent outreach not as an obligation, but as a meaningful responsibility, grounded in the belief that families deserve to be part of their child’s story, even in secure settings. This episode is a powerful reminder that when educators treat students as humans and families as partners, everyone benefits.

S3 · E15

Feb 16, 2026

37:39

Learning Lab Episode #14: Cultivating Classrooms That Reach All Students with Kimberly Molidor

Christina and Kaylah sit down with Kimberly Molidor, an ELA teacher at the Academy for Academic Excellence Henry Wade campus, to explore multi-level teaching and the power of thematic units. Kimberly shares how flexible design, student choice, and shared themes create one cohesive classroom where students can work at different levels while moving toward common goals. From starting small with short thematic units to identifying standards that span grade levels, this episode offers practical strategies—and encouragement—for educators navigating the complexity of multi-level classrooms.

S3 · E14

Jan 29, 2026

31:56

Learning Lab Episode #13: Cultivating Secure Care Relationships with Katherine Jones

In this episode of Learning Lab, Christina and Kaylah talk with educator Katharine Jones about the critical process of Cultivating Relationships with Secure Care. Katharine illustrates how when adults are intentionally aligned, the result is significantly calmer, more predictable classrooms for students. The conversation highlights practical alignment strategies, including establishing consistent routines, creating clear channels for daily information exchange, and explicitly sharing expectations with students so they always know what to anticipate. This practice reduces student frustration and builds trust. Katharine shares her powerful philosophy of treating every challenge as a creative opportunity, reminding us that successful partnership begins when we shift the mindset from "Don't tell me how I can't do it, tell me how I can." This episode champions a "village" mindset, emphasizing shared goals and offering concrete first steps for teachers seeking to build stronger, more unified relationships with their secure care staff.

S3 · E13

Dec 12, 2025

38:08

Learning Lab Episode #12: Design, Dignity, and Real-World Feedback with Ben Wiebesiek

In this episode of Learning Lab, Christina and Kaylah sit down with Ben Wiebesiek, a graphic design teacher at Lookout Academy in Colorado. Together, they explore how Ben's classroom turns student designs into real-world business assets, fostering professional skills and dignity. Ben shares how he uses the critique process, working with authentic clients, to teach students the essential life skill of receiving and applying feedback. The conversation goes beyond design mechanics, diving into how Ben guides students to challenge misconceptions about artistic symbolism, particularly regarding colors and shapes often misidentified as gang signifiers. Ben reminds us that by validating students’ creative choices and allowing them to explore deeper meaning, we foster resilience, professional communication, and the powerful self-expression necessary for students to feel their unique vision is seen and understood.

S3 · E12

Dec 8, 2025

32:52

Learning Lab Episode #11: Cultivating Student Recognition through Celebration and Connection with Melissa Jeanty

In this episode of Learning Lab, Christina and Kaylah sit down with Melissa Jeanty, assistant principal at Maya Angelou Academy at New Beginnings, Washington D.C.’s long-term youth facility. Together, they explore how Melissa and her team have built a powerful culture of celebration and acknowledgment — one that helps students see themselves as capable, valued, and part of a caring community. From monthly award ceremonies and birthday shoutouts to everyday classroom wins, this conversation reveals how simple acts of recognition can transform school culture, sustain educators, and remind everyone why this work matters. It's a conversation that highlights not only the transformative power of recognition on students but also how these moments of joy and acknowledgment refuel and sustain the adults doing this critical work. Melissa reminds us why showing up to celebrate every win is the cornerstone of effective JJ education.

S3 · E11

Nov 13, 2025

33:04

Learning Lab Episode #10: The Best-Kept Secret: Activating Unseen Potential in Science with Melissa Duncan

In this episode, we sit down with Melissa Duncan, a passionate science teacher at Cammack Children's Center in West Virginia. Melissa shares why she was drawn to Juvenile Justice education and why she believes JJ education is the best kept secret. We explore how she implemented the BreakFree initiative, Unseen. We discuss how engaging in hands-on work that is reviewed and celebrated by an authentic audience (including winning a national contest!) allows students to feel profoundly seen, challenging the negative narratives often placed upon them. It’s a conversation about breaking misconceptions, building confidence, and activating the hidden potential of students.

S3 · E10

Nov 5, 2025

38:08

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