In this episode of the Anti-Racism Leadership Institute: Research to Practice Podcast, Dr. Tracey A. Benson speaks with Dr. Sarah Fiarman, Harvard Graduate School of Education lecturer and author of Instructional Rounds in Education, Becoming a School Principal, and Unconscious Bias in Schools. Together, they explore the challenges and growth of school leadership through an equity lens—discussing humility, trust, and the shift from intention to impact in anti-racist educational practice. Dr. Fiarman reflects on supporting principals at all stages of their careers and offers candid insights on sustaining anti-racist leadership amid today’s political and cultural tensions.

In this critical episode of the Anti-Racism Leadership Institute Research to Practice Podcast, host Dr. Tracey A. Benson welcomes Dr. Catherine Pozniak, independent education finance consultant, for a candid conversation about the uncertain future of public education under the current federal administration.

Dr. Pozniak demystifies the role of the U.S. Department of Education, explains the implications of proposed cuts to programs like Title I and Title II, and outlines the potential consequences of dismantling the Department altogether. From funding uncertainty to DEI rollbacks, from recession threats to the strain on state infrastructure—this episode unpacks the policy shifts that could reshape the American education landscape.

Whether you’re a parent, a policymaker, or a principal, this episode provides essential context for understanding how national-level decisions reverberate through classrooms and communities—and what we can do to stay informed and proactive.

Follow Dr. Catherine Pozniak on LinkedIn for accessible, nonpartisan analysis of education policy and funding.

In this episode of the Anti-Racism Leadership Institute Research to Practice podcast, hosted by Dr. Tracey Benson, Dr. Sean Darling-Hammond, an assistant professor at UCLA's Fielding School of Public Health, is invited on to have a discussion on the education system. Together, they examine restorative practices, exclusionary discipline, and the school-to-prison pipeline. Dr. Darling-Hammond emphasizes the psychological harm of exclusionary discipline and advocates for restorative approaches that foster psychological safety and community in schools. The conversation also touches on the complex role of school resource officers in creating an inclusive educational environment.

🔗 Links:

Spotify: Research to Practice - The Anti-Racism Leadership Institute | Podcast on Spotify

Apple: Research to Practice - Apple Podcasts

LinkedIn: Anti-Racism Leadership Institute: Overview | LinkedIn
"Unconscious Bias in Schools" Book, Co-Written by Dr. Tracey A. Benson:
Unconscious Bias in Schools (harvard.edu)

Dr.Darling-Hammond on Google Scholar: https://lked.in/9rY8pG

Dr. Darling-Hammond on LinkedIn: https://lked.in/pPuW

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