Episode 41: Interview with Cait O'Connor

Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.

I’m your host, Charles Williams. An educator for 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, and an educational consultant.

Let’s get started.

-

In this episode, I chat with Cait O’Connor, a 9th & 12th grade English teacher in upstate New York. Cait is also a mental health peer and fierce advocate who is heavily passionate about social justice, antiracism, and anti-ableism. She also believes in combating weight bias and promoting size diversity and representation in the classroom and beyond. She can also identify all 50 capitals.

During our conversation, we dive into the very uncomfortable topic of mental wellness but Cait is quick to remind us that our discomfort is someone else’s life. She points out that medical conditions have been commodified and that we are quick to use, or should I say misuse, commonly accepted labels but actively avoid addressing these very real situations. In fact, Cait pushes back on widely accepted practices because they focus on the wellness aspect but do not consider the illness behind the behaviors. Most of us approach wellness with a limited set of tools despite there existing a myriad of truths and experiences. Why don’t we, she asks, embrace the same idea of differentiation for addressing wellness as we do with instruction. Cait insists that we need an overhaul and to really examine the educational settings and instructional practices that do not promote a safe environment for all students. We have done a lot of listening around this topic, when will we start acting on it?

-

I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like and subscribe. The show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and several of your other favorite platforms.

This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.

Be sure to connect with the host and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.

Take care.