Advertise on podcast: Equity, Disproportionality and Design

Dr. Felicia Singleton is the Executive Director of Whole Child & Community Design at the San Diego County Office of Education, where she works alongside educational leaders to design systems that center the well-being, belonging, and thriving of every child. Her work focuses on helping schools and communities move beyond programs to build child-centered ecosystems where learning, joy, safety, and connection coexist. Her leadership is deeply influenced by a traditional Maasai greeting often exchanged between adults: “And how are the children?” In Maasai culture, the expected response is simple yet profound: “The children are well.” For Dr. Singleton, this question serves as both a greeting and a charge reminding us that the well-being of children is a shared responsibility and a measure of the well-being and sustainability of our communities. Guided by a commitment to justice, belonging, and collective care, Dr. Singleton’s work is anchored in the principles of restorative justice practices, whole child development, and systems transformation. Her desire to remain closely connected to restorative justice practice and her deep commitment to disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline is fueled by her adjunct faculty position at the University of San Diego where she teaches restorative justice practices in the School of Leadership and Education Sciences. Dr. Singleton holds a Doctor of Education from the University of California, San Diego. Her research explores the intersection of ecological systems theory, restorative justice practices, and collective impact, with a focus on how communities can work together to create conditions where all children and the adults who care for them authentically belong and can truly thrive.  Resources Whole Child & Community Design Website  San Diego County Office of Education Parenting the Whole Child Podcast USD Center for Restorative Justice Instagram

Russell Y. Coronado is a highly respected educator with an outstanding reputation for advocating for compliant, student-focused programs. Mr. Coronado's professional career began as an instructional aide for the San Diego Unified School District. He subsequently became a School Psychologist in the Chula Vista Elementary School District. He then began his special education administration journey in 2004 and served as the Executive Director of the South County SELPA from 2012 to 2026. Resources South County Special Education Local Plan Area  San Diego County Office of EducationED&D LinkedIn Instagram

Dr. Elvia C. Estrella serves as the Coordinator of School Counseling and School-Based Mental Health for the Sweetwater Union High School District. In her role, she leads the district’s Foster and Homeless Youth Education Services and oversees the district’s outpatient mental health clinic, ensuring equitable access to wellness and clinical supports for students and families. Dr. Estrella also develops and sustains partnerships with community-based organizations to strengthen the continuum of care across schools and the broader community. With over two decades of experience as a school counselor, program manager, and adjunct faculty member at San Diego State University, Dr. Estrella has dedicated her career to advancing trauma-informed practices, equity-driven leadership, and student-centered support systems. Her work reflects a deep commitment to improving educational outcomes for historically underserved youth and fostering collaboration between education and mental health sectors. Resources School Counselors: Brokers of Hope Website Instagram SDSU

Dr. Amir Whitaker is an educator, author, human rights lawyer, and artist. He is the founder and director of Project KnuckleHead, a nonprofit organization empowering youth through music, art, and educational programs since 2012. Often referred to as “Dr. KnuckleHead,” Dr. Whitaker was introduced to the criminal justice system as a child when he visited both his mother and father in prison. At age 15, he was arrested and entered the juvenile justice system. Problems at school eventually led to him being expelled. Despite these hardships, he went on to complete five college degrees. As a lawyer referred to as a “civil rights and education stalwart” by the Daytona Times, Dr. Whitaker has negotiated settlements and policy changes that have improved the lives of youth across the country. He worked for the ACLU of Southern California for eight years from 2017-2025.  Dr. Whitaker has taught varying grade levels and in different educational settings for over a decade, and has held teaching certifications in Florida, California, and New Jersey. He has written for publications like TIME Magazine and Washington Post. Dr. Whitaker's autobiography, “The KnuckleHead’s Guide to Escaping the Trap” has been featured on ABC News and in The New Yorker. As an artist, Dr. Whitaker has collaborated with musicians around the world while studying and teaching styles of music and dance of the Afro diaspora. His art has been displayed in galleries, libraries, and billboards around the world. He is the co-founder of Afro Unidad, a Black cultural kinship movement with 50+ ambassadors across 14 countries. He received his doctorate in Educational Psychology from the University of Southern California, juris doctorate from the University of Miami, and his bachelors from Rutgers University. Resources Project Knucklehead The KnuckleHead’s Guide to Escaping the Trap Dr. Knucklehead Afro Unidad Social Media Instagram X LinkedIn Google Scholar

Dr. Tracie Noriega is a second-generation Pinay, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Educator. She has served as a Teacher, Principal, Director, and Assistant Superintendent. She is the Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Professional Learning for the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), supporting critically conscious leaders. She is also the Executive Director of the Filipino American Educators Association of CA (FAEAC) and a faculty member with the Liberated Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum Consortium (LESMCC). Her dissertation research focused on supporting school leaders implementing Ethnic Studies programs, thus creating the Ethnic Studies Leadership Praxis framework. Education became her route as she was inspired by her teachers who supported her as a teen mom struggling to balance motherhood and school. She credits her Ethnic Studies professors for helping her to understand and vocalize her experiences as the daughter of Filipino immigrants. It is the Guiding Principles of Ethnic Studies that continue to keep her centered. The Youth continue to inspire her as she works to create lasting change in our educational system. Resources ACSA FAEAC LESMCC The Critically Conscious Classroom X Instagram

Vanessa Ejike is the Student Board Member on the California State Board of Education, attending Gretchen Whitney High School in Cerritos, California. In 2024, she was a summer intern for Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva in the California State Assembly. She is the founder of her school’s Principal’s Advisory Council, a student representative of the ABC Unified School District's Legislative/Policy Committee, and serves on the Los Angeles County Office of Education’s Student Advisory Council. Resources: Website Instagram

Dr. Myeshia Whigham is a first-generation high school and college graduate from Chicago with over 20 years of experience in K–12 education across San Diego County.  She recently earned her Ph.D. in Education for Social Justice from the University of San Diego, continuing her work to expand access, opportunity, and outcomes for all students.  Her career spans over two decades in education, including roles as a teacher, site leader, and district administrator focused on equity and student support.  She is currently the Principal at Lincoln Middle School in the Oceanside Unified School District. Dr. Whigham leads with intention and a deep commitment to creating spaces where every student feels seen, supported, and empowered. Resources: Website Instagram

Tony DelaRosa is a current PhD student in the UW-Madison Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis program, where he researches the impact of coalitions, institutions, and policies on teacher and leadership practices using Asian Crit, Critical Filipinx Studies, and Du Boisian Sociology. He is the author of the award-winning book "Teaching the Invisible Race: Embodying a Pro-Asian American Lens in Schools" with Jossey-Bass / Wiley Publishing. He is also the co-investigator of the USAP Tayo Lab on Filipinx Well-being and Politics. Before research, he was an instructional coach and Director of Teacher-Leadership at Teach for America Miami-Dade, founder of the NYC Men Teach Asian American initiative, and founder of the Boston Pulse Poetry. These experiences designing, coaching, and leading direct teaching and learning programs inform his lens to policy and leadership research. His work has been featured in CNN, NPR, Harvard Education Magazine, NBC, and other publications. Learn more at TonyRosaSpeaks.com. He is currently open to working with clients for the 2025-2026 academic year for keynote speeches, lecturers, workshops, coaching, and research.  Resources: Website Instagram ⁠Book: ⁠Teaching the Invisible Race: Embodying a Pro-Asian American Lens in School

Ingrid Medrano is currently a teacher in the National School District. She is a dedicated educator committed to closing achievement gaps in classrooms facing socio-economic challenges by delivering high-quality education. She holds a Master’s Degree in Special Education with a focus on reading, as well as a Mild/Moderate Special Education K-12 Teaching Credential, which includes authorizations for severe emotional disturbance, autism, resource specialist, and English language learners. Additionally, she holds a Bilingual Multiple Subject K-6 Teaching Credential. With 15 years of experience in education, Miss Medrano has taught in various capacities, including 4th-6th Grade Mild/Moderate Special Day Class, 5th/6th Grade Spanish, 1st Grade Dual Language (50/50 model), and currently, 1st Grade General Education.  She was also recognized as one of the San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU) Classroom Hero in San Diego County. Resources: National School District Follow a Dream Article SDCCU Classroom Hero

Nikko Kimzin is a joy filled professional performer, social impact producer, and cultural strategist that seeks to uplift the human spirit. As Founder and Lead Consultant with Kimzin Creative (CA based arts & equity consulting group), he centers the cultural strengths and dreams of historically marginalized communities to transform policy, funding, and placemaking. Kimzin Creative collaborates with local governments, schools/districts, and arts & culture organizations to create equitable access to culturally relevant arts processes and programming to inform public use and design. Services include: Arts education, creative producing, and consultation on community engagement and arts-as-data-collection strategies. Clients include: Google, County of Sonoma, City of Santa Rosa, William + Flora Hewlett Foundation, Petaluma River Park Foundation, Center for Cultural Innovation, and more. Awards: In 2025 Nikko was named one of North Bay Business Journal's 40 under 40 most influential business people, his work with Kimzin received a GOLD award for the 2024 Anthem Awards in “Community Engagement” in the category of “Education, Art, & Culture”, recipient of True West Film Center’s  2023 “Jackie Hoffner Heart & Hope Award”, has been a Fred Coe Artist in Residence at Vanderbilt University. Other: He has created Corporate Professional Development programs for Google, Sotheby’s and other Bay Area Executive Teams. Contributor to Sonoma County Arts Education Framework. Speaker at CA Migrant Education, CA Arts and Culture Summit, Stanford University, Emory University, UCSC and more. Resources: Kimzin Creative Instagram Facebook

Dr. Adam Clark is the current Superintendent of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, having joined in July 2020. Prior to this, he served as the Superintendent of the Vallejo City Unified School District. Dr. Clark has also held various leadership positions in education, including Associate Superintendent of Educational Services, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, and principal at all three levels. He earned his doctorate from Saint Mary's College of California. Resources: X LinkedIn Instagram CAAASA

Josh Chuck is a fourth-generation resident of San Francisco's Chinatown, where his family has deep roots, including doctors, merchants, teachers, and pastors. With over 25 years of experience as a youth worker, filmmaker, and fundraiser, he is deeply committed to his community. He recently co-directed his first feature documentary, CHINATOWN RISING, alongside his father, Rev. Harry Chuck and has presented the film in various forms to over 260 audiences. He also recently co-directed the film Making Waves: The Rise of Asian America Trailer, which premiered in March 2025. Josh takes great pride in the rich history of activism in his community and is passionate about sharing these vital stories in a personal and engaging way. Resources: Chinatown Rising Website Chinatown Rising Trailer Making Waves: The Rise of Asian America Making Waves: The Rise of Asian America Trailer Instagram Facebook X

As an Author of CHAMPIONS Creed, Speaker and NCAA, WNBA & NBA G-League Broadcaster, Marke Freeman works with organizations, teams and individuals worldwide educating, equipping and empowering through sports.She has explored all four corners of sports as a Professional Athlete, College Coach, Sports Analyst and Director of Player Development for her own Skills Academy – Max-OUT Basketball. Following her professional playing career she immediately found her purpose impacting from the sidelines at University of Missouri – Kansas City and later Washington University – Saint Louis completing her coaching career with a 75% winning record, even making an Elite Eight Appearance in the 2019 NCAA Tournament.She is passionate about three initiatives:1.) Educating Youth through sports. This is why she founded Max-OUT Foundation in 2013. A non-profit organization with a mission to “Maximize Opportunity, Unity and Training” which serves over 600 youth yearly!2.) Equipping World Class Leaders. As the Author of CHAMPIONS’ Creed, Marke serves coaches, teams, execs & fortune 500 companies on the essentials needed to Build and Sustain a Winning Culture. She instills within them not only the mental foundations of success and the motivation to achieve, but also the actionable strategies that will empower them to grow,improve, and thrive.3.) Empowering Coaches. Marke works with Brands such as WeCoach, Hudl, NBC’s On Her Turf, Point Guard College and many others to enhance the culture of coaching across all sports and at all levels.Truly living through her world, Marke is an acclaimed teacher who has helped thousands create the results they seek. But, most people know her as an ordinary woman with an extraordinary message that has shifted the trajectory of many lives. Resources: CHAMPIONS Creed Website Max-OUT Foundation Lighthouse Press Publishing S.P.E.A.K. Like a Pro LinkedIn Instagram Facebook X You Tube

Joseph Clevenger Assistant Superintendent of Student Services and Programs at the San Diego County Office of Education, overseeing student safety, Juvenile Court and Community Schools, and Special Education Services. As a former Superintendent with over 20 years of educational experience dedicated to expanding equitable access and opportunities for all students, he understands the impact of Systems work through collaboration.  Since his arrival, Joseph has been building departmental connections and is engaged in advancing SDCOE’s goals of reducing poverty and increasing the sense of belonging for every student and staff member within the organization.

Dr. Rebecca Penh is an Executive Leadership Coach in the Learning and Leadership Division at the San Diego County Office of Education. Dr. Penh is an educator with over 20 years of experience.  Within that time she has been a classroom teacher, Resource Teacher (where she provided instructional training and support for all teachers), a school principal, and a district administrator.  This continuum of learning has led to her current work as an executive leadership coach here at the San Diego County Office of Education where she supports schools.  Her work and passion is rooted in educational equity, access and opportunities for marginalized communities.  As the Region 8 for the California Association of Asian and Pasifika Leaders in Education known as CAAPLE, she ensures that CAAPLE’s mission and vision is implemented throughout her area and members are empowered to learn, grow, collaborate and build skills to support students.  Resources: CAAPLE CAAPLE Conference 2025