In this milestone 100th episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Tony Thurmond, the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the California Department of Education

Listen in as Thurmond discusses his own reading history, crediting his mother's influence and his own upbringing for his early passion with comic books and biographies. He emphasizes the value of taking in knowledge from a variety of narratives, particularly in light of Black History Month, and he gives special attention to characters that inspire us, such as Raphael Augustine and the NASA women featured in "Hidden Figures." 

As the discussion progresses, Thurmond considers how important education has been in his life, having been influenced by mentors and growing up in a home where there was financial hardship. Thurmond then goes on to talk about California's educational initiatives, including its efforts to alleviate gaps through universal meal programs, preschool programs, and dyslexia screening. He places a strong emphasis on the use of evidence-based literacy instruction and the function of community schools in offering all-encompassing student support.

Thurmond ultimately promotes teamwork in order to guarantee that every student has access to a high-quality education and support services, highlighting the significance of efficient communication and collaboration between educators, decision-makers, and communities.

An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Tony Thurmond. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:

• Tony Thurmond talks about the value of reading and relates his own reading experience, emphasizing his early exposure to biographies and comic books.
• The value of listening to other people's experiences and emphasizes the necessity of having access to a wide range of books, particularly during Black History Month.
• California's initiatives to reduce educational inequalities include expanded preschool programs, free meal programs, and dyslexia screening.
• Techniques for enhancing literacy include teacher professional development, evidence-based training, and community schools offering comprehensive support.
• The significance of efficient communication and cooperation between educators, legislators, and community members in guaranteeing that every kid has access to high-quality instruction and assistance.
• The answers to the rapid-fire questions.

An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Tony, for your contributions in San Diego, throughout California, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.

Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.

If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.

To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.