https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-invisible-backpack
We thank our guests for their commitment to improving the lives of others through telling their story.

Thanks to MPR Reporter Catherine Richart for volunteering her guidance and expertise.

Thanks to Principal Matt Ruzek for supporting this project.]]>enEducationCopyright The Invisible Backpackhttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/4b5c65834097073615b66dd63dae4e3b.jpghttps://www.spreaker.com/show/the-invisible-backpackFri, 07 Apr 2023 14:16:11 +0000The Invisible BackpackThe Invisible Backpacklida.casper@gmail.comBuilding community awareness about the most challenging issues facing our kids, our schools and our community. And where do we go from here? We thank our guests for their commitment to improving the lives of others through telling their story....
We thank our guests for their commitment to improving the lives of others through telling their story.

Thanks to MPR Reporter Catherine Richart for volunteering her guidance and expertise.

Thanks to Principal Matt Ruzek for supporting this project.]]>cleanepisodichttps://www.spreaker.com/user/15442259/julia-final-draft
Special thanks to the incredible Julia!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50251019Sat, 18 Jun 2022 20:10:42 +0000The Invisible BackpackPower in Poetry is a special series from The Invisible Backpack that was originally scheduled to be one episode, but the students were so impressive that we created individual episodes for each that we will continue to roll out over the next few...
Special thanks to the incredible Julia!]]>537arts,climatechange,culture,equity,invisiblebackpack,minnesota,poetry,poets,publicschool,rochestercleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/user/15442259/amina-final-w-intro-conclusion
Special thanks to the incredible Amina Hassan.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50151400Fri, 10 Jun 2022 06:58:58 +0000The Invisible BackpackPower in Poetry is a special series from The Invisible Backpack that was originally scheduled to be one episode, but the students were so impressive that we created individual episodes for each that we will continue to roll out over the next few...
Special thanks to the incredible Amina Hassan.]]>811aminahassan,invisiblebackpack,poetry,poets,riversidecleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/user/15442259/noel-final
Special thanks to Ms. Crystal Smith for her support with this episode and its contents.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50151386Fri, 10 Jun 2022 06:55:33 +0000The Invisible BackpackPower in Poetry is a special series from The Invisible Backpack that was originally scheduled to be one episode, but the students were so impressive that we created individual episodes for each that we will continue to roll out over the next few...
Special thanks to Ms. Crystal Smith for her support with this episode and its contents.]]>339invisiblebackpack,kidart,mayaangelou,poetry,recitation,riversidecleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/user/15442259/poetry-introhttps://api.spreaker.com/episode/50151361Fri, 10 Jun 2022 06:48:29 +0000The Invisible BackpackPower in Poetry is a special series from The Invisible Backpack that was originally scheduled to be one episode, but the students were so impressive that we created individual episodes for each that we will continue to roll out over the next few...80empower,poetry,poetryoutloud,poets,recitation,schools,studentscleantrailerhttps://www.spreaker.com/user/15442259/everyone-has-a-friend-who-wears-hijab-fi
Special thanks to Amal, Sabriin, Fartun, Yasmin, Sabrin, Aisha, Hodan and Sam Sam for sharing their powerful voices.

Guidance and Editing Support from:
Catherine Richart, MPR, Wafa ElKhalifa, Matt Ruzek, Lisa Becker and Angela Weyenberg

Music:
Confessions by Sudan Archives (NPR Tiny Desk Concert)
Hijabi (Wrap my Hijab) by Mona Haydar
Habib Galbi by A-Wa, NPR Tiny Desk Concert
Bayti Fi Rasi, by A-Wa (my home is in my head) “I am a woman, I am a man, I am a journey”
Let Me Introduce Myself by Vanacore Music]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/48441692Tue, 25 Jan 2022 20:24:55 +0000The Invisible BackpackIn this episode we explore the beauty and meaning of the Hijab through the perspectives of eight high school students. We learn from these young women that while it makes them feel closer to their faith, the scarf or hijab is also a deeply personal...
Special thanks to Amal, Sabriin, Fartun, Yasmin, Sabrin, Aisha, Hodan and Sam Sam for sharing their powerful voices.

Guidance and Editing Support from:
Catherine Richart, MPR, Wafa ElKhalifa, Matt Ruzek, Lisa Becker and Angela Weyenberg

Music:
Confessions by Sudan Archives (NPR Tiny Desk Concert)
Hijabi (Wrap my Hijab) by Mona Haydar
Habib Galbi by A-Wa, NPR Tiny Desk Concert
Bayti Fi Rasi, by A-Wa (my home is in my head) “I am a woman, I am a man, I am a journey”
Let Me Introduce Myself by Vanacore Music]]>2487community,communityschools,diversity,education,equity,fashion,hijab,hijabi,human,inclusion,islam,middleeast,minnesota,models,muslim,religion,rochester,students,studentvoicescleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/user/15442259/a-new-season-julio-ii-1
Julio Molina, originally from Ojinaga, Chihuahua, Mexico, went on vacation to Rochester, MN twenty years ago at the age of ten. He never left.

Eternal optimism and his mother's brilliant advice helped propel him to the place in life he's carved out for himself and for his family.

He says, "Twenty years later, we're still on vacation." Today he explains the strategy his mother inspired, one he's used since he was ten years old.

Guidance, Editing Support from:
Catherine Richart, MPR & Matt Ruzek, special thanks to Julio Molina for sharing this piece of his story.

Music:
- Oye Cómo Va, by Santana]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/47829738Wed, 08 Dec 2021 01:01:22 +0000The Invisible BackpackPart II: A New Season, Julio II Julio Molina, originally from Ojinaga, Chihuahua, Mexico, went on vacation to Rochester, MN twenty years ago at the age of ten. He never left. Eternal optimism and his mother's brilliant advice helped propel him to...
Julio Molina, originally from Ojinaga, Chihuahua, Mexico, went on vacation to Rochester, MN twenty years ago at the age of ten. He never left.

Eternal optimism and his mother's brilliant advice helped propel him to the place in life he's carved out for himself and for his family.

He says, "Twenty years later, we're still on vacation." Today he explains the strategy his mother inspired, one he's used since he was ten years old.

Guidance, Editing Support from:
Catherine Richart, MPR & Matt Ruzek, special thanks to Julio Molina for sharing this piece of his story.

Music:
- Oye Cómo Va, by Santana]]>416education,equity,immigration,invisiblebackpack,mexico,motivation,riversideelementary,schools,unitedstatescleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/user/15442259/were-still-on-vacation-julio-1-mp3
Eternal optimism and his mother's brilliant advice helped propel him to the place in life he's carved out for himself and for his family.

He says, "Twenty years later, we're still on vacation."

Guidance, Editing Support from:
Catherine Richart, MPR, Matt Ruzek, Katie Schafer & Angela Weyenberg

Music:
- Las Flores, Cafe Tacuba
- La Fiera de Ojinaga, La Boca Les Callamos
- Willy Nelson, On the Road Again
- Juanes y Mon Laferte: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/47223684Fri, 29 Oct 2021 21:25:56 +0000The Invisible BackpackJulio Molina, originally from Ojinaga, Chihuahua, Mexico, went on vacation to Rochester, MN twenty years ago at the age of ten. He never left. Eternal optimism and his mother's brilliant advice helped propel him to the place in life he's carved out...
Eternal optimism and his mother's brilliant advice helped propel him to the place in life he's carved out for himself and for his family.

He says, "Twenty years later, we're still on vacation."

Guidance, Editing Support from:
Catherine Richart, MPR, Matt Ruzek, Katie Schafer & Angela Weyenberg

Music:
- Las Flores, Cafe Tacuba
- La Fiera de Ojinaga, La Boca Les Callamos
- Willy Nelson, On the Road Again
- Juanes y Mon Laferte: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert]]>440diversity,education,ell,equity,immigrant,immigration,inclusion,invisiblebackpack,language,mexico,poverty,riverside,schools,usa,vacationcleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/user/15442259/unstoppable-part-ii-invisible-backpack-p
And while it would be comforting to imagine that in the last twenty or so years that our community and our education system would have made significant progress toward a more equitable experience for ALL, the reality is that some of the same narrow policies, practices, procedures and mindsets still exist. Even today.

The purpose of this episode is not to place blame but instead to learn from this truth, and to do better in the future. It will take all of us. When we know better, we do better.

Guidance, Editing Support from
Catherine Richart, MPR
Mohamed Addani
Hawa Camara
Katie Schafer
Kelly Underwood
Angela Weyenberg
Dr. Jess Garcia

Music:
- Those Who Ask Don't Get Lost, by Al Balabil
- Champion, by Kanye West
- Rival, by Hiba Elgizouli]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/47108645Sat, 23 Oct 2021 01:30:18 +0000The Invisible BackpackEpisode 2 of explores the challenging dynamic between a student new to the country and the education system in the United States. Their story spans the last twenty years. And while it would be comforting to imagine that in the last twenty or so...
And while it would be comforting to imagine that in the last twenty or so years that our community and our education system would have made significant progress toward a more equitable experience for ALL, the reality is that some of the same narrow policies, practices, procedures and mindsets still exist. Even today.

The purpose of this episode is not to place blame but instead to learn from this truth, and to do better in the future. It will take all of us. When we know better, we do better.

Guidance, Editing Support from
Catherine Richart, MPR
Mohamed Addani
Hawa Camara
Katie Schafer
Kelly Underwood
Angela Weyenberg
Dr. Jess Garcia

Music:
- Those Who Ask Don't Get Lost, by Al Balabil
- Champion, by Kanye West
- Rival, by Hiba Elgizouli]]>1153citizenship,diversity,ell,equity,esol,immigrants,inclusion,language,middleeast,rochester,@rochestermn,schools,sudanesecleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/user/15442259/vignette-1-mohammed-wafa-michael-jackson
Enjoy.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/46976369Thu, 14 Oct 2021 16:22:46 +0000The Invisible BackpackIn this episode we meet Wafa and Mohammed. We learn (briefly) how their family arrived in the US in 2001 and connect with them through music. We learn that while we may have been listening to the same music and copying the same lyrics at the same time...
Enjoy.]]>403education,equity,language,school,sudancleanfull