Category Archives: Podcasts

Podcast – TeachLab – talking about Woodland Park

Check out this podcast episode from TeachLab (here’s the direct link for Apple podcast listeners), talking with former Woodland Park teachers David Graf (teacher of the class with the book that got removed from the classroom), and former Woodland Park teacher Sarah Kaka. It gives more insight into the history of that Civil Disobedience class…how it started, and how it ultimately came under fire.

The show description:

In the fourth episode of our new series, Teacher Speech and the New Divide, we’re taking a look at autonomy. How much autonomy do K-12 teachers really have, how is teacher autonomy being reduced… and what’s being lost as a consequence? We share a profile of David Graf, a veteran educator from Woodland Park, Colorado. And, our host Justin Reich is joined by law professor Derek Black and education professor Sarah Kaka. 

Podcast: Will This be on the Test? Teacher Pod. Part 2

This is Part 2 of our two part story about Woodland Park, Colorado, a bucolic little town in the shadow of Pikes Peak. A place where the schools have been overtaken by a group of people who know little to nothing about education. They also give zero f*cks about the faculty and staff of the school district.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Part 1 and 2 both feature Logan Ruths (former employee) and Matt Gawlowski (parent of a student in the district).

If you missed part 1, you can catch it here on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Where school boards and politics meet | Colorado Public Radio

A small school district in Colorado has implemented a gag order on teachers, dropped most mental health support for next year, and adopted social studies standards previously rejected by the state board of education. It’s all happened in the past three months, and it’s caused upheaval in the community. But school board and district leaders say the path they’re on will lead to better academic outcomes. It’s an example of a somewhat new phenomenon in which politics and political issues become part of school boards. CPR education reporter Jenny Brundin takes a closer look.
— Read on www.cpr.org/show-segment/where-school-boards-and-politics-meet/

WTBOTT Season 3 Episode #5: “Abbott Elementary” Meets “Succession”: Woodland Park, CO, A Cautionary Tale For All Districts, Part 1 by Will This Be On The Test? Teacher Pod

If you heard of a corporation that had secret meetings, non-disclosure of public documents, and a company policy that included a gag order for employees’ personal social media, you might say “wow, that’s a pretty toxic environment.” Now…suppose you found out it was actually a school district? Shocking, right? Well, not so much these days.

We are talking about the very real Woodland Park, Colorado school district, where the interim superintendent, despite being recalled as a member of a board of education elsewhere, was the ONLY candidate considered. Where administrators and teachers are leaving in droves. Where a charter school has been placed in the middle school building, causing the sixth grade to be moved-without a discussion with building principals or teachers.

And where the Records Custodian-the person who handles all of the Open Records Requests-was unceremoniously terminated. Strangely, after he voiced objections to some of the less-than-open practices of the District, including instructing him to not fulfill requests.

We spoke to Logan Ruths, the former records custodian for Woodland Park, and Matt Gawlowski, parent/activist and developer of the “Support Woodland Park Schools” website. It’s a story you don’t want to skip.

Because…it could happen to you.
— Read on podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wtbott-teacher-pod/episodes/WTBOTT-Season-3-Episode-5-Abbott-Elementary-Meets-Succession-Woodland-Park–CO–A-Cautionary-Tale-For-All-Districts–Part-1-e23li6j

Podcast – Voices of Reason: What’s Going on in Woodland Park SchoolsPodcast – Episode 1

In 2021 a group of school board members were elected in Woodland Park, Colorado claiming to be conservatives. These folks don’t act like conservatives or people who care about our students and parents. They are actually following a national agenda and working rapidly to undermine our schools. Each week on this podcast we’ll look at the issues, examine the facts and give you the information you need as Woodland Park community members to make up your own minds about what is going on.

Episode 1

This episode examines the issues facing Woodland Park Schools which has been taken over by an extremist school board. Today’s episode examines claims about student achievement in Woodland Park and the role of teachers in improving student learning. 

Listen to it on Anchor, Amazon Music

Podcast – Have You Heard, episode #151: Divide, Scatter, Conquer

Jennifer Berkshire and Jack Schneider talk about Woodland Park in their latest episode of their Have You Heard podcast! They talked to many parents, students, and some teachers for this one. Check it out on Apple Podcasts or Soundcloud!

Please note, the podcast erroneously states that Sara Lee has made the decision to leave the district. That decision has not been made at this time.