Episode2

The transcription discusses injustices witnessed in and out of the classroom, focusing on advocating for students' needs and standing against intimidation tactics. The speaker shares personal experiences and emphasizes the importance of speaking up for children and education integrity. They call for transparency, compassion, and accountability in education and urge others to join in demanding change. The message is about protecting children and restoring integrity in education. Welcome back to No-Filter Living with Mrs. G. If you're here for honesty, courage, and truth spoken without fear, you're in the right place. Today's episode is one I didn't expect to show this early, but it needed to be said. This episode is about the injustices I've witnessed both inside and outside the classroom, how those experiences shaped me, and how a recent cease-and-desist letter only confirmed what my gut already knew. Segment one, the weight we carry as educators. Not too long ago, a family reached out to me, a family I once served, a family that trusted me, a family whose child I cared deeply for. They needed help, and as always, I tried to understand what was going on. And that's when I learned something I didn't expect. My former campus, the one I served for years, was without both of its special education teachers. Both positions empty, both roles unfilled, students receiving inconsistent or delayed support, the very thing special education is supposed to prevent. And at no one's fault, stuff happens. As someone who still cares about those kids, I couldn't ignore that. So I reached out to the school professionally and respectfully. I let them know I was willing to donate my time and service to support those students. I was actively working to submit my vendor paperwork so everything would be compliant and official. I wasn't asking for a job. I wasn't asking for payment. I was simply stepping in so children wouldn't go without services. During that time, I was instructed to use older images or images already posted on my own social media for business branding. I agreed completely, followed the instructions, and did exactly as I was told. I was even told this was communicated to the district. Yet, despite all of that, the district still proceeded with sending me a cease and desist. I'm not here to accuse anyone of wrongdoing. I'm not here to speculate on anyone's motivations. But I am here to say, the sequence of events did not sit right with me. And when it comes to students being underserved, my gut is something I've learned to trust every time and never take for granted. Inside and outside the classroom, this is the injustice educators face. The moment you advocate loudly enough to be heard, you become the problem. Segment two. When the big dog intimidates the little dog. Let's talk about that letter. Before anything else, I want to make this clear. I operate within all legal and ethical guidelines. Everything I share is my personal experience. Nothing includes confidential information. From a business and marketing perspective, receiving that letter told me everything I needed to know. This is how the big dog intimidates the little dog. And that point was reinforced by a conversation I had with a friend of mine. He used to work at a higher education institution. He shared with me that he saw this type of situation happen often while he worked at the university. People generally trying to do the right thing, thinking they weren't in compliance, and still ending up fighting long, expensive battles or something as simple as a logo. Hearing that is what awakened something in me. Not fear, but fire. Because when institutions use familiar tactics, when intimidation becomes the first response to advocacy, it tells me this. My voice is exactly where it needs to be. And my gut said, keep going. Segment 3. When my gut speaks, I listen. My institution has never failed me. Not as a student, not as a teacher, not as an advocate. It told me to stand up for my brother. Intuition, I'm sorry. Did I say institution? I'm sorry, guys. Let me go back to that. My intuition has never failed me. Not as a student, not as a teacher, not as an advocate. It told me to stand up for my brother when no one listened. It told me to stand up for my students when barriers were placed in front of them. It told me to build raíces and grow eggs so families had someone in their corner. And it is telling me right now, do not back down. Because if intimidation is the first response to advocacy, if legal letters are sent before student needs are addressed, if silence is valued more than service, then something is deeply, deeply wrong. And if something is wrong, I will speak on it. Professionally, responsibly, truthfully, respectfully, but most of all, loudly. Segment 4. Segment 4, a call to stand with me. I want to speak directly to teachers, families, caregivers, and community members. If you watch districts treat education like a business, if you've seen classrooms become political backgrounds, if you felt the weight of decisions that hurt kids more than they helped them, then you understand why I refuse to stay silent. Stand with me in demanding that districts do right by their students. Stand with me in calling for transparency, compassion, and accountability. Stand with me in reminding these systems. Education was never meant to be about politics or profit. Education is supposed to be about learning and growing. It's supposed to be about curiosity, discovery, safety, and opportunity. Somewhere along the way, the system will fight for that. But we don't have to. To make sure this message reaches beyond our classrooms and communities, I created a letter, a public statement anyone can share. Share it with friends, with community leaders, with organizations. Share it with media outlets and anyone willing to listen. Let it echo until our mission is heard across the world. Because our children deserve better. We deserve better. And it's time to make education about the kids, about learning and growing and becoming again. This is not about attacking anyone. This is about protecting children, our children. This is about restoring integrity. This is about doing what's right when it matters the most. Closing. Thank you for listening to Episode 2 of No Soul to Living with Mrs. G. If this episode resonated with you, share it. Share the letter I wrote. Share the mission. Share it with the community, the media, advocates, anyone who believes children deserve more. The more people who hear this, the harder it becomes for anyone to ignore it. The movement is just beginning, and I'm not done fighting, not by a long shot. Until next time, I'm Mrs. G., and this is No Soul to Living. © transcript Emily Beynon