Episode 304: Dramatic Teaching: Finding Your Place In Theatre Classes

 

What can we learn from theatre class? In today's episode, we're sitting down with Leigh Powell of Bainbridge High School to find out!

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TRANSCRIPT

Ashley Mengwasser: Hello again, welcome to Classroom Conversations, the platform for Georgia's teachers. Classroom Conversations is presented by the Georgia Department of Education in partnership with Georgia Public Broadcasting. I'm Ashley Mengwasser, what am I doing here? Playing my part, of course. The part of podcast host. "All the world's a stage," Shakespeare told us, "And all the men and women merely players." If I've learned anything in my career in the media, it's that you can't stymie the theatrical. We are enamored with theatre, as a culture, and in the realm of education this is very relevant to our teacher listeners. Gail Godwin, American novelist, writer of short stories and college lecturer said, "Good teaching is one, fourth preparation and three fourths pure theatre." It's all in the delivery. And that's where the major dramatic question driving our episode comes in. What things can we learn from theatre class? Right now, my character's motivation is to introduce you to our lead, Leigh. Leigh Powell is the theatre teacher at Bainbridge High School in Decatur County, where she's been an instructor for six years now. The stage is set, the curtain rises, eyes and ears fixate on our protagonist, because now the scene unfolds. Welcome, Leigh.

Leigh Powell: Thank you so much. Very cool intro by the way, actually.

Ashley Mengwasser: Thank you.

Leigh Powell: Thank you for that.

Ashley Mengwasser: We've got to make it dramatic-

Leigh Powell: I love it.

Ashley Mengwasser: ...with you here, of course. How are you doing?

Leigh Powell: So, well, and thank you so much for having me here today. I also want to thank Dr. April Aldridge before I forget, because she is awesome for putting me up to this. This is a really cool opportunity. So, thanks.

Ashley Mengwasser: I hope you don't regret it by the end of it.

Leigh Powell: Oh, definitely not.

Ashley Mengwasser: But you won't. It's about time we had some theatre peeps up in here. How long have you been at the helm of your theatre program at Bainbridge?

Leigh Powell: So, I've taught for six years now at Bainbridge High School. I have been in my county position as a performing arts teacher for 10. So this is lucky number 10.

Ashley Mengwasser: Lucky number 10.

Leigh Powell: So, loved it.

Ashley Mengwasser: How did you get into teaching in the first place?

Leigh Powell: Well, I went to school at Florida State as a music education major, and I didn't have any prospects of being involved in theatre at all, actually. I am a choral music education major, so I was going into finding a job in music somewhere... And luckily enough, when I wanted to start looking at jobs, I found one back at home, where I was going to become an elementary music teacher. And I fell in love with the elementary world, but I also wanted a little bit more of a challenge, not that elementary teachers-

Ashley Mengwasser: A different kind of challenge.

Leigh Powell: Yes, it's... Let me tell you. I applaud elementary teachers every day. Music teachers, classroom education teachers, just elementary teachers are, I don't know how they do it. I really don't. Four years and I was like, I am so happy to have found my high school job. But, that's where I feel like I have made the biggest impact in our county, by starting the theatre program. When I was an elementary teacher, I had two years there where I was like, let's try to do something fun with the kids and do a musical. And so, we performed two different musicals through the last two years I was there, and that's when my superintendent looked at what I was doing and saw that we didn't have that currently at our high school-

Ashley Mengwasser: Ah, something was missing.

Leigh Powell: Oh yeah. And so, in his brain, the cogs started turning, and he definitely helped us get our feet off the ground with that.

Ashley Mengwasser: It was time to dawn a theatre program.

Leigh Powell: Yes, finally.

Ashley Mengwasser: Absolutely.

Leigh Powell: Yes.

Ashley Mengwasser: Well, you must have been a student of theatre at some point, right? Because you're effusively theatrical, in a beautiful way... You've got your iridescent dress on, and-

Leigh Powell: Thank you.

Ashley Mengwasser: ...a wonderful presentation and smile.

Leigh Powell: Okay. So, let's see... I really did some community theatre whenever I was growing up, especially as a young middle school into high school kid. I did not have the opportunity to do high school theatre, because there wasn't a program, and I went back to where I went to school. And so-

Ashley Mengwasser: Full circle.

Leigh Powell: That's right. Exactly. It's been one of the most rewarding parts of the job for me, is to have created the thing that I needed whenever I was in school. And I got a lot out of the chorus program that I participated with, I also worked with the band too, whenever I also was in high school... But having this extra place where I could find friends with common mindsets of loving musical theatre, or just loving theatre in general, loving the stage, that was the thing that I would've really latched onto.

Ashley Mengwasser: Had it been available.

Leigh Powell: Right.

Ashley Mengwasser: Well, now you're making it available to the next generation.

Leigh Powell: That's right. Yes.

Ashley Mengwasser: Just to get a little more understanding into what you love about theatre, your personal preferences, as it were. What's your favorite musical?

Leigh Powell: Oh, man. Okay. So, I've thought about this a lot, and I feel like favorite is very narrowing.

Ashley Mengwasser: I know...

Leigh Powell: Narrowing. I'm going to give you two. So I feel like the guilty pleasure musical, that a lot of people probably have, is Wicked, I feel like that's-

Ashley Mengwasser: Oh, yes. That's one of my... Absolutely.

Leigh Powell: One that most people will... At least can kind of relate to. I've seen it-

Ashley Mengwasser: We should spend the whole episode singing that. I think we could cover voice parts.

Leigh Powell: Don't tempt me. But no, and I've seen it maybe six times, and so that's-

Ashley Mengwasser: What?

Leigh Powell: Yes, I know it's ridiculous. But, going back to childhood days, what I would watch is a... I don't know, a comfort musical, whenever I was at home with my mom, would be Cinderella, Rodgers & Hammerstein's-

Ashley Mengwasser: Look at that.

Leigh Powell: ...very much a classic. Any Rodgers and Hammerstein is classic to me. But Cinderella specifically, watching the Lesley Ann Warren, and also the Julie Andrews... And then eventually the Brandy/Whitney version of that musical, being transformed into different stagings is really something that I just fell in love with, and it was one of the first spring musicals that I did whenever I started.

Ashley Mengwasser: Look at that.

Leigh Powell: Yeah.

Ashley Mengwasser: So, a personal connection.

Leigh Powell: That's right.

Ashley Mengwasser: When I was in school, I did do the theatre thing... Loved it. We did Nunsense-

Leigh Powell: Oh I-

Ashley Mengwasser: I was Sister Amnesia, one of my favorites, such a good time. Into the woods, of course.

Leigh Powell: Mm-hmm.

Ashley Mengwasser: All of those... We did Greece.

Leigh Powell: Yes.

Ashley Mengwasser: Frenchy. One of my favorites I haven't been in, but I took my mom to see it at The Fox years ago, apart from Wicked, which was amazing in New York, was Mamma Mia.

Leigh Powell: Oh my gosh.

Ashley Mengwasser: Because if you appreciate the music of Abba, that's a great time.

Leigh Powell: Oh yeah.

Ashley Mengwasser: And everybody's seen the film, but people need to see the musical.

Leigh Powell: They do. They do.

Ashley Mengwasser: If you had to pick a musical number that describes your life, can you think of one?

Leigh Powell: Oh my gosh.

Ashley Mengwasser: This one's totally impromptu-

Leigh Powell: Ooh wow.

Ashley Mengwasser: ...because I just need to know.

Leigh Powell: Okay. A musical number... Wow. Can we choose...

Ashley Mengwasser: Sure.

Leigh Powell: Let's see. I'm trying to pick one that's not from one of the two musicals that I just rambled off to you.

Ashley Mengwasser: Why not? If it fits, it fits.

Leigh Powell: That's true.

Ashley Mengwasser: If the shoe fits, in Cinderella fashion.

Leigh Powell: If the shoe fits... Okay, then maybe... No, okay, so I think it's going to be, My Shot from Hamilton.

Ashley Mengwasser: Oh.

Leigh Powell: I'm not throwing away my shot. And you know, now that I'm taking that in... Yeah, that's a good choice.

Ashley Mengwasser: I just got chills.

Leigh Powell: Just because, in a way, especially with building this theatre program, sometimes you just have to take it. Sometimes you just have to roll with the punches and go with it.

Ashley Mengwasser: Take that shot.

Leigh Powell: That's right.

Ashley Mengwasser: What a good one. Is there any nightmare show that you just had bad experiences with and you will never teach again?

Leigh Powell: I don't know if I'd call it a nightmare show... So we-

Ashley Mengwasser: But there were challenges.

Leigh Powell: Yeah. As someone who is more musically inclined, I tried to do our first straight play, as a one act, back in like 2018, I would say. Now, our area was also hit with Hurricane Michael at the time... And so, our students were out of school for two weeks, and that was two weeks that we didn't have time to rehearse. And we were putting on The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon-

Ashley Mengwasser: Oh boy.

Leigh Powell: ...by Don Zolidis. I love it, I think it's very funny. It takes a quippy little spin on all of the Grimms Brothers characters, fairytale characters... And I wouldn't call it a nightmare, that's not what I'm thinking-

Ashley Mengwasser: Of course, it was just a grim experience.

Leigh Powell: There it is. I think losing that rehearsal time really was not great for us. However, I will say the kids prevailed.

Ashley Mengwasser: They always do.

Leigh Powell: They did such a good job with that. Yeah, they were ready to get back in school, and, if nothing else, just to put on an awesome show.

Ashley Mengwasser: So that was really external factors.

Leigh Powell: Yes.

Ashley Mengwasser: And what-

Leigh Powell: Not even the show itself.

Ashley Mengwasser: ...what teacher is going to call any beautiful piece of theatrical art a nightmare?

Leigh Powell: Never. That's it.

Ashley Mengwasser: See you passed that test-

Leigh Powell: There we go.

Ashley Mengwasser: Good Job, Leigh.

Leigh Powell: Yeah.

Ashley Mengwasser: Is theatre for every student? Why or why not?

Leigh Powell: I definitely think it is for every student. I'll give you an example, so we just wrapped on Shrek the Musical-

Ashley Mengwasser: Wow.

Leigh Powell: ...and I've had a student that has worked in crew for the past four years now, and she is just a wonderful beam of light in what we do. She always comes to class prepared and she's just as prepared backstage as any member of the crew would be. She's been stage manager for three years now, which is good. But, she wanted to try her stint on stage.

Ashley Mengwasser: Is that right?

Leigh Powell: And she has very, we'll call it performance anxiety, where she just was terrified to step in front of an audience. And she wanted to play the role of the gingerbread man.

Ashley Mengwasser: Right.

Leigh Powell: Because in Shrek that's one of the really cute roles in that show. And we told her, we were like, if you want to play the role, if you earn the role, which she did, she had a wonderful audition.

Ashley Mengwasser: Look at that.

Leigh Powell: I know. We will make this accommodation for you, where you can come dressed as the executioner, and be micd up, and be ready to go... And you will have a Gingy puppet that you can use as Gingy. But her face was covered, no one knew who she was, because she was completely incognito...

Ashley Mengwasser: Look at that.

Leigh Powell: But that really helped her get over that performance anxiety. And I think that kind of boosted her confidence a lot, because I don't think she would have wanted to be on stage by herself like that, had it not been for those little special things that we did for her.

Ashley Mengwasser: You accommodated that need, and now she has a stage performance under her belt.

Leigh Powell: Oh yeah, she's ready for our next set of auditions, which is great, so great.

Ashley Mengwasser: What a success story, Leigh.

Leigh Powell: Yeah. Yeah.

Ashley Mengwasser: That's fantastic. What is your next show as a class that you're undertaking?

Leigh Powell: Oh my goodness... So we're doing Chicago Teen Edition.

Ashley Mengwasser: I love Chicago, yes.

Leigh Powell: I do too. It's one of my favorites. One that I've always wanted to perform in, surprisingly. So I'm excited to see what the kids bring to the table with that too.

Ashley Mengwasser: Excellent. Have you guys received any special awards or distinctions as a young theatre troupe?

Leigh Powell: Oh wow. Yes. Okay, so actually this is our first year that we've competed in our one act play competition through GHSA, where we won the region-

Ashley Mengwasser: Congratulations.

Leigh Powell: ...won region champs. Thank you so much. And it has been a long time coming. This is the sixth year now, because I've tried it ever since I've been there... And they have come in second place twice now, so it was like, ooh, we were ready, we were hungry-

Ashley Mengwasser: Never second place.

Leigh Powell: ...hungry for that trophy. Yes.

Ashley Mengwasser: Well, now you drank the Kool-Aid at region, you probably want to go-

Leigh Powell: That's right.

Ashley Mengwasser: ...in state.

Leigh Powell: Yeah. And we attended state two, three, maybe four weeks ago. I don't really remember now... Time is its own thing. But yes, they had a great time just seeing other competitive programs from all over. It's nice to know that there are other schools out there that also really love what we do too.

Ashley Mengwasser: Yes. That lays the foundation for their next win, just to have that exposure. What do you feel is the role of theatre in the public school setting? Why is it important in public schools?

Leigh Powell: I've thought about this a lot, and I think the reason why I'm so drawn into the theatre world is that we can have discussions about content that we teach in the classroom, that other teachers may not get to talk with their students about. I know, especially when we're talking about character analysis or script analysis, and we have to discover what is this person thinking at this moment in time? It's a great moment to just get the kids' perspective on, what if they feel like this? Or what happens if this happens to this character? And giving them that reflective time to delve into their own feelings on how they feel about certain situations that they may read about, or that they may be experiencing, and really just being able to understand their own feelings about how they want to be understood as a human being or how they come across as a human being-

Ashley Mengwasser: How they relate to others.

Leigh Powell: How they relate to others, is one of those things that's like an unwritten part of the curriculum.

Ashley Mengwasser: You're right.

Leigh Powell: Yeah.

Ashley Mengwasser: It's like that character analysis and the plot analysis leads to self-reflection-

Leigh Powell: Yes, definitely.

Ashley Mengwasser: ...which is a beautiful thing about theatre. What does your program mean to you personally? We know you instituted it, so you got some skin in the game, but what about the fulfillment you received from it, and the impact that you're noticing?

Leigh Powell: Yeah. I think I kind of talked a little bit on this before, where it's kind of the program that I wanted to be in when I was in school, and so, I just wanted to create the program that others find their niche in... Others find their spot in. Because, whether they're on stage or backstage or working front of house or doing promo with advertisements and programs and that kind of thing... There's a place for other students in theatre, and hopefully, I feel like it's really now starting to take off where we have so many students that are just interested in different little aspects of the job, and the job that is theatre. Because the point is that, eventually giving them workplace qualities about themselves, are things that they can learn in theatre too.

Ashley Mengwasser: That's right. And I know you told me on the phone that beyond just addressing the standards in your classroom, which is paramount, you also have probably other goals and missions with your theatre program. Tell me about what is your main goal or driving force behind doing what you do?

Leigh Powell: Yeah. I think one of the main things that I want to instill in the students is just to try. A lot of times I'll see that students have it in their head already made up that so-and-so's going to get this role... I don't even need to go out for it.

Ashley Mengwasser: That's true.

Leigh Powell: And it's kind of sad, just to watch their whole little process be like, no, I'm not going to do that... Because I'm not even going to try, if I know that so-and-so is going to get it. And I love going into an audition process and seeing someone shock me.

Ashley Mengwasser: Yes.

Leigh Powell: Someone that I've already watched multiple times just do their own thing, and then they show up at an audition and do something completely different, because they just try. That's the point, I think is, I really want my students to understand that there's nothing wrong, and there's no failure, if you just give yourself the opportunity to try.

Ashley Mengwasser: Exactly.

Leigh Powell: Yeah.

Ashley Mengwasser: And the cool thing about auditions, if they're still the way they used to be when I was auditioning, is you could audition for something, not get the part you want, but land in a way cooler, better, perfect for you role, because the theatre director, the you, is looking for that perfect, you were made for this moment-

Leigh Powell: That's true.

Ashley Mengwasser: ...fit.

Leigh Powell: That's so true.

Ashley Mengwasser: That's so exciting. What is your process for selecting your whole season of shows, and why do you do it the way you do?

Leigh Powell: I feel like it's based on a couple different things. One, I really would like for the students that I have, in that certain timeframe, to fit what we need for the show's requirements of casting... So for example, this season we have a rockstar class of senior girls. I have maybe 13 to 15 really, really great senior girls. Not that my senior boys aren't great too, but... A lot of them are triple threats, where they are all dancers, singers, actresses, and I wanted to find shows that showcased a lot of that-

Ashley Mengwasser: Those talents.

Leigh Powell: That's right. So, our casting this season for our one act play was for the show, the straight play, Little Women. Mainly because we wanted to try a straight play that was also a little dramatic, but still a little comfortable for those who know the novel and know the story a little bit. So, I think that really helps with the decision of the season. Also, I also think about what our community's going to like.

Ashley Mengwasser: Ah.

Leigh Powell: I try to pick a show, mid-season, that will appeal to our younger audience members, specifically our elementary/middle school students... Just because my heart's still there a little bit too.

Ashley Mengwasser: Yeah.

Leigh Powell: I love the elementary world, and I love seeing their faces light up whenever they get to see-

Ashley Mengwasser: Shrek.

Leigh Powell: Shrek. Yes, that was the perfect show for them this season too. And we also did something a little different this year too, where we've done some workshops and done some Reader's theatre activities with our students in costume, going to different schools and working with students like that too. So, that's also a big deal, it's how can we get younger students excited about what we do?

Ashley Mengwasser: And you just mentioned the part about outreach and building community. How are you structuring your theatre program? What kind of activities are you doing with your students, in order to bridge to the community?

Leigh Powell: Yeah. So, my job is a little bit difficult in the sense that there is not another theatre teacher in the district.

Ashley Mengwasser: You're the singleton, right?

Leigh Powell: Right. Singleton teacher. And so, in some ways I still bounce off ideas with some of our band directors... I have a performing arts helper, with Joanne Moore... I'm just giving her a shout-out, because I told her I would. And also because she deserves it, because she works so, so hard. But she has become a huge collaborator with me on theatre stuff, because she loves it so much... And I want the students to feel that they are included in what we do, even though there is not a program for them currently. Now, in the future, I would love for there to be a middle school theatre program, or even just different camps and workshops that occur throughout the year, and maybe something that I have to have a hand in, and I'm good with that... But yeah, that's the structuring process, is just thinking how can my older students get involved in the theatre futures of our younger kids.

Ashley Mengwasser: Yeah. You started one thing, Leigh, can't you just do two or three others?

Leigh Powell: Oh no. Who knows?

Ashley Mengwasser: In all of your available time. I know you just had the challenge of having to create something where there was once nothing... But what other challenges do you feel like you've overcome in this process of establishing, a winning theatre department now, with your region win?

Leigh Powell: Thank you. So, one of the major obstacles that we've had to figure out is that we have not had a set performance space on campus.

Ashley Mengwasser: Oh no.

Leigh Powell: I know. So, luckily-

Ashley Mengwasser: Where do you go?

Leigh Powell: We've had the opportunity to use a nearby theatre... I say theatre, it's like an auditorium, at one of the college campuses nearby.

Ashley Mengwasser: Okay.

Leigh Powell: We've also had a gymatorium situation where there's a stage, at a middle school gym, that we've been able to utilize too. And really, I'm thankful for those two spaces, because I've learned how to quickly transform a space like that, and make it feel more like a theatre. A live production that the students will be proud of, but also that looks high quality. And I think finding the resources to do all that, and figuring out little things here and there... Where are we going to build stuff? Where are we going to paint stuff? Little things like that, that's probably the biggest challenge I would say, overall. Yeah.

Ashley Mengwasser: We're all about meeting needs here, Leigh, so I'm just going to ask any teachers who are near the Bainbridge High School area, Decatur County, if you've got a space you can offer Leigh's students, please reach out to her, she needs it.

Leigh Powell: Well, and I will say, I feel like this question's coming up eventually, but luckily and thankfully and very graciously, I'm saying this on air, it was approved by the members of our school board and our superintendent that we will be having an auditorium built-

Ashley Mengwasser: There you go.

Leigh Powell: Yes.

Ashley Mengwasser: This is the five-year plan.

Leigh Powell: Exactly.

Ashley Mengwasser: Let's just go ahead and go there. So you're having an auditorium built, when will that be ready?

Leigh Powell: I think they're breaking ground in January of 2023. So I'm assuming two, three, maybe five years max. Let's just give it a broad span just in case, a lot of blanket space. Yes, so the auditorium will be built right off of our performing arts wing...

Ashley Mengwasser: Perfect.

Leigh Powell: ...which is beautiful. It was in the original school build plan, and it was scrapped. And so, that's one of the things that they wanted to bring back, and make sure that we have... Now that we have events to put in there. But also it's a good space to have for meetings and other cool events that need to happen on our campus anyway, so.

Ashley Mengwasser: Any quick list of items also on your vision board?

Leigh Powell: Oh my gosh.

Ashley Mengwasser: A costume?

Leigh Powell: Yes. Always. I'm very much a costume person, so-

Ashley Mengwasser: I can tell.

Leigh Powell: I love the idea of even the storage in this auditorium...

Ashley Mengwasser: Yes.

Leigh Powell: I know that sounds very tedious, but-

Ashley Mengwasser: It's important.

Leigh Powell: It is. Having somewhere to have a designated costume space and prop space, set space, is going to be very appreciated. So, I can't wait for that.

Ashley Mengwasser: It's truly admirable that you can make so much from so little. And I think that just shows that when you're harnessing skill and talent and you have a passion for it, you can make anything happen.

Leigh Powell: Yeah. Thank you.

Ashley Mengwasser: Let's end with some of your teaching tips for teachers, from a theatre teacher's mind-

Leigh Powell: Very cool.

Ashley Mengwasser: ...what would you offer to Georgia teachers listening?

Leigh Powell: Well, and maybe this is a little narrowed towards theatre teachers in general, or just someone who wants to start a theatre program in their school, if there's not one... Because I find, especially in our rural community where I live, there's not a ton of theatre going on. But I would say, don't limit yourself or your thinking to the space that you're in or the funds that you have currently. I will say, having to be resourceful and finding ways to put on these productions in different spaces has really been a challenge, but it's doable... If you just broaden your mindset and figure it out as you go. But also, I would say too, theatre can have its place in the science classroom, the math classroom, the English classroom... And in that same respect, thinking of ways to maybe make education for the classroom more performance minded.

Ashley Mengwasser: Ah.

Leigh Powell: I know I think a lot about, we prepare, we rehearse, we perform... And so, I'm always open to collaborating with teachers in my district and in my school, and I would say to teachers out there, if you're looking for someone to collaborate with and brainstorm with, about different ways to help students in your classroom, reach out to your theatre teacher. I feel like, especially with what we do, helping kids with public speaking... And I guess getting them out of their comfort zone, really could be beneficial if you pair it up with your theatre teacher in the building. I think that's something that can really-

Ashley Mengwasser: Enhance.

Leigh Powell: Enhance, get more students interested in the subject matter, if they know that they can-

Ashley Mengwasser: At hand.

Leigh Powell: Yeah. If they can perform it and show it off in a way that that's fun and makes sense for them.

Ashley Mengwasser: Well, that's a mantra that applies to learning in any discipline. Prepare, rehearse, perform.

Leigh Powell: Right. Yeah.

Ashley Mengwasser: I think teachers can write that on their boards today. How are we preparing? When should we rehearse? What is our performance? What are we building toward?

Leigh Powell: Yeah. Yeah.

Ashley Mengwasser: That's wonderful. And then, I think also of the really great skills, like projection and articulation and eye contact and all the other things that you learn in theatre, by being on an empty stage and having to learn how to fill an empty space with your voice, your thoughts...

Leigh Powell: Yes.

Ashley Mengwasser: That's a very powerful transformation for a student, right?

Leigh Powell: It's so true. Yes. Just being able to have, not only the confidence, but I guess the quality that it takes to stand and deliver what you're trying to say and get your point across.

Ashley Mengwasser: Stand and deliver.

Leigh Powell: Yeah, yeah.

Ashley Mengwasser: There it is.

Leigh Powell: Definitely.

Ashley Mengwasser: And scene. Thank you, Leigh. You bring the kind of drama we like to this podcast.

Leigh Powell: Cool. Cool.

Ashley Mengwasser: Did you have a good time today?

Leigh Powell: I did. And I, again, I'm going to thank you so much for sitting down and chatting with me today.

Ashley Mengwasser: My pleasure.

Leigh Powell: This was such a cool experience.

Ashley Mengwasser: It was a good time. Well, remember that truly nothing can upstage all that you're doing at Bainbridge. It's only up from here for you. Thanks for sharing your character story today. Georgia teachers, you're a class act in every sense of the word. Every amount of light you bring to your classroom steals the show for your students every single day. You're a great teacher. Come back next week for more Classroom Conversations. I'm Ashley, bowing out now. Bye-bye. Funding for Classroom Conversations is made possible through the School Climate Transformation Grant.