Breaking Barriers in Special Education with Jason B. Allen

In this powerful episode of The Exit Interview: A Podcast for Black Educators, host Dr. Asia Lyons sits down with Jason B. Alleneducator, activist, and policy advocateto discuss the systemic barriers Black students and educators face in traditional school systems.

Jason shares his personal journey from school administrator to special education teacher, revealing how he fought against discriminatory practices that misplace Black students into special education programs without proper support. He details how systemic racism influences school discipline policies, the struggles of Black educators navigating certification roadblocks, and the larger implications of anti-Black policies in education.

Jason also discusses his transition from the classroom to education policy work, emphasizing the need for community-driven solutions, Black educator retention, and the importance of dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline. This episode is a must-listen for anyone invested in educational equity, policy reform, and the fight to create spaces where Black educators and students can thrive.

Amidst all of the conversations about the recruitment of Black educators, where are the discussions about retention? The Exit Interview podcast was created to elevate the stories of Black educators who have been pushed out of the classroom, main or central office. The podcast asks guests to share their education journey, the "last straw" that made them decide to leave education, and, most importantly, what they are doing now that they have left the traditional education sphere.