THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

[♪♪] CONNECTING MARYLANDERS TO THEIR GOVERNMENT, THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: WELCOME TO "STATE CIRCLE".

EARLY VOTING IS UNDERWAY ACROSS THE STATE.

THE POLLS OPENED YESTERDAY AND 102 LOCATIONS.

TWO YEARS AGO NEARLY 100,000 MARYLANDERS VOTED IN-PERSON AT A VOTING SITE.

THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS REMINDSESES MAIL-IN VOTERS.

HOWEVER IF A VOTER ONLY RETURNS THE ORIGINAL MAIL-IN BALLOT THAT WILL BE COUNTED.

AND IF USING THE MAIL INSTEAD OF A DROP BOX THE ADVICE IS TO NOT WAIT UNTIL ELECTION DAY DUE TO NEW POSTMARK RULES.

ELECTION DAY IS JUNE 23.

ABOUT ONE IN FOUR MARYLAND REGISTERED VOTERS WON'T BE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN THIS PRIMARY.

BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH A POLITICAL PARTY.

NANCY YAMADA REPORTS.

>> I AM A DEMOCRAT SO I REGISTER SECOND DEMOCRAT.

>> I USUALLY SUPPORT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

>> ALIST SHAH SAYS SHE WHRB VOTING IN THE PRIMARY BUT IS NOT SURPRISED TURNOUT IS LOW FOR MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

>> I THINK IT IS HE AHARD TO FILTER THE SIGNIFICANT 23458 FROM THE THIS WITH BUSY LIVES, I THINK THAT'S NOT ON THE LIST OF PRIORITIES.

SO IT FALLS LOWER AND LOWER ON THE WHRIS OF YOUR LIFE.

>> MARYLAND HAS A CLOSED PRIMARY SYSTEM ON THE VOTERS REGISTERED AS DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS CAN CAST VETS.

THAT MEANS 1 MILLION VOTERS CANNOT VOTE IN THE PRIMARY.

SOME ARE SURPRISED BY THE NUMBER OF INDEPENDENT VOTERS INSURANCE MARYLAND.

>> I THINK PARTY AFFILIATION IS NOT ALIGNED WITH THEIR BELIEFS I THINK RATHER THAN TRYING TO PICK ONE PARTY THEY JUST DECIDE TO VOWED INDEPENDENTLY BECAUSE THEY FEEL ITCH ISSUES ARE LEFT OR RIGHT LEANING.

>> POLITICAL SCIENTISTS THINK THE PEOPLE HAVE STRONG PARTY LEANINGS.

>> HAD DAVID CARROLL IS A PROFESSOR OF GHFT AND POLITICS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND.

>> THEY MAY NOT LOVE THE PARTY.

THEY MAY HAD FEEL DISAPPOINTED IN IT BUT THEY ARE NOT ACTUALLY INDIFFERENT BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES IN MOST CASES.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY IN THAT CATEGORY WE THINK IS MUCH SMALL HADDER.

>> WHY REGISTER AS AN INDEPENDENT?

>> BECAUSE REGISTERING WITH A PARTY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACT OF AFFILIATING WITH THAT PARTY.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T FEEL LIKE THAT EMOTIONALLY AND THEY DON'T CARE THAT MUCH ABOUT VOTING IN PRIMARIES.

>> BUT THE CLOSED PRIMARIES EXCLUDINGS AND AFFILIATED VOTERS, PROFESSOR SAYS MOST THIRD PARTY CANDIDATES RARELY SUCCEED.

>> WE HAVE THE RULES WHICH DISCOURAGE MULTIPLE PARTIES.

THE OTHER THING IS MOST OF THE TIME, WHEN THERE IS A NEW ISSUE THAT ARISES AND CONCERNS THAT ARISE IT GETS ABSORBED OVER TIME BY THE PARTY SYSTEM.

SO THERE ISN'T A LARGE CONSTITUENCY THAT WANTS A CLEAR SET OF POLICIES THAT THE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ARE 23409 OFFERING.

I DON'T THINK THERE IS GOING TO BE A MAJOR THIRD PARTY AROUND THE CORNER.

>> NANCY YAMADA FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: MORE THAN FIVE YEARS AFTER HIS PASSING, SENATE PRESIDENT MIKE MILLER IS CONTINUING TO HELP STUDENTS THROUGH A LEADERSHIP PROGRAM AT THE COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND THAT BEARS HIS NAME AND CARE I ARES ON HIS LEGACY AS WE REPORT.

>> INSIDE THE COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND, STUDENTS ARE GAINING MORE THAN CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE.

>> AT THE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, WE TEACH SKILLS SUCH AS COMMUNICATION, COLLABORATION, UNDERSTANDING YOUR VALUES.

>>ED THOMAS V.

3450EUBG MILLER JUNIOR CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP IS GIVING STUDENTS TO GROW AS LEADERS THROUGH MENTORSHIP, NETWORKING AND LEARNING EXPERIENCES.

>> MYSELF WOULD HAVE NEVER IMAGINED THE BEING AT THIS HEIGHT OF MY CAREER.

>> ANGELA LAND ANDED AN INTERNSHIP IN CHARLS COUNTY.

THE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE HELPED MAKE THAT OPPORTUNITY POSSIBLE.

>> THIS SUMMER I WILL BE INTERNING AT THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING WORKING IN THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

AND I DO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF EXPERIENCE WHEN IT COMES TO HUMAN RESOURCES I HAD A JOB WORKING IN THE HR OFFICE.

BUT AS A GRADUATE OF THE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, I TOOK WHAT I LEARNEDDED FROM THERE AND WAS ABLE TO PUSH MYSELF OUT THERE AND JUST STEP OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE.

>> NAMED AFTER SENATE PRESIDENT THOMAS V. MIKE MILLER JUNIOR HIS DAUGHTER REFLECTS ON THIS LEGACY INTERESTED HE ALWAYS BELIEVED IN LIFTING EVERYONE UP.

HIS LEGACY IS HIS LEADERSHIP AND THAT IS WHAT IS SO EXCITING BECAUSE IT'S ABOUT LEADERSHIP.

HE WAS A SITTING SENATE PRESIDENT AND THEY NAMED THE BUILDING AFTER HIM BECAUSE OF HIS LEADERSHIP.

IT WILL NEVER BE MATCHED 30 YEARS AS PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER, IT IS HE AFOUR YEARS HE IS ELECTED BUT EVERY YEAR THE BODY OF SENATORS HAVE TO VOTE ON HIM.

YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A BODY OF SENATORS FROM WESTERN MARYLAND, THE EASTERN SHORE.

BALTIMORE CITY.

>> OFFICIALS SAY THE PROGRAM IS CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO CONNECT DIRECTLY WILL LOCAL LEADERS AND ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE REGION.

>> THE ACADEMY WAS BORN OUT OF THE COVID ERA WHEN STUDENTS DIDN'T REALLY HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET TOGETHER.

SO IT WAS BUILT IN OUR LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM BY LEARNING SO THAT STUDENTS COULD DO THE MODULES AND WORK THROUGH THE PROCESS FROM HOME AT THAT POINT.

NOW, WE'RE ABLE TO GET TOGETHER AND DO MORE TOGETHER.

IT ALLOWS STUDENTS FROM ALL OF OUR CAMPUSES ALL FOUR CAMPUSES TO PARTICIPANT IN THE CENTER AND RECEIVE THE SCHOLARSHIP AND THE CERTIFICATE THAT GOES WITH IT.

>> THE CENTER WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2019.

SENATOR MILLER PASSED AWAY IN JANUARY OF 2021 AT THE AGE OF 78.

>> Jeff: NOW NEWSMAKER IS PORTIA WU THE SECRETARY OF THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

MADAM SECRETARY THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> DELIGHTED TO BE HERE.

>> Jeff: AS EVERYBODY WATCHING US IS AWARE THE DOGGED DAYS OF SUMMER HAVE ARRIVED EARLY AS THEY ALWAYS SEEM TO DO IF THAT MAKES SENSE.

WHAT IS THE ROLE FOR THE LABOR DEPARTMENT IN PROTECTING PEOPLE WHO WORK OUTSIDE IN THIS HEAT?

>> WELL, AS TEMPERATURES GO ABOVE 90° YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WORKERS UNDERSTAND THEIR RIGHTS AND EMPLOYERS UNDERSTAND THEIR OBLIGATIONS.

IN MARYLAND WE HAVE A HEAT SAFETY STANDARD.

SO EMPLOYERS HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WORKERS WORKING OUTSIDE OR INSIDE, ARE PROTECTED WHEN HEAT GETS HIGH.

>> Jeff: AND AS TO THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS MATTER, IT WAS A COUPLE YEARS AGO BALTIMORE CITY GOVERNMENT HAD A PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE LOSE HIS LIFE TO THE HEAT STROKE ON THE JOB.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW WORKERS CAN BE PLACED PLACED IN DANGER BECAUSE OF HEAT IN MANY CONTEXTS AND SADLY THIS CAN HAPPEN OUTDOORS OR INDOORS.

THERE ARE INDUSTRIES WHERE WE DO SEE A LOT OF RISKS TO WORKERS AND AS THE TEMPERATURES CLIMB, AND I WANT TO EMPHASIZE WE LOOK AT HEAT INDEX NOT JUST THE TEMPERATURE BUT HEAT INDEX IS HOW WE EXPERIENCE HEAT WITH OUR PHYSICAL BODIES.

AS THAT STARTS TO GET ABOVE 80° THAT IS WHEN WE HAVE STANDARDS TO MAKE SURE THAT EMPLOYERS ARE PUTTING SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE.

>> Jeff: WELL, WHAT SHOULD WORKERS EMPLOYEES, OR WHERES KNOW ABOUT THE RULES IN MARYLAND?

>> FIRST OF ALL, HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES ARE PREVENTIBLE AND WORKERS HAVE A RIGHT TO A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORKPLACE.

SO WHAT THIS MEANS IS YOU PLAY A VALUABLE ROLE AS A WORKER MAKING SURE YOUR WORKPLACE IS SAFE.

KEEPING AN EYE OUT FOR YOUR SAFE AND YOUR COWORKERS.

SOMETIMES THE SYMPTOMS CAN COME ON WHEN YOU ARE BEING AFFECTED BY HEAT YOU MAY NOT REALIZE IT.

WORKING WITH A BUDDY KEEPING AN EYE OUT FOR CO-WHERES IF THEY START EXHIBITING SYMPTOMS.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A PLAN THAT'S PART OF THE REQUIREMENT IN OUR LAW.

HAVE A PLAN FOR HOW WE CAN GET HELP, GET REST, TAKE THE RIGHT STEPS TO PROTECT EVERYONE.

>> Jeff: I WANTED TO SPEND A SECOND ON THOSE SYMPTOMS WHICH CAN BE A LITTLE BIT CONFUSING LIKE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEAT HEX HAWKS AND EXHAUSTION AND EAT STROKE A CRITICAL SITUATION.

I IMAGINE IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE YOU WANT PEOPLE TO OVERREACT.

WHEN IN DOUBT CALL 911 FOR SOMEBODY?

>> THAT'S ABSOLUTELY TRUE ARE.

I THINK SOMETHING THAT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT HEAT SAFETY IS WE NEVER WANT TO GET TO A SITUATION WHERE SOMEONE'S CONFUSESSED OR FAINTED.

WE WANT TO TAKE STEPS IN ADVANCE TO PROTECT EVERYONE.

THAT'S WHY OUR STANDARDS REQUIRE HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE, KNOW WHAT THAT PLAN IS IF YOU ARE A WORKER ESPECIALLY IF YOU WORK OUTSIDE IN HOT CONDITIONS ARE 0 INSIDE IN HOT CONDITIONS.

BUT THOSE PLANS INVOLVE IT'S COMMON SENSE.

REGULAR BREAKS.

SHADE.

WATER.

ESPECIALLY WHEN THE HEAT INDEX GETS OVER 90 THERE ARE DEG THEYED AMOUNTS OF BREAKS PEOPLE SHOULD TAKE AND THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT PEOPLE MISS IS WHAT IS CALLED A CLIMB ATIONZ.

EASING IN.

NEW ON THE JOB HAVEN'T WORKED OUTSIDE COMING FROM YOUR OLD JOB WAS IN AN OFFICE NOW YOU ARE OUTSIDE EIGHT HOURS A DAY REALLY NEED TO TAKE STEPS TO SORT OF GRADUALLY EASE INTO THAT EXPOSURE.

>> Jeff: YOU MENTIONED WHAT WORKERS SHOULD KNOW.

HOW ABOUT THE EMPLOYERS?

YOU MENTIONED THEIR OBLIGATIONS WHAT ARE THOSE OBLIGATIONS?

>> FIRST OF ALL HAVE A PLAN.

HAVE A WRITTEN PLAN.

MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS TRAINED ON THAT PLAN.

SO GOT A NEW WORKER OR A GREAT TIME NOW HEADING INTO THE SEASON DO A REFRESHER TO REMIND THEM WHAT THE PLAN IS.

WHAT ARE THE EMERGENCY CONTACTS WHAT TO DO IF IT LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE IS IN JEOPARDY.

AND OF COURSE, HOW DO YOU MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PLAN.

HAVE WATER ON HAND IN CASE PEOPLE NEED IT.

HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A SHADY PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO REST AND TAKE A BREAK.

>> Jeff: WHAT KIND OF RESOURCES MIGHT BE AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYERS FROM THE STATE?

>> THE MARYLAND OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WE HAVE A FREE CONSULTATION SERVICE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND ALSO FOR PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYERS.

SO ANY OF THOSE CAN SAY I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WE KNOW SMALL BUSINESSES ARE BUSY THEY MAY NOT HAVE AN EXPERT ON-SITE THEY CAN CALL US ANYTIME LOOK AT THE RESOURCES ON THE WEBSITE BUT WE WILL DO A FREE CONSULTATION AND SAY MAYBE IT'S TRICKY HOW DO YOU WORK IN BREAKS OR FIND A PLACE WITH SHADE AND TOOLS WE CAN MAKE AVAILABLE FOR YOU.

ABSOLUTELY FREE WITH NO ISSUES AND WE WANT TO PROVIDE THAT SAFETY AND HELP.

>> Jeff: DO YOU KEEP STATISTICS HOW MANY PEOPLE YOU'VE HELPED?

HOW MANY CITATIONS YOU'VE ISSUED THE?

>> WE DO KEEP STATISTICS ON THAT.

OUR WEBSITE HAS SEEN 17,000 VIEWS SINCE LAST YEAR THE PAGE THE PEOPLE VISIT THE MOST ON OUR WEBSITE.

WE'VE REACHED OUT TO OVER 2,000 PEOPLE DIRECTLY SO THAT MIGHT BE EMPLOYERS THAT ASK US FOR HELP, WORKERS THAT HAVE QUESTIONS AND WE DO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS WE RECEIVED A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS LAST YEAR AND WE CONDUCT INVESTIGATIONS WHERE IT SEEMS LIKE THERE MIGHT BE A PROBLEM.

>> Jeff: I READ THIS IS THE ONLY ENFORCED HEAT STRESS STANDARD ON THE EAST COAST.

IS THAT TRUE?

HOW CAN THAT BE?

OTHER STATES ARE REASONABLY HOT IN THE SUMMER, TOO?

>> THE WAY HEAT AND SAFETY IS REGULATED ABOUT HALF OF THE STATES HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO THEIR OWN STANDARDS THE REST ARE COVERED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NOT EVERY STATE ISSUES ITS OWN STANDARDS.

MARYLAND IS THE ONLY STATE ON THE EAST COAST WITH ITS OWN HEAT SAFETY STANDARD THERE ARE STATES AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT ALSO HAVE STANDARDS AS WELL.

>> Jeff: BEFORE WE GO, YOUR DEPARTMENT HANDLES THE ECONOMIC DATA THE UNEMPLOYMENT REPORTING AND ALL THAT.

JUST BROADLY WHAT ARE THE TRENDS LIKE?

>> THE MARYLAND ECONOMY IS SHOWING RESILIENCE IN THE FIRST COUPLE OF THE YEARS OF MOORE ADMINISTRATION MARYLAND HAD STRONG JOB GROWTH OUTPACING THE NATION.

OBVIOUSLY 2025 BECAUSE MARYLAND IS SO IMPACTED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS A DIFFERENT STORY AND MARYLAND TOOK SOME OF THE BIGGEST HITS IN THE COUNTRY BECAUSE OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND THEIR ACTIONS.

SO FAR THIS YEAR AND WE LOST 30,000 FEDERAL JOBS THAT WAS A HUGE HIT.

SO FAR THIS YEAR IN 2026 WE ARE SEEING RESILIENCE IN THE JOB MARKET, ADDING PRIVATE SECTOR JOBS SEEING GROWTH IN AREAS LIKE HEALTHCARE, CONSTRUCTION, INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE ARE WORKING TO DIVERSIFY OUR ECONOMY AND THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS WE HAVE HE AAROUND THE SPHERE WITH BIOTECH COMPANY ALSO BRING MORE JOBS TO MARYLAND.

>> Jeff: PORTIA WU IS THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND HOPE YOU STAY COOL THIS SUMMER.

>> HOPE EVERYONE STAYS SAFE.

THANK YOU, JEFF.

>> Jeff: MARYLAND'S RACING SEASON CONTINUES AFTER THE LAST LEG OF THE TRIPLE CROWN WAS RUN LAST WEEKEND.

GOLDEN TEMPO WAS THE LATEST HORSE TO WIN THE BELMONT STAKES AND THE KENTUCKY DERBY BUT SKIPPED THE PREAKNESS THE TREND IS TROUBLING FOR ALAN FOREMAN C.E.O.

OF THE THOROUGHBRED HORSEMEN'S ASSOCIATION WHO JOINED US ON "DIRECT CONNECTION" THIS WEEK.

>> I HAPPEN TO THINK PERSONALLY THE TRIPLE CROWN IS BROKEN AND NEEDS TO BE REIMAGINED.

AND THE WORLD'S DIFFERENT TODAY SPORTING EVENTS ARE DIFFERENT.

THE TRIPLE CROWN IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT BRAND THAT RACING HAS CERTAINLY THE KENTUCKY DERBY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT BRAND BUT IT'S THE ONE-TIME THAT THE PUBLIC NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY FOCUSES ON HORSERACING.

ANY OTHER TIME OF THE YEAR AND OTHER SPORTS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT ARE FACING THE SAME ISSUES WITH WHO YOU ARE COMPETING AGAINST BUT IT IS A COMPLICATED ISSUE.

THE FIRST IN PRIMARY ISSUE IS THE SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE HORSE AND WE HAVE SEEN A CHANGE IN HOW COURSES ARE ARE REACTING TO HIGH STRESS.

WE ARE LASER FOCUSED ON THE SAFETY OF THE HORSE, THE FATALITIES AND TRAINERS TODAY ARE SENDING US THE MESSAGE AND WE KNOW IT POSSIBLELY IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE HORSES TO BE COMPETING AT THAT LEVEL AT A YOUNG AGE WITH A TWO-WEEK BREAK IN-BETWEEN THE DERBY AND THE PREAKNESS.

THE DERBY IS THE MOST DEMANDING RACES EVER WOULD HAVE RUN AND TO COME BACK TWO WEEKS LATER AND HAVE TO COMPETE IN THE PREAKNESS AND THREE WEEKS LATER IN THE MARATHON WHICH IS THE BELMONT, IS JUST TOO DEMANDING ON THE HORSE AND WE CAN LEAST AFFORD TO HAVE AN INCIDENT IN ANY OF THESE RACES WHERE ONE OF OUR HORSES SUFFERS A BREAKDOWN.

THAT IS DRIVING A LOT OF WHAT IS GOING ON HERE.

>> Jeff: WERE THE HORSES DIFFERENT BACK IN THE SECRETARIAT ERA?

OR WAS THERE MAYBE LESS WORRY ABOUT THAT CATASTROPHIC INCIDENT?

>> WELSHES IT'S -- IT'S NOT THAT THERE WAS NOT WORRY ABOUT AN INCIDENT, BUT THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH HORSES WERE TRAINED DECADES AGO AND THE WAY HORSES WERE PREPARED AND THE DEMANDS ON THE HORSE.

ALTHOUGH SOME OF THE HORSES WERE ABLE TO RUN BACK FREQUENTLY.

BUT WE TONIGHT'S SEE THAT TODAY FOR WHATEVER REASON WE DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER THESE HORSES NEED BREAKS IN-BETWEEN THE RACES.

I THINK THE ROADMAP, THE RACES THE HORSES RUN TO PREPARE FOR THE TRIPLE CROWN PLACE TREMENDOUS DEMANDS ON THEM THAT PROBABLY WEREN'T PRESENT HISTORICALLY.

AND SO IT BASKETBALLS A VERY COMPLICATED ISSUE.

AND SO TO ME, I WAS ONE FOR YEARS WHO ARGUED FOR KEEPING THE TRADITIONAL CALENDAR.

THAT YOU NEED TO IDENTIFY THE SUPER HORSE.

BUT THE REALITY IS THAT THERE ARE SO MANY OPTIONS TODAY THAT WEREN'T AVAILABLE TO THESE HIGH QUALITY HORSES YEARS AGO.

>> Jeff: ALAN FOREMAN OF THOROUGHBRED HORSEMEN'S ASSOCIATION WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH THE STATE IS FACING A DEADLINE TO MATCH A PURCHASE OFFER FROM CHURCHILL DOWNS FOR THE PRE-KNESS TRADEMARK.

NOW ON THE BOOK BEAT HERE IS NANCY YAMADA.

>> JOINING ME IS HEATHER LAGEMAN SHE IS A FORMER TEACHER AND ADMINISTRATOR AND THE AUTHOR OF A BOOK ENTITLED.

"THE HOPE-CENTERED EDUCATOR: A GUIDE TO PROFESSIONAL RENEWAL AND PERSONAL EMPOWERMENT".

AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT YOUR BOOK, TALK TO US ABOUT HOW A LOT OF EDUCATORS ARE FEELING NOWADAYS?

YOU DO HEAR A LOT OF BOOM DOOM AND GLOOM SAYING THEY DO NOT ENJOY THE FIELD.

>> THAT IS WHY WE WROTE THIS BOOK BECAUSE WE WERE STARTING TO HEAR THAT FROM PEOPLE WE NORMALLY WOULD THINK WERE UPLIFTED WE ARE EXPECTING TO HAVE POWERFUL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW GREAT THINGS WERE IN THE CLASSROOMS.

AND THEN WE'RE STARTING TO HEAR ME AND MY MY COAUTHOR WE HAVE BEEN A PROFESSIONAL LEARNING ORGANIZATION AND HEARING FROM TEACHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AS WELL AS LEADERS, FROM VARIOUS LEVELS THAT THEY WEREN'T FEELING THAT SENSE OF SUPPORT AND CONNECTION AND INSPIRATION THAT THEY HAD.

SO THAT IS PART OF WHAT MOTIVATED US TO WRITE THIS BOOK IS TO FIGURE OUT WHY.

WE HAD FOCUS GROUPS TO TALK WITH THEM.

TO YOUR POINT THAT IS WHAT WE WERE HEARING WHEN THEY WERE SAYING THEY WEREN'T FEELING THAT CONNECTION AND THAT SUPPOR WE SAID WHY?

CAN YOU GIVE US AN EXAMPLE AND HOW YOU DEALT WITH IT, WHETHER IT WAS SUCCESSFUL OR NOT AND THEN WE WORKED ON STRATEGIES FOR THEM TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THEY COULD RECLAIM THEIR POWER AND MOVE TO A HOPE CENTERED PERSPECTIVE.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BOOK IN THE PREFACE YOU TALK ABOUT IF WE WERE TO MOVE FORWARD FROM A FEELING OF HOPELESSNESS WE NEED TO MAKE THE CHANGE.

NO ONE IS GOING TO SAVE US?

>> RIGHT.

AND THAT IS HARD.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE TO LOOK INWARD BECAUSE YOU START BLAMING OTHER PEOPLE.

THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO A LOT OF WORK WITH LOOKING INTO YOURSELF.

AND THOSE IN THE FIRST COUPLE CHAPTERS THE ONES I LOVE.

CHAPTER TWO IS START WITH YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE POWER AND THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IT'S INTERESTING WHEN YOU LOSE SIGHT OF THAT IT DOES SEEM DESPERATE AND DOOM AND GLOOM.

BUT ONCE YOU REALIZE THAT YOU HAVE CHOICES EVERYDAY, EVERY MOMENT YOU GET TO MAKE A NEW CHOICE AND IF YOU HAVE THE TOOLS TO DO THAT AND A POSITIVE MONOLOGUE THAT IS ONE OF THE TOOLS HOW DO YOU ANALYZE THAT SELF TALK YOU ARE TALKING TO YOURSELF MORE THAN ANYBODY ELSE AND AT THAT TIME SCRIPT YOU HAVE IN YOUR HEAD CAN BE HELPFUL TO YOU OR BRINGING YOU DOWN FURTHER.

AND SO THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE USE AN EXAMPLE TO LOOK INWARD, SEE WHERE YOU ARE AND DO THAT TEMPERATURE CHECK AND FIGURE OUT WHO DO YOU WANT IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND AROUND YOU SO WHEN YOU HAVE THE MOMENTS WHEN YOU ARE QUESTIONING YOURSELF OR NEED RESOURCES AND SUPPORT YOU HAVE SOMEONE ALIGNED TO REACH OUT TO AND BUILD THAT CONNECTION.

>> HOW CAN YOU UTILIZE THIS CONCEPT OF HOPE WHEN THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO SAY I'M OPTIMISTIC, POSITIVE BUT I HAVE REAL CHALLENGES WHETHER IT'S RESOURCES, THE ADMINISTRATION, PARENTS OR CHALLENGING CHILDREN, RIGHT?

>> EXACTLY AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE STRUGGLED WITH THE TITLE BECAUSE SOMETIMES PEOPLE THINK HOPE IS TRITE AND IT'S NOT THE PANACEA IT'S NOT GOING TO SOLVE EVERYTHING IT'S THE IDEA OF USING SNYDER HOPE THEORY TO REALLY IDENTIFY YOUR GOALS AND THAT IS RESEARCH BASED.

IDENTIFY YOUR GOALS AND THEN CREATE THE PATHWAYS TO GET YOU THERE.

AND LOOK AT HAVING THE AGENCY TO IN OTHER WORDS THAT INSPIRATION WITHIN YOURSELF TO HAVE ACTION AND TO WORK WITH OTHERS TO MAKE THAT POSSIBLE.

AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE FELT WAS SO IMPORTANT IS GROUND THIS IN RESEARCH AND HAVE THE TOOLS SO THAT PEOPLE CAN SEE THE RESEARCH IS A THEORY AS WELL AS A PRACTICE.

AND SOMETHING THAT IS LIKE EXERCISE, LIKE HEALTH, ALL THE THINGS WE'RE WORKING ON IN OUR LIFE, YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE PRIORITIZING.

AND WHEN YOU START TO CENTER THAT YOU ARE GOING TO FEEL THAT BLOOM WITHIN YOU.

>> DO YOU BELIEVE THAT HOPE CENTERED EDUCATORS CAN CREATE HOPE CENTERED CHILDREN?

>> EXACTLY.

THAT IS OUR GOAL AND WHAT WE'RE PRAYING THIS WILL BE PART OF IS A MOVEMENT THAT IS GOING TO BE ABOUT HOPE CENTERED EDUCATORS, STUDENTS, LEADERS EVERYONE LOOKING AT WHOLE HUMANITY ESPECIALLY IN THE WORLD TODAY WHERE THERE IS A LOT OF DISTRASSIONS AND THE SCHOOLHOUSE CAN BE A CENTER LIKE WHEN I GREW UP IN MARYLAND SCHOOLS.

I GREW UP IN PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM AND THEN TAUGHT IN ONE.

AND THERE WAS A LEADER IN ONE I'M CURRENTLY IN ONE ONE OF THOSE 24EU7BGS WHERE YOU FEEL THAT SENSE OF OWNERSHIP THAT SCHOOLING SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT IS A VIBRANT COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES TO CREATE THAT.

>> IF YOU SEE THE STATISTICS THEY CAN BE DISCOURAGING 58% OF TEACHERS FREQUENTLY CONSIDERED QUITTING AND CONSIDER QUITTING AND 70% ARE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING A CAREER CHANGE.

ARE YOU HOPING THAT BY EQUIPPING TEACHERS WITH THE STRATEGIES THAT THIS COULD STEM THE TIDE?

>> YES, THAT IS SOMETHING WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE HAPPEN AND ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE WROTE THIS BECAUSE EDUCATION MEANS SO MUCH TO US.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A SAFE SPACE TO DO THAT.

THAT IS POWERFUL, UPLIFTING AND THEN THEY CAN PAY IT FORWARD LIKE WE'RE HOPING TO DO WITH WHAT WE'VE LEARNED SO OTHERS CAN BENEFIT AND HAVE A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS THROUGH EDUCATION.

>> WELL, THIS BOOK YOU MENTIONED IT MIGHT BE AIMED AT EDUCATORS I IMAGINE THAT YOU CAN APPLY A LOT OF THESE CONCEPTS AND STRATEGIES TO YOUR PERSONAL LIFE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND THAT THE IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE ENJOYED SECOND CREATING TOOLS AND ACTIVITY GRIDS THAT LIST OUT THE TOOLS AND THEY ARE ON-LINE.

PEOPLE CAN LOOK AT THEM AND SEE ALL OF THE DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES IN THERE THAT ARE ABOUT SELF-AWARENESS, REFLECTION.

THERE IS A LOT WITH JOURNALING.

COACHING QUESTIONS.

THINGS YOU CAN DO EXERCISES PERSONALLY AND THEN ALSO IF YOU WANT TO DO WITH A BOOK CLUB OR A GROUP THAT IS WHAT WE HOPE WILL HAPPEN IS THAT PEOPLE WILL BE IN COMMUNITY.

THEY WILL FIND OTHERS READING IT AND WANT TO TRYOUT ACTIVITIES AND WE'VE DESIGNED THE BOOK SO THERE'S SPARKS AT THE END OF EVERY CHAPTER.

SO YOU CAN PICK IT UP AND PUT IT DOWN.

YOU CAN DECIDE TO COME BACK TO A CERTAIN CHAPTER AND IT'S EASY TO FIND WHERE THE TOPICS ARE.

THAT IS THE WAY WE LIKE TO READ.

JANICE AND I ARE BOTH AVID READERS AND WE WANTED SOMETHING SOMEONE CAN TRULY USE THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFE A LOT OF FOLKS ARE LOOKING AT RETIREMENT.

WHETHER YOU ARE NEW, IN THE MIDDLE OR TOWARDS THE END IS WHAT IS YOUR NEXT CHAPTER THIS CAN HELP YOU REFLECT ON THAT AS WELL.

>> IS EDUCATION STILL A FIELD THAT YOU WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET INTO?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

ONE OF THE THINGS I LOOK AT, WE USE SOMETHING CALLED A HOPE PORTFOLIO AND LOOKING AT LIKE YOU WOULD INVEST IN YOUR INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO.

EDUCATION IS A FIELD THAT WE WANT PEOPLE INVESTING IN AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY WHO IS IN IT HAS EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND TO BRING HAD THAT SENSE OF COLLECTIVE BRILLIANCE TO THE PROFESSION WE WANT TO ELEVATE IT AND WE ARE HOPING THE BOOK WILL ELEVATE THE PROFESSION BY BEING ABLE TO SHARE STORIES THAT PEOPLE WILL SHARE WITH US.

THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE HOPING WILL HAPPEN IS PEOPLE WILL REACH OUT AND LET US THOUGH WHEN THEY TRY SOMETHING.

WE ALSO LOVED TO USE FEEDBACK TO TWEAK THINGS AND TO ADJUST BECAUSE THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS SO IMPORTANT TO LEARN.

SO WE WANT THE FEEDBACK, WE WANT TO GROW AND LEARN TOGETHER WITH OUR COMMUNITY.

AND BRING HOPE TO EDUCATION.

>> AGAIN, THE BOOK IS CALLED, "THE HOPE-CENTERED EDUCATOR: A GUIDE TO PROFESSIONAL RENEWAL AND PERSONAL EMPOWERMENT".

IF YOU ARE TEACHER WITH SUMMER OFF IT IS A GREAT TIME TO READ IT.

HEATHER LAGEMAN THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Jeff: AND THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK MONDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M.

FOR "DIRECT CONNECTION".