Raising Them Right: Reclaiming Education. Restoring Values.

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Latest Episodes:

Episode 4: Wen Zhang on Breaking Generational Silence and Building Bold Women Leaders Across the Globe Jul 31, 2025

Episode Summary:

In this deeply inspiring episode of Raising Them Right, host Monica Yatooma sits down with Wen Zhang, founder of the INNW Institute, to explore her remarkable transformation from a voiceless girl in rural China to a globally recognized leadership coach.

Growing up in a remote village without internet or resources, Wen was told girls should stay silent, obedient, and invisible. But her spirit said otherwise. With a cassette tape and sheer determination, she taught herself English, earned a full scholarship to Duke University, and began a journey of self-discovery that would lead to empowering hundreds of underestimated women to find their voice, own their presence, and rise in leadership.

Through the “If Not Now, When” (INNW) Institute, Wen is helping women around the world dismantle fear, perfectionism, and cultural conditioning that keep them playing small.

This isn’t just a personal story; it’s a battle cry for women who are ready to lead from authenticity, courage, and conviction.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why do so many women wait to feel “ready,” and why does that moment never come
How fear, doubt, and cultural silence shape leadership potential
The cost of perfectionism and people pleasing, especially for high-achieving women
How to build trust with your inner voice and speak with unapologetic presence
The three things that separate invisible leaders from impactful ones
Wen’s formula for creating internal safety in high-stakes spaces
Why your story, even the painful parts, is your greatest leadership asset

Memorable Quotes:

“If I could unlearn silence, I believe any woman can.” — Wen Zhang

“We tell our daughters to dream big, but model fear. That ends with us.” — Monica Yatooma

Resources Mentioned:

Connect with Wen at www.innwinstitute.com or follow her on LinkedIn
Websites: ifnotnowwen.com & ifnotnowwen.com/services-8
INNW Institute – If Not Now, When
Wen’s TED-style trainings and workshops
Mindset and presence coaching for female leaders
Tools for overcoming perfectionism and cultural blocks

Call to Action

If you care about the future of our children and the integrity of our schools, subscribe to Raising Them Right on Spotify or Amazon Music

Want to help? Share this episode with a fellow parent, teacher, or advocate.

Get involve at greatEA.org for updates, resources, and ways to be part.

Episode 3: Paul Kolin on Accountability, Equity, and the Hard Truths Behind Failing School Systems Jul 29, 2025

Episode Summary

In this courageous conversation on Raising Them Right, host Monica Yatooma is joined by Paul Kolin, a public servant, KPMG US executive, and longtime Bloomfield Hills School Board member, to challenge the myths, missteps, and missed opportunities in today’s education system.

From his early days growing up in Coney Island to teaching in some of New York’s most underserved classrooms, Paul has seen firsthand what it takes to lead with integrity — and what happens when we don't. Drawing on his experience in both public service and the private sector, Paul shares why real educational reform demands more than money. It demands accountability, courage, and community commitment.

He doesn’t shy away from hard truths including why many affluent districts succeed while others fall behind, and how performative leadership on school boards harms the very kids those boards are meant to serve.

This isn’t just a critique of the system. It’s a call to action for anyone who believes our children deserve better.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why high per‑pupil spending doesn’t always lead to high performance
The difference between serving the community and serving a title
How strong school boards can transform outcomes — and how weak ones erode trust
What affluent districts get right that others can adopt
Why true equity starts with expectations, not excuses
How Paul’s Teach for America experience shaped his lifelong education mission
The urgent need for tough policy decisions like consolidation in Michigan school districts

Memorable Quotes

“It’s not just about spending more — it’s about expecting more.” — Paul Kolin

“We say we want accountability in schools. But we punish people who try to deliver it.” — Monica Yatooma

Resources Mentioned

Bloomfield Hills School Board
Teach for America
Michigan Department of Education data
KPMG public sector consulting insights

Call to Action

If you care about the future of our children and the integrity of our schools, subscribe to Raising Them Right on Spotify or Amazon Music

Want to help? Share this episode with a fellow parent, teacher, or advocate.

Get involve at greatEA.org for updates, resources, and ways to be part.

Episode 2: Kevin Kijewski on School Choice, Parental Rights, and the War Against Catholic Education in Michigan Jul 23, 2025

Episode Summary:

In this explosive episode of Raising Them Right, host Monica Yatooma sits down with Kevin Kijewski, Michigan Attorney General candidate, attorney, and former Catholic school superintendent, to expose how Michigan’s educational and legal systems have been weaponized against parents—and against faith-based schools.

Kijewski dives deep into the roots of Michigan’s unconstitutional Blaine Amendment, revealing how anti-Catholic bias still affects funding, choice, and access to quality education today. From advocating for a new Office of Parental and Student Rights to confronting the censorship of parents on public school platforms, Kevin shares his bold vision for restoring constitutional values, academic excellence, and true parental authority.

This episode isn’t just a legal breakdown—it’s a wake-up call for conservative parents who feel ignored, silenced, or powerless in today’s education wars.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

The historical and unconstitutional roots of the Blaine Amendment in Michigan
Why school choice isn’t just about funding—it’s about freedom
How Catholic schools succeeded during COVID while public systems failed
What Kijewski’s proposed Office of Parental and Student Rights would actually do
The illegal ways public school pages are censoring parent speech online
Why homeschooling deserves equal protection under the law
How COVID relief funds were diverted to political agendas instead of student outcomes
Why academic performance is plummeting—and how to fight back

Memorable Quotes:

“Parents are not co-parents with the state. They are the primary educators. And it’s time the system reflected that.” — Kevin Kijewski

“If your speech can be censored by your child’s school district, we have a First Amendment crisis—plain and simple.” — Monica Yatooma

Resources Mentioned:

Kevin Kijewski for Michigan Attorney General:linkedin.com/in/kevin-kijewski
Blaine Amendment history
FOIA strategies for uncovering misuse of education funds
Great Education Action https://www.greatei.org/
Catholic and homeschool legal advocacy

Call to Action

If you care about the future of our children and the integrity of our schools, subscribe to Raising Them Right on Spotify or Amazon Music

Want to help? Share this episode with a fellow parent, teacher, or advocate.

Get involve at greatEA.org for updates, resources, and ways to be part.

Episode 1: Shayna Levin on Exposing School Board Failures and Fighting for Parental Rights in Public Education Jul 14, 2025

Episode Summary:

In this powerful premiere episode of Raising Them Right, host Monica Yatooma sits down with Shayna Levin, a Michigan mom-turned-school board member who went from volunteering in classrooms to fighting behind the scenes for transparency, accountability, and parental rights in public education.

Shayna pulls back the curtain on what really happens inside school boards, why good teachers are afraid to speak out, and how parents can hold administrators accountable, even without a title. Her journey is raw, bold, and deeply relatable for anyone who’s ever felt frustrated with the state of public education.

This is more than a personal story, it’s a roadmap for conservative parents and advocates looking to protect their kids, reclaim their schools, and restore common sense to classrooms.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

The real reason behind classroom disruptions and why schools often do nothing
How FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests can empower parents
The legal and administrative barriers school boards hide behind, and how to navigate them
What "Least Restrictive Environment" (LRE) means and how it’s impacting IEPs and general ed classrooms
Why Shayna ultimately resigned and why you don’t need a title to make a difference
How school vending machines are quietly contributing to behavior issues
Actionable steps parents can take today to protect their kids and challenge the system

Memorable Quotes:

“You don’t need a title to make change — you just need to know where to put your energy.” — Shayna Levin

"Your kids are not a paycheck. But to many school districts, that’s exactly what they’ve become.” — Monica Yatooma

Resources Mentioned

FOIA Michigan: https://www.michigan.gov/ag/resources/foia
Great Education Initiative: https://www.greatEA.org
Contact Shayna: shayna.levin@gmail.com

Call to Action

If you care about the future of our children and the integrity of our schools, subscribe to Raising Them Right on Spotify or Amazon Music

Want to help? Share this episode with a fellow parent, teacher, or advocate.

Get involve at greatEA.org for updates, resources, and ways to be part.

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