On today’s “Closer Look,” former Cobb County Elementary School Teacher Katie Rinderle and her Education Civil Rights Attorney, Craig Goodmark, return to the show to discuss the next stage of their legal fight to get Rinderle’s job back. She was fired in August 2023 after reading "My Shadow is Purple" by Scott Stuart to her 5th Grade class. The themes of acceptance and gender identity set off a firestorm among some parents. 

 

Also, we revisit Show Host Rose Scott’s conversation with people who were students when the Supreme Court ruled America's segregation of public schools was unconstitutional. Now as adults, they recall attending integrated schools for the first time after Brown vs. Board of Education.

On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look</a>,&rdquo; former Cobb County Elementary School Teacher <a href="https://www.wabe.org/cobb-county-teacher-fired-because-of-book-discusses-the-importance-of-centering-students-in-literature/">Katie Rinderle</a> and her Education Civil Rights Attorney, <a href="https://www.goodmarklaw.com/bio/">Craig Goodmark</a>, return to the show to discuss the next stage of their legal fight to get Rinderle&rsquo;s job back. She was fired in August 2023 after reading "<a href="https://scottstuart.co/books/my-shadow-is-purple/">My Shadow is Purple</a>" by Scott Stuart to her 5th Grade class. The themes of acceptance and gender identity set off a firestorm among some parents.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Also, we revisit Show Host Rose Scott&rsquo;s conversation with people who were students when the Supreme Court ruled America's segregation of public schools was unconstitutional. Now as adults, they recall attending integrated schools for the first time after Brown vs. Board of Education.

"Closer Look with Rose Scott" brings you the issues that impact where we live, how we interact, and how we can all thrive. It’s not just about Atlanta; it’s a program for Atlanta. Rose connects with community leaders, CEOs, policymakers, and people who don't often get a platform, and she brings you in on the conversation.

"Closer Look with Rose Scott" brings you the issues that impact where we live, how we interact, and how we can all thrive. It’s not just about Atlanta; it’s a program for Atlanta. Rose connects with community leaders, CEOs, policymakers, and people who don't often get a platform, and she brings you in on the conversation.

Closer Look with Rose Scott

🔊 WABE Podcasts > News, Politics, Health

Fired Cobb Teacher appeals to GA Supreme Court; former students look back on desegregation of public schools

Muscogee (Creek) Nation awaits a federal judge’s decision about whether the court will allow their case to move to discovery. For more than two decades, the Muscogee have been in a legal battle to restore Hickory Ground, one of their sacred sites, and reclaim the remains of their ancestors. But for more than a decade, a casino has stood over the site in Alabama. 


Plus, “Closer Look’s” annual graduation series kicks off with Sophie Kalmin, a 2026 graduating senior from Emory University, who majored in American studies and minored in Middle Eastern and South Asian studies. Kalmin reflects on her academic journey and how her decades-long friendship with Mumbles, a white southern rhinoceros at Zoo Atlanta, inspired her to pursue a career on Capitol Hill.

<a href="https://www.muscogeenation.com/">Muscogee (Creek) Nation</a> awaits a federal judge&rsquo;s decision about whether the court will allow their case to move to discovery. For more than two decades, the Muscogee have been in a legal battle to restore <a href="https://www.justiceforhickoryground.com/">Hickory Ground</a>, one of their sacred sites, and reclaim the remains of their ancestors. But for more than a decade, a casino has stood over the site in Alabama.&nbsp;
 Plus, <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">&ldquo;Closer Look&rsquo;s&rdquo;</a> annual graduation series kicks off with <a href="https://news.emory.edu/features/2025/08/er_servant_leadership_summer_interns_05-08-2025/index.html">Sophie Kalmin</a>, a 2026 graduating senior from Emory University, who majored in American studies and minored in Middle Eastern and South Asian studies. Kalmin reflects on her academic journey and how her decades-long friendship with <a href="https://zooatlanta.org/animal-personality/mumbles/">Mumbles</a>, a white southern rhinoceros at <a href="https://zooatlanta.org/">Zoo Atlanta</a>, inspired her to pursue a career on Capitol Hill.

Muscogee (Creek) Nation seek restoration of sacred land; ‘Closer Look’ Graduation Series 2026: Emory Grad

On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” Atlanta’s Policing Alternatives and Diversion Initiative has launched a new public dashboard, tracking every call to 311 and 911 regarding quality of life concerns. Executive director Moki Macias hopes this data will help bring attention to her organization’s work and to better understand what parts of the city are unaware of policing alternatives.

 

Then, we hear from Shelly Goodrum, Associate Superintendent of Instruction and Innovation with Atlanta Public Schools. Educators often talk about learning loss over the summer months, the idea that extended time away from school can lead students to lose significant ground in reading and math. Find out how the district’s free Power Up program will engage K-12 students in hands‑on enrichment.


And finally,  Jai Ferrell had dreams of changing the world. Now, as the CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, she's not only actualizing her own dreams. She's also empowering girls throughout the state of Georgia to do the same. 

On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>,&rdquo; Atlanta&rsquo;s Policing Alternatives and Diversion Initiative has launched a <a href="https://dashboard.atlantapad.org/requests">new public dashboard</a>, tracking every call to 311 and 911 regarding quality of life concerns. Executive director Moki Macias hopes this data will help bring attention to her organization&rsquo;s work and to better understand what parts of the city are unaware of policing alternatives.
&nbsp;
Then, we hear from Shelly Goodrum, Associate Superintendent of Instruction and Innovation with <a href="https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/">Atlanta Public Schools</a>. Educators often talk about learning loss over the summer months, the idea that extended time away from school can lead students to lose significant ground in reading and math. Find out how the district&rsquo;s free <a href="https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/about/departments/division-of-schools/summer-aps">Power Up program</a> will engage K-12 students in hands‑on enrichment.
 And finally, <a href="https://www.girlscoutsatl.org/en/discover/our-council/meet-our-leaders.html">&nbsp;Jai Ferrell</a> had dreams of changing the world. Now, as the CEO of <a href="https://www.girlscoutsatl.org/">Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta</a>, she's not only actualizing her own dreams. She's also empowering girls throughout the state of Georgia to do the same.&nbsp;

PAD tracks community service; Power Up program to keep Atlanta kids learning this summer; Jai Ferrell makes history as leader of local Girl Scouts

Boring, chaotic, concerning — and, in at least one case, described with an expletive after the word “cluster.” Those are some of the ways Georgia’s current campaign season is being characterized as the state heads toward the November midterm elections. That assessment comes from a political roundtable on today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott. The discussion featured Devin Barrington-Ward, a progressive community organizer and managing director of the Black Futurists Group; Greg Bluestein, politics reporter and author with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution; Fred Hicks, an Atlanta-based campaign strategist and demographer; and Saba Long, executive director of the Atlanta Civic Circle. Each offered insights and observations as the May 19 primary approaches and early voting gets underway.

Boring, chaotic, concerning &mdash; and, in at least one case, described with an expletive after the word &ldquo;cluster.&rdquo; Those are some of the ways Georgia&rsquo;s current campaign season is being characterized as the state heads toward the November midterm elections. That assessment comes from a political roundtable on today&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>. The discussion featured <a href="https://www.blackfuturistsgroup.com/staff">Devin Barrington-Ward</a>, a progressive community organizer and managing director of the Black Futurists Group; <a href="https://www.ajc.com/staff/greg-bluestein/">Greg Bluestein</a>, politics reporter and author with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution; <a href="https://fredhicks.com/">Fred Hicks</a>, an Atlanta-based campaign strategist and demographer; and <a href="https://atlantaciviccircle.org/author/saba/">Saba Long</a>, executive director of the Atlanta Civic Circle. Each offered insights and observations as the May 19 primary approaches and early voting gets underway.

Fired Cobb Teacher appeals to GA Supreme Court; former students look back on desegregation of public schools

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