Our Holiday Podcast: Unwrapping Gifts

In this heartfelt holiday episode of Unpacking Education, your hosts Rena Clark, Winston Benjamin, and Paul Beckermann come together to reflect on the many forms of gifts in education and life. The trio shares personal stories, classroom insights, and meaningful moments from the year that capture the true spirit of giving. From the gift of perspective and presence to the importance of being seen and heard, this episode is full of warmth, wisdom, and a few well-timed dad jokes.

Tune in for laughter, a powerful reminder of why we teach, and an original song dedicated to educators everywhere. Whether you're wrapping up your semester or just in need of a little encouragement, this episode is a gift you won’t want to miss. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Transcript

Unpacking Education – Holiday Episode: “Unwrapping Gifts”

Winston Benjamin 0:02
Happy holidays.

Paul Beckermann 0:09
All right, it's holiday time. The topic of today’s episode is our holiday podcast, Unwrapping Gifts. Unpacking Education is brought to you by AVID. AVID believes in seeing the potential of every student. To learn more, visit avid.org.

Rena Clark 0:31
Welcome to Unpacking Education, the podcast where we explore current issues and best practices in education. I'm Rena Clark.

Paul Beckermann 0:41
I'm Paul Beckermann.

Winston Benjamin 0:43
And I'm Winston Benjamin. We are educators—

Paul Beckermann 0:47
—and we're here to share insights and actionable strategies.

Transition Music with Rena’s Children 0:51
“Education is our passport to the future.”

Rena Clark 1:01
When I hear “education is a gift,” I think about how the real gift isn’t the content we teach but the opportunities we create. A gift is something given with love, care, and intention. Gift-giving is my love language, so in my classroom I hope I’m giving students the gift of possibility, joy, creativity, and the chance to discover what excites them. I want them to see their potential and feel like they matter and belong. That’s the gift I want each of my students to unwrap this year.

Paul Beckermann 1:46
Those are amazing gifts. Winston, what comes to mind for you when you think of education as a gift?

Winston Benjamin 1:54
I'm being selfish—I’m thinking about the teacher in me. It feels amazing when a kid comes back later and you realize, “Oh man, it worked out.” Seeing their success is the best thing ever. The gift is students coming back and sharing where they are and how they’ve grown.

I remember Mr. Lieberman, my teacher, coming to Seattle when I was earning my PhD. He’d known me as a 14-year-old knucklehead, and now I was a grown man. Watching him smile at that moment—it felt like family. That’s the beauty of what we do. It’s a gift on both sides, for teachers and students.

Paul Beckermann 2:52
That’s so cool that he came out to see you.

Winston Benjamin 2:56
Yeah. Before he became a teacher, he’d been pursuing his PhD and realized it wasn’t for him. He became a high school teacher instead, and it was perfect. I remember when his daughter was born—she just got married. It all felt like family. That’s the gift.

Paul Beckermann 3:30
That’s beautiful. And in the holiday spirit, today’s whole episode is about gifts. We’re going round-robin. First up: gifts we’ve received this year. Rena, what’s a gift you’ve received?

Rena Clark 3:50
I don't want to be dark, but this has been a difficult year personally. One of the biggest gifts I’ve received is perspective—being reminded of what’s truly valuable, and that my worth isn’t tied to my work.

I’ve also been reminded how amazing and supportive my husband is, along with my parents, siblings, and best friend. I’m grateful for the people who showed up for me. Usually I'm the one showing up for others, and this year the roles reversed. I’m also grateful for medical advances that keep my son healthy, and for moments of creativity that keep me energized. A whole shift in perspective.

Paul Beckermann 4:50
That’s great, Rena. Winston, what’s a gift you’ve received this year?

Winston Benjamin 4:58
Recently Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica as a Category 5. The gift I received is that my family is alive and healthy. There’s damage on the island, but people came together—checking in on neighbors, supporting one another.

Even here in Seattle, I went to a Jamaican restaurant, and everyone from the islands was sharing updates and supporting each other. In the darkness, there was still community.

My best friend’s mom, Miss Evelyn Martinez, used to say, “No rain, no rainbows.” I’m in my rainbow stage now—seeing the beauty that comes after the storm.

Paul Beckermann 6:12
Sounds like you got a little dose of Rena’s perspective there.

Winston Benjamin 6:17
That’s why it’s always valuable to share these moments.

Paul Beckermann 6:19
For me, the gift has been time with my parents. My schedule has allowed me to see them nearly every week. In my 30s and 40s, I didn’t visit nearly enough—busy with work, kids, everything. This year I’m soaking up as much time as possible while I still can. That’s been a beautiful gift.

All right, let’s unwrap a few more gifts—this time, gifts teachers give students.

Rena Clark 7:13
I think the best gift we can give students is the gift of being seen. When we peel back the layers and really notice their strengths, quirks, and brilliance—that’s powerful. Every student deserves to be seen.

Paul Beckermann 7:36
And sometimes their quirks and brilliance are the same thing.

Winston Benjamin 7:39
Very true.

Paul Beckermann 7:40
Winston, what do you think?

Winston Benjamin 7:44
Stability. Many of my students are in survival mode—like Sisyphus pushing that rock uphill. They don’t have the mental space for anything extra. I try to give them a place where they don’t have to survive. They’re safe, supported, and adults have their back.

Consistency, stability, and knowing exactly where they stand—that’s the gift I hope I give. They know I’m on their team.

Paul Beckermann 8:45
I’ve been thinking similarly. That empathetic ear teachers give—kids crave that. I see students every morning hovering near a teacher, just wanting to talk for a few minutes. That means a lot. The gift of being heard.

Rena Clark 9:16
Even when I complain about Mondays, I love when kids seek you out to share something. “Tell me about your fishing trip.” Those little stories matter.

Paul Beckermann 9:36
Now for our third gift: what gift would you like to send to educators listening today? Rena?

Rena Clark 9:57
I want to give educators (and myself) the gift of permission—permission to rest, set boundaries, and recognize that they are enough. I’m working on this personally.

Also, the gift of community. I’m often a singleton teacher, but community can be found outside your building. None of us should do this work alone.

Paul Beckermann 10:44
Winston, what are you sending out?

Winston Benjamin 10:48
I’m with Rena—permission to turn off. The work is hard and long, and you never feel like you’ve done enough. But you have.

Teach the lesson, give what you can, and then take care of yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup. So I’m giving permission to say, “It’s Saturday. I’m off. And that’s okay.”

Rena Clark 11:50
I need an actual “off” button. My brain doesn’t turn off—lists keep spinning. For those of us who are married to educators, it’s even harder to unplug. Sometimes I’m like, “Can we talk about something else?” But then we drift right back to school or our kids.

Winston Benjamin 12:39
That’s why it helps to have friends outside education too. You get a little ego boost and can talk about things that let your brain rest.

Paul Beckermann 13:05
The gift I want to send out is the hope that educators can find at least one nugget of joy each day, even on the tough days. A moment with a student, a quick laugh—it all matters.

And speaking of laughs—I haven’t told enough dad jokes this year, so I’ve brought a few.

Winston Benjamin 13:38
Let them rip.

Paul Beckermann 13:51
What kind of music do presents like?

Rena Clark 14:00
Rapping!

Paul Beckermann 14:01
Rap music.

Next one: What’s a present’s favorite sport?

Winston Benjamin 14:20
No idea.

Paul Beckermann 14:21
Boxing.

Laughter

Paul Beckermann 14:35
Which of King Arthur’s knights gives the best gifts?

Winston Benjamin 14:39
Trying to remember their names…

Rena Clark 14:48
Gifts-a-lot?

Paul Beckermann 14:49
Sir-prise!

Winston Benjamin 14:51
Wow. Never would’ve gotten that.

Paul Beckermann 14:59
Why was “E” the only letter that got a gift from Santa?
Because all the other letters were not-E.

Rena Clark 15:19
I like that one!

Paul Beckermann 15:25
Last one. What’s better than the past and the future?

Winston Benjamin 15:35
The present.

Paul Beckermann 15:36
Of course—because it’s a gift.

Winston Benjamin 15:39
Ahh, yeah.

Paul & Rena 15:45
(laughing and reacting)

Paul Beckermann 15:56
I appreciate both of you, and I appreciate our listeners. Wishing everyone a happy holiday season. Rest, unplug, and enjoy what you celebrate.

And one more gift—our annual original song as a tribute to educators. Wherever you are, you are an amazing gift to your schools and students. Thank you, and happy holidays.

Rena Clark 16:32
Happy holidays.

Winston Benjamin 16:40
I'm feeling this in so many ways.

Music / Song 16:48–17:32
“Put your hands up if you love your teachers…”

Winston Benjamin

I'm feeling this in so many ways. All day. I agree. I love that.

Rena and Paul

Put your hands up.

If you love your teachers, put your hands up

If you love the kids, put your hands up
For everyone who lifts up our schools, lift your hands up for them too.

Put your hands up.

Winston Benjamin
Stuck on that.
I love the way that ended.