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progressive education & theory

62 episodes

The Promise (and Persistent Myths) of Montessori Education w/ Andrew Faulstich, Dr. Ayize Sabater, and Kelly Jonelis

Three Montessori educators on what the method actually is, the myths that obscure it, and what mainstream schools can learn from it.

Reanimating the Art of Teaching w/ Gary Stager

Gary Stager on reanimating teaching as an art, from Reggio Emilia to the place of technology in a creative classroom.

Making School Meaningful w/ Lauren Porosoff

Why does school so often feel like the opposite of learning? Lauren Porosoff on the trouble with compensatory programs.

From Meritocracy to Human Interdependence: Redefining the Purpose of Education

Shifting to human interdependence promotes collaboration, social intelligence, and a flourishing society.

Crash Course Social Studies Education

Social studies teacher and writer of Crash Course History, Raoul Meyer, joins us to talk about the state of social studies education.

Cultivating Creativity and Connection in the Classroom

How does creativity shows up in the world, in the human condition, and how we can cultivate creativity in schools?

Making School Finance As Public As Possible

What will it take to make our public schools, and the means of funding a thriving public education system, as public as possible?

The Buzz About the Human Hive

Kate McAllister's journey is a reflection of her dedication to the fully human messiness of growing and learning in community with others.

Lessons in Powerful Learning from the Fringes

"The fakeness of school is not inevitable."

Will Work for Food: Labor Across the Food Chain

Will Work For Food takes a holistic look at our food system and the role schools play in labor across the food chain

From the Classroom to the Capitol: A Conversation

Is New Mexico building a playbook for healthy families and communities and a thriving progressive education?

BS Universities: The Future of Automated Education

What is the role, purpose, and function of higher education in a so-called "Age of AI"?

Cultivating Mental Health Mindsets in The Empathetic Classroom

The Empathetic Classroom uses therapy-backed practices to help teachers manage stress, avoid burnout, and foster student connection.

Confronting the Education Polycrisis

Dr. James Mannion shares the journey that led him to human-centered education & the solutions it offers to our present polycrisis.

Reclaiming Teaching and Learning in the Age of AI

Why did one Texas educator ban students from using AI in her classroom, and how did students respond?

How can parents, families, and educators be intentional about cultivating and living purposeful values?

Teaching Contentious Topics in a Divided Nation

"What is the purpose of a border and what has shaped your answer to this question?"

Sensemaking and Cybernetics in Classroom Teaching

Biology teacher Christian Moore-Anderson talks about how teachers can become better communicators by thinking in cybernetics

Inquiry, Play, and Early Childhood Education

Longtime early childhood educator, Heidi Echternacht, talks about the importance of play, the role of inquiry, & the models that support it

A Danish Perspective on American Education

What lessons can we learn from Danish society & its education system that may help heal our own?

The Privateers: How Billionaires Created a Culture War and Sold School Vouchers

What are school voucher programs really about, how do they spread, and what should we expect in 2025 and beyond?

The Landscape Model of Learning

We sit down with Dr. Kapono Ciotti to talk about The Landscape Model of Learning and how students can become protagonists of their future.

How Grades Harm Students & What We Can Do About It

Joshua Eyler talks about the harms of grades, especially on mental health, and how parents can support kids

The Fantasy Economy & the Education Reform Movement

American public schools became “failing schools” exactly when they needed to, to fit the needs of the Fantasy Economy

The Solutionary Way

How can we create a flourishing, just future for humans, animals, and our greater ecosystems?

What makes "schoolish" learning alienating, and how do we put authenticity and joy back into education?

Nourishing Caregiver Collaborations

Building a collective culture of care.

Toward a Luddite Pedagogy in the "Age of AI"

What should be the relationship of education, automation & artificial intelligence? Should there be one at all?

Roma Education: Emma Sisson's Mission From Tennessee to Transylvania

Explore the transformative journey of Emma Sisson from teaching in Memphis to becoming School Director of The Mission in Transylvania

Part 2 of 3: Pedagogy in the Hawaiian Islands

An overview of a place-based pedagogical framework for Hawaiian youth.

CTRH2023: A Critical Reflection on Our Struggle for a More Just & Loving World

Dr. Darder addresses building a hopeful world that creates a better future for all.

Catalyzing Systems-Based Change

Catalyzing change in schools starts with small, incremental, yet meaningful moments.

From Colonial to Solarpunk Education

What does solarpunk offer as an alternative future to strive for?

Love, Joy, & Learning

Creating spaces of love, joy, and learning toward human flourishing.

On Self-Directed Education & "What Works"

The dangers of the “science of learning.”

A Pedagogy of Love

Combating the inhospitable and increasingly individualized notions of the school system.

Critical Pedagogy in a Time of Fascist Tyranny

Henry Giroux's keynote from our conference: why we must continue our cause.

Guiding Toward Healthy Rebellion

Channeling the "creative destruction" of young people.

Keep Hope Alive

Why we must ground ourselves in the progressive education movement.

Imagining Education Outside Capitalism

Connecting Mark Fisher's Capitalist Realism to pedagogy.

Essay: Why What Works Won't Work and Why What Works May Hurt

A narrative of what happens if we focus solely on test scores.

Behaviorism & "Cog Sci" - Oh No!

Deeply examining behaviorism's pervasiveness and danger to classrooms everywhere.

What *was* lost during the pandemic? Here's how we rebuild our classrooms.

Thinking about creating community in a pandemic striken world.

Essay: A Progressive Response to “Ed. Reform's Lost Decade"

A narrative on why test score data isn't as obvious as it appears.

Expanding Experiential Education

Building a world-wide collaborative on experiential learning.

In Defense of Public Education

Fighting for an equitable K-12 system.

Essay: One Teacher Can't Save the World

A recording of our presentation at Teacher Powered Schools 2020 on liberatory pedagogy.

Reimagine the System

Creating conversations toward human flourishing.

Post-Standardization: Schools for a Free and Democratic Society

Throwing out standardized testing and building a better system.

Learning From Unschooling During Isolation

Learning from unschoolers to unlock possibilities for young people.

Humane Education

Acting on a need for a more just world through the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Disrupting the "Same Old, Same Old"

Reimagining physical education and assessment.

What's Up With School Lunch?

Understanding the history of school lunch and how we can make it better.

The Good Life feat. Steven Gumbay, REENVISIONED, The Future Project, Anne Connolly, Richard Loeper-Viti, & Gamal Sherif

Aligning our work to what makes "a good life."

Shifting from Industry to Well-Being

Moving away from "job preparation" toward "child well-being."

Essay: Restoring Humanity to...Purpose (Changing the Focus of School)

A narrative on creating purposeful spaces.

Essay: Restoring Humanity to....Education (Critical Pedagogy)

A narrative on the importance of unlocking student potential & power.

Timeless Learning

Using "zero-based thinking" to fundamentally redesign schools.

Essay: Restoring Humanity to Discipline (Restorative Justice)

A narrative on restorative justice.

Innovating Education

Flipping the model by changing college admissions.

Adopting Progressive Ed.

The relevance of progressive education in the modern era.

What School Could Be

Learning about progressive education across the country.