Abolitionist education: Creating liberatory spaces (Part One)

Abolitionist education: Creating liberatory spaces (Part One)

Author: Ethical Schools November 26, 2020 Duration: 44:30

We speak with Swarthmore’s Dr. Edwin Mayorga, who explains how abolitionist classrooms and schools create “freedom as a place” in contrast to racial capitalism. Teachers are the lead inquirers and try to “move at the speed of trust,” helping to create classrooms full of joy. Edwin describes Philadelphia’s Kensington Health Sciences Academy as a school where teaching and learning are based on establishing  relationships of mutual respect.  

Overview

00:00-00:42 Intros
00:42-02:20 Abolitionist education
02:20-04:44 “Freedom as a place”
04:44-08:03 Critical racial ethnic studies; the Sankofa bird
08:03-15:27 Decolonizing education; relationships in the process between colonized and colonizer
15:27-22:21 Intersections of race and class
22:21-26:27 Racial capitalism’s impact in the classroom
26:27-33:20 Kensington Health Sciences Academy (KHSA)
33:20-36:16 Teacher as lead inquirer
36:16-38:25 Moving at the speed of trust
38:25-40:13 Modeling trustworthiness for students
40:13-42:55 How did KHSA become a school focused on trust?
42:55-44:30 Outro

Transcription

Click here to see the full transcription of this episode. 

References


Conversations about education often focus on test scores and curriculum, but there’s a deeper layer that truly shapes a student’s experience. Ethical Schools digs into that layer, exploring what it means to build a learning community grounded in integrity and care. Each week, hosts Amy and Jon sit down with educators and innovators who are actively reimagining schools. You’ll hear specific, grounded discussions about the practical work of creating environments where every student feels safe and respected. The dialogue frequently addresses how to support young people dealing with trauma, moving beyond theory to share actionable strategies that teachers are using right now. More than just problem-solving, this podcast highlights how to empower students themselves to become advocates and changemakers in their own communities. It’s a series that connects philosophy with daily practice, looking at the social and cultural structures within schools through a lens of ethics. For anyone invested in the future of education-whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or simply a concerned community member-this podcast offers a thoughtful and necessary perspective on the foundational values that make education meaningful.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 240

Ethical Schools
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