Creating democratic learning environments: Educators in conversation

Creating democratic learning environments: Educators in conversation

Author: Ethical Schools February 21, 2025 Duration: 46:48

We speak with Dr. Linda F. Nathan and Jonathan Mendonca, two co-editors of the recently published book, "Building Democratic Schools and Learning Environments: A Global Perspective," an anthology of accounts of creating innovative schools around the world. We discuss autonomy vs large-scale uniformity, issues of scaling innovations, and defining success. The book, intentionally available free online, includes both existing schools and concepts of possible schools.

Overview

00:00-00:59 Intros

00:59-02:48 Building democratic schools and learning environments

02:48-07:02 How the book came to be written

07:02-08:00 “Many ways” that schools can prepare students for democracy

08:00-11:32 The four pillars of democratic education

11:32-14:12 The “common good”

14:12-16:13 Barefoot EDU (Unifly Collective) and Shikha Institute of Education

16:13-20:58 Jonathan Mendonca’s vision of scale and reactions to it

20:58-23:32 Resolution of whether to teach in English or mother tongue in school in Madhya Pradesh

23:32-28:10 Managing tensions between autonomy and large-scale administration in U.S. schools, and examples

28:10-29:15 Sharing innovations

29:15-33:34 Building ability to meet students’ needs into systems: equity vs equality

33:34-37:16 Catalyzing large scale professional development for pre-school teachers in Haryana State

37:16-39:08 Looking at success for the next generation

39:08-41:46 Teaching students to nurture the planet

41:46- Outro

Transcript

Click here to see the full transcript of this episode. 

References

  • Click here to download the free e-book created by Dr. Nathan and Jonathan Mendonca "Designing Democratic Schools and Learning Environments: A Global Perspective"
  • Click here to listen to our first interview with Dr. Linda Nathan "Holistic education: Joy, wellness and rigor"

 

Soundtrack by Poddington Bear


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
Podcast Episodes
Teaching the “isms”: Students’ lived experiences in context [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:15
We speak with Jillian McRae and Sam North, English and history teachers at Ossining (NY) High School, and their student, Alaysha. For 15 years, Sam and Jillian have co-taught a college-level course called “racism, sexism…
Antiracist school leadership: Courage and commitment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:30
Dr. Bradley Carpenter, associate professor of educational leadership at Baylor University, speaks about developing and supporting antiracist school principals. Very few leadership prep programs prioritize or embed antira…
Student record privacy: Danger looms from police and hackers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:30
We speak with Mark Lieberman, Education Week tech reporter. Pasco County FL schools give the sheriff records of students deemed “destined to a life of crime.” NYS Education Department funded facial recognition of school…
Districtwide decisions: Day to day ethical considerations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:00
We speak with Dan Callahan, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education in Peekskill City School District, 45 minutes north of Manhattan. The low-income district in wealthy Westchester is 70% Latino, including many…
Policing attendance boundaries: Education as private property [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:15
We speak with Dr. LaToya Baldwin Clark, assistant professor at UCLA School of Law. Dr. Baldwin Clark explains how school boundaries are used for racial exclusion. In many cases, schools don’t just reflect, but cause, seg…
Supporting English Learners: pandemic and post-pandemic solutions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:45
We speak with Dr. Julie Sugarman of the Migration Policy Institute about meeting the needs of English Learners. We discuss the meaning and implications of ELs “falling behind” during virtual instruction and difficulties…
Students as experts: Diversity, equity, and inclusion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:30
We speak with Dr. Judith King-Calnek, United Nations International School’s first Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Since UNIS faculty and students come from all over the world, they draw on one another’s bac…