Creating the conditions: Sustaining “caring for” education

Creating the conditions: Sustaining “caring for” education

Author: Ethical Schools December 18, 2023 Duration: 35:55

We speak with Chris Lehmann, founding principal of Science Leadership Academy, inquiry-driven and project-based schools in Philadelphia. The academic model centers inquiry, research, collaboration, presentation, and reflection. Students take English, science, and history as a cohort, allowing for interdisciplinary understanding. Systems and structures ensure there is time for teachers to build relationships with students, and create the basis for the schools to survive beyond the founders. 

Overview

00:00-00:28 Intros

00:32-01:51 Characteristics of Science Leadership Academy

01:51-04:16 Building collaboration among disciplines; looping

04:16-06:55 21st Century citizens

06:55-08:53 Instilling “engagement” as a citizenship quality

08:53-11:37 Integrating employment-related skills into education for citizenship

11:37-14:24 Role of technology

14:24-16:58 “Caring for” vs. “Caring about”

16:58-18:09 Scheduling systemic care

18:09-19:38 Discussing ethics in the classroom

19:38-22:44 Sustainability beyond the founders

22:44-26:01 Recruiting, preparing, supporting teachers

26:01-26:58 Schools should be transformative for teachers as well as students

26:58-30:16 What makes SLA model applicable in both choice and general admission schools

30:16- Outro


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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