Descriptive inquiry: Teachers talking about hard subjects

Descriptive inquiry: Teachers talking about hard subjects

Author: Ethical Schools July 14, 2022 Duration: 40:45

We speak with Dr. Cecelia Traugh and Dr. Cara Furman, co-authors of “Descriptive Inquiry in Teacher Practice: Cultivating Practical Wisdom to Create Democratic Schools.” Descriptive inquiry is a structured, collaborative process in which teachers share and get practical feedback on classroom challenges. Breaking down teachers’ isolation, descriptive inquiry encourages non-confrontational conversations about racial and other biases. Teachers benefit not only from the wisdom of their colleagues but also from the safe space and supportive community.

Overview

00:00-00:44 Intros

00:44-04:18 Descriptive inquiry

04:18-07:32 How descriptive inquiry was developed

07:32-09:17 Phenomenology

09:17-09:48 Summer Institute

09:48-14:37 Developing relationships (with faculty or with parents); talking about race

14:37-19:33 Questions of race within faculty practice; looking at biases

19:33-24:01 Teasing out cultural norms; developing community

24:01-26:29 Descriptive inquiry as being value laden

26:29-31:05 Helping teachers feel comfortable sharing

31:05-36:38 Writing the book: why now and why people should read it

36:38- Outro

Transcript


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
Post-Graduation Planning: Helping students to explore myriad options [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:30
Lindsey Dixon, Director of Career Readiness at Urban Assembly, talks about helping students make more informed college and career decisions. The current model is restrictive and outdated, leading to suboptimal outcomes f…
The “Name Game”: racialization in a suburban high school [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:30
Drs. Tony de Jesus, Anthony Johnston, and Don Siler of University of St. Joseph recount their intervention in a multiracial high school in crisis. White students had instigated a “game” of addressing Black students as th…
Centering SEL for social and economic mobility [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:30
David Adams is Director of Social Emotional Learning at NYC’s Urban Assembly, a network of schools that does not screen students. David focuses on the intersection of academic and technical skills, social-emotional compe…
The Algebra Project: Math Literacy and Empowerment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:00
Kate Belin teaches math at Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School, a progressive public school in the Bronx, where she implements the Algebra Project, an initiative that connects math to students’ lived experiences. We tal…