Marygrove School: Place- and project-based teaching and learning

Marygrove School: Place- and project-based teaching and learning

Author: Ethical Schools April 21, 2025 Duration: 58:06

We speak with Dr. Elizabeth Birr Moje, dean and professor at the Marsal Family School of Education, University of Michigan. Dr. Moje discusses Detroit’s School at Marygrove, a university-school partnership serving children and families from before birth through grade 12. We talk about design-based research, Marygrove’s innovative teacher-residency program, and what being a model means to Marygrove.

Overview

00:00-00:46 Intros

00:46-03:16 How the school at Marygrove came to be

03:16-06:27 Teaching and learning in Detroit

06:27-11:05 Why this neighborhood and community for Marygrove

11:05-12:05 Demographics of the community and the school

12:05-15:20 What an ethical partnership between a university and a school looks like

15:20-18:24 Funding—current and for sustainability

18:24-20:08 Proof of concept, scale, “translatable modules”

20:08-24:17 A model for curriculum and pedagogy

24:17-29:51 Design-based research

29:51-38:36 Selecting teachers and providing professional development and support

38:36-42:13 Promoting social justice

42:13-48:29 Cell phones, distractions, AI

48:29-49:11 Centrality of inquiry

49:11-56:45 Replication

56:45- Outro

Transcript

Click here to see the full transcription of this episode. 

References

The School at Marygrove website

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.
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