Opening up: Recreating schools as a community

Opening up: Recreating schools as a community

Author: Ethical Schools July 15, 2023 Duration: 40:00

Drs. Landon Mascareñaz and Doannie Tran, co-authors of “The Open System: Redesigning Education and Reigniting Democracy,” talk about co-creating and co-producing school initiatives with parents and community members. “Openness” is a radical departure from legacy closed systems, and begins with “openers,” those committed to ensuring that all stakeholders, especially those traditionally far from power, are full participants. The opening process can start in one classroom, one school, or one district, and can be adapted in other settings.

Overview

00:00-00:39 Intros
00:39-02:08 Definition of an Open System
02:08-09:02 3 phases of shifting a system towards openness
09:02-06:16 An open system leader
06:16-07:21 Linearity and recursion of phases
07:21-11:10 Examples of groups creating open systems
11:10-15:09 Obstacles groups encountered and overcame
15:09-18:44 Contending with organized groups that want to ban books or are racist or homophobic
18:44-21:59 Consensus decision making
21:59-24:57 Surviving founders or key initial participants
24:57-27:01 Conflicts over money or credit
27:01-29:20 Tensions and differential power between those furthest from opportunity and those with technical or institutional power
29:20-31:33 Issues of bringing initiatives to scale
31:33-33:39 Where can educators start?
33:39-36:48 Training and support
36:48- Outro

Transcript

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References

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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

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