School district battles: Protecting education from bans

School district battles: Protecting education from bans

Author: Ethical Schools June 1, 2023 Duration: 30:50

We speak with Mike Gottesman, founder of New Jersey Public Education Coalition (NJPEC), a grassroots organization that educates and activates NJ citizens in school districts to protect the integrity of schools from conservative extremist groups. NJPEC organizes on-the-ground support for community members and provides information for school board candidates. In its first year, the Coalition has grown to 1500 members along with subject matter experts and partner organizations.

Overview

00:00-00:42 Intros

00:42-02:19 Reasons for starting NJ Public Education Coalition

02:19-03:35 Hot button issues

03:35-05:11 Sex ed curriculum issues

05:11-06:19 10 committees/tactics

06:19-09:45 Observing districts, engaging parents

09:45-11:17 Educational road shows

11:17-12:47 Engaging seniors

12:47-13:20 Title IX

13:20-16:16 Examples of engagement in districts: Millstone, Hamilton

16:16-18:24 School board meetings

18:24-19:28 Working with (but not endorsing) school board candidates

19:28-24:22 Contacting legislators, drafting legislation

24:22-26:24 Increasing voter turnout

26:24-27:46 How to contact NJPEC

27:46-28:41 Contacts with groups in other states

28:41- 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
Podcast Episodes
The attack on public education: Will public schools survive? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:30
We speak with University of South Carolina law professor Derek Black about the history of education as a core government service and the current wave of voucher laws in red states. Professor Black argues that these will…
Authentic history: Too uncomfortable for white kids? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:45
We speak with Betty Collins, eighth grade teacher in Tulsa County, Oklahoma. Ms. Collins speaks about conservatives’ hostility to Critical Race Theory, which looks at the role of systemic racism in US history. We discuss…
Air quality in schools: At the intersection of technology and equity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:15
We speak with Anisa Heming and Corey Metzger of the U.S. Green Building Council and ASHRAE about a new report on schools’ efforts around the country to protect against COVID-19 by improving indoor air quality. Like so mu…
Holistic education: Joy, wellness, and rigor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:01
We speak with Dr. Linda Nathan of the Center for Artistry and Scholarship and the Perrone-Sizer Institute for Creative Leadership about her experience in creating progressive schools. Dr. Nathan says all teachers, no mat…
Creating antiracist classrooms: Listening and other essential skills [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:30
We speak with Dr. Steven Cohen of Tuft’s Department of Education about helping teachers to think critically about race and class. He talks about the importance of listening to students over time, even watching the media…
Critical analysis: not just for students [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:30
We speak with Dr. Sam Abrams of the National Center for the Study of Privatization in Education (NCSPE) at Teachers College, Columbia University. Dr. Abrams describes his analyses of statistics released by local and nati…