Shared visions: Creating an abolitionist school culture

Shared visions: Creating an abolitionist school culture

Author: Ethical Schools March 18, 2021 Duration: 37:45

We continue our conversation with Grace Alli Brandstein, a school improvement and instructional coach supporting struggling high schools in the Bronx. This week, Ms. Brandstein focuses on humane, antiracist education, and explains Dr. Gholdy Muhammad’s construct of literacy as identity, skills, intellect, criticality, and joy. She also speaks about the conditions for successful adult learning, giving teachers the training they need to lead one another and the space to coalesce around a shared vision, expectations, and protocols.

Overview

00:00-00:58 Intros

00:58:-03:59 Coaching: whom, theory of action, teachers’ feelings

03:59-09:56 Key elements of school improvement

09:56-13:12 Adult learning

13:12-15:04 Self-reflection and culturally-responsive teaching: importance of knowing the “why”

15:04-21:30 Culturally responsive education in practice; Dr. Gholdy Muhammad

21:30-29:36 Examples: a biology lesson on testosterone;  Project Soapbox; Facing History; 1619 Project; NY Times writing curriculum

29:36-34:00 Bettina L. Love: We Want to Do More Than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom

34:00-35:35 Culturally responsive education: Adult learning, classroom level work, systemic change

35:35-37:45 Outro

Transcript

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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

Ethical Schools
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