Students doing original research: Project-based learning in Ohio (Encore)

Students doing original research: Project-based learning in Ohio (Encore)

Author: Ethical Schools February 23, 2022 Duration: 56:23
We speak with middle school teachers, Debbie Holecko and Claudia Bestor, and their former student, Rafel Alshakergi, about a student-led research project that led to ethical civic engagement. Rafel explains how the experience emboldened her to ask questions and “speak [her] mind.” The project, which got national attention, cut against Ohio’s high-stakes test orientation; many teachers are afraid to do project-based learning because Ohio doesn’t have tenure and bases 40% of teacher evaluation on student test scores. The teachers discuss how to meet standards through project-based learning. This interview is just a joy to listen to! Overview 00:00-00:42 Intro 00:42-02:23 Assignment 02:23-07:01 Projects 07:01-08:08 Student reactions to doing original research 08:08-13:47 “Colored graves” cemetery project 13:47-17:44 Project’s impact on students 17:44-19:50 Effect on understanding North Olmstead and its history 19:50-21:18 Students’ realization of their ability to make change 21:18-23:01 George Floyd’s death and BLM demonstrations 23:01-25:14 Relationships among teachers/students 25:14-27:47 Teachers and students learning together 27:47-29:35 Integrating language arts and social studies in practice 29:35-32:06 Meeting the ELA standards 32:06-36:04 Smooth and effective collaborative teaching  36:04-42:12 Inquiry learning and Ohio’s test-driven system 42:12-43:45 Students’ identifying...

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: en-us Episodes: 100

Ethical Schools
Podcast Episodes
Abolitionist education: Creating liberatory spaces (Encore) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:14
We speak with Swarthmore’s Dr. Edwin Mayorga, who explains how abolitionist classrooms and schools create “freedom as a place” in contrast to racial capitalism. Dr. Mayorga encourages educators to center joy and healing.…
Gender and sexually diverse students: Creating comfortable schools [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:00
We speak with Dr. Elizabeth J. Meyer of the University of Colorado about ensuring that K-12 schools are welcoming and safe for students with non-normative gender identities and expressions. Dr. Meyer found that these stu…
National Sex Ed Standards: Equity and expanded comfort zones [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:00
We speak with Brittany McBride, Associate Director, Sexuality Education at Advocates for Youth, who partners with schools to provide the complete sex education that all students deserve. Though parents, students, and tea…
Dismantling bias in schools: A multiyear model [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:53
We speak with Dr. John Pascarella, Chief Academic Officer of K-12 Professional Learning at USC Race and Equity Center. The Center works with schools to identify disparate outcomes for students and strategies to eliminate…
Mentors and passages: The power of teen-centric programs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:00
We speak with Al Kurland, longtime leader of out-of-school-time programs in Upper Manhattan’s Washington Heights. Mr. Kurland founded youth programs that help teens to “rewrite their stories” with the support of adult an…
From Skinner to computer-based education: Can machines teach? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:30
We speak with independent journalist Audrey Watters, author of “Teaching machines: The history of personalized learning,” about the origins of teaching machines and the pedagogies that incorporate mechanical devices for…
Radical care: Leading with love [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:15
We speak with Dr. Rosa Rivera-McCutchen, associate professor of leadership studies at Lehman College, CUNY, about the importance of school leaders and teachers practicing radical care, including listening with intent and…
Efforts to ban books escalate: Tips for resistance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:30
We speak with Dr. Richard Price, associate professor of political science at Weber State University, about recent attempts to ban books, especially those about GLBTQIA+ people and people of color, from classrooms and sch…

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