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
The pioneers: Democracy front and center (Part Two) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:16
We speak with Deborah Meier and Jane Andrias, pioneers in the democratic small-school movement. Debbie founded the Central Park East Schools. Jane Andrias was an art teacher and principal at Central Park East I. Debbie a…
The pioneers: Democracy front and center (Part One) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:51
We speak with Deborah Meier and Jane Andrias, pioneers in the democratic small-school movement. Debbie founded the Central Park East Schools. Jane Andrias was an art teacher and principal at Central Park East I. Debbie a…
Technology and ethics: AI and the classroom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:26
Robbie Torney, director of AI Programs at Common Sense Media, analyzes teachers' use of AI. We focus on AI teaching assistants, their uses and abuses, and how teachers' judgment and skills remain central. We discuss the…
Climate justice: A transformational education and engagement project [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:46
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Duration: 40:31
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Hip Hop in the classroom: Reaching students where they are [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:26
We speak with Dr. Dawn Hicks Tafari, Professor of Education and Coordinator of Elementary Education at Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina. Dawn is author of "The Journey of Kamau Miller: Hip Hop Composite C…
Challenging credentialism: An alternative vision of education (Encore) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:43
We speak with Arlene Goldbard, writer, visual artist, speaker, social activist and consultant, whose most recent book is “In the Camp of Angels of Freedom: What does it mean to be educated?” An autodidact from a working-…
Mobile Creativity Labs: Scaling STEAM Across India [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:31
We speak with Dr. David Penberg and Adhirath Sethi about Agastya, a unique educational ecosystem serving students and teachers in 22 Indian states. Agastya has a hub-and-spokes design, with an elaborate 172-acre campus o…
Resilience: Preparing Children to Weather Traumatic Events [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:41
We speak with Dr. Tovah P. Klein, professor of psychology at Barnard College and the director of the Center for Toddler Development, about her book, “Raising Resilience: How to Help Our Children Thrive in Times of Uncert…