Ethical Schools

Ethical Schools
  • 4.7 (12)
  • SOCIAL SCIENCES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Amy and Jon talk with educational innovators about creating ethical learning environments, helping students overcome the effects of trauma, and empowering young people to make change. Tune in weekly.

  1. Trump cutbacks and policies: stripping minority student protections

    1D AGO

    Trump cutbacks and policies: stripping minority student protections

    We speak with Derek Black, Constitutional law professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law, about the impact of Trump administration’s policies on students’ civil rights. Department of Education offices meant to ensure students are not subject to discrimination have been decimated. The Department of Justice has switched from protecting minority students' rights to focusing on so-called “discrimination" against whites and attacking transgender students. Professor Black also says the need for "circuit breakers" on executive power transcends this administration. Overview 00:00-00:52 Intros 00:52:02:21 Threats to students’ protection from discrimination 02:21-03:53 Status of complaints to Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) 03:53-05:30 Importance of access to OCR without an attorney 05:30-10:09 OCR procedures and remedies 10:09-13:55 Role Department of Justice is supposed to have in protecting students against discrimination; Trump Administration priorities 13:55-17:01 How the Administration’s approach is schizophrenic 17:01-23:10 Ethical quandaries facing district administrators 23:10-24:43 Supplementing not supplanting: What happens when the Department of Education is no longer monitoring 24:43-27:21 The uncertainty factor—who gets focused on 27:21-30:36 State Departments of Education: How they fit in 30:36-34:11 Theatrics at US Department of Education 34:11-38:00 Problems before the Trump Administration and what would be important afterwards 38:00-40:11 Some specifics of “circuit breakers” that could reduce executive power 40:11- Outro Transcript Click here to see the full transcription of this episode. References   Our first interview with Derek Black happened in 2021. Click here to listen to "The attack on public education: Will public schools survive?"   Soundtrack by Poddington Bear

    41 min
  2. Global Conversations: Nature, Place, and Education

    JAN 21

    Global Conversations: Nature, Place, and Education

    We share brief presentations from the first of the “Saturday Salons” that Ethical Schools is sponsoring with three international partners. Juan Mora of the Center for Artistry and Scholarship and Ramji Raghavan of Agastya International Foundation talk about how educators and communities can cultivate awareness of and relationship to the natural world. Learn more and register for the next salon at globalconversations.net   Overview 00:00-01:36 Introductions by Amy and Jon 01:36-02:45 Introduction of Juan Mora by David Penberg 02:45-12:36 Juan Mora: Separation of people from nature; What would you do if you were starting a school from zero? Experience in Córdoba, Argentina of basing a school on nature; Integrating the curriculum into nature-centered activities; And kids never asked, “Why are we doing this (activity)?” We’ve left nature out of our learning environments; A shift in learning that will help us understand how to teach and what to teach and where to teach differently. 12:36-14:09 David Penberg: Reciprocity, centrality of relationships, “nature deficit disorder”; Introduction of Ramji Raghavan 14:09-23:59 Ramji Raghavan: Transforming a barren wasteland of 170 acres into an ecological preserve; Nature-centric learning; Eco-walk; Constructing a giant figure showing herbs benefiting different parts of the body; Constructing a termite hill; Bandhu—everything is connected; Distributing learnings throughout India. 23:59-25:15 David Penberg: How educators can create conditions for people to think the kinds of worlds that they would like to inhabit and live in, whether it’s a school, a community; Creative learning and what that looks like, creative being; Being intentional, observant and continuously in relationship to the things around you. 25:15- Outro Transcript Click here to see the full transcription of this conversation.  Soundtrack by Poddington Bear

    27 min
  3. Pop culture literacies: Engaging students in critical analysis

    JAN 13

    Pop culture literacies: Engaging students in critical analysis

    We speak with Dr. Mia Hood, author of  Pop Culture Literacies: Teaching Interpretation, Response, and Composition in a Digital World, about analyzing popular music and films along with more traditional literature. Dr. Hood talks about helping students to think about their ethical perspectives while engaging with "entertainment," and the importance of  educators'  resisting the temptation to impose their own “expert” interpretations in favor of modeling the process. We also discuss how teachers can resist imposing their views while teaching for democracy and social justice. Overview 00:00-00:48 Intros 00:48-02:48 Pop culture literacies 02:42-04:22 Schools’ ethical duty to help young people navigate the world as it is 04:22-06:23 Helping students to thin about their ethical perspectives 06:23-11:58 Students’ responses; Intersection of pop culture literacies and schools 11:58-15:01 Critical literacy and text analysis 15:01-19:09 Power operating within and through texts 19:09-21:56 Piercing the veil of “entertainment” to encourage critical analysis 21:56-26:25 Impact of AI 26:25-30:48 Kathy Hytten’s article, “Ethics in teaching for democracy and social justice” 30:48-33:55 Parental pushback? 33:55- Outro Transcript Click here to see the full transcription of this episode.  Resources Book Pop Culture Literacy: Teaching Interpretation, Response, and Composition in a Digital World by Mia Hood Soundtrack by Poddington Bear

    37 min
  4. Join our Global Saturday Salons!

    JAN 4

    Join our Global Saturday Salons!

    Collaborate with teachers and learners worldwide! LEARN MORE AND REGISTER AT GLOBALCONVERSATIONS.NET Along with our partner organizations – Agastya International Foundation, Center for Artistry and Scholarship, and Thinking With You – Ethical Schools is bringing together educators, youth workers, and students from around the world to discuss ethical, democratic, and regenerative education strategies. Hear exciting presentations from visionary practitioners and participate in group discussions. Come with your co-workers! Attend with a cohort from your school or out-of-school program to maximize the benefits for your organization and students. Series 1: Ethics and the Natural World Saturdays, January 10 and 31; February 21 8:30-10:00 AM EST Pay what you wish. Suggested donation: $25 per session, $50 for all three sessions Additional participants from your organization: $15 per session, $30 for all three sessions. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER AT GLOBALCONVERSATIONS.NET

    2 min
  5. Pragmatism in the classroom: Lessons from Dewey, Maxine Greene, and Eleanor Duckworth

    12/03/2025

    Pragmatism in the classroom: Lessons from Dewey, Maxine Greene, and Eleanor Duckworth

    We speak with Dr. Susan Jean Mayer about her recent book, "Practicing Pragmatism Through Progressive Pedagogies: A Philosophical Lens for Grounding Classroom Teaching and Research." Dr. Mayer defines pragmatism in today's world and discusses the importance of critical exploration, democratic construction of knowledge, and openness to diversity of perspectives in the classroom. As teachers and learners, we can construct a shared set of values based on our experiential realities and come to understand these realities in coherent terms. Overview 00:00-00:36 Intros 00:36-02:55 How to define pragmatism in today’s world 02:55-05:34 How to define final truth 05:34-06:53 How to define an ethical classroom 06:53-11:29 Ethical and democratic classrooms: the same or how they may differ 11:29-15:03 Knowledge, experience, and education 15:03-17:55 Critical exploration in the classroom 17:55-21:05 Classroom example of critical exploration 21:05-23:49 How a critical exploration teacher can intervene when students are wrong 23:49-27:25 When inviting different perspectives and belief systems doesn’t come naturally to students 27:25-28:56 Schools aren’t encouraging students to talk to one another; have succumbed to discourse of test scores 28:56-33:20 How teachers can become more comfortable with perspectives they may disagree with 33:20-37:11 How pragmatic teachers can deal with a school system structured to eliminate or minimize cultural diversity 37:11-40:47 Balancing ties to local communities with supporting students who want to break from the consensus of the community 40:47-47:19 How teachers can help create a system of education based on pragmatism 47:19- Outro  Transcript Click here to see the full transcript of this episode.  References Book Practicing Pragmatism through Progressive PedagogiesA Philosophical Lens for Grounding Classroom Teaching and Research by Susan Jean Mayer Susan Jean Mayer's website Soundtrack by Poddington Bear

    49 min
  6. The pioneers: Democracy front and center (Part Two)

    11/14/2025

    The pioneers: Democracy front and center (Part Two)

    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 and Jane discuss these ground-breaking schools, their ethical foundations, the “habits of mind” they worked to instill, and the challenges they faced. *This is Part Two of a two part episode. Go back one episode or click here to listen to the first part. Overview 00:00-00:41 Intros 00:41-07:30 Parent involvement 07:30-12:05 What happened to Mission Hill? 12:05-23:04 Survival of innovative, democratic schools;  What do we have education for? Education and democracy 23:04-24:45 Justice and fairness 24:45-26:37 Community service; connections to the adult world 26:37-29:37 Choices schools make based on what they value 29:37-36:46 Documentary about impact of CPESS on graduates’ lives 36:36-38:39 Human capital 38:39-40:57 Need funding for the documentary 40:57-42:41 Films and TV about the schools 42:41- Outro   Transcript Click here to see the full transcription of this episode.  References Here's a list of all the books written by Deborah Meier.  Click here to know more about the CPESS documentary and other initiatives by Deborah Meier and Jane Andrais. https://youtu.be/lgehMroRLnsSoundtrack by Poddington Bear

    46 min
  7. The pioneers: Democracy front and center (Part One)

    10/25/2025

    The pioneers: Democracy front and center (Part One)

    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 and Jane discuss these ground-breaking schools, their ethical foundations, the “habits of mind” they worked to instill, and the challenges they faced. *This is Part One of a two part episode.  Overview 00:00-00:43 Intros 00:43-01:52 What would a school fully focused on preparing students for a democraticsociety look like? 01:52-03:08 Impacts of curriculum and school environment 03:08-05:40 Students’ voice in what they are learning 05:40-11:01 Democratic, progressive, ethical schools: are they synonymous? 11:01-18:32 Examples of ethical dilemmas and decisions 18:32-22:07 Negative effects of tracking and what the alternatives look like 22:07-24:19 Building long-term trust 24:19-26:05 Including all school staff members in decision-making and obstacles 26:05-29:57 Including parents and students Transcript Click here to see the full transcription of this episode.  References Here's a list of all the books written by Deborah Meier.  Click here to know more about the CPESS documentary and other initiatives by Deborah Meier and Jane Andrais. https://youtu.be/lgehMroRLnsSoundtrack by Poddington Bear

    32 min
  8. Technology and ethics: AI and the classroom

    09/28/2025

    Technology and ethics: AI and the classroom

    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 need for school- and district-wide education and policies on using AI in teaching and learning.   Overview Intros Common Sense media and its AI work Evaluation principles for AI risk What teachers use AI for What happens with users’ data AI teacher assistants, risks, and advantages AI and cultural sensitivity AI as assistive or adaptive technology Recognition of AI as enhancements not replacements? Special risks of AI teacher assistants for IEPs and behavior plans How teachers can protect against “invisible influence” risks AI and complex historical events such as California missions or slavery “Tools,” “functions,” and prompts Four specific steps teachers should take when using teacher assistants Purchasing AI: Consultation and training Role of school boards, administrators, and state departments of education Legislation to protect students Importance of discussion of values and ethical questions Outro Transcript Click here to see the full transcription of this conversation.  References Common Sense Media AI Initiatives: click here   Soundtrack by Poddington Bear

    1h 3m
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About

Amy and Jon talk with educational innovators about creating ethical learning environments, helping students overcome the effects of trauma, and empowering young people to make change. Tune in weekly.

Information

  • Creator
    Ethical Schools
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    185
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2019 Ethical Schools
  • Show Website
    Ethical Schools