179: Fostering Interdependence: A New Learning Paradigm

In this episode of the Powered Up Podcast, Ken Ehrmann speaks with De'Shawn Washington, the 2024 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, about the importance of executive functioning skills in education. They discuss De'Shawn's journey into teaching, the strategies he employs to teach organization and time management, and the significance of feedback and peer review in the writing process. The conversation also touches on the challenges of grading writing, the need for reflection in learning, and innovative practices that foster community in the classroom. De'Shawn emphasizes the role of teachers as models of learning and the importance of building relationships with students to enhance their educational experience.

Takeaways

• Invest time in teaching executive functioning skills.
• Feedback should be an ongoing process, not just at the end.
• Building community in the classroom is essential for student engagement.
• Teachers should model learning for their students.
• Peer review can enhance writing skills and foster collaboration.
• Grading writing is subjective and should involve student input.
• Creating spaces for discussions helps resolve conflicts.
• Small group instruction is critical for targeted learning.
• Reflection is key to personal and professional growth in teaching.
• Teachers should embrace their role as learners alongside their students.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to De'Shawn Washington

04:35 Journey into Education and Personal Growth

08:57 Teaching Executive Functioning Skills

15:46 Building Interdependence in Learning

23:02 Feedback: Supportive vs. Constructive

28:47 Grading Writing: A Collaborative Approach

39:08 The Importance of Reflection in Teaching

44:24 Strategies for Effective Writing Feedback

48:42 Innovative Approaches to Writing Conferences

52:17 Creating a Positive Classroom Environment

55:27 Embracing the Role of a Learner

57:25 Building Community Through Empathy Circles

01:01:26 Connecting with Educators and Changemakers