Education for Sustainable Democracy

Brett Levy
  • 5.0 (34)
  • DOCUMENTARY

This show explores how we can prepare the next generation for informed civic engagement, environmental stewardship, and the development of a more just and peaceful world. Host Brett Levy is a researcher of civic and environmental education and an associate professor at the University at Albany, State University of New York. Episodes feature interviews with leaders, innovators, and scholars in civic and environmental education. Please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, or listen from your computer. For information about upcoming episodes, guests, and more, please visit www.esdpodcast.org. Thank you!

  1. 06/01/2025

    Discussing Immigration in a High School Classroom, with Zorielle Rodriguez-Alcazar (Peekskill High School & University at Albany, SUNY)

    In today’s environment, how should teachers help students understand immigration? How can they create a classroom culture in which students can discuss these kinds of highly sensitive and personal controversial issues? And why is it important that we give students the chance to talk about these issues? To examine these issues, Brett speaks to Zorielle Rodriguez-Alcazar, a veteran high school teacher at Peekskill High School in Peekskill, New York. Zorielle, who is also a doctoral student in the University at Albany’s School of Education, is a creative and thoughtful veteran social studies educator who gets to know her students well and adjusts the curriculum to engage their interests. In this episode, Zorielle shares her experiences and suggestions for how to develop a positive democratic classroom culture that enables teachers to generate powerful discussions of challenging public issues. Episode Resources Immigration Stories Project from U. of Minnesota Resources for Teaching about Immigration from Learning for Justice ESD Resources Brett Levy's Open Access Research Articles Education for Sustainable Democracy Site ESD Facebook Page (Please like!) ESD YouTube Channel (Please subscribe!) Related ESD Episodes Current Events Instruction in Early 2025, with Kyle Dalton (Lansingburgh High School, Lansingburgh, NY) Integrating History & Current Events and Creating an Open Classroom Climate, with Amber Joseph (East Side Community School, New York City) Engagement & Equity in Civic Education, with Professor Jane Lo (Michigan State University) Guiding Productive Political Discussions, with Diana Hess (University of Wisconsin-Madison) Support the show

    29 min
  2. Best of ESD: Online Technologies to Enhance Student Learning: Possibilities & Perils, with Dan Krutka (University of North Texas)

    04/30/2025

    Best of ESD: Online Technologies to Enhance Student Learning: Possibilities & Perils, with Dan Krutka (University of North Texas)

    How can technology enhance students' engagement in classroom learning? When are technologies helpful, and when are they harmful?  In this episode, I talk to Dr. Dan Krutka, associate professor of social studies education at the University of North Texas. Dan's research sits at the intersection of technology, education, and democracy.  We discuss how teachers can decide which technologies would strengthen their teaching or whether technologies would even be helpful at all. We also discuss many specific online tools and how they can be useful for enhancing student engagement and learning.  In our conversation, Dan touches on a variety of other issues, as well, such as how to teach effectively in online learning environments. This episode was originally released in 2021. Links Related to this Episode: Dan Krutka's Homepage PICRAT Model for Tech Integration in Teacher Ed (CITE Journal) Glenn Wiebe's Blog - Technology in Social Studies Ed Teacher Resources: Padlet Site (digital creation tool) DocsTeach Site (primary sources & activities) Chronicling America (historical newspapers) Smithsonian Learning Labs (documents, recordings, images, & more) The Redistricting Game (simulation about gerrymandering) ESD Podcast Resources: Education for Sustainable Democracy Site Brett's Open Access Research Articles Education for Sustainable Democracy Facebook Page (Please Like!) Support the show

    41 min
  3. Current Events Instruction in Early 2025, with Kyle Dalton (Lansingburgh High School, New York)

    03/31/2025

    Current Events Instruction in Early 2025, with Kyle Dalton (Lansingburgh High School, New York)

    In classrooms around the country and beyond, teachers and students are navigating how to discuss the quick and often surprising actions of our current federal administration. How can and how should teachers help students understand and think critically about these issues? In this episode, Brett speaks with Kyle Dalton, a veteran teacher at Lansingburgh High School in Troy, New York. Kyle is a high-energy social studies educator who prioritizes his relationships with his students and generating their long-term interest in civic and social learning. He teaches various subjects, including sociology, psychology, civics, and economics. Listen as Kyle shares his experiences and suggestions for not only how to get students engaged in civic issues but also how to foster their informed critical thinking and how to create a strong, trusting classroom community. Episode Resources Kyle Dalton's Instructional Resources (coming soon) Lansingburgh High School site ESD Resources Brett Levy's Open Access Research Articles Education for Sustainable Democracy Site ESD Facebook Page (Please like!) ESD YouTube Channel (Please subscribe!) Related ESD Episodes Integrating History & Current Events and Creating an Open Classroom Climate, with Amber Joseph (East Side Community School, New York City) Engagement & Equity in Civic Education, with Professor Jane Lo (Michigan State University) Guiding Productive Political Discussions, with Diana Hess (University of Wisconsin-Madison) Support the show

    37 min
  4. Integrating Sustainability Principles into Higher Education, with Emily Affolter and Pavel Cenkl (Prescott College)

    02/28/2025

    Integrating Sustainability Principles into Higher Education, with Emily Affolter and Pavel Cenkl (Prescott College)

    How can educators create more holistic learning experiences for students? How can higher education better prepare students to become active civic participants? In this episode, Brett speaks with two educational leaders and innovators from Prescott College, based in Arizona. Emily Affolter is the director of Prescott’s doctoral program in sustainability education and an expert in culturally responsive teaching, and Pavel Cenkl is Prescott’s dean of academic affairs. In our conversation, we discuss how Prescott integrates its core principles of regenerative sustainability, experiential learning, creativity, and justice into their programs; and we also discuss what brought Pavel and Emily to this work after their varied prior experiences in education.  Resources Related to this Episode Emily Affolter's Website Pavel Cenkl's Website Prescott College Website ESD Podcast Resources Education for Sustainable Democracy Homepage Brett Levy's Open-Access Research Articles (Free Downloads) Education for Sustainable Democracy Facebook Page (Please Like!) YouTube Channel for Education for Sustainable Democracy (Please Subscribe!) Support the show

    46 min
  5. Best of ESD: Building a Coalition for Civic Education, with Michael Rebell (Teachers College, Columbia University & Democracy Ready New York)

    01/31/2025

    Best of ESD: Building a Coalition for Civic Education, with Michael Rebell (Teachers College, Columbia University & Democracy Ready New York)

    We all know that we could be doing a better job preparing young people for civic participation – and government officials and the public largely agree, but few organizations focus primarily on addressing this problem. Democracy Ready New York is one of the groups that’s taking action on this issue – advocating for government policies to better support civic education and broadening public engagement in the issue. This episode features the leader of Democracy Ready New York, Michael Rebell. Since 2005, Michael has served as the Executive Director of the Center for Educational Equity at Teachers College, Columbia University. Over the past few years, he and other staff at the Center have built a coalition of individuals and organizations with an interest in civic education. Today this coalition, Democracy Ready New York, is working to improve various aspects of civic education, including media literacy, classrooms discussions, equity, and more. In his conversation with Brett, Michael talks about the goals of the organization, the accomplishments of its various committees, and the group’s plans to diversity its efforts to improve civic education. This episode was originally released in May, 2022. Resources Related to this Episode Michael Rebell's Website Democracy Ready New York Website CivXNow (Civic Education Advocacy) ESD Podcast Resources Education for Sustainable Democracy Homepage Brett Levy's Open-Access Research Articles (Free Downloads) Education for Sustainable Democracy Facebook Page (Please Like!) YouTube Channel for Education for Sustainable Democracy (Please Subscribe!) Related ESD Episodes A Congressional Bill to Strengthen Civic Education, with Cat McDonald (DC Lobbyist for Civic Ed) Guiding Productive Political Discussions, with Diana Hess (University of Wisconsin-Madison) Engagement & Equity in Civic Education (with Prof. Jane Lo) Support the show

    47 min
  6. How Did They Feel?: Teaching about Emotions in African-American History, with Brittany Jones (University at Buffalo, SUNY)

    12/31/2024

    How Did They Feel?: Teaching about Emotions in African-American History, with Brittany Jones (University at Buffalo, SUNY)

    Educators around the country have been increasingly interested in expanding the teaching of African-American history, and many resources have been created to help. At the same time, scholars have begun to explore how African-American history is represented in these resources, in standards, in popular textbooks, and beyond. One emerging scholar in this area is Brittany Jones, an assistant professor at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York. Her work explores how emotions are represented in the curriculum, how we can help students consider the lived emotions of those in the past, whether or not some types history should be deemed "difficult" for students, and much more. On this episode, Brittany discusses these issues and how she arrived at these questions. Episode Resources Brittany Jones's Faculty Page Brittany's Google Scholar Page The 1619 Project Curriculum Key Articles by Brittany Jones Feeling fear as power and oppression: An examination of Black and white fear in Virginia’s U.S. history standards and curriculum framework What is the word “difficult” doing in social studies research?: A systematic literature review of empirical research on difficult knowledges and histories, 2004–2022 ESD Resources Brett Levy's Open Access Research Articles Education for Sustainable Democracy Site ESD Facebook Page (Please like!) ESD YouTube Channel (Please subscribe!) Related ESD Episodes Integrating History & Current Events and Creating an Open Classroom Climate, with Amber Joseph (East Side Community School, New York City) Engagement & Equity in Civic Education, with Professor Jane Lo (Michigan State University) Guiding Productive Political Discussions, with Diana Hess (University of Wisconsin-Madison) Support the show

    31 min
  7. Teaching Elections while Supporting Open-Minded Political Engagement

    11/01/2024

    Teaching Elections while Supporting Open-Minded Political Engagement

    How can we teach about elections in ways that support students' political engagement and also strengthen their willingness to consider diverse perspectives? In this episode, Brett draws on his own research to address this question, offering practical tips for the classroom. Related Resources Teaching Elections Site Education for Sustainable Democracy Homepage Brett Levy's Open-Access Research Articles Education for Sustainable Democracy Facebook Page (Please Like!) YouTube Channel for Education for Sustainable Democracy (Please subscribe!) Related ESD Episodes The Seal of Civic Readiness for High School Diplomas, with Lisa Kissinger (New York State Council for the Social Studies) Lateral Reading & Other Media Literacy Skills, with Sarah McGrew (University of Maryland) Teaching Elections & Modeling Political Tolerance, with Wayne Journell (University of North Carolina, Greensboro) Support the show

    19 min
  8. Best of ESD: Teaching Elections & Modeling Political Tolerance, with Wayne Journell (University of North Carolina at Greensboro)

    10/30/2024

    Best of ESD: Teaching Elections & Modeling Political Tolerance, with Wayne Journell (University of North Carolina at Greensboro)

    This is a rebroadcast of an interview with Professor Wayne Journell about teaching elections, recorded in 2020. How should educators teach about elections? How can they maximize student learning, foster engagement, and minimize overly heated exchanges among students? Professor Wayne Journell from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, has conducted research on how high school teachers help students learn about elections. He describes how teachers can frame productive discussion of elections, integrate election-related content into other aspects of the curriculum, and model a tolerant attitudes towards different political perspectives. Dr. Journell also explains how educators can help students navigate our complex media landscape and avoid falling victim to misinformation.  Resources Related to this Episode Teaching Elections Website Wayne Journell's Website Theory & Research in Social Education ESD Podcast Resources Brett Levy's Open-Access Research Articles (Free Downloads) Education for Sustainable Democracy Facebook Page (Please Like!) YouTube Channel for Education for Sustainable Democracy (Please Subscribe!) Brett Levy's Twitter/X Handle: @brettlmlevy Education for Sustainable Democracy Homepage Support the show

    26 min
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5
out of 5
34 Ratings

About

This show explores how we can prepare the next generation for informed civic engagement, environmental stewardship, and the development of a more just and peaceful world. Host Brett Levy is a researcher of civic and environmental education and an associate professor at the University at Albany, State University of New York. Episodes feature interviews with leaders, innovators, and scholars in civic and environmental education. Please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, or listen from your computer. For information about upcoming episodes, guests, and more, please visit www.esdpodcast.org. Thank you!

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