Ethical Schools

Ethical Schools
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  • SOCIAL SCIENCES
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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. Join our Global Saturday Salons!

    3D AGO

    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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. Climate justice: A transformational education and engagement project

    08/31/2025

    Climate justice: A transformational education and engagement project

    We  speak with Tom Roderick, founding executive director of the Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility; Jan Zuckerman, Co-founder of Sunnyside Environmental School in Portland, Oregon; and Graham Klag, an alumnus of Sunnyside Environmental School. We discuss Tom's book, Teach for Climate Justice: A Vision for Transforming Education. Tom explains that climate chaos and social justice are inextricably linked, and proposes a program for addressing both. He centers the concept of the beloved community. Overview 00:00-01:07 Intros 01:07-03:57 Why “Climate Justice?’ 03:57-06:00 Connection between climate change and social justice 06:00-07:34 The book’s primary audience 07:34-09:30 Teaching for climate justice and SEL 09:30-11:51 Sunnyside Environmental School 11:51-15:37 Meshing hands-on learning with Oregon’s state testing requirements 15:37-16:43 Storyline 16:43-19:24 Creating a “beloved community” 19:24-21:23 Impact on Graham Klag’s life as an alum 21:23-30:10 Wolf education project with ranchers’ families 30:10-34:37 Encouraging students to be hopeful 34:37-37:22 Landless Rural Workers Movement (MST, Brazil) and “contentious co-governance) 37:22-40:00 Teach for Climate Justice Project 40:00-41:27 Civil resistance 41:27-43:13 SEL in Phoenix Talent schools in Eastern Oregon 43:13- Outro Transcript Click here to see the full transcription of this episode. References Book "Teach for Climate Justice: A Vision for Transforming Education" by Tom Roderick  Sunnyside Environmental School in Portland Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility Soundtrack by Poddington Bear Photo teachforclimatejustice.org

    46 min
  7. Teachers as Interpreters: Listening to Every Student

    08/08/2025

    Teachers as Interpreters: Listening to Every Student

    We speak with Dr. Cynthia Ballenger about her recent book, “Teaching is Inquiry: Observation and Reflection as the Heart of Practice,” in which she explores the role of ethnography in inquiry-based teaching and learning, i.e., cultural practices in terms of speaking, storytelling, and conveying information. Teachers can discern a lot more about students if they listen to them in the context of their ethnic/ cultural styles of communicating. Dr. Ballenger also addresses the children she calls “puzzling.”  Each of them has something to offer, she says, even those who seemingly have social-emotional challenges. Overview 00:00-00:58 Intros 00:58-01:45 “Teaching Is Inquiry” 01:45-08:56 Ethnography of education 08:56-11:12 “Every child has something to offer the class.” 11:12-20:45 The “puzzling child”: more stories 20:45-24:10 Cultural and individual differences 24:10-27:43 Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) 27:43-30:17 “Stopping time.” 30:17-31:17 Importance of stories 31:17-34:41 Strengthening systemic support; ethical implications 34:41-36:45 Testing culture as anti-democratic and unethical 36:45-38:13 More reflections on OCD 38:13-38:37 Jerome Bruner on negotiating meaning 38:37- Outro Transcript Click here to see the full transcription of this episode.  References Book “Teaching is Inquiry” by Dr. Cynthia Ballenger Soundtrack by Poddington Bear

    41 min
  8. Hip Hop in the classroom: Reaching students where they are

    07/11/2025

    Hip Hop in the classroom: Reaching students where they are

    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 Counter Stories for Black Men Teachers." She uses hip hop as a way to communicate with students and composite counter stories to communicate beyond the academy. Transcript Click here to see the full transcription of this episode.  References - The Journey of Kamau Miller: Hip Hop Composite Stories for Black Men Teachers, book by Dawn Tafari - If we treated teachers like Pro Athletes by Key & Peele on YouTube - Wet Dreams by J. Cole on YouTube   Soundtrack by Poddington Bear

    38 min
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4.7
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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
    182
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2019 Ethical Schools
  • Show Website
    Ethical Schools