Teaching from an Ethical Center: an Inquiry Among Friends

Cara Furman with Production, Editing, and Sound Design by Jennifer McCord

Join Professor Cara Furman, acclaimed author of Teaching from and Ethical Center: Practical Wisdom for Daily Instruction, as she explores important, foundational questions with gifted, practicing educators. What does it mean to teach from an ethical center? How can we benefit from this inquiry? Why does the concept of “doing what’s right” feel as if it’s more important now than ever? Discover the triumphs (and the challenges) that are shared throughout these meaningful, heartfelt – yet thought-provoking conversations.

Episodes

  1. Mar 3

    On Boundaries, Containers, and Creative Inquiry

    How do we create spaces for creativity and inquiry for the youngest children? How can boundaries and containers take learning and exploration to new places. In this week's episode Mary Biggs addresses these questions and so much more as she talks about creating curriculum with infants and toddlers.

    52 min

  2. 11/11/2025

    Co-Creating Meaning with Children

    What does it mean to listen closely to children's ways of making sense? How can we create curriculum that is rich, rigorous, and full of meaning? In this week's episode, Jessica Smith dives into the intricacies of finding meaning in mathematics, children's thinking, and the teaching profession. Enjoy.

    45 min

  3. 09/12/2025

    Responding to Children with Emergent Curriculum

    What happened? What might it mean? What do I do next? How do we stop to reflect as teachers in order to be more responsive to children? What does teaching look like when its guided by a commitment to asking big questions with children and working through these questions through arts, science, literature, our bodies and so much more. In this week's episode Rafa Pérez-Segura gives a rich and textured view into into Reggio inspired teaching in español. Join us.

    48 min

  4. 07/01/2025

    Democracy, Care, Going Outside, and Learning

    What can be taught and learned from daily forays outside? How can we teach math, civics, and friendship all at once? What action steps can schools and teachers take to ensure every child is known? Come outside and learn with Becky as she talks with Cara about getting her 5th grade students measuring angles, creating constitutions, and working together to solve problems big and small.

    35 min

  5. Season 2 Trailer

    Teaching with Joy: An Inquiry Among Friends

    What does it mean to teach from an Ethical Center? What are the benefits of inquiring into this work among friends? In this season experienced and gifted teachers continue to reflect with a focus on curriculum! Each episode will zoom in on one teacher to share how they teach for joy, meaning, and from wisdom in daily actions and how they navigate the current educational terrain!

    3 min

  6. 02/06/2025

    Acting in the Best Interest of the Child

    What does it mean to act in the best interest of the child? How can that commitment inform instruction? How do teachers resist when practices are not in a child's best interest. Step outside the four walls of the classroom as Kristen talks with Cara about teaching children how to assess risks and hazards, getting children out to the woods, and making sure children's basic needs are met at school.

    27 min

  7. 09/27/2024

    Teaching with Integrity: Teaching Responsively for Equity

    This week I sat down with experienced educator Jia Lee to hear more about her special capacity to connect with all children. Jia described in detail her capacity to adapt curriculum and even mid lesson to honor and engage with students. She described her journey to embrace the whole child. Her capacity to name challenges and forge ways forward with enthusiasm, joy, and humor, inspired me and I'm sure will inspire you too!

    33 min

  8. 07/15/2024

    Honoring Young People

    Hear long-term facilitator and co-director of Natural Creativity Krystal Dillard describe how she works alongside young people as they pursue their own problems and projects.

    41 min

  9. 06/18/2024

    Welcoming with Care

    Hear elementary special education teacher Vanessa share how she helps build communities that welcome the whole child by making space for how they learn, who and where they come from, and what they need on a given day!

    29 min

  10. 05/08/2024

    Close Looking, Storytelling, and Fourthlandia with Hillary

    Hear Hillary tell about how she attends to students, classes, and content as she weaves her values through close looking, storytelling, and the creation of imaginary worlds with students! For more about close looking check out these resources: https://cdi.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/ProspectDescriptiveProcessesRevEd.pdf https://www.tcpress.com/descriptive-inquiry-in-teacher-practice-9780807764862 https://www.tcpress.com/jenny-s-story-9780807750513 https://www.tcpress.com/from-another-angle-9780807739310

    33 min

  11. Season 1 Trailer

    Teaching from an Ethical Center: An Inquiry Among Friends

    What does it mean to teach from an Ethical Center? What are the benefits of inquiring into this work among friends? Here experienced and gifted teachers begin to reflect! Each episode will zoom in on one teacher to share how their wisdom manifests in daily actions and how they navigate the current educational terrain!

    3 min

Trailers

About

Join Professor Cara Furman, acclaimed author of Teaching from and Ethical Center: Practical Wisdom for Daily Instruction, as she explores important, foundational questions with gifted, practicing educators. What does it mean to teach from an ethical center? How can we benefit from this inquiry? Why does the concept of “doing what’s right” feel as if it’s more important now than ever? Discover the triumphs (and the challenges) that are shared throughout these meaningful, heartfelt – yet thought-provoking conversations.

Information