Making School Matter

Detroit Country Day School

The Making School Matter podcast focuses on how schools should be a place of meaningful agency rather than something that happens to children. We explore best practices of engaging learners as they make meaning of content and how this learning is powered by neuroscience. Detroit Country Day School is based on immersion in challenging, innovative learning environments, a comprehensive approach that combines academics, athletics, and arts to maximize the opportunity for self-discovery and growth, and a deep dedication to hard work, no matter the pursuit.

  1. 6d ago

    The Portrait of a Student: Connecting Classroom Learning to Character Development

    How do the aspirational values on a school poster transform into genuine cognitive habits? In this episode of Making School Matter, we explore how the Detroit Country Day School "Portrait of a Student" shapes the developing brain through daily classroom experiences. I am joined by Thompson Y, Victoria W, and Julia B, three exceptional seniors from the Detroit Country Day School graduating class of 2026. Together, we unpack their academic experiences as they reflect upon how specific teaching practices shaped their view of themselves as scholars, citizens, and leaders. Our conversation focuses on three traits of the portrait. First, we examine what it means to be inquisitive, looking at how curiosity acts as the ultimate driver for deep cognitive processing and intrinsic motivation. Next, we discuss how a school fosters innovative thinkers by designing classroom cultures that welcome intellectual risk and allow students to make their thinking visible. Finally, we explore the concept of being resilient and explain how navigating the friction of productive struggle builds lasting emotional and academic strength. In this episode you will also discover the importance of the neurobiological link between emotion and memory, understand why a robust culture of thinking is required to move students from compliance to genuine curiosity, and gain tangible insights on how educators can design experiences that truly make school matter.

    46 min

  2. May 10

    The Power of Connection: Teacher's Lifelong Impact on Students

    Beverly Hannett-Price, who recently made headlines for earning the Guinness World Record for the longest career as a female language teacher, has dedicated more than 67 years to nurturing the minds of students at Detroit Country Day School. This episode shines a light on her journey, showcasing how her unwavering commitment to her students has left a lasting impact on countless lives. Throughout our conversation, we explore the essence of building meaningful relationships in education, a theme that Beverly emphasizes as crucial to student success. She candidly shares her philosophy on creating an inviting classroom environment and how fostering connections goes beyond mere instruction. Join us as we delve into the lessons Beverly has learned over her decades of teaching, reminding us all of the profound influence educators can have on shaping the future.

    34 min

  3. Apr 10

    Fall Down 7 Times, Get Up 8: Building Resilience in Learning

    Helping students transition from depending on external direction to becoming self-motivated and resilient learners is a journey that involves understanding the interplay of motivation, challenge, feedback, and reflection. In this episode, Alaina Trivax, Jen Geyman, and I delve into the essential elements that not only foster academic success but also shape how students perceive themselves as learners. We share real-life examples, like how a simple sticker chart can ignite motivation, and we grapple with the balance between providing support and encouraging independence. Our guest, Debbie Silver, author of Fall Down 7 Times, Get Up 8, emphasizes that while it's important to offer guidance, the ultimate goal is to empower students to own their learning journey. Join us as we explore strategies that encourage students to embrace challenges, reflect on their experiences, and build the skills necessary for lifelong learning.

    38 min

  4. Mar 10

    Building Stories, Building Minds: Film as Creative Collaboration

    Creativity, collaboration, and storytelling take center stage in this conversation with Brett Salamim and Mike Cappalletti from the School of Film at Detroit Country Day. Together, we explore how their film program immerses students in the creative process — where ideas are developed, shaped into stories, tested, revised, and ultimately brought to life through shared effort. Filmmaking becomes a powerful medium for students to think creatively, collaborate meaningfully, and craft narratives that reflect both technical skill and personal voice. Throughout our discussion, we highlight how students learn to navigate the complexities of storytelling — balancing vision with feedback, working within constraints, and building cohesive narratives alongside their peers. From short films to full-length features, each project becomes an opportunity to deepen communication, perspective-taking, and collective problem-solving, all in service of telling stories that matter. This episode showcases how film education, at its best, is not just about producing content, but about developing storytellers and creative thinkers who can collaborate, adapt, and bring ideas to life in compelling and meaningful ways.

    52 min

  5. Feb 10

    4th and 5th Grade, By Design: How Writing Shapes Learning Across Subjects

    Our episode delves into the role of literacy in education, specifically in the sweet spot of the fourth and fifth grades at Detroit Country Day School. My guests: Tara LaBarre, Lisa Momblanco, and Nicole Jakubowski emphasize that literacy is not confined to English Language Arts (ELA) but is a foundational skill that permeates all subjects. They share that writing is a tool for demonstrating understanding post-learning as well as a critical means through which students develop and refine their understanding. Our conversation highlights teacher efficacy -the ability to positively affect student learning, behavior, and engagement, We continue on to discuss how teachers collaborate to create a consistent literacy framework across disciplines, fostering a shared responsibility for student learning. This approach enhances students' writing skills as well as builds their confidence in academics. By embedding writing practices throughout the curriculum, students learn to view writing as a communication tool essential for thinking and learning across all subjects. Tara, Lisa, and Nicole illustrate this through practical classroom examples, demonstrating how writing is integrated into science experiments and discussions, ultimately shaping students into capable thinkers and communicators who see their voices as valuable in the learning process.

    43 min

  6. Jan 10

    The Art of Departmental Leadership: Fostering Collaboration in Schools

    In this episode, I dive into the importance of departmental leadership in the arts, featuring insights from KT Robinson, Upper School Art teacher and Visual Arts Department Chair at Detroit Country Day. We explore how effective arts leadership involves more than fostering collaboration and a supportive environment among colleagues, it also requires nurturing each individual's creativity . KT emphasizes the significance of setting clear goals, expectations and being consistent in communication, especially when tough decisions need to be made. KT also interviews me about my path to Detroit Country Day and my partnerships with students and teachers at DCDS. We discuss how The Studios allow students and teachers to create, explore, and share their artistic stories, bridging various disciplines and enhancing the overall educational experience. Join us as we chat about the impact we have on our school community.

    41 min

  7. 12/10/2025

    Learning Support: The Power of Partnerships in Education

    In this episode, we explore the comprehensive PreK–12 Learning Support program at Detroit Country Day School and how it helps every student understand how they learn best. Director of Learning Support Prathima Mistry, Middle School Consultant Alaina Trivax, and Upper School Consultant Rob Messanger share how a consistent, brain-based approach builds confidence, independence, and strong partnerships across the school community. Together, they show how learning support at DCDS is less about remediation and more about empowering students to thrive in an academically challenging environment.

    44 min

  8. 11/10/2025

    Exploring the Importance of Play in Early Childhood Development

    Play is not just a fun activity for young children, it’s the foundation for their learning and development. In this episode, I dive into how play shapes social, emotional, and academic growth in PreK learners, with insights from some of Detroit Country Day Prek4 teachers who share their unique perspectives and classroom strategies. My guests: Marta Krussman, Jordan Woodley, and Carrie McDonald explore the balance between structured and unstructured play, and how these experiences foster creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration among children. The conversation highlights the importance of creating an environment where children feel safe to express themselves, navigate their emotions, and build relationships with their peers. Join us as we unpack the transformative power of play in early childhood education and why it matters so much for our youngest learners.

    1 hr
See All (19)

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

The Making School Matter podcast focuses on how schools should be a place of meaningful agency rather than something that happens to children. We explore best practices of engaging learners as they make meaning of content and how this learning is powered by neuroscience. Detroit Country Day School is based on immersion in challenging, innovative learning environments, a comprehensive approach that combines academics, athletics, and arts to maximize the opportunity for self-discovery and growth, and a deep dedication to hard work, no matter the pursuit.

Information

  • Creator
    Detroit Country Day School
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Detroit Country Day School
  • Show Website
    Making School Matter