Redesigning School

Terry Dubow

There's a secret hidden in plain sight: school doesn't work for many, many students because, to a large extent, today’s schools were built for yesterday’s world. Schools still prioritize teaching over learning, conformity over agency, memorization over application, testing knowledge over using it, grading over growing, competition over collaboration, stress over engagement, the what over the why. What would happen, though, if we designed school with students and the future in mind? Every other Wednesday, parents, students, and fellow teachers should join Terry Dubow, Garet Libbey, and Julia Griffin as they interview experts, students, and educators, and explore ways to redesign school for changed world.

  1. 04/20/2021

    You Ask; We Answer: FAQs about the MSH

    Recently, the Mastery School of Hawken hosted our newly accepted families for a Covid-safe on campus event during which they could tour the buildings, speak to faculty, and experience a bit of the pedagogy that makes the school so distinctive.  Families could also stop by the ReDesigning School booth to record a question for Julia Griffin, Director of the Mastery School, and Rasa Drane, Director of Admission.  In this episode, host Terry Dubow poses those and other questions to Julia and Rasa, whose responses shed more light on the Mastery School.

  2. 12/28/2020

    Lessons and Tips for a Remote Learning Winter

    Now that it’s winter break, we all have a chance to take a breath and reflect a bit about the fall and just what we accomplished and what it asked of faculty, students, and families.  And just in time because many schools will begin 2021 in remote... In this episode, Terry Dubow and Garet Libbey invite Courtney Martin, Hawken’s Director of the Lower School, and Dr. Michelle Harris, Director of the Middle School to talk about lessons learned and tips for how to make the most from the next round of remote learning.  Educators and parents will get a glimpse into best practices for helping young students thrive during this heightened but temporary (!) moment.

  3. 12/18/2020

    Live Episode! Life and Justice at the Mastery School of Hawken

    Recently, the Mastery School of Hawken hosted a virtual Open House that invited members of the community to learn more about the school, its values, and its ambitions. As a part of of the program, the ReDesigning School podcast hosted two sessions with students and Ambrose Faturoti,  Dean of Students of the Mastery School. In the first session, Ambrose and the students describe life at the school, and in the second, they explore how issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice are woven through everything from activities to the real-world challenges they face in their Macros. Edited by Nick Fletcher Music by  Krackatoa track and Scott Holmes

  4. 11/27/2020

    What Schools Can Build by Teaching Architecture

    As schools consider ways to redesign their approach and programming, they might want to investigate a field that likely does not appear in the established curriculum: architecture. While teaching architecture in high school is a rarity, it may actually offer deeply effective ways of helping students learn everything from complex mathematics to the intricacies of collaboration. Founding faculty member at the Mastery School of Hawken, Katie Zielinski joins the podcast to describe her architecture Macro and the ways it can help students grow in more ways than one might expect.

  5. 11/10/2020

    How to Build Civil Civic Citizenship: A Conversation with Facing History and Ourselves

    ReDesigning School is not a political podcast -- there are enough of those -- but a few days before the 2020 election, Terry Dubow and Garet Libbey sat down (virtually of course) with Laura Tavares, Program Director for Organizational Learning and Thought Leadership at Facing History and Ourselves. The goal: to explore how schools can build programs and cultures that inspire what's become something of a rarity in our democracy -- civil and engaged citizens. The good news is that many educator...

  6. 10/23/2020

    We're Launched! -- Notes on Opening the Mastery School of Hawken

    It's been a long time coming. The Mastery School of Hawken was a mere idea a few years ago, and now it's a thriving school with students, faculty, and an approach that upends how school generally works.  Julia Griffin, Director of the Mastery School, and Nick Cheadle, return to the podcast to share their reactions and reflections on the opening and what's next. Be sure to check out the Mastery School's new website to learn more about some of the program elements discussed.

  7. 10/08/2020

    Opening School During a Pandemic

    And we're back. Here at ReDesigning School, we've had our collective heads down for the past months, and now we're ready to look up. As have many in schools across the world, the Hawken administration and faculty have had to redesign just about every facet of school while staying true to our purpose, which is to deliver "Forward-focused preparation for the real world through the development of character and intellect." No easy task, but we've learned a few things that we can share. In Episode One of Season Three, Scott Looney, Head of Hawken School, and Garet Libbey, Hawken’s  Associate Head of School for Program, join to discuss the hows and whys of Hawken's  decision to open in person in early September. This season of ReDesigning School features a few exciting shifts: Our aperture is widening. This year, we'll explore how and why schools Pre K-12 are reassessing their approaches and redesigning their programs.We have a new co-host: Garet Libbey will share co-hosting duties with Julia Griffin, who is quite busy being the Director of the Mastery School of Hawken, our brand new high school.We plan to use portions of this season to go behind the scenes of the Mastery School during its inaugural year. We also plan to hear from experts and practitioners in other schools about opportunities and pitfalls in this very unusual school year.Thanks for listening! Please share and review, and don't forget to go to redesigningschool.org for more content.

  8. 05/28/2020

    A Faster Future: How Schools Can Help Their Youngest Students

    The transition to remote teaching and learning has surely stretched all teachers, students, and parents, but something distinctly challenging is happening in lower schools. To keep younger students engaged and learning requires planning, patience, and grit from all parties. It also requires a genuine strategy and a relentless focus on student well-being and growth.  Courtney Martin, Hawken's Director of the Lower School, joins the pod to discuss how her teachers, students, and families are adjusting to the new normal and to provide a glimpse into the challenges and rewards she's witnessed.  As an aside: This episode is a bit of a sneak preview of what you'll find in season three of ReDesigning School when we'll expand our focus to include topics and stories from Pre-Kindergarten to High School. Coming to your podcast feed in the fall!

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About

There's a secret hidden in plain sight: school doesn't work for many, many students because, to a large extent, today’s schools were built for yesterday’s world. Schools still prioritize teaching over learning, conformity over agency, memorization over application, testing knowledge over using it, grading over growing, competition over collaboration, stress over engagement, the what over the why. What would happen, though, if we designed school with students and the future in mind? Every other Wednesday, parents, students, and fellow teachers should join Terry Dubow, Garet Libbey, and Julia Griffin as they interview experts, students, and educators, and explore ways to redesign school for changed world.

Information

  • Creator
    Terry Dubow
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2021
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Redesigning School
  • Show Website
    Redesigning School