beyond the curriculum

"We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color." - Maya Angelou Jan Wilson is a Wellspring Associate Professor of Gender Studies and History at the University of Tulsa. She is the author of the book Becoming Disabled: Forging a Disability View of the World and the articles “‘Who Has a Better Story Than Bran the Broken?' Game of Thrones and the Power of Disability Narratives” and “Reimagining Disability and Inclusive Education Through Universal Design for Learning.” She is the recipient of The University of Tulsa Outstanding Teaching Award, 2013 In this episode, Jan will share how schools are innately ableist and how UDL can break down those barriers to create more inclusive spaces in education. This is the final episode in our series on inclusion. Throughout this season, we have learned about how creating more inclusive environments provides spaces where all learners can thrive. We have learned from teachers and advocates who have helped us gain a perspective on what inclusion means and how educators can be intentional as they create more inclusive environments. We have discussed common barriers that prevent inclusion, some ways inclusion is done well, and how general education teachers can partner with both special education teachers and community members to take our learners… beyond the curriculum. Publications: “Reimagining Disability and Inclusive Education Through Universal Design for Learning.” The Women's Joint Congressional Committee and the Politics of Maternalism, 1920-30 Jan's TED Talk --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

“The more you learn, the more you want to learn.” — Lailah Gifty Akita Kristen Uliasz is an Inclusion Specialist at Da Vinci Charter Academy & Emeritus Faculty with PBLWorks.org. Kristen will share her experience with schoolwide PBL that connects schools to the greater community by engaging learners of all abilities. Kristen's vision of inclusion centers around engaging all learners in authentic activities that connect students to the greater world. She challenges students and teachers in her school to build bridges between the classroom and the community through project-based learning. In this season we are looking at inclusion and how creating more inclusive environments provides spaces where all learners can thrive. We will be learning from teachers and advocates who will help us gain perspective on what inclusion means and how educators can be intentional as they create more inclusive environments. We'll find out about common barriers that prevent inclusion, some ways inclusion is done well, and how general education teachers can partner with both special education teachers and community members to take our learners… beyond the curriculum. Follow: Twitter Instagram Website Resources: Da Vinci Charter Academy Inclusive Special Ed Learning PBL Works --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.” — Mark Twain Kimberly Eckert is the 2018 Lousiana State Teacher of the Year, 2020 ASCD Emerging Leader, 2020 Global Teacher Prize Finalist, 2019 NEA Social Justice Activist of the Year National Finalist, and a National Center for Learning Disabilities Expert Teacher. Kimberly's vision of inclusion starts with building inclusive spaces in the classroom. She challenges all of her students (both in general education and special education) to become advocates for inclusion. In this season we are looking at inclusion and how creating more inclusive environments provides spaces where all learners can thrive. We will be learning from teachers and advocates who will help us gain perspective on what inclusion means and how educators can be intentional as they create more inclusive environments. We'll find out about common barriers that prevent inclusion, some ways inclusion is done well, and how general education teachers can partner with both special education teachers and community members to take our learners… beyond the curriculum. Follow: Twitter Instagram Resources: Teaching in the Global Pandemic On Changing the World “I Became a Teacher” via NEA.org --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

“When everyone is included, everyone wins.” — Jesse Jackson Karen Krejcha is the founder of Autism Empowerment--a nonprofit organization that advocates for the autistic community, host of the Autism Empowerment Podcast, and the editor and columnist of Spectrum Life Magazine. Besides this, she is the mother of two boys on the autism spectrum and an autist herself. Karen's vision of inclusion goes beyond the four walls of the school building. She sees inclusion through the lens of community and uses her position to create more inclusive environments in the neighborhoods surrounding the school. In this season we are looking at inclusion and how creating more inclusive environments provides spaces where all learners can thrive. We will be learning from teachers and advocates who will help us gain perspective on what inclusion means and how educators can be intentional as they create more inclusive environments. We'll find out about common barriers that prevent inclusion, some ways inclusion is done well, and how general education teachers can partner with both special education teachers and community members to take our learners… beyond the curriculum. Follow: Twitter Instagram Facebook YouTube Resources: Spectrum Life Magazine Autism Empowerment Website --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

Amy Campbell is the 2020 Washington State Teacher of the Year and a special ed teacher at Helen Baller Elementary in Camas, WA. As Washington State Teacher of the Year, Amy uses her title to promote more inclusion. She believes that schools are microcosms of our world and by promoting more inclusion in schools we build a more inclusive community. Each one of us has a gift to offer and creating spaces where all members of the community are embraced and included helps our community grow. In this season we are looking at inclusion and how creating more inclusive environments provides spaces where all learners can thrive. We will be learning from teachers and advocates who will help us gain perspective on what inclusion means and how educators can be intentional as they create more inclusive environments. We'll find out about common barriers that prevent inclusion, some ways inclusion is done well, and how general education teachers can partner with both special education teachers and community members to take our learners… beyond the curriculum. Follow Amy Campbell: Twitter Resources: #2020WAToY​ Video Series: 2020 Washington Teacher of the Year Amy Campbell --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

In November 2018, Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg posted a tweet in which she questions the traditional use of the word “inclusion” by explaining how she views it as a minimum and challenges us to go further. She says: It's not about inclusion or even celebration. It's about expansion. Our culture is better when disabled folks expand its ideas about embodiment. "Our culture is better when centering POC shifts its paradigms. Our culture is better when nonbinary & trans ppl uproot its gendered BS. Inclusion = you're allowed to be here. Celebration = your being here is great!! Expansion = we will grow and change because of what you offer. She goes on to say she is “grateful for all the visionaries pushing for a more expansive and radical way of being in the world today.” Welcome to Season 3 of Beyond the Curriculum. During this series, we will hear from visionaries who will share their ideas about “inclusion” and the way they push for a more expansive and radical way of being in the world today. We will be looking at inclusion and how creating more inclusive environments provides spaces where all learners can thrive. We will hear from teachers and advocates who will help us gain perspective on what inclusion means and how educators can be intentional as they create more inclusive environments. We'll find out about common barriers that prevent inclusion, some ways inclusion is done well, and how general education teachers can partner with both special education teachers and community members to take our students, schools, and communities… beyond the curriculum. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” — Albert Einstein Gary Chu is a high school mathematics teacher in a racially and culturally diverse suburb outside of Chicago. He is passionate about disrupting inequities. You can follow him on Twitter at @mrgarychu. Gary contributed a chapter to the book Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learn (and What to Do Instead) titled “The Pointless Classroom: A Math Teacher's Ironic Choice Not in Not Calculating Grades”. Throughout this series, I will be interviewing the contributors to this book to help gain a better understanding of what Ungrading is and how it can be applied. In this episode, Gary will discuss how he engages his students in deeper learning, promotes relationships, and provides students feedback that helps students gain a better understanding of the ways mathematics can be used beyond the four walls of the school. This the sixth episode and final episode of this series where you will hear from the chapter authors themselves who will help us dive deeper into their ideas about assessment and its impact on teaching and learning allowing us to go beyond the curriculum. Follow Gary Chu: Twitter Blog Resources: Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learning (and What to Do Instead) (2020) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

Clarissa Sorenesn-Unruh teaches chemistry and statistics full-time at Central New Mexico Community College. She is a Ph.D. student in learning sciences, a Councilor for the Division of Chemical Education in the American Chemical Society, and a panelist for a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine symposium. Clarissa contributed a chapter to the book Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learn (and What to Do Instead) titled “A STEM Ungrading Case Study: A Reflection on First-Time implementation in Organic Chemistry II.” In this episode, Clarissa will discuss her first experience with ungrading and pushing her students' metacognition not only made an impact on her students but also herself as a teacher. Follow Clarissa Sorensen-Unruh: Twitter Blog Book YouTube Resources: Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learning (and What to Do Instead) (2020) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

“We all need people who will give us feedback. That's how we improve.” — Bill Gates Christopher Riesbeck is an associate professor of computer science at Northwestern University and co-director of the Center for Computer Science and Learning Sciences. He has been doing critique-driven learning since 1997. Dr. Riesbeck is now working on computer-assisted coaching to help struggling students create artifacts worth critiquing. Christopher contributed a chapter to the book Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learn (and What to Do Instead) titled “Critique Driven Learning and Assessment” which centers around learning as doing. In this episode, Dr. Riesbeck will discuss how grades seemed to get in the way of what he was trying to do with his programming students and why ongoing critiques help move his students in a direction towards mastering the concepts needed to be a skilled programmer. Follow Dr. Christopher Riesbeck: Twitter Publications Resources: Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learning (and What to Do Instead) (2020) Use code PODTALIHE through December 2020 for 30% off. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

“Society is indeed a contract. ... It is a partnership in all science; a partnership in all art; a partnership in every virtue, and in all perfection.” — Edmund Burke Dr. Katopodis is the Executive Director of Transformative Learning in the Humanities, a three-year initiative at City University of New York supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and recently received her doctorate in English at the Graduate Center, CUNY, and an adjunct instructor at New Jersey City University. She is a scholar of environmental studies, sound studies, and American literature. She has written articles published or forthcoming in ESQ: A Journal of Nineteenth-Century American Literature and Culture, ISLE: Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature and Environment, and Profession. Cathy Davison is the founder of The Futures Initiative, a Distinguished Professor of English and MA in Digital Humanities, and MS in Data Analysis and Visualization. DeVarney Prof Emerita of Interdisciplinary Studies, Duke University, CoFounder and CoDirector, HASTAC.org and CoDirector of Transformative Learning in the Humanities In this episode, Christina and Cathy will discuss contract grading and how peer editing both honors and challenges students in their own learning. This the third episode of a six-part series where you will hear from the chapter authors themselves who will help us dive deeper into their ideas about assessment and its impact on teaching and learning allowing us to go beyond the curriculum. Follow Dr. Christina Katopodis: Twitter Blog Inside Higher Ed Follow Dr. Cathy Davidson: Twitter Blog Other Publications Resources: Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learning (and What to Do Instead) (2020) Use code PODTALIHE through December 2020 for 30% off. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

“Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.” — Albert Einstein Dr. Laura Gibbs is a professor of humanities at the University of Oklahoma, teaching mythology and folklore online, challenging her students to develop higher-order Bloom Taxonomy along with 21st Century skills as they explore the content of her courses. Laura contributed a chapter to the book Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learn (and What to Do Instead) titled “Let's talk about grading.” In this episode, Dr. Gibbs will discuss how ungrading is a natural fit for teaching online and how she challenges her students to create and think critically in a virtual environment. This the second episode of a six-part series where you will hear from the chapter authors who will help us dive deeper into their ideas around assessment. Follow: Twitter Blog Resources: 100 Word Stories (2009) Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learning (and What to Do Instead) (2020) Use code PODTALIHE through December 2020 for 30% off. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

Dr. Susan Blum is a professor of anthropology a the University of Notre Dame and the editor of the book Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learning (and What to Do Instead). In this episode, Susan discusses what led her to compile the book, what the book represents, and how it has been received. This the first episode of a six-part series where you will hear from the chapter authors who will help us dive deeper into their ideas around assessment. Follow: Twitter Instagram Blog Resources: My Word! Plagiarism and College Culture (2009) “I Love Learning; I Hate School”: An Anthropology of College (2016) Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learning (and What to Do Instead) (2020) Use code PODTALIHE through December 2020 for 30% off. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

As you live, believe in Life! Always human beings will live and progress to greater, broader and fuller life. The only possible death is to lose belief in this truth simply because the great end comes slowly, because time is long - W. E. B. Du Bois Rodney Robinson is the Senior Advisor, Richmond Public Schools Male teacher of Color Initiative at the Virgie Binford Education Center in Richmond, Virginia, the 2019 National Teacher of the Year, #8 Root Magazine Top Influential African Americans in 2019, and the HBCU Alumnus of the Year. In this episode, Rodney explains why school leaders need to be intentional to not only recruit Teachers of Color, but the important to support and retain them. On July 10th, Rodney gave his keynote at the National Network of State Teachers of the Year's Teacher Leadership Conference that was supposed to be titled, “Learner-Centered Instructional Practices.” However, Rodney felt compelled to shift gears and talk about the importance of promoting and retaining Teachers of Color. This the fifth and final episode of a five-part series. You will hear from the speakers themselves who will help us dive deeper into their message. Throughout this series, I have been joined by the 2018 Virginia State Teacher of the Year, Michelle Cottrell-Williams. Michelle is going to help me unpack the takeaways of these educational leaders who's message will take us beyond the curriculum. Follow: Twitter Instagram Website Resources: Purchase copies of the presentations using the code “beyondpod” --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

“Education is the platform that makes it possible to defeat all barriers.” — Norbert Juma Abdul Wright is a middle school Language Arts teacher and Literacy Coach, the 2016 Minnesota Teacher of the Year, and identified as a Minnesota, African American Heritage Award Honoree. Abdul will discuss the impact teachers make on the journey of our young learners and how teachers need to remember it is our primary responsibility to invest in the lives of our students. On July 9th, Abdul gave his keynote at the National Network of State Teachers of the Year's Teacher Leadership Conference titled, “Equitable Solutions” where he shared a personal story about how he overcame multiple obstacles to become the teacher he is today. It is a powerful and compelling story that should remind educators about the impact they make in the lives of their students. This the fourth episode of a five-part series. You will hear from the speakers themselves who will help us dive deeper into their message. Throughout this series, I am joined by the 2018 Virginia State Teacher of the Year, Michelle Cottrell-Williams. Michelle is going to help me unpack the takeaways of these educational leaders who's message will take us beyond the curriculum. Follow: Twitter Instagram Facebook --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

— Paulo Freire“Learning is a process where knowledge is presented to us, then shaped through understanding, discussion, and reflection.” Sharif is the CEO of the Center for Black Educator Development and former principal of Mastery Charter Schools - Shoemaker Campus, a neighborhood turnaround school in West Philadelphia. He is recognized by former students, their families, and the community as a consistent Freedom Fighter, agitator, and partner. On July 8th, Sharif gave his keynote at the National Network of State Teachers of the Year's Teacher Leadership Conference titled, “Liberating Education” where Sharif challenged educators to be intentional in our pedagogy to include Black and Brown pedagogy and rethinking teaching programs to better prepare teachers (especially white educators) to better engage with Black and Brown Students. This the third episode of a five-part series. You will hear from the speakers themselves who will help us dive deeper into their message. Throughout this series, I am joined by the 2018 Virginia State Teacher of the Year, Michelle Cottrell-Williams. Michelle is going to help me unpack the takeaways of these educational leaders who's message will take us beyond the curriculum. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

“An educated, enlightened and informed population is one of the surest ways of promoting the health of a democracy” — Nelson Mandela Michael Soskil is a fourth-grade science teacher, Vice-President of the Pennsylvania Teachers Advisory Committee, 2016 Global Teacher Prize Top-10 Finalist, and the editor of the book “Flip the System: How Teachers Can Transform Education and Save Democracy.” On July 8th, Michael gave his keynote at the National Network of State Teachers of the Year's Teacher Leadership Conference titled, “Flip the System” where Michael challenged educators to be political in their role without being partisan. This the second episode of a five-part series. You will hear from the speakers themselves who will help us dive deeper into their message. Throughout this series, I am joined by the 2018 Virginia State Teacher of the Year, Michelle Cottrell-Williams. Michelle is going to help me unpack the takeaways of these educational leaders who's messages will take us beyond the curriculum. Follow: Twitter Website Instagram Facebook Resources: Book: Flip the System US: How Teachers Can Transform Education and Save Democracy 1st Edition Book: Teaching in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Purchase copies of the presentations using the code “beyondpod” --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

"Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education." Franklin D. Roosevelt Though Ted Dintersmith made his fortune in venture capitalism, he's made his greatest impact on education. His books Most Likely to Succeed and What School Could Be and his film Most Likely to Succeed are gaining momentum and challenging policymakers, educators, and community members to reimagine the role of the school as it prepares our children for the future. On July 9th, Ted gave his keynote at the National Network of State Teachers of the Year's Teacher Leadership Conference titled, “Education's Indispensable Role As the Foundation of Our Democracy” where Ted challenged educators to consider their role as the defenders of democracy in an environment where democracy is under fire. This the first episode of a five-part series. You will hear from the speakers themselves who will help us dive deeper into their message. Throughout this series, I will be joined by the 2018 Virginia State Teacher of the Year, Michelle Cottrell-Williams. Michelle is going to help me unpack the takeaways of these educational leaders who's message will challenge us to go beyond the curriculum. Follow: Twitter Website Resources: Book: What School Could Be Book: Most Likely to Succeed Film: Most Likely to Succeed The Innovation Playlist Purchase copies of the presentations using the code “beyondpod” --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

“Being a teacher leader means that you can understand and realize the impact you have is really limitless.” — Bob Williams - Acting CEO NNSTOY On July 8-10, the National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY) hosted its Teacher Leadership Conference virtually. The title of the conference? Revolutionizing Education. With the permission of NNSTOY, I decided to share the event with listeners. Over the next five episodes, you will hear from the event's keynote speakers. Each episode will contain highlight of presentations and we will hear from the speakers themselves who will help us dive deeper into their message. Throughout this series, I will be joined by the 2018 Virginia State Teacher of the Year, Michelle Cottrell-Williams. Michelle is going to help me unpack the takeaways of these educational leaders. In this episode, we will hear from Bob Williams, the Acting CEO of NNSTOY, about the conference and what it means to be a teacher leader. Follow: Twitter Website Resources: Purchase copies of the presentations using the code “beyondpod” --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

"Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin Teachers are charged with preparing the next generation who will be tasked with being stewards of the world. Teachers can lecture about the skills that are necessary for adulthood, they can drill, and test them on these skills, or they can engage them in learning that makes a significant contribution to their community and the world in which they live. Abe Moore is a year 6/7 teacher at Hallett Cove South Primary school in Adelaide, South Australia. Abe has been awarded the “Innovation in Education Award” at the 2019 Educators State Awards. He engages his young learners in P-Based Learning which includes: Project Based, Problem Based, Purpose Based, and Passion-Based Learning that challenges them to make a difference in their school and community. You can follow him on Twitter at @arbay38, @projreimaginate, and @projectology. In this episode, Abe shares how he challenges his students to imagine, design, and build the school they want to attend and impact future children who walk through those doors. Follow: Twitter Blog Project Reimaginate Project-ology Sparks and Stories Resources: Human Restoration Project "Primer" Teachers Going Gradeless Timeless Learning by Ira David Socol, Pam Moran, and Chad Ratliff --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

Christine Miller is a retired high school Arts teacher from Plano, Texas. She believes deep, authentic learning comes from the learner posing the questions. Therefore, she used student inquiry to place her students in the center of her class. Christine is the 2008-2009, Teacher of the Year, School for the Talented and Gifted, Dallas ISD, Williams High School, Plano ISD, Teacher of the Year, 2013-2014, Recipient of the Plano ISD Award of Excellence in Teaching Secondary Division, May 2014, Texas Art Education Association Outstanding Secondary Teacher of the Year, Nov. 2014, and National Art Education Association Western Region Secondary Art Educator of the Year, 2016. You can follow her on Twitter at @tagartteacher. In this episode, Christine shares how inquiry is central to developing beautiful works of art and takes learners beyond the curriculum. Follow: Twitter Website Instagram Facebook SlideShare YouTube Book Resources: Right Questions Institutes RTI Make Just One Change by Dan Rothstein and Luz Santana --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

"The education of even a small child, therefore, does not aim at preparing him for school, but for life." - Maria Montessori If teachers are preparing their learners for life then they need to engage them with life and the world in which they live. Our children will grow up and they will become the stewards of the earth. How we engage them today will determine the future. Julia Fliss is a 6th grade English Language Arts teacher at Evergreen Middle School in Evergreen, Colorado. She believes in challenging her students to look out the window of her classroom and see themselves as global citizens who are aware of the world in which they live and their obligation to it by integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's) as a framework for her classroom. Julia is a 2019-2020 TeachSDG Ambassador and she actively engages on Twitter. You can follow her at @juliafliss. In this episode I learn how Julia challenges her students to find their passions, discover a purpose, and make a difference in the world by taking them beyond the curriculum. Follow: Twitter Instagram Resources: Sustainable Development Goals Website Graphicacy Teach SDGs SDGs for Children #TeachSDGs on Twitter Take Action Global Inspired Citizens Innovation Lab Schools Belouga Nearpod SDG Courses --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

"I can remember the frustration of not being able to talk. I knew what I wanted to say, but I could not get the words out..." - Temple Grandin The teacher's primary job is to help students find their own voices. Because when we do, we help them become people who can engage with the world and, ultimately, make it a better place. Language, socio-economics, and physical and neurological diversity should not justify students sitting silently in the back. But how can educators help all students find their voices? Kristine Napper, is an English Language Development teacher at Whitford Middle School in Beaverton, Oregon, and author of the book A Kids Book About Disabilities. Kristine challenges her students to use technology as a tool to find their voices in order for them to build autonomy and the confidence to engage in the world. She is a TEDx presenter and you can follow her blog at www.kristinenapper.com In this episode of I have the pleasure to learn how Kristine uses techquity as an opportunity for students to engage in complex learning that takes them beyond the curriculum. Follow: Twitter Website Instagram Kristine's TEDx Presentation Resources: Kristine's book: A Kid's Book About Disabilities Snap and Read Co:Writer Adobe Spark --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

It is fairly common for students to ask, “When will I ever use this?” This is not a meant to disparage the curriculum, but rather it is a challenge for teacher to make the content meaningful and worthwhile. Michelle Cottrell-Williams, is an instructional coach at Gunston Middle School in Arlington, VA, the 2018 Virginia State Teacher of the Year, and a member of the National Network of State Teachers of the Year. Michelle sees herself as a disruptor who challenges her students to not only question the status-quo, but also to engage as citizens who are responsible for the future of their community. In this episode of I have the pleasure to learn how Michelle uses inquiry to challenge her students to think about their role in society and taking them beyond the curriculum. Follow: Twitter Website Resources: Think Like Socrates: Using Questions to Invite Wonder and Empathy Into the Classroom, Grades 4-12 C3 Teachers Website Jennifer Lempp's Math Workshop --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

“When we drop fear, we can draw nearer to people, we can draw nearer to the earth, we can draw nearer to all the heavenly creatures that surround us.” — bell hooks When teachers create structures that "drop fear" and draw their students to them and to one another they create spaces where students can reach for the stars, and education is about discovering the limitless potential. Jessica Zeller, PhD, is an associate professor of Dance at Texas Christian University and author of Shapes of American Ballet and has contributed to several anthologies of dance and blogs at jessicazeller.net. Jessica places a strong emphasis on building relationships with her students and is apparent through her Twitter handle @jessicazeller. In this episode of Beyond the Curriculum I have the pleasure to learn more about how Jessica develops relationships to impact learning. Follow Jessica: Twitter Blog Resources: “Dear Students, You're more than a grade” on Teachers Going Gradeless Teaching to Transgress by bell hooks Teaching Community by bell hooks Teaching Critical Thinking by bell hooks Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire Books by Nel Noddings Books by Donald Schon Books by Max Van Manen --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

“I have a passion for teaching kids to become readers, to become comfortable with a book, not daunted. Books shouldn't be daunting, they should be funny, exciting and wonderful; and learning to be a reader gives a terrific advantage.” — Roald Dahl It is the joy of reading that teachers want to inspire within their learners. However, somewhere along the way we lose sight of this and feel the pressure to assess reading with tests, essays, and presentations. The result: the joy of reading wanes, not only for students but for teachers. And thus, it drives teachers to begin to look for ways to catch students NOT reading which further perpetuates this problem. Marisa Thompson is a high school English teacher and Professional Development Instructor at the University of San Diego. She is an Innovation Support Coach and speaker. In 2019 Marisa was named San Diego Innovative Educator of the Year. She is author of the blog Unlimited Teacher and has been featured on the Cult of Pedagogy Podcast. Marisa developed an approach to reading known as Thoughts, Questions, and Epiphanies (also known as TQE) which is embraced by teachers and students around the world because of its student-centered, authentic approach to reading. In this episode of Beyond the Curriculum, I have the pleasure to learn more about Marisa's approach to reading. Follow Marisa: Twitter Blog Instagram YouTube Resources: #TQE on Twitter Marisa's blog post Marisa on Cult of Pedagogy --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” — Arthur Ashe In the wake of nation-wide protests that resulted from the death of an African American man at the knee of white police officers, it is clear racism is deeply ingrained in the fabric of our county. However, it is also clear that many Americans want to confront racism in order to become a nation that values ALL of its citizens regardless of race. Though conversations around racism are difficult, they are necessary if we want to make a significant impact. So, how can teachers start having conversations about racism within their building? Dr. Shantha Smith is an Equity and Excellence Coordinator and Instructional Lead Educator in Arlington, VA, where she works to transform school culture. She is dedicated to making her school a more equitable learning environment for all students by challenging staff to reflect on how their practice is informed by implicit bias and the impact it makes on students of color. In this episode, I have the pleasure to learn how Dr. Smith opens these conversations with colleagues which challenges them to think in ways that take them, beyond the curriculum. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

“And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” — Sylvia Plath If the purpose of writing is to do something bold and creative, does formal writing instruction typically used in schools help learners achieve this? Well, actually, the purpose of formulaic writing is to help students pass mandated state writing assessments and I, for one, have never been inspired by any five-paragraph essay. So, how do we help students become writers with guts and imagination? John Warner is a writer, speaker, teacher, and author of Why They Can't Write: Killing the Five-Paragraph Essay and Other Necessities. As a teacher of writing, he emphasizes the author's voice and challenges his learners to break free of formulaic writing. He views writing as a tool to solve problems and calls his prompts “Writing Problems.” In this episode of Beyond the Curriculum I have the pleasure to learn about how John helps students discover the writer within by moving students away from formulas and think beyond the curriculum. Follow John: Twitter Website Resources: John's Books on Amazon Creating Confident Writers: For High School, College, and Life Bad Ideas About Writing John's Twitter Recommendations --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support

“It's not important what we cover in the class. It's important what you discover.” — Noam Chomsky Jean Piaget has suggested that the principal goal of education should be to create learners who are capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what others in the past have done; but rather people who are creative, inventive, and inquisitive. This the essence of progressive education. Beyond the Curriculum is a podcast dedicated to promoting progressive education. Each episode will feature an educator who will share practical approaches listeners can immediately use in their classrooms. Guests will explain how they promote creativity, innovation, and compassion. This podcast is for those who want to make learning more meaningful and build environments of makers, thinkers, and world-changers. So join me, Aaron Blackwelder, each week as I learn about the amazing learning going on in classrooms around the world. Lessons that offer opportunities that take learners beyond the curriculum --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beyondthecurriculum/support