In this touching episode, we center the voice of middle school student leader Karime Reyes who helped to spearhead a radical redesign of her school’s first week last August. In conversation with Peer Resource class teacher Tamar Sberlo, Karime brings insight and depth to what students really want in a classroom, what it means to belong, and how it felt to be part of a school transformation process. We also get a window into Tamar’s “low control” teaching style and the ways she strives to give learners choice and voice. Walk with us as we enter the world of MLK Jr Middle School in San Francisco and see the Street Data model come to life!

For Further Learning: 

Watch Sir Ken Robinson’s mind-blowing video (~12 minutes) on “Changing Education Paradigms” to situate the conversation with Tamar and Karime in a historical context. Courageous Conversations About Race: A Field Guide for Achieving Equity in Schools by Glenn E Singleton For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood… and the Rest of Y’all Too: Reality Pedagogy and Urban Education by Chris Emdin

In this reflective conversation, Shane and Alcine wrap up Season 2 by sharing some of their own stories, lenses, and learning around the work. You’ll hear what’s emerging on the ground as Shane and Dr. Dugan try to bring the Street Data model to life through communities of practice. You’ll consider the difference between cultural appropriation and appreciation, tapping into the brilliance of Jo Chrona’s book Wayi Wah! Indigenous Pedagogies: An Act for Reconciliation and Anti-Racist Education. We also learn more about how Alcine’s mother influenced her student-centered pedagogy and how her experiences as a good test taker during desegregation efforts in the 1980’s shaped her views on standardized testing. And we say goodbye to our original producer, the incomparable Maya Cueva, who is off to work on a new film and other projects! 

For Further Learning: 

Podcasts Cheaper Than Therapy: Avoiding Resentment The Cult of Pedagogy with Jennifer Gonzalez 

BooksTomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin Wayi Wah! Indigenous Pedagogies by Jo Chrona 

Articles Cultivating a Pedagogy of Student Voice by Shane Safir  Metacognition in the Classroom: Benefits & Strategies 

Films   Watch Maya’s film On The Divide ( https://vimeo.com/ondemand/onthedivide )