Street Data Pod: Imagining the Next Generation of Education

Episode 27: “A Good Theory Always Starts with a Good Question" with the esteemed Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings

From West Philly to Stanford University to becoming a field-shifting scholar, Dr. GLB is here to drop the mic for Street Data Pod’s Season 4. We learn about Little Gloria and her largely positive educational experience growing up in Philadelphia before attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). We get the inside scoop on her groundbreaking research as a post-doc at Stanford, including what happened when she flipped the dominant, deficit-based research paradigms and asked, “What’s right with Black kids?” From there, GLB enlightens us around the core tenets of culturally relevant pedagogy, which starts with a set of beliefs about children and families (not practices!) and a willingness to interrogate knowledge. Finally, we talk about the transformative value of focusing on the “big ideas” of one’s discipline versus the millions of little facts that suck the life out of so much curriculum. To continue our exploration of pedagogies of student voice, GLB takes us to Matamoros, México where a science teacher with few resources in an “underperforming” region breathes life into his content by believing in the brilliance of his students and building an experiential learning simulation. Don’t miss this phenomenal episode!
 
For Further Learning:
Here is a recent article by Dr. Ladson-Billings: “I’m Here for the Hard Re-Set: Post Pandemic Pedagogy to Preserve Our Culture”
Here’s a trailer for Radical, the movie Dr. Ladson-Billings referenced as an example of culturally responsive pedagogy in classrooms.
At the time of the recording, Dr. Luis Moll just transitioned into being an ancestor. We want to honor his brilliant contributions to our field by sharing an article on his seminal theory of funds of knowledge.

[RE-RELEASE] Episode 14: “You are all elders in training” with Dr. Lisa Delpit and Dr. Jamila Dugan

We are back with another re-release from Season 2! In this episode, you’ll listen at the feet of the incomparable Dr. Lisa Delpit, whose books Other People’s Children and Multiplication Is for White People deeply impacted Shane and Alcine, alongside her brilliant mentee and Street Data co-author Dr. Jamila Dugan. We get a one-inch window into Dr. Delpit’s early experiences in “white teacher education” and the Open Classroom model where Black teachers’ wisdom and skill was often undervalued. We witness a beautiful exchange between Dr. Delpit and Dr. Dugan about the intergenerational work they are involved in and what it means for all of us to step into being elders-in-training. If you’re as confused as we are about the Science of Reading “debates”, this episode will help you shift and lift the discourse about literacy, as Dr. Delpit brings complexity and nuance, helping us all remember that while phonics instruction is necessary, successful teachers of Black students do so much more: affirm their humanity, create relationships, make them feel a part of the literacy “club”, and elevate their intellectual history and legacy. These leading thinkers help us envision classrooms where children have a voice and leadership roles, and schools where students begin to enter adult spaces in order to influence education. Finally, we end with a deep discussion of the Warm Demander concept and why demanding is not the same as diminishing because the love and belief in the kids has to be there first. Join us!
 
For Further Learning:
 
 
The Silenced Dialogue:Power and Pedagogy in Educating Other People's Children by Lisa Delpit
Other People’s Children: Cultural Conflict in the Classroom by Lisa Delpit
“Multiplication is for White People”: Raising Expectations for Other People’s Children by Lisa Delpit
Teaching When the World Is on Fire: Authentic Classroom Advice, from Climate Justice to Black Lives Matter by Lisa Delpit
Radical Dreaming for Education Now by Dr. Jamila Dugan

Episode 26: “Redemption Moments": Grading as a Pathway to Equity with Joe Feldman

In this hot-off-the-press episode, Alcine and Shane chop it up with Joe Feldman, author of Grading for Equity: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Can Transform Schools and Classrooms. As you listen in, you’ll get a primer on grading, assessment, and how to reimagine grading as a tool for equity. We dig into the principles of grading for equity including accuracy, transparency, and bias-resistance. Joe’s innovative work is transforming the field and bringing joy back into teaching as educators shed oppressive practices and colonial mindsets around grading. Join us for this illuminating conversation!
Further Learning: 
 
Grading for Equity: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Can Transform Schools and Classrooms (2023)
“Empowering Students by Demystifying Grading (ASCD, 2020) 
“Beyond standards-based grading: Why equity must be part of grading reform” (Kappan, 2019)
“School Grading Practices are Inaccurate and Inequitable to Black Children” (New York Amsterdam News, 2018) 

[RE-RELEASE] Episode 2: “You Are Somebody’s Ancestor: Teach Like it” with Dr. Chris Emdin

Today’s episode is a re-release from Season 1! Join hosts Shane Safir and Alcine Mumby as they dig deep with Dr. Christopher Emdin around how to be a good ancestor, biomimicry as a guide to school transformation, burning the pedagogical sage, and so much more. This episode will change you! A must-listen for all new administrators and teachers finding their way in complex times.
 
For Further Learning:
Order Chris’s book Rathedemic at http://www.beacon.org/Ratchetdemic-P1703.aspx
Read Chris’s foreword in Street Data to make connections to the pod conversation
Order adrienne marie brown’s Emergent Strategy at https://www.akpress.org/emergentstrategy.html

Episode 25: “My Life is a Series of Stories”: Reflecting on this Moment and Season 3 with Dr. Sawsan Jaber

In this double-header, Alcine and Shane close out Season 3 by talking with Dr. Sawsan Jaber, internationally known educator and consultant. Sawsan shares her heart, her story, and her legacy as a descendant of Nakba survivors, helping listeners consider how centering Palestinian students helps us “lift all boats” and create more radically inclusive classrooms. From this powerful exchange, Alcine and Shane shift into a Season 3 reflection, offering moments that stayed with them and digging into Alcine’s wealth of knowledge on transformative assessment as well as Shane’s forthcoming book project, Pedagogies of Voice–for which Sawsan is a contributing writer. They close by previewing a slight shift in podcast rhythm for the upcoming Season 4, which will launch in February!
For Further Learning:
Get your copy of street data HERE. Use code STREETDATA for a 20% discount.
Want to try creating a grad profile or vision of a learner for your classroom, department, school or district? Here is Envision Learning Partners’ (ELP) Grad Profile quality criteria. LP has some criteria for creating high quality vision of a learner or grad profiles. Should I include it here, seeing that Sawson references grad profiles?
If you’d like to learn more about Envision Learning Partners and the work that Alcine does there, visit ELP at www.envisionlearning.org.
Listen to Episode 24: “Get Off Your Pedestal!” and Other Brilliant Advice from High School Student Leaders Ari and Harshan 
Link the Episode 4: “What Does it Mean to Freedom Dream?”: Disrupting Traps and Tropes with Dr. Jamila Dugan  
Link to Episode 12: “We Made Classrooms Public Spaces” with Jessica Huang and Matt Alexander