180 Days Education

The University of Texas at Austin Charles A. Dana Center is a renowned research-based organization that has worked for almost 30 years to develop and deliver math and science curriculum and professional learning that supports educators and students from K-16, to ensure equitable access to excellent education. Dr. Shelly LeDoux is the Interim Manager of K-12 Services for the Dana Center, and Jacqueline Le Jeune is a Professional Learning Facilitator on the K-12 Leadership team at the Dana Center. Shelly and Jacqueline work with teachers and school leadership, and collaborate with districts and states to address specific concerns at a system level to foster equity and access for all students. They provide professional learning experiences on instructional leadership, high-leverage teaching practices, and relevant student learning practices.

In this episode, Shelly and Jackie share about The Charles A. Dana Center’s role in supporting systemic change in mathematics and science teaching. They discuss the work they do with educational leaders and the challenges of creating systemic education change. They also share strategies and experiences that provide insight into how important research-based professional learning is to systemic educational change.

Ms. Ginsberg shares her reasons for founding CELF in 2003, and how that work has influenced policy and curriculum in the schools and districts. She shares case studies and the importance of communities working together to really help focus on environmental sustainability. Her foundation's work with schools is designed to support teachers where they are, using their own curriculum and standards, but changing the lens to focus on how you can incorporate sustainability concepts into what is already being taught.

For 180 Days Podcast listeners CELF is offering a special 50% off registration fees discount for their annual Summer Institues(https://celfeducation.org/our-programs/annual-summer-institute/). Use code “180DAYS”(all caps!) at checkout.

To learn more and for full show notes with links to resources mentioned, please visit https://www.180days.education/podcast.

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Tabitha shares her arts-based research approach as a way of communicating findings, through plays and comics. She launched the Urban Education Program at The College of New Jersey, which is focused on recognizing and responding to conditions that contribute to inequalities in schools. Through first-hand experience, she talks through teacher education and preparing pre-service teachers for the reality of teaching, particularly in high-needs urban districts. She shares her ideas on what areas of education need to be completely overhauled, and her journey to running for her local School Board. Tabitha’s experience of the political process—the stress of running for the first time, the vulnerability of going door-to-door to ask strangers(potential voters) for money, trying to be bipartisan in a very partisan time—offers us a behind the scenes look into processes that guide what teachers in a district’s classrooms can do.

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Patrick talks in-depth about what a ‘good curriculum’ is and why it’s so important for teachers to have a good curriculum that “provides the impotence for great lessons even if it can’t provide everything that the teacher needs”. He discusses the team effort behind creating educational resources that are consistent and aligned and compares these to open-education resources. He shares ‘the joy, the wonder, and the beauty of mathematics” that comes from working hands-on with learning.

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Tim and Karen are joined by Karim Ani, founder of Citizen Math (formerly known as Mathalicious) and author of, “Dear Citizen Math: How Math Class Can Inspire a More Rational and Respectful Society”.

Karim discusses the importance of mathematics in our world, and why we should be helping students become problem-solvers so that they develop the essential critical thinking skills needed to analyze, discuss and solve the issues facing our world.

To learn more and for full show notes with links to resources mentioned, please visit https://www.180days.education/post/podcast-season-3-episode-3.

You can also connect with us on Facebook and Twitter @180dayspodcast or subscribe to our newsletter for updates!