How Can Schools Help Save our Democracy?

Our series about Schools and Democracy was produced for our sister podcast, Teacher Stories, where listeners are invited to explore the pivotal role schools play in supporting our democracy. This series features a range of experts, including educators, policymakers, and academics, who discuss various aspects of how education shapes and supports democratic structures and values. Topics range from character education, civic engagement, and teacher restrictions to navigating the challenges of misinformation and inequitable school funding. In addition to stimulating dialogue, these episodes provide practical tools for educators. It’s a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of education and its role in sustaining a healthy democracy.

A Series we produced on our sister podcast, Teacher Stories

Request a copy of our free Educator's Guide for this series.

CONTENTS INCLUDE:

  • A description of each episode

  • A list of participants with links to their profiles

  • The recommended audiences and grade levels for each episode

  • Links to additional resources 

EPISODES

EP. 1: A STRONGER DEMOCRACY THROUGH CHARACTER EDUCATION

  • Dr. Marvin W. Berkowitz, Professor of Character Education, University of Missouri at St. Louis

  • Dr. Kashina Bell, Deputy Superintendent, School District of University City, St. Louis

WATCH     LISTEN

EP. 2: THE POWER OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

  • Dr. Joseph Kahne, Professor for Education Policy and Politics at the University of California at Riverside and Co-Director of the Civic Engagement Research Group

  • Alejandra Frausto, Manager, Project-Based Learning for the Chicago Public Schools

  • Eve Vankley, 7th grade civics teacher, Bay County Schools, Florida

WATCH     LISTEN

EP. 3: TEACHER RESTRICTIONS IN TEXAS - A THREAT TO OUR DEMOCRACY?

  • Dr. Michael Hinojosa, Superintendent, Dallas Independent School District

  • Mary Gonzalez, Representative of the Texas State Legislature

  • Lakeisha Patterson, 3rd grade teacher, Deepwater Elementary School near Houston

WATCH     LISTEN

EP. 4: TEACHING IN THE ERA OF FAKE NEWS AND "HOAXES"

  • Dr. Wayne Journell, Associate Professor of Secondary Social Studies Education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro

  • Dr. Jennifer Hauver, Associate Professor of Education, Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, Virginia

  • Dr. Victor Rios, Professor of Sociology, U.C. Santa Barbara

WATCH     LISTEN 

EP. 5: WHY INADEQUATE AND INEQUITABLE SCHOOL FUNDING IMPERIL OUR DEMOCRACY

  • Dr. Derek Black, Professor of Law, University of South Carolina School of Law

  • Dr. Preston Green, Professor of Educational Leadership and Law at the University of Connecticut

  • Dr. Joshua Starr, Chief Executive Officer, PDK International

  • Sanaa Kahloon, Student, Harvard University

WATCH     LISTEN

EP. 6: HONEST HISTORY AND CIVIC MINDEDNESS FOR YOUNGER LEARNERS (WITH SUPPORT FROM ADMINISTRATORS AND PARENTS)

  • Tracy Barnett, History Teacher, Hopkins Jr. High School, Fremont, CA

  • Corey Brown, Principal, Hopkins Jr. High School, Fremont, CA

  • Dr. Jennifer Hauver, Associate Professor of Education, Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, Virginia

WATCH     LISTEN

EP. 7: KEEP CONTROVERSIES, CURRENT EVENTS, AND POLITICS IN THE CLASSROOM

  • Diana Hess, Dean, School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison

WATCH    LISTEN

EP. 8: HISTORY EDUCATION, CIVICS, AND STUDENT ADVOCACY - SEEKING COMMON GROUND

  • Ace Parsi, Senior Director of Outreach and Partnerships for Educating for American Democracy

  • Amber Northern, Senior Vice President for Research at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute

  • Danny Diaz, Director of UCLA's History-Geography Project and a former high school history teacher

LISTEN