In this episode, Kobi Nelson sits down with Lory Warren and Christina LaRose from the Prohuman Foundation to discuss the collaborative lesson series they created about five women from the Revolutionary era whose contributions shaped history but who have largely been left out of the historical record. Together, they explore what it really means to have influence, why students benefit from encountering diverse and complex historical figures, and how focusing on our shared humanity can shift the way we think about courage and impact.

Main Topics:

• What Is the Prohuman Foundation?
• Redefining What It Means to Be an Influencer
• Elizabeth Freeman: Curiosity, Courage, and the Law
• Anna Smith Strong: Influence Hidden in Plain Sight
• Nanyehi: Community, Peace, and Complex Legacies
• Deborah Sampson: Fighting Where There Was No Path
• Esther de Berdt Reed: Writing, Persuasion, and Fundraising for the War Effort
• What Do We Hope Students and Teachers Take Away?

Resources Mentioned:

• The Prohuman Foundation
• Women in the American Revolution
• Sentiments of an American Woman by Esther de Berdt Reed (1780)
• Sphere Education Initiatives

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Episode Description: In this episode, two middle school teachers and two high school teachers talk about what students actually learn when they are given the space to engage in challenging conversations that do not resolve easily. Together, we explore the balance teachers often need to find between freedom and structure, the ways that discomfort can be a powerful learning opportunity, and what it might mean for teachers to embrace uncertainty in their own teaching practice.

Main Topics:

• Discussion Norms in Classrooms (02:23)
• Silence Doesn't Always Mean Disengagement (04:47)
• Teaching Challenging Primary Documents (06:40)
• The Tension Between Structure and Freedom (09:02)
• Discomfort, Growth, and Lobster Metaphor (15:52)
• High School Perspectives on Challenging Conversations (18:42)
• Are Students Ready for Challenging Conversations? (23:19)

Resources Mentioned:

• Teaching the Declaration of Independence lesson by Nancy Wickham
• Sphere's Civil Discourse Through Literature lessons
• "Windows and Mirrors: Children's Books and Parallel Cultures" by Rudine Sims Bishop
• "Windows, Mirrors, and Sliding Glass Doors" by Rudine Sims Bishop
• Sphere Ed | Teaching Civic Culture Together

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sarah Lane speaks to two exceptional school leaders--Julian Braxton and Bruce Stubblefield-- to explore the essential role that relationship building plays in creating spaces where civil discourse can flourish. Hear them talk about why trust and vulnerability must come before complex conversations and how teacher leadership can effectively transform school cultures. Whether you're a teacher, administrator, or educational leader, this conversation offers hope and actionable strategies for bridging divides in your community.

Main Topics:

• Why Relationship Building Is Crucial for Civil Discourse (01:59)
• Inquiry-Based Learning and Teacher Leadership (03:44)
• The Importance of Modeling Authenticity and Respect (08:34)
• The Fear of Cancellation and Creating Safe Classroom Norms (12:59)
• Establishing School Culture from Leadership Down (16:16)
• Connecting Students Across Geographic and Political Divides (20:17)
• Breaking Down Assumptions Through Personal Stories (24:17)
• Creating Opportunities for Staff Connection and Trust (28:08)
• Providing Intentional Resources Without Overwhelming Teachers (30:44)
• Finding Hope in Students and Committed Educators (37:52)
• Closing Advice: Listen to Teachers and Make It Collaborative (41:14)

Resources Mentioned:

• Sphere Summit
• Sphere's Principles of Civil Discourse Primer
• C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards
• I Never Thought of It That Way by Monica Guzman
• Facing History and Ourselves

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.