Episodes

  • When Students Check Out: Understanding the Real Story Behind Absenteeism

    When Students Check Out: Understanding the Real Story Behind Absenteeism
    May 27 2025
    What can the iconic movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" teach us about student engagement? This episode explores the critical disconnect between students and educators, examining why students mentally and physically check out of their education. Guests Colleen Keating-Crawford, Sydney Tweedley, and Izzy Fitzgerald from The Reinvention Lab at Teach For America share personal stories that reveal a startling truth: many students are physically present but mentally absent, highlighting a deeper crisis in our education system. Our conversation emphasizes that creating meaningful connections and relevant learning experiences is crucial for keeping students engaged. We also share practical strategies teachers can implement immediately to make a difference right where they are. Learn more about the people and research they discuss att: https://www.reinventionlab.org/ We’re proud to make this content free and accessible to all. If you find value in our episodes, please consider donating to support and sustain our efforts: https://cpet.tc.columbia.edu/giving.html
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    58 mins
  • The Language of Learning: Supporting MLLs and Newcomers

    The Language of Learning: Supporting MLLs and Newcomers
    May 7 2025
    🌟 Join us for an inspiring conversation about creating inclusive classrooms where every voice can shine! In this episode, our guest Katherine Hamilton, Vice President of Programs at Ensemble Learning, joins us as we dive into the complex and rewarding world of supporting multilingual learners in the classroom. We celebrate the incredible value of multilingualism in our classrooms and explore how ALL teachers—not just language specialists—can embrace simple techniques to help English language learners thrive across every subject. Don't miss this uplifting and practical episode that will leave you energized and equipped with fresh ideas for your classroom. Subscribe now and be part of the conversation! 🎧✨ We’re proud to make this content free and accessible to all. If you find value in our episodes, please consider donating to support and sustain our efforts: https://cpet.tc.columbia.edu/giving.html
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    42 mins
  • Breaking the Language Barrier: Linguistic Respect & Mobility

    Breaking the Language Barrier: Linguistic Respect & Mobility
    Apr 29 2025
    In this episode, we continue our discussion focused on multilingual learners, diving deep into why linguistic mobility isn't just academic—it's the key to true community inclusion! Maria Underwood, Senior Professional Development Advisor at CPET, and Vince Moua, CPET Professional Development Coach, and Teachers College Zankel Fellow, join Roberta to discuss: -Why multilingual teaching creates explosive learning opportunities for ALL students -How understanding language history can revolutionize your classroom -Practical, ready-to-use strategies for celebrating language diversity -The hidden social dynamics that make or break multilingual learners' success This isn't just talk—it's a vital addition to your toolkit for creating a classroom where EVERY language is valued and EVERY student can thrive! We’re proud to make this content free and accessible to all. If you find value in our episodes, please consider donating to support and sustain our efforts: https://cpet.tc.columbia.edu/giving.html
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    46 mins
  • Innovation in Education: Ways to Embrace & Sustain Change

    Innovation in Education: Ways to Embrace & Sustain Change
    Apr 23 2025
    Did you know it takes 2-3 years to see real results from educational innovation? How can teachers and leaders invest in the time needed for long-lasting change? This enlightening episode, featuring Dr. Annalies Corbin, founder of the PAST Foundation, uncovers the essential ingredients that make educational changes stick. From overhead projectors to modern teaching methods, we explore how education must evolve to meet today's challenges. Tune in to discover how you can be part of the educational evolution that truly prepares students for tomorrow's challenges! We’re proud to make this content free and accessible to all. If you find value in our episodes, please consider donating to support and sustain our efforts: https://cpet.tc.columbia.edu/giving.html
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    48 mins
  • Call Back Conversation: Amplifying Student Voices

    Call Back Conversation: Amplifying Student Voices
    Apr 8 2025
    Writing projects can feel like a distraction, unless we look at the ways in which projects increase learning for students, and the ways we can integrate them into our calendars without losing teaching time for skills or content that we need to cover. Today, we revisit our conversation with participants from one of our Student Publication Initiative (SPI) projects last year: participants from all levels — Meg Davis, SPI coach; Vicky Beswick, NYC DOE teacher; and Juan Filan & Deylin Pena-Rodriguez — two 9th grade students who established their voices as student authors throughout the writing process. We’re proud to make this content free and accessible to all. If you find value in our episodes, please consider donating to support and sustain our efforts: https://cpet.tc.columbia.edu/giving.html
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    36 mins
  • Empowering Student Voice: Social Justice in the Classroom

    Empowering Student Voice: Social Justice in the Classroom
    Apr 1 2025
    Teachers struggle to implement social justice pedagogy due to limited support, restrictive laws, and scarce training—all while trying to build student advocacy skills! In this episode, Maria Luisa Underwood unpacks findings from quantitative research with teachers based on their experience implementing the framework "Equipping Educators to Nurture Student Civic Advocates Through Social Justice Pedagogy.” You’ll find Underwood’s chapter on the topic in NCTE/Routledge's "Practicing Civic Futures" (Vol. 3). Listen in to discover practical solutions to the pressing challenges facing educators today! We’re proud to make this content free and accessible to all. If you find value in our episodes, please consider donating to support and sustain our efforts: https://cpet.tc.columbia.edu/giving.html
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    43 mins
  • Transforming Texts into Immersive Experiences for Multilingual Classrooms

    Transforming Texts into Immersive Experiences for Multilingual Classrooms
    Mar 11 2025
    In this episode, we dive into the art of creating captivating, immersive experiences that bring texts to life in any classroom setting—especially for multilingual learners! Join our inspiring panel of educators: Adel Bruni Ashley, Gregory Petershack, Jen Gowers, Shenhao Bai. They reveal the behind-the-scenes magic of their groundbreaking workshop with students and teachers visiting from Shanghai, sharing practical strategies that will revolutionize your teaching approach. ✨ Connect brain to body through energizing prereading activities ✨ Awaken the senses with multisensory engagement techniques ✨ Spark creativity by empowering participants to become creators. Listen to how this transformative methodology works in: -Immersive all-day workshops -Bite-sized sessions that build progressively -Regular classroom routines woven throughout the school week Visit https://cpet.tc.columbia.edu/ to learn about the Literacy Unbound summer program and apply for our next session. We’re proud to make this content free and accessible to all. If you find value in our episodes, please consider donating to support and sustain our efforts: https://cpet.tc.columbia.edu/giving.html
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    31 mins
  • Brain-Based Teaching: Learning from the Field of Neuroscience

    Brain-Based Teaching: Learning from the Field of Neuroscience
    Mar 10 2025
    In this episode, we discuss how the study of the brain can help us better support our students to learn. We are joined by Brooklin Williams, Katherine Elam, and Malik Bolden who share the importance of empathy and understanding in teaching and learning, the need to recognize and support students' emotional responses, rather than just managing their behaviors, and the crucial role teachers play in shaping students' ability to self-regulate. We’re proud to make this content free and accessible to all. If you find value in our episodes, please consider donating to support and sustain our efforts: https://cpet.tc.columbia.edu/giving.html
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    30 mins