Making School Matter

How do the aspirational values on a school poster transform into genuine cognitive habits? In this episode of Making School Matter , we explore how the Detroit Country Day School "Portrait of a Student" shapes the developing brain through daily classroom experiences. I am joined by Thompson Y, Victoria W, and Julia B, three exceptional seniors from the Detroit Country Day School graduating class o...

Beverly Hannett-Price, who recently made headlines for earning the Guinness World Record for the longest career as a female language teacher, has dedicated more than 67 years to nurturing the minds of students at Detroit Country Day School. This episode shines a light on her journey, showcasing how her unwavering commitment to her students has left a lasting impact on countless lives. Throughout o...

Helping students transition from depending on external direction to becoming self-motivated and resilient learners is a journey that involves understanding the interplay of motivation, challenge, feedback, and reflection. In this episode, Alaina Trivax, Jen Geyman, and I delve into the essential elements that not only foster academic success but also shape how students perceive themselves as learn...

Creativity, collaboration, and storytelling take center stage in this conversation with Brett Salamim and Mike Cappalletti from the School of Film at Detroit Country Day. Together, we explore how their film program immerses students in the creative process — where ideas are developed, shaped into stories, tested, revised, and ultimately brought to life through shared effort. Filmmaking becomes a p...

Our episode delves into the role of literacy in education, specifically in the sweet spot of the fourth and fifth grades at Detroit Country Day School. My guests: Tara LaBarre, Lisa Momblanco, and Nicole Jakubowski emphasize that literacy is not confined to English Language Arts (ELA) but is a foundational skill that permeates all subjects. They share that writing is a tool for demonstrating under...

In this episode, I dive into the importance of departmental leadership in the arts, featuring insights from KT Robinson, Upper School Art teacher and Visual Arts Department Chair at Detroit Country Day. We explore how effective arts leadership involves more than fostering collaboration and a supportive environment among colleagues, it also requires nurturing each individual's creativity . KT empha...

In this episode, we explore the comprehensive PreK–12 Learning Support program at Detroit Country Day School and how it helps every student understand how they learn best. Director of Learning Support Prathima Mistry, Middle School Consultant Alaina Trivax, and Upper School Consultant Rob Messanger share how a consistent, brain-based approach builds confidence, independence, and strong partnership...

Play is not just a fun activity for young children, it’s the foundation for their learning and development. In this episode, I dive into how play shapes social, emotional, and academic growth in PreK learners, with insights from some of Detroit Country Day Prek4 teachers who share their unique perspectives and classroom strategies. My guests: Marta Krussman, Jordan Woodley, and Carrie McDonald exp...

Slowing down and being present in the moment can significantly enhance our creativity, and that's the core message we explore with Dr. Jill Walsh in this mini episode. Recorded right after her keynote at Detroit Country Day School, Dr. Walsh—a sociologist from Boston University—shares her insights on how over-scheduled students often turn to technology to fill their downtime, missing out on the be...

The heart of this podcast episode revolves around the integration of physical and mental wellness in education, encapsulated in Detroit Country Day School’s motto, "Mens Sana in Corpore Sano," which translates to "A Sound Mind in a Sound Body." We dive into how educators at DCDS are actively fostering a culture that prioritizes the holistic development of students, ensuring they thrive both in and...

This episode dives into how the "Engineer Your World (EYW)" curriculum is engaging high school students in authentic engineering experiences and inspiring them to embrace an engineer’s habits of mind. Laura Beachum and I along with mentoring EYW teachers and faculty from the University of Texas at Austin explore the challenges students face when they encounter new concepts for the first time, emph...

Today, we are celebrating Stacy Penkala, a beloved figure in Detroit Country Day School's Counseling Program. Stacy reflects on her nearly three decades of experience, reminding us that every student deserves to feel seen and valued. Our guests, Andrew Callery and Josh Greenwald from the Detroit Country Day School College Counseling Department, share their insights on building meaningful relations...

Today, we are exploring the transformative power of the Global Exchange Program at Detroit Country Day School, highlighting how immersion can ignite a passion for language acquisition and cultural understanding. Our guests, including upper school French teacher Liz Lebovic, Spanish teacher Fernanda Gabaldon, and recent alumna Megan Kenny, share personal insights about their experiences and the pro...

Curiosity is key to fostering a rich learning environment, and in today’s episode, we dive deep into how we can cultivate that curiosity in our second-grade classrooms. The Detroit Country Day Second Grade teaching team share experiences and strategies for creating an inclusive classroom culture where every child's thoughts and ideas are valued. We also hear directly from second graders about thei...

We explore the powerful intersection of storytelling, identity, and community in this episode, featuring two Detroit Country Day School alumni from the class of 1974. Harry Davis, the director of the documentary "Fast Dreams," shares insights from his 17-year journey chronicling Olympic gold medalist Bianca Knight's life, emphasizing themes of perseverance and the importance of representation in s...

Our discussion centers on the notion that teaching does not guarantee learning; a sentiment encapsulated in the phrase, "Just because you taught it doesn't mean your kids learned it." This episode delves deeply into the intricate dynamics of teaching methodologies, emphasizing the profound importance of fostering an environment conducive to genuine inquiry and collaboration among students. Celeste...

The focal point of this discourse revolves around the transformative power of student-driven learning, particularly through the utilization of the Harkness discussion method. I elucidate the enriching experiences garnered from allowing students to engage with the curriculum in a manner that is not only interactive but also deeply personal. Through this pedagogical approach, I have observed that le...

Randy Kaplan, an innovative educator and musician, explores how creative teaching methods can transform the classroom experience by fostering deeper understanding and engagement among students. He emphasizes the importance of shifting from traditional lecture-based instruction to discovery-based learning, enabling students to actively participate in their own educational journeys. Through techniqu...

Chandler Tawney, an innovative upper school biology teacher, shares her transformative approach to teaching science, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and experiential learning. By moving away from traditional lecture-based methods, she encourages students to engage deeply with the material through modeling, collaboration, and hands-on activities. Tawney discusses her journey from as...