Speaking of Education Podcast

This episode features Keeley Baronak , PhD, Chair of Carlow University's Department of Education and Executive Director of the University's Campus School.  During our conversation, Dr. Baronak recounted a moment when an eighth-grade student admitted he couldn't read and the scribbles on the printed page had absolutely no meaning for him. This encounter set Dr. Baronak on a path of discovery, not j...

This episode features Gerry Florida, an accomplished jewelry artist, whose belief in human imagination and resilience fuels her work with at-risk youth, including those incarcerated in a juvenile detention center.  Florida has served as the director of several community art programs, as a board member of several community and educational organizations, and a founding member of Studio Blue. As she...

In this episode Richard Williams, a retired public school educator, shares his pedagogical approach for bringing history to life through "learning by doing." As a classroom teacher, a department chair, and a cooperating teacher, Mr. Williams has worked to connect students with the rich history of their own home towns and the surrounding area. Since his retirement, Mr. Williams continues to pursue...

In this episode, we talk with Ralph Proctor, Jr., PhD, a Professor of Ethnic & Diversity Studies at the Community College of Allegheny County. During our conversation we explore the historical challenges of incorporating information about the role of African-Americans since the founding of America to the present.  In particular, focuses on how such information can be taught in ways that build brid...

In this episode, we talk with Michelle Cravens who offers her perspective as an educator with many years of experience within different contexts and age levels. At the beginning of the podcast, Cravens shares how an early job at an Animal Shelter had a profound impact on her. At the shelter she cared for animals who had been abandoned and abused.  She learned to nurture them and at times hold them...

Dr. Perry is the Executive Director of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate, a consortium of universities committed to the promotion of practice-based scholarly research. During this conversation Dr. Perry recounts the events surrounding the formation of CPED, its mission, its accomplishments, and examples of various practice-based studies.   Additional information about the Carnegie Pr...

In this episode we continue our conversation with Dr. Wendy Milne with a focus on her work with two community arts organizations—Attack Theater and the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art (SAMA).    We explore how this collaboration began and its power for generating excitement and understanding of the arts among students, school personnel, parents, and the general community. As Dr. Milne points ou...

In this episode we talk with Dr. Wendy Milne, an elementary art educator and the 2004 recipient of the outstanding Elementary Art Educator Award from the Pennsylvania Art Education Association. The focus of our conversation is Dr. Milne's use of reflective artmaking as a mode of professional learning and her school district's use of differentiated projects to fulfill Pennsylvania's mandate for tea...

In this episode, Susan Roth shares her concerns about the lack of understanding and recognition given to the field of early childhood education. With a Master's degree and over 12 years of experience in a variety of pre-K settings, Roth is a thoughtful and impassioned advocate for credentialed professionals who work with children during critical stages of early development. As Roth reflects on her...

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Dr. Megan Reister, Dr. Jane Ammon, and Dr. Stef Gardiner-Walsh. As these professors share the focus of their doctoral research, they illuminate the concepts of "other mothering" and "MotherScholars." Each is committed to preparing future teachers to work effectively with students who have some form of hearing loss.    Kemmery (Reister), Megan A. A...

This episode features three university professors—Dr. Megan Reister of Franciscan University, Dr. Jane Ammon of Chestnut Hill College , and Dr. Stef Gardiner-Walsh of Illinois State University. These three educators share their experiences of growing up with hearing loss and how these experiences inform their work with students. All three completed dissertations on issues of identity and "being ot...

This episode features our conversation with James "JB" Brown, musician, producer, educator, and director of Creative Youth Development for the Homewood- Brushton YMCA in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. With a state-of-the-art recording studio and a S.T.E.A.M. maker space, the Y offers elementary, middle, and high school students opportunities for develop ing their creativity and gaining skills nec...

Today's guest is Frances Rust, PhD, Professor Emerita at New York University's Steinhardt School. Dr. Rust has a distinguished career as a teacher educator and has directed programs at Teachers College of Columbia University, Manhattanville College, Hofstra University, and NYU ; most recently she has served as Senior Fellow and Director of the Teacher Education Program at the University of Pennsyl...

Today's guest is Frances Rust, PhD, Professor Emerita at New York University's Steinhardt School. Dr. Rust has a distinguished career as a teacher educator and has directed programs at Teachers College of Columbia University, Manhattanville College, Hofstra University, and NYU ; most recently she has served as Senior Fellow and Director of the Teacher Education Program at the University of Pennsyl...

This episode features our conversation with Brooke Varghese who has taught in China, Vietnam, Oman, and the United States. Having experienced what it is like to be a stranger in totally different culture s , Varghese is particularly concerned with creating welcoming, inclusive environments for her young students. As Varghese points out, even in the same community, each family has its own culture....

This episode features our conversation with early childhood educator Alyson Woodall who now directs a diocesan pre-school program created by her mother. For a time, this mother-daughter team worked together, blending "old school" pedagogy with new approaches.  She offers a unique perspective as an educator with many years of experience within different contexts and age levels. Woodall shares her c...

This episode features our conversation with Gina Ligouri about project-based learning. Ligouri is a well-respected, trailblazing educator from western Pennsylvania who was named Pennsylvania's Technology Innovator of the Year in 2020. She has earned degrees from Carlow University, Robert Morris University and Duquesne University where she studied English Literature, Instructional Technology, and S...

This episode features our conversation with Maura Bell who changed from her career as a professional ballet dancer to education. Teaching in a university laboratory school, Bell infuses her Reggio inspired pedagogy with her understanding of expressive movement. Bell uses dance as a metaphor for illuminating pedagogical principles in the Scholarly Personal Narrative she wrote for completion of her...

This episode features Dr. Roberta L. Schomburg, an internationally recognized expert in child development and early childhood education. Dr. Schomburg worked with Fred Rogers to develop activities that educators could use in conjunction with the issues raised in Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood . She has served as the Executive Director of the Fred Rogers Center and currently is a consultant on projects o...

This episode features Dr. Roberta L. Schomburg, an internationally recognized expert in child development and early childhood education. Dr. Schomburg worked with Fred Rogers to develop activities that educators could use in conjunction with the issues raised in Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood . She continues to support the development of educational programming for children initially as Executive Direct...

This episode features Dr. Sarah Tambucci , an experienced artist, educator, and advocate for children and youth.  Dr. Tambucci has served as President of the National Arts Education Association and is currently Director Emerita of the Arts Education Collaborative in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 2005, she received the Pennsylvania Governor's Award for Outstanding Leadership in Arts Education. In ad...

This episode features Dr. Sarah Tambucci , an experienced artist, educator, and advocate for children and youth. Dr. Tambucci has served as President of the National Arts Education Association and is currently Director Emerita of the Arts Education Collaborative in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 2005, she received the Pennsylvania Governor's Award for Outstanding Leadership in Arts Education. In add...

This episode features Max Schachter whose son Alex was killed during the 2018 school shooting in Parkland, FL. Since that tragic day, Max has created a non-profit organization, Safe Schools for Alex and has become a tireless advocate for laws, policies and practices that can make schools safer for all children. During the interview, Max stressed two points. (1) It is vitally important for schools...

Dr. Terry Kushner has extensive experience as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and coach. Following his retirement, he has remained active in the profession as a supervisor of student teachers and as a member of a university-based program that provides leadership training. As he says, "Education is my vocation." In this podcast, Dr. Kushner shares his perspective on changes that have occurred...

Lance Rhinehart has taught high school English for over 21 years in a suburban district in Western Pennsylvania. In this podcast, he reflects on changes brought about by the COVID pandemic. Returning to in-person instruction was not merely a matter of reopening school buildings and expecting everyone to pick up where they left off. Everyone is readjusting—trying to find a new balance between empat...