The Golda Years

What if I told you that there was a school so special, so groundbreaking, that it forever changed the way its students saw the world—and how the world saw them? Welcome to The Golda Years: The Great Educational Experiment .

Meet Mr. Hanley’s predecessor, who helped set the stage for some monumental moves for Milwaukee Public Schools

The man with the plan. The full Interview with Golda’s fearless leader, Thomas Hanley.

From Classmates to Changemakers. Listen to where the Golda Meir class of 2007 is now, and how their Golda experience helped to shape their professional trajectory and personal values. 

The end of an era, the inaugural graduating class of the Golda Meir Middle School. Tune in to hear how the “Golda Gang”, with the help of their instructor Ms. Turner, tapped into their creativity and embraced individuality in an 8th grade year that was the culmination of all their learning, including all of the drama.

When Ms. Posey joined the staff, the middle school was only 6th grade. There was no middle school faculty team or even additional classrooms, but there was a group of students ready to take on the 7th grade world. Enter Ms. Rubenzer stage left. 

Even at Golda, middle school can be a difficult time for kids. This episode explores what those social dynamics looked like amongst a middle school class of 30, and what happens when members of the community don’t feel like they have a community. 

Core curricula like math, science, history, and language arts are extremely important, but what's more important is how the content is taught to the students. This episode shares what it looks like to make learning fun, engaging, and impactful, even decades later, using a blend of conventional and unconventional methodologies.

A trailblazing place of learning needs a trailblazing educator to help lead the way into this new frontier that is 6th grade. This episode introduces the first Golda Meir Middle School teacher, Ms. Posey, and how she navigated this new environment while maintaining the essence of the Golda Meir ecosystem.

For years, Golda Meir School only existed as an elementary school with classes ending at 5th grade; Principal Hanley had other ideas. Join Anthony and Jake as they walk through the students’ and school’s transition from elementary to the first-ever middle school in over 100 years.

Three grades, three classes per grade, three different experiences. What does it look like when a school is rich in experiences and opportunities, but those resources feel unequally distributed between classes? Tune in as Golda alumni reflect on their 3rd through 5th grade years.

What do power tools, meditative breathing exercises, and tap dance have in common? They were all a part of the day-to-day life of a Golda Meir student. Learn more about the uniqueness that is the Golda Meir curriculum, and the “why” behind it from former students, parents, and Golda Meir School staff.

Welcome to Golda Meir Elementary School, a school for the gifted and talented! Join Jake and Anthony as they introduce the school, the city, and the students that are all main characters in this incredible educational world.