Books have the power to introduce us to new places, cultures, and perspectives. But right now students across the country are facing empty bookshelves in their classrooms and school libraries, as books that fairly address issues of race, gender, and culture in age-appropriate ways are at risk of being banned from classroom and library shelves by state or local officials.

This week, we're joined by Dr. Heather Harding, Executive Director of Campaign for a Shared Future (https://www.campaignsharedfuture.org/), to discuss what we can do in our local communities to ensure that all children have the opportunity to access inclusive content.

Censorship in Schools

Should first-graders learn to read analog clocks? It's a small question with big implications about what we choose to teach—and why.  In this episode, we're in conversation with Dr. Tony Wagner, author of Mastery, exploring how technology has outpaced pedagogy and what that means for today's classrooms. We discuss the "Five Cs" every community wants for graduates (but rarely teaches), why intrinsic motivation matters more than grades, and actionable strategies teachers can implement tomorrow—no permission required.

The future of learning starts with asking better questions.

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


Building Mastery One Curiosity at a Time: Reimagining Education for Today

Teaching Today is brought to you by The Center for Professional Education of Teachers (CPET) at Teachers College, Columbia University.

In conversation with teachers, researchers, and school leaders, we’re dedicated to breaking down the problems, policies, and promising practices that define teaching. Uniting theory and practice, CPET promotes rigorous and relevant scholarship, and is committed to making excellent education accessible worldwide.

Building Mastery One Curiosity at a Time: Reimagining Education for Today

Teaching Today

Related tracks