Company News: New Video
We’re proud to release a new video highlighting our mission, vision, and program. Join us to solve the world’s Conversation Crisis, one classroom at a time!
Teacher Feature: Julia Porter, high school English teacher at Tabor Academy
Thank you to Julia Porter for sharing her R.E.A.L. life with us! Julia is a high school English teacher at Tabor Academy in Marion, MA. Here are her thoughts on discussion, R.E.A.L.®, and learning. This interview has been lightly edited for clarity. Name: Julia Porter Hometown: Amherst, Massachusetts Current School: I teach ninth graders and…
AI, Systems-Thinking, and Discussion: An Interview with R.E.A.L. Faculty Advisory Council Member Ralph Covino
Ralph Covino is the Humanities Coordinator at Girls Preparatory School in Chattanooga, TN. He has been using R.E.A.L.® Discussion programs with his seventh grade history students since 2022. Catherine: Thank you for joining me today! We often like to start off thinking back to your own time in school. How would you describe yourself as…
Teacher Feature Jessica Wilson, Katherine Hammond, Maggie Haire
Thank you to Jessica Wilson, Katherine Hammond, and Maggie Haire, the fourth grade team at Hutchison School (Memphis, TN), for sharing their R.E.A.L. Basics experience with us! R.E.A.L.® Basics is our research-based discussion skills program for elementary-aged students. Can you describe yourself as a student in three words? Jessica: Overachiever, rule-follower… maybe a little anxious….
Introducing Our New Brand: A REAL Refresh!
If you’ve worked with us, you probably know that we have a propensity for action. We like doing good work and going far, fast – so much so that we sometimes skip thinking about how we work or how we message the work we do. This Spring, we decided it was time to think strategically…
Faculty Advisory Board Interview: R.E.A.L. Equips Department Chairs to Balance Faculty Autonomy and Alignment
Jim Moore is the English Department Chair at Blair Academy (NJ) and a Faculty Advisory Board member at R.E.A.L.® Discussion. We interviewed Jim about his approach to leadership and how R.E.A.L. supports him in balancing autonomy and alignment for his teachers. What follows is a conversation between Jim and R.E.A.L.® Partnerships and Program Manager Catherine…
Expert Interview: Caitlin Dunne
Caitlin Dunne is a high school English teacher at Blair Academy (NJ). She is currently getting her Doctorate in Education from the University of Bath. Her thesis, “Gender and Interaction in English Medium Instruction Class Discussions at a Turkish Secondary School” explores gender dynamics in classroom discussions. What follows is a conversation between Caitlin and…
Sumner McCallie, Faculty Advisory Board Interview
Sumner McCallie is the Dean of Faculty and Curriculum at the McCallie School (TN) and a Faculty Advisory Board member at R.E.A.L.® Discussion. We interviewed Sumner about his path to McCallie and why he believes discussion skills are a cornerstone of McCallie academics and culture. What follows is a conversation between Sumner and R.E.A.L.® Partnerships…
A New Category of Conversation: In Conversation About AI with Eric Hudson
Eric Hudson is a facilitator and strategic advisor who supports schools in making sense of what’s changing in education and on the role of technology in K-12 schools. What follows is a conversation between Eric and R.E.A.L.® founder Liza Garonzik. This conversation has been lightly edited for clarity. Liza: Welcome, Eric, to Destination: Discussion. We’re…
“Teacher Nerd Summer Camp Vibes”: A Conversation with Gwyneth Connell
Gwyneth Connell is the Director of the Grauer Institute and a Faculty Advisory Board member at R.E.A.L.® Discussion. We interviewed Gwyneth about her journey to becoming an academic leader and her vision for the recently announced collaboration between R.E.A.L.® and Grauer: an in-person PD opportunity this summer. What follows is a conversation between Gwyneth and…