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…
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…
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 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…
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…
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…
R.E.A.L.® Discussion, a social enterprise on a mission to teach discussion skills to young people growing up in our tech-centric, polarized world, today announced that Dr. Sidra Smith will join the organization as Director of the Independent School Program. In this role, Dr. Smith will serve as the face of the organization in the K-12…
Duncan Flaherty is a fifth and sixth grade math teacher at Nashoba Brooks School in Concord, MA. This year he is conducting an action research project through a fellowship with the International Coalition of Girls Schools (ICGS) on how using R.E.A.L.® Discussion in math class can be a lever for improving girls’ feelings of self-efficacy….
It’s been another fantastic year at R.E.A.L.® Discussion! As 2024 draws to a close, we’re taking a look back at what we published and learned on the blog this year. Here’s our Destination: Discussion 2024 year in review. We are so grateful to you for making your way to our corner of the Internet, reading…
When we started R.E.A.L.® Discussion, our original program was geared toward high school-aged students. As R.E.A.L.® grew, we listened to and learned from educators who said they wished their high school students had this kind of training earlier – and consequently, we added programming to support discussion skills scaffolding in Middle School. We kept listening,…