AI, Systems-Thinking, and Discussion: An Interview with R.E.A.L. Faculty Advisory Council Member Ralph Covino

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…

Faculty Advisory Board Interview: R.E.A.L. Equips Department Chairs to Balance Faculty Autonomy and Alignment

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

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, 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…

Faculty Advisory Board Interview: Shannon Schmidt

Faculty Advisory Board Interview: Shannon Schmidt

Shannon Schmidt Shannon Schmidt is the Director of the The Amabel Boyce ’70 Center for Learning and Thriving at Garrison Forest School (MD) and a Faculty Advisory Board member at R.E.A.L.® Discussion. We interviewed Shannon about her approach to leadership and how building discussion skills align with the goals of the Boyce Center. What follows…

A New Category of Conversation: In Conversation About AI with Eric Hudson

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 
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“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…

Building Self-Efficacy in Math through Discussion: A Conversation with Duncan Flaherty

Building Self-Efficacy in Math through Discussion: A Conversation with Duncan Flaherty

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….

Building Understanding through Civic Engagement: A Conversation with Spencer Burrows

Building Understanding through Civic Engagement: A Conversation with Spencer Burrows

Spencer Burrows is the Equity and Civic Engagement Coordinator and 11th Grade Dean at Pacific Ridge School in Carlsbad, CA. What follows is a conversation between Spencer and R.E.A.L.® founder Liza Garonzik. This conversation has been lightly edited for clarity. Liza: Spencer, we are so excited to have you here. You are so committed to…