We speak with Paula Rogovin, who taught kindergarten and first grade in NYC public schools for 44 years. Paula empowered the youngest students to become researchers and activists. She encourages students to ask questions (“anything goes”) and research is interdisciplinary, comprising literature, social studies, art, music, and science. Cultural relevance evolves organically from the research. When students discover injustices, Paula encourages them to channel their anger to become agents of change. Paula’s advice for new teachers, “Teach what you are required to teach, and stretch it.”
Overview
00:00-01:06 Intros
01:06-14:18 Kindergarteners’ fight to ban glyphosate
14:18-15:45 Parent forum; the play at City Hall
15:45-19:09 Linking to the standards; students’ excitement about learning through research
19:09-23:38 Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Education Framework
23:38-32:04 Encouraging students to think about the ethical implications of actions
32:04-34:01 Promoting peace education
34:01-37:40 Advice to new teachers on surviving the NYC school system
37:40-40:36 How to help social action evolve
40:36-43:32 Outro
Transcription
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References
Soundtrack by Poddington Bear
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