Free Range Humans

Jun 28 2024 66 ep. 58 mins 15
Free Range Humans Podcast artwork

Free Range Humans is a podcast that explores "how we can make schools fit for human consumption." Hosted by Jal Mehta, professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Rod Allen, former district superintendent and Assistant Deputy Minister with the BC Ministry of Education.

  Education  Society & Culture
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The Weeds of Curriculum Reform - A Conversation with Ben Jensen

Jun 28 2024 58 mins  
"Curriculum reform requires a love for the details. High-level mission statements are meaningless without practical classroom application." In this episode, Dr. Ben Jensen joins from the land down under to talk with Rod and Jal about the complexities of curriculum reform and the importance of getting in to the weeds when trying to create meaningful change.

From Student to Teacher to Leader - A Conversation with Dr. Michele Shannon

Jun 13 2024 62 mins  
Rod and Jal are joined by Dr. Michele Shannon, the Executive Director of the Deeper Learning Districts. Dr. Shannon shares her extensive experience and insights into creating educational environments that foster deep learning and equity. She discusses her journey from being a student in New York City's public school system to becoming a leader in educational reform.

Harnessing AI in Education - A Conversation with Chris Kennedy and Eric Xie

Jun 05 2024 56 mins  
"Generative AI isn't one-sided; it can be both a powerful aid and a source of challenges." In this episode we delve into the integration of generative AI in education with Superintendent of West Vancouver schools, Chris Kennedy and 12th grade student, Eric Xie. They help us explore the potential and challenges of AI, the importance of proactive leadership in educational technology,

Parallels in Policing and Education - A Conversation with Dr. Neil Gross

May 28 2024 44 mins  
Jal's former Harvard colleague, Dr. Neil Gross, joins the podcast to take us on a journey that compares the world of policing to the world of education. The conversation explores themes of leadership, culture change, and most importantly, trust through the lens of Neil's latest book, Walk the Walk: How Three Police Chiefs Defied the Odds and Changed Cop Culture.

The Importance of Purpose and Values - A Conversation with Shanna Peeples

May 16 2024 55 mins  
In keeping with our recent theme of returning guests, Shanna Peeples makes her third appearance on the podcast. She shares her thoughts and insights on the current educational climate, and what it has been like navigating the system in her home state of Texas. A central theme throughout the conversation is the idea of purpose in education, and how shared values can help us rise abo

Generative AI in Schools: Adopted vs. Arrived - A Conversation with Justin Reich

May 09 2024 56 mins  
Historically, new technologies and innovations slowly make their way into classrooms via procurement processes or pilot programs. Generative AI has simply arrived in the education space, seemingly unannounced, skipping the traditional adoption process. Newly tenured, MIT professor Justin Reich joins the podcast to talk about this trend and what it means for teachers, students, and

Craftsmanship as a Model for Education - A Conversation with Ron Berger

May 03 2024 61 mins  
Ron Berger makes his third appearance on the podcast to engage Rod and Jal in a conversation focused on the idea of craftsmanship, and how quality and tangibility can, and should be applied to education. All three share personal experiences across the fields of carpentry, woodworking, writing, and of course education, emphasizing the importance of craftsmanship and critique in almo

The Bad Educational Innovations Draft - A Conversation with Alisa Berger

Apr 24 2024 57 mins  
On the eve of the NFL draft, what better way to get excited than with a little draft of our own! Rod, Jal, and returning guest, Alisa Berger, take turns "drafting" some of the worst educational innovations of all time. Each person will have an opportunity to defend their pick and then possibly face a little pushback.

Why Politics Doesn’t Have to Be a Dirty Word - A Conversation with Diana Hess

Apr 17 2024 73 mins  
Rod and Jal kick-off season three of their podcast with a brief reflection on the alarming trend of school absenteeism in the United States, and then return to an interview with Diana Hess that was recorded this past fall. Their talk with Diana focuses on the importance of encouraging teachers and students to actively engage in conversations surrounding difficult topics and issues.

The Power of Tension and Hope - A Conversation with Jo Chrona

Jul 07 2023 57 mins  
In our latest episode, Jo Chrona visits Rod and Jal to talk about her book Wayi Wah! and shares how Indigenous knowledge systems can inform our teaching practices and enhance education. The conversation focuses on the tensions involved in trying to dismantle the status quo of inequities and racism that still linger in today's education systems.