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What if we could transform education to truly empower every student, regardless of their background? Join me, Dr. Lisa Hassler, and our inspiring guest, Dr. Emily Affolter, as we uncover the potential of building just and inclusive educational environments. Drawing from Paulo Freire's "Pedagogy of the Oppressed" and Jean Anyon's "Social Class in the Hidden Curriculum of Work," we explore how education can challenge social inequalities and become a tool for liberation.

In this episode, Dr. Affolter shares her journey from activism in Seattle to her pivotal role as the director of Prescott College's Sustainability Education PhD program. Her commitment to equity and inclusion is evident as she emphasizes the importance of culturally responsive teaching and equitable leadership. Discover how recognizing students as co-learners and moving beyond the traditional banking model of education creates spaces of dignity and respect. Emily shares inclusive assessment practices and the significance of making implicit expectations explicit to bridge educational gaps.

We also highlight real-world applications and success stories from Prescott University, illustrating how culturally responsive pedagogy empowers students. Hear about innovative projects, such as climate justice-related screenplays, that connect theory to practice. As we discuss the vital roles educators and parents play in fostering a culture of equity and justice, we encourage you to share your stories and support the mission of creating positive change in education. Let’s work together to dismantle inequitable power dynamics and champion a brighter, more inclusive future for all students.

Connect with Dr. Emily Affolter at eaffolter@prescott.edu.

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Want to share a story? Email me at lisa@drlisarhassler.com.
Visit my website for resources: http://www.drlisarhassler.com

The music in this podcast was written and performed by Brandon Picciolini of the Lonesome Family Band. Visit and follow him on Instagram.

My publications:
America's Embarrassing Reading Crisis: What we learned from COVID, A guide to help educational leaders, teachers, and parents change the game, is available on Amazon, Kindle, and Audible, and iTunes.
My Weekly Writing Journal: 15 Weeks of Writing for Primary Grades on Amazon.
World of Words: A Middle School Writing Notebook Using...