The Teacher Fellows Podcast

Cultivating Civil Dialogue in the Classroom

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Teacher Fellows Podcast, hosts Ryan Rarick and Lauren Merkley are joined by two Davis School District teachers, Adam Sturm, a U.S. History and Civics teacher for 7th and 8th graders, and John Brumbaugh, a high school social studies teacher. The discussion centers on handling potentially divisive topics in the classroom, particularly in civics education. Both guests share strategies for promoting civil dialogue and encouraging students to engage with different perspectives, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, empathy, and multiple perspectives. They also discuss classroom experiences and practical tools for fostering a respectful environment where students feel safe sharing their political views. Join us in this episode as we explore cultivating civil dialogue in the classrooms.

Episode Notes

LAYOUT:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:55 Discussing Divisive Topics in the Classroom

02:29 Navigating Political Discourse

04:18 Teaching Civil Dialogue

09:58 Encouraging Empathy and Argumentation

14:54 Handling Classroom Challenges

19:24 Final Takeaways and Conclusion

GUESTS ON EPISODE:

• John Brumbaugh - History Teacher, Davis School District
• Adam Sturm - History Teacher, Davis School District

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• Connect with Adam Sturm
  • Email: adsturm@dsdmail.net
• Constitution 101 Course by National Constitution Center - The Constitution 101 course provides learners of all ages with a basic understanding of the Constitution’s text, history, structure, and case law. Drawing on primary source documents, learners will study the historical and philosophical foundations of America’s founding principles from a range of diverse voices. Participants will also learn how to think like constitutional lawyers—cultivating the skills necessary to analyze constitutional questions. Each module includes primary source readings, landmark Supreme Court cases, and Interactive Constitution essays. This course is entirely self-paced, so you can complete it on your schedule.