Abstract

Ram Bhagat is the President of the Conciliation Project and a former public educator of over 30 years. Dr. Bhagat works to promote peace and mindfulness through drumming with students in east Richmond. We talked with him about social/emotional learning and his mission of building "massive resilience" in students.

Margaret Kielty, a kindergarten teacher at G.H. Reid Elementary School

in Richmond City Public Schools, discusses her action research project, "Developing Number Systems Knowledge."

Leigh Ann Pullen, a special education teacher at Washington Henry Elementary School Hanover County Public Schools, discusses her action research project, "The Need and Impact of Focused Lessons and Reflection in Student Choice Environments."

Marivic Mitchell, a teacher from the G.H. Moody Middle School in Henrico County Public Schools, discusses her action research project, "To Inquire or Not to Inquire, That is the Inquiry-Based Question"

Cheryl Thompson, a teacher from the Blackwell Preschool Development Center in Richmond Public Schools, discusses her action research project, "Preschoolers and Pretend Gunplay: What Should We Do About It?"

Brian Letourneau, a teacher from Hanover High School in Hanover County Public Schools, discusses his action research project, "Improving Reading Comprehension within Content Courses"

Stephanie Biller, a teacher from Ridge Elementary School in Henrico County Public Schools, discusses her action research project, "A Whole Brain Approach to Improving Student Engagement"

Liza Collins, a teacher from Clover Hill High School in Chesterfield County Public Schools, discusses her action research project, "The Evolution of Cavalier Morning"

As an associate professor of leadership studies and philosophy, economics, and law at the University of Richmond, and Senior Policy Advisor for Opportunity to Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, Thad Williamson is highly involved in local efforts to address issues related to poverty and supporting Richmond Public Schools. We talked about the intersection of poverty and education and the importance of taking a holistic approach to supporting our students.

As a junior at Monacan High School, Trace Broyles is highly invested in promoting student empowerment. We talked with him about his service to his school, and what his expectations are as an aspiring biology teacher for how public education will look when he enters the profession.