In public schools across the country, “circle conversations“—where teachers ask personal questions of their students—is just the latest example of American classrooms focusing on everything but academic instruction. Should American teachers remain purely educators or evolve into something akin to therapists?

In this episode, Naomi and Ian are joined by Daniel Buck, a Senior Visiting Fellow at the Fordham Institute, teacher, and author of an upcoming book on the philosophy of education. Daniel explains how teacher training now focuses on restorative justice ostensibly as a way to create more “safe spaces” for students. Instead, these practices have led to an uptick in bullying, classroom disruption, and more time in suspension, as well as less time devoted to reading and doing math. Daniel is encouraged by the recent surge in local activism among parents who want schools to prioritize teaching. But he worries that some critics may overplay their hand by accusing teachers of “grooming.”

Resources:

• ‘Community Circle’ Classroom Fad is Likely to Do More Harm Than Good | Daniel Buck | New York Post

• In Defense of Suspensions | Daniel Buck | Fordham Institute

• Not Everyone’s on Board with Turning Schooling into Therapy | Robert Pondiscio | Fordham Institute

• The Pedagogy of the Depressed | Robert Pondiscio | Fordham Institute