Making School Matter

Establishing routines in the classroom lowers student anxiety, protects executive functioning, and creates the cognitive space for real learning to happen. In this episode, I sit down with Allison Liddane, an Upper School science teacher at Detroit Country Day School, to talk about how both procedural and cognitive routines scaffold thinking and learning for both students and teachers. We unpack the Yerkes‑Dodson curve to show how moderate, well-managed stress can boost learning, and how routines help bring students into that optimal zone. Allison walks us through concrete examples—entry agendas, quick mood checks, tight transition and pre‑lab routines—that reduce students’ cognitive load so they can focus on content. We also talk about how routines help teachers by cutting decision fatigue and freeing up mental bandwidth for assessment and individualized support. I encourage you to try one small routine this week, notice the difference, and keep iterating.

Artificial Intelligence is changing everything and nothing in education. It's most powerful when anchored in what we already know about brain science and how learners make meaning. I sat down with Peter Nilsson, co-author of Irreplaceable: How AI Changes Everything (and Nothing) in Teaching and Learning, educator, school leader, musician, and consultant, after he spent a full day leading our Detroit Country Day School teaching and learning community through a keynote and division-specific workshops on emerging AI. In this episode, we dig into how AI technology intersects with enduring teaching philosophies and learning science. We unpack practical moves teachers can make like using AI as a research and planning partner to supply inputs and having a feedback assistant that gives unlimited, timely feedback. Peter and I also explore how AI can act like a tutor in students’ zones of proximal development, scaffold executive function with timelines and prompts, and boost motivation when lessons are designed for autonomy and purpose. Overall, our conversation focuses on designing instruction that preserves human centered education while thoughtfully leveraging AI to deepen engagement, feedback, and learning.

How do the aspirational values on a school poster transform into genuine cognitive habits? In this episode of Making School Matter, we explore how the Detroit Country Day School "Portrait of a Student" shapes the developing brain through daily classroom experiences. I am joined by Thompson Y, Victoria W, and Julia B, three exceptional seniors from the Detroit Country Day School graduating class of 2026. Together, we unpack their academic experiences as they reflect upon how specific teaching practices shaped their view of themselves as scholars, citizens, and leaders.

Our conversation focuses on three traits of the portrait. First, we examine what it means to be inquisitive, looking at how curiosity acts as the ultimate driver for deep cognitive processing and intrinsic motivation. Next, we discuss how a school fosters innovative thinkers by designing classroom cultures that welcome intellectual risk and allow students to make their thinking visible. Finally, we explore the concept of being resilient and explain how navigating the friction of productive struggle builds lasting emotional and academic strength.

In this episode you will also discover the importance of the neurobiological link between emotion and memory, understand why a robust culture of thinking is required to move students from compliance to genuine curiosity, and gain tangible insights on how educators can design experiences that truly make school matter.

Beverly Hannett-Price, who recently made headlines for earning the Guinness World Record for the longest career as a female language teacher, has dedicated more than 67 years to nurturing the minds of students at Detroit Country Day School. This episode shines a light on her journey, showcasing how her unwavering commitment to her students has left a lasting impact on countless lives. Throughout our conversation, we explore the essence of building meaningful relationships in education, a theme that Beverly emphasizes as crucial to student success. She candidly shares her philosophy on creating an inviting classroom environment and how fostering connections goes beyond mere instruction. Join us as we delve into the lessons Beverly has learned over her decades of teaching, reminding us all of the profound influence educators can have on shaping the future.

Helping students transition from depending on external direction to becoming self-motivated and resilient learners is a journey that involves understanding the interplay of motivation, challenge, feedback, and reflection. In this episode, Alaina Trivax, Jen Geyman, and I delve into the essential elements that not only foster academic success but also shape how students perceive themselves as learners. We share real-life examples, like how a simple sticker chart can ignite motivation, and we grapple with the balance between providing support and encouraging independence. Our guest, Debbie Silver, author of Fall Down 7 Times, Get Up 8, emphasizes that while it's important to offer guidance, the ultimate goal is to empower students to own their learning journey. Join us as we explore strategies that encourage students to embrace challenges, reflect on their experiences, and build the skills necessary for lifelong learning.

Creativity, collaboration, and storytelling take center stage in this conversation with Brett Salamim and Mike Cappalletti from the School of Film at Detroit Country Day. Together, we explore how their film program immerses students in the creative process — where ideas are developed, shaped into stories, tested, revised, and ultimately brought to life through shared effort. Filmmaking becomes a powerful medium for students to think creatively, collaborate meaningfully, and craft narratives that reflect both technical skill and personal voice.

Throughout our discussion, we highlight how students learn to navigate the complexities of storytelling — balancing vision with feedback, working within constraints, and building cohesive narratives alongside their peers. From short films to full-length features, each project becomes an opportunity to deepen communication, perspective-taking, and collective problem-solving, all in service of telling stories that matter.

This episode showcases how film education, at its best, is not just about producing content, but about developing storytellers and creative thinkers who can collaborate, adapt, and bring ideas to life in compelling and meaningful ways.

Our episode delves into the role of literacy in education, specifically in the sweet spot of the fourth and fifth grades at Detroit Country Day School. My guests: Tara LaBarre, Lisa Momblanco, and Nicole Jakubowski emphasize that literacy is not confined to English Language Arts (ELA) but is a foundational skill that permeates all subjects. They share that writing is a tool for demonstrating understanding post-learning as well as a critical means through which students develop and refine their understanding. Our conversation highlights teacher efficacy -the ability to positively affect student learning, behavior, and engagement, We continue on to discuss how teachers collaborate to create a consistent literacy framework across disciplines, fostering a shared responsibility for student learning. This approach enhances students' writing skills as well as builds their confidence in academics. By embedding writing practices throughout the curriculum, students learn to view writing as a communication tool essential for thinking and learning across all subjects. Tara, Lisa, and Nicole illustrate this through practical classroom examples, demonstrating how writing is integrated into science experiments and discussions, ultimately shaping students into capable thinkers and communicators who see their voices as valuable in the learning process.

In this episode, I dive into the importance of departmental leadership in the arts, featuring insights from KT Robinson, Upper School Art teacher and Visual Arts Department Chair at Detroit Country Day. We explore how effective arts leadership involves more than fostering collaboration and a supportive environment among colleagues, it also requires nurturing each individual's creativity . KT emphasizes the significance of setting clear goals, expectations and being consistent in communication, especially when tough decisions need to be made. KT also interviews me about my path to Detroit Country Day and my partnerships with students and teachers at DCDS. We discuss how The Studios allow students and teachers to create, explore, and share their artistic stories, bridging various disciplines and enhancing the overall educational experience. Join us as we chat about the impact we have on our school community.

In this episode, we explore the comprehensive PreK–12 Learning Support program at Detroit Country Day School and how it helps every student understand how they learn best. Director of Learning Support Prathima Mistry, Middle School Consultant Alaina Trivax, and Upper School Consultant Rob Messanger share how a consistent, brain-based approach builds confidence, independence, and strong partnerships across the school community. Together, they show how learning support at DCDS is less about remediation and more about empowering students to thrive in an academically challenging environment.

Play is not just a fun activity for young children, it’s the foundation for their learning and development. In this episode, I dive into how play shapes social, emotional, and academic growth in PreK learners, with insights from some of Detroit Country Day Prek4 teachers who share their unique perspectives and classroom strategies. My guests: Marta Krussman, Jordan Woodley, and Carrie McDonald explore the balance between structured and unstructured play, and how these experiences foster creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration among children. The conversation highlights the importance of creating an environment where children feel safe to express themselves, navigate their emotions, and build relationships with their peers. Join us as we unpack the transformative power of play in early childhood education and why it matters so much for our youngest learners.