The Reason We Learn Podcast

Daniel Buck, practicing classroom teacher, and author of "What is wrong with our schools?" joins me to discuss his book, so I can (I hope) persuade you to BUY IT AND READ IT. To be an effective advocate for your children, you to know and understand what you're asking for (and rejecting) when it comes to their education. If you want transparency, you need to know enough about education to evaluate what you're given. Daniel's book will give you both, in a short 200 pages!

I am NOT paid to endorse the book, nor was I given a copy. I bought myself, so you can trust me completely on this, it will be the most important book you read all year. Buy it here: https://a.co/d/foMcs8R Daniel Buck is a senior visiting fellow at the Fordham Institute, editor-in-chief of Chalkboard Review, and author. He earned his master's degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. His work has appeared in various publications including National Review, the Wall Street Journal, RealClearEducation, and The New York Post. He has taught English literature and English as a second language in public and private schools at the middle and high-school levels.

Find Daniel on Twitter @mrdanielbuck

Daniel Buck, practicing classroom teacher, and author of "What is wrong with our schools?" joins me to discuss his book, so I can (I hope) persuade you to BUY IT AND READ IT. To be an effective advocate for your children, you to know and understand what you're asking for (and rejecting) when it comes to their education. If you want transparency, you need to know enough about education to evaluate what you're given. Daniel's book will give you both, in a short 200 pages!

I am NOT paid to endorse the book, nor was I given a copy. I bought myself, so you can trust me completely on this, it will be the most important book you read all year. Buy it here: https://a.co/d/foMcs8R Daniel Buck is a senior visiting fellow at the Fordham Institute, editor-in-chief of Chalkboard Review, and author. He earned his master's degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. His work has appeared in various publications including National Review, the Wall Street Journal, RealClearEducation, and The New York Post. He has taught English literature and English as a second language in public and private schools at the middle and high-school levels.

Find Daniel on Twitter @mrdanielbuck

Parents: if you're looking to school choice to deliver your children from "woke" curricula and activist teachers, my guest wants you to understand these problems aren't a function of a given school as much as they are a function of the teachers in the classroom, how and why they came to teaching in the first place, and the pedagogy they bring with them.

Dan argues that "Inactivist" teachers, or those who do not see themselves as organizers and liberators, adoptive parents, or therapists, not only aren't "made" in Ed school, they can't be "made," period. Instead, they are "born" and have a completely different mindset about education, the craft and responsibility of the teaching profession, and the role of parents in their children’s lives.

Dan Clemens is a Canadian-born international teacher. As an undergraduate in Philosophy, he was a Marxist atheist. He is now in ‘recovery.’  He initially gravitated towards critical theory and The Frankfurt School and did his Masters thesis on Marcuse and Fromm.  He went to teach in South Korea for two years then returned home to enter a PhD program but found it to be “woke” that is, focused on (Critique and Social Transformation, Ways of Knowing). He became disillusioned and had a different kind of political awakening. He lost faith in the program and several options. That exploration led him to voluntarily withdraw from the program. He went to Ed school, then back to teach in Asia.  He is now in his fourth year teaching in China.

Inspiration for this show comes from his two recent articles on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/unchang... https://open.substack.com/pub/unchang... Follow Dan on Twitter @Rieffian and on Substack at Unchanging.substack.com

Parents: if you're looking to school choice to deliver your children from "woke" curricula and activist teachers, my guest wants you to understand these problems aren't a function of a given school as much as they are a function of the teachers in the classroom, how and why they came to teaching in the first place, and the pedagogy they bring with them.

Dan argues that "Inactivist" teachers, or those who do not see themselves as organizers and liberators, adoptive parents, or therapists, not only aren't "made" in Ed school, they can't be "made," period. Instead, they are "born" and have a completely different mindset about education, the craft and responsibility of the teaching profession, and the role of parents in their children’s lives.

Dan Clemens is a Canadian-born international teacher. As an undergraduate in Philosophy, he was a Marxist atheist. He is now in ‘recovery.’  He initially gravitated towards critical theory and The Frankfurt School and did his Masters thesis on Marcuse and Fromm.  He went to teach in South Korea for two years then returned home to enter a PhD program but found it to be “woke” that is, focused on (Critique and Social Transformation, Ways of Knowing). He became disillusioned and had a different kind of political awakening. He lost faith in the program and several options. That exploration led him to voluntarily withdraw from the program. He went to Ed school, then back to teach in Asia.  He is now in his fourth year teaching in China.

Inspiration for this show comes from his two recent articles on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/unchang... https://open.substack.com/pub/unchang... Follow Dan on Twitter @Rieffian and on Substack at Unchanging.substack.com

Jeremy Tate, founder and CEO of the Classic Learning Test speaks to us about standardized testing — is it still relevant, if so how, and what can parents do to ensure their kids are achieving? We also discuss why he (and I) think Classical Education is the optimal style of education for a self-governing people. Jeremy Tate is the founder and CEO of the Classic Learning Test. Jeremy is also the host of the Anchored Podcast, CLT’s top 2% global podcast that features discussions at the intersection of education and culture. Prior to founding CLT, Jeremy served as Director of College Counseling at Mount de Sales Academy in Catonsville, Maryland. He received his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Louisiana State University and a Masters in Religious Studies from Reformed Theological Seminary. Jeremy and his wife, Erin, reside in Annapolis, Maryland with their six children.

You can find Jeremy on Twitter @JeremyTate41. Classic Learning Test Website: https://www.cltexam.com/

Jeremy Tate, founder and CEO of the Classic Learning Test speaks to us about standardized testing — is it still relevant, if so how, and what can parents do to ensure their kids are achieving? We also discuss why he (and I) think Classical Education is the optimal style of education for a self-governing people. Jeremy Tate is the founder and CEO of the Classic Learning Test. Jeremy is also the host of the Anchored Podcast, CLT’s top 2% global podcast that features discussions at the intersection of education and culture. Prior to founding CLT, Jeremy served as Director of College Counseling at Mount de Sales Academy in Catonsville, Maryland. He received his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Louisiana State University and a Masters in Religious Studies from Reformed Theological Seminary. Jeremy and his wife, Erin, reside in Annapolis, Maryland with their six children.

You can find Jeremy on Twitter @JeremyTate41. Classic Learning Test Website: https://www.cltexam.com/

We’ve been told the low, LOW NAEP test scores out this year were so low because of Covid, and school closures, but is that accurate? Lynne Taylor, an expert on Common Core, and it’s long-term impact on learning outcomes joins me to assess the situation, and to explain how and why the “crisis” we perceive today was set in motion decades ago.Lynne Taylor has been recognized by her peers as an expert in Common Core, Career Tech Education, Career Pathways, workforce and competency based education reform, social emotional learning (child abuse) STEM/STEAM/STREAM from the UN, and federal overreaches into education and our families.

Her work has been recognized and honored by Charlotte Iserbyt, legendary education whistleblower. Lynne humbly carries on Charlotte's mission to expose corruption in, not only education, but of our nation.

Since 2002, she has been a featured speaker at small meetings and large conferences, and a multi media guest on several outlets, nationwide. Since 2009, she has served as a frequent guest on nationwide radio and multimedia shows based out of a dozen States (so far). Lynne also helped co-establish PIE NC (Preserving Integrity and Excellence in Education for NC) circa 2012.

Lynne is a retired private (homeschool) teacher and regionally recognized support group leader, wife and mom. Lynne was also an adviser to the national grassroots campaign "Child Abuse in the Classroom,” where it is the campaign's belief that "Repealing ESSA and Restoring FERPA" are the best ways to help restore our nation's education system.business owner and children's ministry director (2 separate churches), board member for Heart for Homeschoolers Ministry, and leadership team member for US PIE (Parents Involved in Education).

She has been awarded the 2011 Distinguished Educator from the National Society of High School Scholars, as well as the 2016 L&B Network's Torchbearer Award for educational advocacy. She has appeared several times before the NC General Assembly in efforts to preserve freedom in education, and has written researched articles for "Prevent Common Core" and the Patriot Institute.Lynne blogs at Common Core Diva and is currently, a weekly guest on The Sons of Liberty Media Show's Wednesday "Rotten to the Core" episodes. Most recently, Lynne has joined forces with another independent thinker, Suzanne Hamner (Hamner It Out on Brighteon) to create the Liberty Belles. "Catching Fire TV", a project of the American Policy Center (Tom DeWeese) has extended an opportunity for Lynne's own show.

We’ve been told the low, LOW NAEP test scores out this year were so low because of Covid, and school closures, but is that accurate? Lynne Taylor, an expert on Common Core, and it’s long-term impact on learning outcomes joins me to assess the situation, and to explain how and why the “crisis” we perceive today was set in motion decades ago.Lynne Taylor has been recognized by her peers as an expert in Common Core, Career Tech Education, Career Pathways, workforce and competency based education reform, social emotional learning (child abuse) STEM/STEAM/STREAM from the UN, and federal overreaches into education and our families.

Her work has been recognized and honored by Charlotte Iserbyt, legendary education whistleblower. Lynne humbly carries on Charlotte's mission to expose corruption in, not only education, but of our nation.

Since 2002, she has been a featured speaker at small meetings and large conferences, and a multi media guest on several outlets, nationwide. Since 2009, she has served as a frequent guest on nationwide radio and multimedia shows based out of a dozen States (so far). Lynne also helped co-establish PIE NC (Preserving Integrity and Excellence in Education for NC) circa 2012.

Lynne is a retired private (homeschool) teacher and regionally recognized support group leader, wife and mom. Lynne was also an adviser to the national grassroots campaign "Child Abuse in the Classroom,” where it is the campaign's belief that "Repealing ESSA and Restoring FERPA" are the best ways to help restore our nation's education system.business owner and children's ministry director (2 separate churches), board member for Heart for Homeschoolers Ministry, and leadership team member for US PIE (Parents Involved in Education).

She has been awarded the 2011 Distinguished Educator from the National Society of High School Scholars, as well as the 2016 L&B Network's Torchbearer Award for educational advocacy. She has appeared several times before the NC General Assembly in efforts to preserve freedom in education, and has written researched articles for "Prevent Common Core" and the Patriot Institute.Lynne blogs at Common Core Diva and is currently, a weekly guest on The Sons of Liberty Media Show's Wednesday "Rotten to the Core" episodes. Most recently, Lynne has joined forces with another independent thinker, Suzanne Hamner (Hamner It Out on Brighteon) to create the Liberty Belles. "Catching Fire TV", a project of the American Policy Center (Tom DeWeese) has extended an opportunity for Lynne's own show.

We're told "Equity Math" is what black students need to improve math skills, but is that true? With the recent dismal scores on the NAEP, especially for black students, this question seems more relevant than ever.

I asked John Wilson to join me to address it, and to talk about how he thinks the black parents of his students feel about it. His answers will surprise you.

John H. Wilson, III became the full-time Education and Enrichment Program (EEP) Director in 2006 at West Angeles Church after earning his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from George Washington University and enjoying a 20-year career as an aerospace engineer and years of volunteer youth work in his church and community. Under his direction for over two decades, EEP has grown from modest math tutoring sessions to a noteworthy educational program that has provided year-round enrichment opportunities to thousands of youth, mostly non-members, from over 50 middle and high schools across Los Angeles County and serving more than 600 families. From 2004 until now, through his vision and work, over 2,000 youth in the Los Angeles and Long Beach area have attained an affordable college. Over this time, John has developed an expertise for admission, enrollment, financial aid and many other details of the college access process John’s vision to provide the best resources developed into a partnership with Princeton Review for SAT Prep classes; a CSU Summer Algebra Institute for 6th through 9th graders; a Summer Bridge Program to enhance math, science and language skills; and a College Readiness Program to equip students for higher-learning. He also established youth Life Skills Workshops and a Parent Institute to communicate vital information. Finally, John has mentored dozens of students to and through successful careers. His region-wide outreach includes coaching math teachers and consulting with charter school staff to help them build strong math curriculums. John has also served on several community boards at El Camino Community College, received the Vertie Blackwell Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, El Camino Community Service Award in 2007, and the NAACP Man of Valor Award in 2006 and 2010. John has 3 successful grown children and is married and lives in Long Beach.

We're told "Equity Math" is what black students need to improve math skills, but is that true? With the recent dismal scores on the NAEP, especially for black students, this question seems more relevant than ever.

I asked John Wilson to join me to address it, and to talk about how he thinks the black parents of his students feel about it. His answers will surprise you.

John H. Wilson, III became the full-time Education and Enrichment Program (EEP) Director in 2006 at West Angeles Church after earning his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from George Washington University and enjoying a 20-year career as an aerospace engineer and years of volunteer youth work in his church and community. Under his direction for over two decades, EEP has grown from modest math tutoring sessions to a noteworthy educational program that has provided year-round enrichment opportunities to thousands of youth, mostly non-members, from over 50 middle and high schools across Los Angeles County and serving more than 600 families. From 2004 until now, through his vision and work, over 2,000 youth in the Los Angeles and Long Beach area have attained an affordable college. Over this time, John has developed an expertise for admission, enrollment, financial aid and many other details of the college access process John’s vision to provide the best resources developed into a partnership with Princeton Review for SAT Prep classes; a CSU Summer Algebra Institute for 6th through 9th graders; a Summer Bridge Program to enhance math, science and language skills; and a College Readiness Program to equip students for higher-learning. He also established youth Life Skills Workshops and a Parent Institute to communicate vital information. Finally, John has mentored dozens of students to and through successful careers. His region-wide outreach includes coaching math teachers and consulting with charter school staff to help them build strong math curriculums. John has also served on several community boards at El Camino Community College, received the Vertie Blackwell Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, El Camino Community Service Award in 2007, and the NAACP Man of Valor Award in 2006 and 2010. John has 3 successful grown children and is married and lives in Long Beach.