Teach 4 Justice

Episode 20 - Dr. Anne Paonessa

In this episode of the Teach4Justice Podcast, host Alfredo Silva is joined by Dr. Anne Paonessa—educator, consultant, and author of Essential Connection Skills. With over two decades in education, Anne brings a clear message: if we want students to thrive, we must teach beyond test scores. We explore how integrating social connection into core content boosts student engagement, academic outcomes, and emotional well-being. Anne shares tangible strategies to shift classrooms from performance-based to purpose-driven. Whether you're a classroom teacher, administrator, or education advocate, this episode offers a compelling look at how connection is not a supplement to learning—it’s the foundation.

Episode 19 - Luke Basso - YouTube channel recording histories of veterans

History teachers this one is for YOU. In ninth grade, Luke Basso began documenting the stories of veterans. He created a YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@filmperia1945 - to preserve the experiences of soldiers who served from World War II to current conflicts. Basso skipped his high school graduation this year to go to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. He is now 20 years old and reflects on his past and talks about his future

Episode 18 - Tough Conversation using multiple perspectives with Dr. Sawsan Jaber

Our guest is Dr. Sawsan Jaber, a nationally recognized educator known for her commitment to fostering inclusivity and engaging students with complex, meaningful topics. Dr. Jaber is not only an outstanding teacher, but also a fierce advocate for social justice and human rights. She brings her lived experience and expertise to empower students to grapple with difficult conversations that many shy away from. Today, we’re diving into the power of trusting students to engage with challenging topics, particularly around hot button current events. Dr. Jaber will share her insights on how to create classrooms that honor students' curiosity, empathy, and critical thinking—no matter how complex or controversial the subject matter.

Episode 17 - Climate Action Student Project w/ Jane Ji

I'd love to introduce you to four amazing teachers who, like you, are passionate about sustainability education and are collaborating on a student book project across four different countries. Megan Vosk teaches at Vientiane International School in Laos and is one of our League for Green Leaders Ambassadors. She is deeply committed to teaching the SDGs and has participated in the World’s Largest Lesson with her Model UN club for several years. We connected through the Flip Global Climate Action Exchange program. Jose Gonzalez teaches at Davis Middle School in the Compton Unified School District in California. He is passionate about Project-Based Learning, ensuring students have a voice and choice in their learning process. Jose introduced the League for Green Leaders program to his district during their Engineering Week last month. Omar Murji teaches at Sir Ernest MacMillan Senior Public School in the Toronto District School Board, Canada. He is renowned for his innovative approach to education and his integration of technology, STEM, and sustainability in the classroom. Henrique Lima s a Biology and Science Teacher at Colégio Militar de Manaus in Brazil. His students are working on evaporative toilets as part of their sustainability and SDG studies. Students from his classroom and Jose's collaborate on the research, design and implementation of the project. Through the photos his students took for the book project, I was connected with local environmental issues in the Amazon first time. Finally, Bringing the Group Together is Jane Ji. Climate Advocate and creator of the League of Green Leaders - A gamified Climate Action game for kids that can be found at Springbay Studios.

Episode 16 Interview with Becky Keene

Today, I’m speaking with Becky Keene, the Director of Operations for insight2execution, where she leads teams in developing professional learning content for global edtech companies and supporting systemic change in major U.S. school systems. A passionate advocate for game-based learning, she also serves as board chair for Phygital Labs and has worked with educators on four continents. Becky is the co-author of Sail the 7 Cs with Microsoft Education and has contributed to multiple professional development programs, including the AI in Education pathway for Microsoft Learn. With a background in classroom teaching, coaching, and program management, she brings deep expertise in literacy, educational technology, and digital transformation. I’m excited to explore her insights on edtech, game-based learning, and the future of education! I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Becky recently at the Illinois Digital Educator Alliance conference known as IDEAcon where we both were featured speakers and thought leaders and I am grateful and excited to have her on the show