Dreams of Education Podcast

Episode 17: Teaching Kids to Think - the Power of Critical Inquiry

In this episode of Dreams of Education, Kelly and Michelle dive into the essential skill of critical thinking—why it’s vital for kids and how traditional school structures often fail to cultivate it. They share personal stories of standout teachers who nurtured deep thinking and explore how inquiry-based learning fosters curiosity, cognitive dissonance, and better questioning. From childhood experiences with history class to guiding students through logical fallacies and media literacy, they unpack how critical thinking isn’t just an academic skill but a foundational mindset for life. Tune in to discover how we can create learning environments that empower kids to think, question, and engage meaningfully with the world around them.

 

Check out the Logical Fallacies work we mention here. 

Follow us:

Michelle Baldwin: Avenue 4 Learning, @michellekbaldwin.bsky.social

Kelly Tenkely: Dreams of Education Blog, KT's Place, @ktenkely.bsky.social

Episode 16: Chasing the Magic--Rediscovering Adult Learning Communities

In this episode of Dreams of Education, Kelly Tenkely and Michelle Baldwin explore the evolution of adult learning communities, reflecting on their experiences with early online educator networks, including Twitter, blogging, and EdChats. They discuss how these spaces created opportunities for collaboration, professional growth, and innovation in education.

Kelly and Michelle examine how the landscape of professional learning has changed—how social media shifted from connection-driven to influencer- and advertisement-dominated spaces, and how structured professional learning communities (PLCs) in schools often feel forced rather than organic. They contrast this with experiences like EdCamps, Iterative Space, and The House of Genius, where informal yet intentional gatherings created rich opportunities for educators to share ideas, challenge each other’s thinking, and take action.

They also explore the idea of reconstructing learning communities, proposing models like Adjacent Possible, a gathering where diverse stakeholders—educators, business leaders, mental health professionals, and community members—collaborate on solving real-world problems in education.

Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the importance of creating inclusive, grassroots-driven spaces that foster connection, ideation, and action. They reflect on what made past learning communities powerful and consider how to recreate those conditions for the next generation of educators.

 

Follow Us:

Michelle Baldwin: Avenue 4 Learning, michellekbaldwin@bsky.social

Kelly Tenkely: Dreams of Education, KT's Place, ktenkely@bsky.social 

 

Episode 15: The Joy of Learning--Rediscovering the Wonder in Education

In this episode of Dreams of Education, Kelly and Michelle explore the joy of learning and how it flourished at Anastasis Academy. They reflect on how many students arrived burdened with anxiety and defeat but transformed when learning became joyful again. They discuss the pitfalls of traditional education’s focus on test scores and compliance, the importance of emotional safety, and the power of inquiry-based learning. Through personal stories and deep insights, they unpack how learning should be a source of wonder, not stress. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about what’s possible when education prioritizes joy, curiosity, and connection.

 

Follow Us:

Michelle Baldwin: Avenue 4 Learning, @michellekbaldwin.bsky.social

Kelly Tenkely: Dreams of Education, KT's Place, @ktenkely.bsky.social

Episode 14: Who is the Stakeholder? Rethinking Education From the Ground Up

In this episode, Kelly Tenkely and Michelle Baldwin explore the concept of stakeholders in education, emphasizing the importance of recognizing students as primary stakeholders. They discuss the implications of viewing education through a business lens, the impact of testing and curriculum on learning, and the necessity of addressing students' basic needs. The conversation highlights the importance of student voice, curiosity, and the long-term implications of educational decisions on society. This conversation explores the importance of a holistic approach to education, emphasizing the integration of social-emotional learning, the impact of standardized testing, and the need for reflection and thinking time in the learning process. The speakers discuss how literature can engage students in meaningful ways, the significance of empathy and awareness in the classroom, and the necessity of understanding behavioral issues as unmet needs. They advocate for redefining success in education to value all individuals and their contributions to society. In this conversation, Kelly Tenkely and Michelle Baldwin explore the complexities of education, focusing on the importance of understanding individual learning timelines, the role of expectations, and the need for a more holistic approach to teaching. They discuss the illusion of success in traditional education systems, the impact of curriculum on individual needs, and the importance of community perceptions. The conversation also touches on the role of AI in education and the necessity of sharing success stories to reshape narratives around learning.

 

Follow Us:

Michelle Baldwin: Avenue 4 Learning, @michellekbaldwin.bsky.social

Kelly Tenkely: Dreams of Education, KT's Place, @ktenkely.bsky.social

Episode 13: Radical Trust in Professional Development-From Compliance to Connection

In this episode, Kelly Tenkely and Michelle Baldwin dive into the world of professional development (PD) in education, sharing candid reflections on their worst PD experiences and the lessons learned along the way. They explore the transformative potential of personalized and meaningful training, highlighting the benefits of Ed Camps, where educators collaborate to shape their own learning experiences.

 

The conversation touches on the role of online communities, such as Twitter and blogs, in building professional learning networks and fostering connections across disciplines. Kelly and Michelle emphasize the importance of empathy, understanding student frustrations, and designing PD that supports cognitive skills and addresses real learning challenges.

 

Through stories of camaraderie and shared experiences, they discuss how relationships among educators can enhance creativity, trust, and community within schools. They advocate for grassroots approaches, experiential learning, and rethinking traditional, compliance-driven PD models to prioritize what truly matters: supporting teachers and students alike.

 

This episode is a call to action for educators to embrace collaboration, radical trust, and innovative professional growth that values both the human and creative elements of teaching.

 

Follow Us:

Michelle Baldwin: Avenue 4 Learning, @michellekbaldwin.bsky.social

Kelly Tenkely: Dreams of Education, KT's Place, @ktenkely.bsky.social

Episode 12: Rethinking the Framework - What We Keep Getting Wrong in Education Policy

In this episode of Dreams of Education, Kelly and Michelle dive into a thought-provoking article titled “What Do We Keep Getting Wrong in Education Policy?” Inspired by a repost of the article on Bluesky, they explore the success story of Nathan Hale High School and how its innovative small-school model unraveled due to systemic missteps and a lack of understanding of the deeper factors at play.

 

Through anecdotes from their own experience at Anastasis Academy, they discuss the importance of autonomy, intentionality, and community-centered design in creating sustainable educational systems. The conversation highlights the dangers of scaling ideas without capturing their full context and the need to prioritize humanity over efficiency in education.

 

They also reflect on the legacy of their friend, Jennifer Wagner, whose kindness and intentionality in building relationships shaped the way they view community in education. 

 

Join Kelly and Michelle as they unpack what it takes to move from systems that focus on the “magic bullet” to those that prioritize the human element in learning.

Follow Us:

Michelle: Avenue 4 Learning, @michellekbaldwin.bsky.social

Kelly: Dreams of Education, KT's Place, @ktenkely.bsky.social

Episode 11: Rethinking Assessment, From Judgement to Journey

In this episode of the Dreams of Education podcast, Kelly Tenkely and Michelle Baldwin explore the transformative power of reimagining assessment and grading practices. They dive into how traditional systems often fail to reflect a truly learner-centered approach and share how Anastasis Academy developed an innovative assessment model that prioritizes growth, reflection, and the journey of learning.

 

Kelly and Michelle recount the evolution of their “Upgrade” system, emphasizing language that removes shame and encourages ownership of learning. They discuss the challenges of balancing academic standards with meaningful self-assessment and how they intentionally built a culture of trust and belonging to support this approach.

 

Listeners will hear personal stories, reflections on traditional education’s shortcomings, and practical advice for creating systems that honor each learner’s unique journey. This episode is a must-listen for educators, parents, and policymakers who are ready to rethink how we measure what matters in education.

 

Find us online:

Michelle Baldwin: Avenue 4 Learning, @michellekbaldwin.bsky.social

Kelly Tenkely: Dreams of Education, KT's Place, @ktenkely.bsky.social

Episode 10: Beyond Buzzwords, The Heart of Learner-Centered Education

In this episode, Kelly Tenkely and Michelle Baldwin dive deep into what it means to create a learner-centered environment. They explore the disconnect between schools’ claims of being student-centered and the systemic practices prioritizing efficiency, standardization, and outcomes over humanity and individuality. From pushing developmentally inappropriate standards to relying on rigid, one-size-fits-all curricula, Kelly and Michelle critique the hidden messages within traditional education systems that undermine authentic learning.

 

Drawing on their experiences at Anastasis Academy, they share powerful stories about embracing flexibility, honoring students’ rhythms, and creating space for creativity, play, and inquiry-based learning. The conversation also touches on the risks of outsourcing humanity in education—particularly with the rise of AI tools—and emphasizes the importance of relational, human-driven teaching practices. They challenge the notion that learning should be a race to meet benchmarks and advocate instead for celebrating students’ individual journeys.

 

Other Places to Find Us:

Michelle Baldwin: Avenue 4 Learning, @michellekbaldwin.bsky.social

Kelly Tenkely: Dreams of Education, KT's Place, @ktenkely.bsky.social