Episode 5.9: More getting real with Rafael del Castillo and NEW Join Them on Their Journey!

What does it mean to build authentic trust in educational settings? How do we create working agreements that evolve with changing circumstances rather than remaining static? These questions form the heart of this deeply reflective conversation about leadership, classroom dynamics, and the complex relationships that underpin effective education.

Beginning with a playful discussion about Collect Rocks Day, Joel and Misty explore how their fascination with collecting connects to building memories and relationships. This seemingly simple topic evolves into a profound metaphor for how we accumulate experiences that form the foundation of trust in our professional lives.

For new leaders, establishing trust requires consistency and transparency over time. As Rafael insightfully notes, "You don't trust people, you trust their habits." This perspective highlights that meaningful trust emerges not from singular actions but from patterns of behavior demonstrated consistently across situations.

The conversation examines how working agreements function across different educational contexts. Rather than treating classroom norms as immutable laws, we consider how to build agreements that can be revisited and revised as circumstances change. This approach not only creates more responsive learning environments but also teaches students valuable lessons about democratic processes.

Joel, Misty, and Rafael share their experiences with CPM's mathematics curriculum, which fundamentally redistributes power in the classroom by positioning students as capable mathematical thinkers who can engage with concepts independently. This shift requires building trust on multiple levels – teachers trusting students to take ownership of their learning, and students trusting that this collaborative approach will benefit them in the long run.

What emerges most powerfully from this discussion is the recognition that authenticity forms the bedrock of effective education. Whether in curriculum development, classroom management, or leadership transitions, genuine belief in what we're doing resonates with others and creates the conditions for trust to flourish.

Then we have two new installments of our Join Them on Their Journey from two Academy of Best Practices participants. Jessie and Chi talk about how they've started the year and we appreciate them sharing their enthusiasm and dedication now and throughout this upcoming year. 

How are you building trust in your educational setting? We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments or on social media.

Send Joel and Misty a message!

The More Math for More People Podcast is produced by CPM Educational Program.
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