Navigating Classroom Censorship and the Impact on Teacher Autonomy and Student Trust

This conversation explores the complexities of classroom censorship, the impact of educational policies on teacher autonomy, and the importance of fostering trust and transparency in education. Experts discuss the challenges teachers face in navigating restrictive guidelines while striving to engage students in meaningful discussions. The dialogue emphasizes the need for professionalism, objectivity, and skills development for constructive conversations in the classroom. Additionally, the panel shares resources and strategies to effectively support educators in addressing these challenges.

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Dr. Steven Weber is an Assistant Principal at Rogers Heritage High School (AR).  He has spent over twenty five years in education, serving as a teacher, administrator, and adjunct professor.  His leadership experience includes serving as  Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning with Fayetteville Public Schools (AR), Executive Director for Curriculum and Instruction with Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (NC), and Director of Secondary Instruction for Orange County Schools (NC). Weber was a social studies curriculum specialist with the Arkansas Department of Education and North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. In 2019, Weber was named the AACIA (Arkansas Association of Curriculum & Instruction Administrators) Administrator of the Year. Weber is the past president of Arkansas Association of Curriculum & Instruction Administrators, vice president of Arkansas ASCD, and has served on multiple state and national boards.

Robert Pondiscio is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute where he focuses on K–12 education, curriculum, teaching, school choice, and charter schooling. He is also a former New York City public school teacher and the author of many books, including “How the Other Half Learns: Equality, Excellence, and the Battle over School Choice” (Avery, 2019), about Success Academy Charter Schools.

Rick Wormeli is a long-time teacher, education leader, and teacher/principal trainer. He is the author of nine books, including The Collected Writings (So Far) of Rick Wormeli: Crazy, Good Stuff I Learned about Teaching Along the Way (AMLE), Fair Isn’t Always Equal: Second Edition (Taylor & Francis), Metaphors & Analogies: Power Tools for Teaching any Subject (Taylor & Francis), and Summarization in any Subject: 60 Innovative, Tech-Infused Strategies for Deeper Student Learning, 2nd edition, co-authored with Dedra Stafford. He is currently working directly with schools and organizations in variety of education elements, including accurate/ethical grading, equity, motivation, cognitive psychology applications, teacher professionalism, literacy, and teacher leadership.

Christina Andrade Melly, an English teacher at Ritenour High School in the Ritenour School District in St. Louis, Mo., was recently named the 2023 Missouri Teacher of the Year 2023.