236 - Listening to Kids and Designing from Scratch for Timeless Learning with Pam Moran

Today the Getting Smart team is bringing back a past episode of an interview they did with Dr. Pam Moran. Last summer, Pam wrapped up 32 years with Albemarle County Public Schools. Starting as a science teacher and concluding with a dozen years as superintendent, Dr. Moran quietly became one of America's leading educators because the work she leads is so compelling. With two of her Albemarle colleagues, Moran published a book of lessons learned called, Timeless Learning: How Imagination, Observation, and Zero-based Thinking Change Schools . In this interview, Tom talks to Pam about the process of writing her book with her co-authors Ira and Chad, their collective philosophy on education, and the contents of the book. Pam also talks about why she originally wanted to become a teacher, some of her key focuses in education, and her thoughts on multi-age spaces and the ways in which schools can help ready students for adulthood. Key Takeaways: [:14] About today's throwback episode! [:54] Tom welcomes Pam to the podcast and she describes her passion for her career. [3:42] When did Pam decide she wanted to be a teacher? [5:56] When and why Pam decided to write her book, Timeless...