What does it mean to truly prepare students for life?

In episode 98 of SELinEDU, I sit down with Dr. De'Shawn Washington, 2024 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year and founder of Cultivating Changemakers, for a conversation that weaves together three things every student deserves: the ability to read, the knowledge to manage money, and the freedom to learn with joy.

We dig into why over 60% of Massachusetts third graders are reading below grade level, why less than 10% of students are getting financial literacy education, and why neither of those things can be fixed without joy at the center of how we teach.

Dr. Washington reminds us that joy is not a reward for academic success. It lives within us, and it is our job as educators to help students find it, name it, and keep it.

This one is worth your full attention.

Connect with Dr. Washington via his website and LinkedIn!