In this episode of The Teacher’s Forum, David is joined by educators Sofia Gonzalez and Thamar Lebrón for a candid conversation about the complicated legacy of labor and civil rights leader César Chávez.

Recent allegations of sexual abuse and assault—including allegations made by United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta—have forced educators, activists, and communities to reconsider how we remember one of the most celebrated figures in the American labor movement.

Together, David, Sofia, and Thamar explore Chávez’s historic contributions to the farmworkers’ movement while confronting difficult questions about power, gender, silence, and accountability. What happens when the people we admire are accused of causing profound harm? Can we acknowledge their contributions without ignoring those they may have harmed? And how should educators teach historical figures whose legacies are both consequential and deeply complicated?

The conversation also centers the often-overlooked role of women in social movements, particularly Dolores Huerta, and asks us to move beyond the idea that history is made by flawless heroes.

History is messy. So are the people who make it. This episode asks what it means to tell that history honestly.

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• david@theteachersforum.org
• @theteachersforum.bsky.social
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In this first episode of Season IV of The Teacher's Forum, David sits down with Jason Bradshaw, an award-winning science educator from Ontario and recipient of Canada's Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence, for an engaging conversation about Canada's education system.

Together they explore why Canada's education system consistently ranks among the world's best, what challenges it still faces, and what educators around the world can learn from its successes and shortcomings. Along the way, they discuss teacher professionalism, educational equity, standardized testing, artificial intelligence, and the future of public education in an increasingly interconnected world.

Whether you're a teacher, school leader, policymaker, parent, or simply interested in education, this conversation offers thoughtful insights into how one of the world's highest-performing education systems prepares students—and what every country can learn from the comparison.

Send us a text with your thoughts or ideas, and follow and subscribe to The Teacher’s Forum so you don’t miss future episodes.

Join the Conversation:

• david@theteachersforum.org
• @theteachersforum.bsky.social
• X (formerly Twitter) @theforum1993

Please subscribe, share and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Help us amplify the voices and issues of K-12 educators all over the world.

Bryan Stanton joins The Teacher’s Forum for a special Pride Month conversation about education, identity, advocacy, and belonging. An award-winning theater educator and founder of Teaching While Queer, Bryan reflects on his journey from being outed as a teenager to becoming a national voice for LGBTQ+ educators and students.

Bryan shares the experiences that shaped his commitment to creating inclusive schools, discusses the challenges facing queer educators in today's political climate, and explains how theater can help students develop empathy and a deeper understanding of others. David and Bryan also explore resilience, representation, student advocacy, and the importance of finding community in difficult times.

The episode concludes with a hopeful reflection on what today's students can teach us about authenticity, acceptance, and the future. This is a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about courage, education, and the power of being seen.

Topics discussed:
• Bryan's journey into education and theater
• Being outed as a teenager and finding community
• Challenges facing LGBTQ+ educators
• Theater, empathy, and student belonging
• Hope for the next generation

Send us a text with your thoughts or ideas, and follow and subscribe to The Teacher’s Forum so you don’t miss future episodes.

Join the Conversation:

• david@theteachersforum.org
• @theteachersforum.bsky.social
• X (formerly Twitter) @theforum1993

Please subscribe, share and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Help us amplify the voices and issues of K-12 educators all over the world.