
Are Discussions Actually Going Well? Making Classrooms More Inclusive
In the life of a professor, what’s more satisfying than a successful class discussion? A classroom abuzz with ideas,
March 2026



March 9, 2026 | By John Orlando
“The teacher who can ask of students, ‘What do you need in order to learn?’ or ‘how can I serve?’ brings to the work of educating a spirit of service that honors the students’ will to learn. Committed acts of caring let all students know that the purpose of education is not to dominate, or prepare them to be dominators, but rather to create the conditions for freedom. Caring educators open the mind, allowing students to embrace a world of knowing that is always subject to change and challenge.”
—bell hooks, Teaching Community

In the life of a professor, what’s more satisfying than a successful class discussion? A classroom abuzz with ideas,

A few years ago, while reviewing a student’s feedback on one of my course evaluations, I came across a profound

The start of a new semester is an emotional experience. As a former kindergarten teacher, I vividly remember spending much
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