Teaching Through Inquiry

How does inquiry come alive in humanities classrooms? This week, Diana Laufenberg and Tiffany Jefferson-Labissiere join us to explore how inquiry-based learning strengthens student writing, reading, and critical thinking. They share how to give students more ownership through real-world tasks, authentic questioning, and thoughtful scaffolds -- all while navigating the modern challenges of ELA and social studies teaching.

How do educators help students look closely, question deeply, and compare ideas across subjects? This week, Trey Smith and Dr. Chiyedza Small join us to talk about inquiry-based STEM teaching strategies that can work for any teacher. Together, they explore what it means to design classrooms where curiosity and scientific inquiry intersect – from robotics and physics to undergraduate research and teacher preparation. 

How do educators navigate the balance between structure and curiosity? Lauren Tecosky joins us to discuss sustainability, community engagement, and inquiry-driven connections. Lauren Tecosky is an educator and curriculum designer focused on sustainability, agriculture, and social, environmental, and food justice. She currently serves as the Assistant Director of School Partnerships for Urban Advantage at the American Museum of Natural History and has developed professional learning programs that center place-based education, scientific practice, and community connection.

How can you get a classroom onboard with new content or an unfamiliar subject? On this episode, Melissa Stanley and Ben Dumbauld join Dr. Salika Lawrence to discuss "failing forward" when teaching and building curriculum.   Dr. Stanley is the Director of Secondary Social Studies Education at Central Michigan University, where her research focuses on representation of marginalized histories, inquiry in social studies classrooms, and innovative teacher education. Dr. Dumbauld is a percussionist, ethnomusicologist, educator, and Director of Content at the nonprofit TeachRock, which creates music- and inquiry-based curriculum that supports teachers and students.

Inquiry can start with something as simple as an apple. Today on Teaching Through Inquiry, Dr. Lawrence is joined by Dr. Andrea Kolb and Dr. Marisa Castronova. Andrea is the Senior Vice President and Chief Education Officer at Pennon Education, with over 15 years of experience as a bilingual educator, coach, and teacher educator. Her work focuses on supporting multilingual learners and culturally responsive teaching, with contributions spanning classrooms in the U.S. and abroad. Marisa is an educator, instructional coach, adjunct professor, and educational consultant with a Ph.D. in educational leadership. With a background in both biology and education, she brings deep expertise in supporting teachers and students while also connecting her work as an author to her passion for helping children learn and grow.

Today on Teaching Through Inquiry, Dr. Lawrence sits down with Jacqueline Katz and Marie Donnantuono. Jacqueline is a science educator, President-Elect of the NJSTA, and passionate about helping teachers bring inquiry to life in their classrooms. Marie is a pre-K–8th Library Media Specialist whose career spans classroom teaching and teacher education, bringing nearly 40 years of experience supporting both students and fellow educators.

How do we really know when inquiry is working in the classroom? In this episode of Teaching Through Inquiry, host Dr. Salika Lawrence sits down with Dr. Amber Pabon, a professor of secondary education focused on culturally responsive teaching and teacher preparation, and Josh Langenberger, a teacher and writer who centers student curiosity in his practice. Together, they explore what it means for students to ask authentic questions in today’s world, and how those questions can transform learning.