Exploring Elections in Education

Albany, NY (November 2, 2020) – There has been a lot going on in the School of Education this election season that has helped us to process it all, think, discuss and learn how to teach our youth about it all, and share with each other the ways in which we can come together for the greater good.

In an era of political upheaval, Associate Professor Brett Levy's research explores how educational programs can support civic and political engagement among youth and how such engagement can in turn foster academic and life skills. His new podcast Education for Sustainable Democracy delves into how we can prepare youth for informed civic engagement, environmental stewardship, and the development of a more just and peaceful world.  Levy also developed Teachingelections.org, a website that offers timely lesson plans, research on teaching elections and additional resources.

In sessions in September and October, the Capital District Writing Project explored the features and benefits of the KQED/ NWP Initiative, Let's Talk About Election 2020, by diving into the resources available for launching this project in classrooms, incorporating research skills and civil discourse practices in both online and in-person settings. Four area educators led these workshops which also provided time to write, share, and engage in collaborative inquiry. The CDWP also offered Writing in a World of Change, simple but significant protected writing time for all within a supportive community.

The School of Education’s edTrends session on November 4 on Civic Engagement and Civility in a Pre and Post-election Environment When Emotions Are Highly Charged examines how civility and civic engagement can complement each other in a way that engages students around common areas of interest, bridging the gaps that may have been created. This session features Dr. Joseph Dragone, Senior Executive Officer, Capital Region BOCES; Jodie Orzechowski, Communications, Capital Region BOCES; Dr. Brett Levy, Associate Professor, University at Albany School of Education; Dr. Alfredo Medina Jr., Executive Director, University at Albany Office for Public Engagement; Natalie McGee, President of Progression Partners; David Blanchard, Superintendent, Schoharie CSD; and Dr. Alex Finsel, Instructional Administrator, Guilderland High School.

University at Albany President Havidán Rodríguez and members of the UAlbany community share so powerfully perhaps the most important message in all of this, make your voice heard and VOTE!