The Missing Curriculum: Teaching Students How to Have Real Conversations w/Liza Garonzik

The Missing Curriculum: Teaching Students How to Have Real Conversations w/Liza Garonzik In an age of increasing polarization and digital distraction, how do we create spaces for authentic dialogue that builds genuine connection and belonging? Join Bridget Johnson and award-winning educator Liza Garonzik as they explore this critical question facing educators today. Through her organization R.E.A.L. Discussion, Liza has partnered with over 70 independent schools to transform how they approach dialogue and community building. Drawing from extensive research and firsthand experience as a teacher, administrator, and trustee, she shares powerful insights about the relationship between discussion skills and belonging in school communities. In this episode, you'll learn: How to break down conversation skills into teachable components for students of all ages Practical strategies for creating psychological safety in classroom discussions Ways to measure and track the impact of structured dialogue on student belonging Techniques for helping students transfer discussion skills to their future careers Why "conversation labs" may be as essential as computer labs were in the 1990s Featured Guest: Liza Garonzik is the Founder of R.E.A.L. Discussion, an organization on a mission to teach discussion skills to young people growing up in today's digital world. A Harvard graduate and award-winning educator, Liza brings unique insights from her research into how structured yet authentic discussions can reshape classroom dynamics and build stronger communities. Recommended Resources: "The Good Life" - Harvard Study on Happiness "How to Know a Person" by David Brooks R.E.A.L. Discussion Framework: Relating, Excerpting, Asking, Listening Visit the Dean's Roundtable: Website: https://deansroundtable.org Community Profile: https://bit.ly/drt-community-profile LinkedIn: /deans-roundtable Email: [email protected] Connect with Liza Garonzik: Website: https://realdiscussion.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liza-garonzik-20988835/ The Dean's Roundtable: Where student life professionals connect, learn, share, and grow together.