From Rows to a Circle: How Circle Practice Transforms our Pedagogy in a Learner-Driven Classroom with Carol LaLiberte

What do you picture when you envision a typical classroom?You probably think of desks in rows facing a blackboard or podium, which is reserved for the “sage on the stage” teacher.But what if we were to change the physical environment and invite learners to sit in a circle with the adult facilitator? How would this shift in our prepared environment alter our pedagogy and our view of learners and learning? We explored these questions and more in this episode of Breaking the Paradigm with my guest, Carol LaLiberte. Carol is a Professor and Department Chair at CT State Community College at Asnuntuck and has been breaking the paradigm by using circle practice in her college classes. She is also my mom (her most important qualification)! We discuss the theoretical and pedagogical considerations for implementing circle practice across K-12 and higher education and the practical ways in which we have both implemented the philosophy. We unpack how small things, like the rearranging of chairs, can have a significant impact on learners and learning, and the relationship between the teacher (or guide) and their students.You can check out Carol’s new book, The Developing Teacher, here: https://www.g-w.com/the-developing-teacher-2025If you’d like to learn more about circle practice, here are some places to get started:The Circle Way: https://www.thecircleway.net/Phillips Exeter Academy Harkness Resources: https://www.exeter.edu/programs-educators/harkness-outreachAlexis Wiggins, The Best Class You Never Taught: https://ascd.org/books/the-best-class-you-never-taught?variant=117017Thank you for reading Breaking the Paradigm of Traditional Education. This post is public so feel free to share it widely!Join The Enlightened Educator Project!The Enlightened Educator Project is on a mission to to develop mindful, reflective, and resilient educators to make education more humanizing and sustainable for all. If this resonates with you, we are always looking for schools and individuals to join our cohort of educators who are building community and resilience together. Cohorts start in the Fall and Winter.Check out our website at www.EnlightenedEducatorProject.org and learn more about our school cohort model here! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lE1Z3lQFkiZ9YZtPlvkSutdverMrBcz_/view?usp=sharing This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit breakingtheparadigm.org/subscribe

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