Engaging workshops and lessons to help schools navigate lines of political and ideological divide

New for the winter of 2025:

Struggling to help students identify authentic opportunities for leadership? Engage student leaders in a workshop that positions them to build a culture of curiosity and empathy at school. This leadership training is infinitely customizable, although a hypothetical use case could be:

Session one— in person; students learn the causes and consequences of political polarization and develop the motivation to ease that polarization

Session two— virtual; students discover ways to lead their peers in bridging efforts, and they plan out the implementation of a Story Corps One Small Step initiative at school

Session three— virtual; a check-in to assess how depolarization efforts have been going, to regain momentum, and to get support as necessary

“One of the best workshops I’ve been to in a long time”
— Attendee, NYSAIS Conference
“The entire day far exceeded my wildest expectations. You are a remarkable educator.”
— Jamie Ames, History Department Chair, Fessenden School

Speaking

Kent discusses the role of personal connection in depolarization.

Help schools and other institutions understand the challenge of political polarization and the potential for education to overcome it.

Content includes:

  • research to explain the causes and consequences of political polarization

  • classroom strategies to foster civil discourse across lines of disagreement

  • reconciling viewpoint diversity with broader diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts

  • discussion of school-based scenarios that highlight the challenge (and opportunity) of polarization

Examples include:

  • Independent Schools of St. Louis (ISSL) 60-minute parent presentation

  • Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart (MD) 60-minute faculty presentation

  • Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) full-day workshop

Teaching

Work directly with students in grades 4-12, laying the groundwork to help them mend our national fractures.

Programming includes:

  • experiential listening exercises and thought exercises to encourage openmindedness

  • spotlighting leaders who model civility across lines of disagreement

  • strategies to break down ideological silos; introduction to tools that vary our news sources

  • modeling of student-run initiatives that reach across lines of ideological difference

Examples include:

  • 45-minute class visits to students in grades 4-8 at Brookwood School (MA)

  • 90-minute workshop for eighth graders at Holy Child School (NY)

  • 45-minute address to all students (grades 9-12) at St. George’s School (RI)

Consulting

Work with school leaders to help all contituencies partner in preparing students to reach across lines of divide and disagreement.

Work includes:

  • planning for the school to thrive— not just survive— as we approach the 2024 presidential election

  • helping faculty strengthen their own curiosity and empathy, in order to lead students accordingly

  • inviting parents into the work of building bridges across lines of divide and disagreement

Examples include:

  • months-long collaboration with Fenn School (MA) to position the school ahead of the 2024 presidential election

  • sessions with administrative team, board of trustees, faculty, and parents to build school-wide interest in and capacity for bridging work at Berwick Academy (ME)

  • coordination with English and history departments at Byram Hills School District (NY) to incorporate the Better Arguments Project into the curriculum