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Creating student-centered classroom cultures, with Pedro Noguera, Ph.D.

July 22, 2026 · 46 min

Show notes

Host Ana Torres is joined by Pedro Noguera, Ph.D., dean and distinguished professor of education at USC Rossier School of Education, one of the national's leading scholars on inequality and public policy in education. Together, they explore how to create a student-centered classroom in which every learner is encouraged to bring their full selves. Pedro then breaks down how to build authentic relationships with students, co-create classroom norms, and foster a culture in which mistakes are part of learning. He also shares powerful advice for supporting multilingual/English learners. Classroom Insider Eric Cross then joins Ana to reinforce why building relationships with students is every educator's professional responsibility.

Show notes:

Quotes:

"It's less about control; it's more about relationships. And if you build a good, positive relationship, then kids will listen." —Pedro Noguera

"The hardest thing to teach a teacher is how to build relationships with kids." —Pedro Noguera

"The real teaching is not in grading; it's in feedback." —Pedro Noguera

"As educators, we're more than just the content that we teach." —Ana Torres

"The most important teaching often happens after the first attempt." —Eric Cross

"When we give feedback early and often, it improves learning." —Eric Cross

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