Student-Centered Teaching with Kelly Spoon

Learn practical strategies to teach with purpose, innovation, and heart. Let’s get one thing out of the way: Yes, Kelly Spoon is a math faculty member. But no, this isn’t just a “math thing.” Whether you teach biology, sociology, English, or automotive technology, you’ll benefit from what she brings to the classroom. Kelly Spoon of San Diego Mesa College isn’t just teaching derivatives—she’s reshaping how students experience learning itself. In this episode, we translate her powerful practices into actionable strategies any faculty member can use, with a special focus on designing your classroom and professional development around care, curiosity, and continuous improvement.

The Student Success Podcast  episode page  includes action steps to achieving 10 key topics she discussed. 

1. Reframe "Rigor" to Reflect Learning—Not Compliance
2. Let Students Show Their Brilliance, Not Just Yours
3. Embrace Productive Struggle with Thin Slicing and Whiteboards
4. Redefine Assessment with Standards-Based Grading (SBG)
5. Flip the Classroom Strategically
6. Foster a Culture of Reflective Teaching
7. Redesign PD to Include All Faculty, Even the Resistant Ones
8. Close the Loop on Professional Development
9. Believe in Every Student—and Show Them They Belong
10. Keep Growing, Keep Reflecting

00:00: Intro: Welcome and framing: why Kelly Spoon’s approach benefits all faculty, not just math instructors.
01:05: Meet Kelly Spoon: Background, teaching at Mesa College, and work in faculty development.
02:47: Kindness in the Classroom: Centering students as whole people and honoring their lived experiences and thinking.
04:01: Productive Struggle and Student Brilliance: Using the zone of proximal development and student choice in how they demonstrate learning.
05:55: Building Thinking Classrooms: How Kelly uses whiteboards, random groups, and thin slicing to foster deep engagement.
08:04: Responding to the “No Rigor” Critique: Debunking false dichotomies: lecture vs. active learning, rigor vs. kindness.
11:49: Standards-Based Grading: Grading for understanding, not compliance, and letting students grow over time.
14:44: Flexible Learning and Reassessment: Using the ESIL framework and allowing multiple attempts to show learning.
20:34: Bringing PD to All Faculty: Strategies for engaging resistant faculty through low-stakes, high-interest approaches.
25:55: Creating Non-Evaluative Coaching Spaces: Using feedback tools like “Three Ideas” and aspirations for peer observation.
32:06: Closing the Loop on Professional Development: Building reflection and iteration into PD to increase its long-term impact.
36:30: Addressing Equity Gaps in STEM: Centering student voices and identities in math to foster belonging and growth.
43:53: The Power of a Learning Community: How social media and peer influence helped Kelly take risks and evolve as an educator.
47:23: Teaching as a Profession: Closing thoughts on the depth, difficulty, and rewards of being a truly reflective teacher.

For the full transcript and detailed show notes, visit the episode page.

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