Future of Education Podcast S2E280: Building Capable Kids Through The Feedback Formula - With Guide Emily (Part 1)
Nov 19, 2025
Guide Emily, a high school guide at Alpha in Austin, shares her insights on nurturing essential feedback skills in students. She emphasizes the importance of feedback as a core life skill that enhances adult success and builds confidence. Listeners will learn about the radical candor framework, which balances care and challenge. Emily also provides a step-by-step method for giving actionable feedback, demonstrating its positive impact through real student stories. This episode is packed with practical strategies for students, parents, and educators alike.
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Feedback Is A Teachable Life Skill
- Feedback is a learnable life skill that kids and adults can master with practice and the right environment.
- Alpha focuses on building confident communicators who can both give and receive specific, useful feedback.
Start Teaching Feedback Early
- Start early: teach young children to receive feedback calmly and build from there toward actively seeking feedback.
- Use progressive scaffolding so middle schoolers learn to seek feedback to improve projects and skills.
Radical Candor Connects Care And Challenge
- Radical candor links deep care with direct challenge to deliver honest, helpful feedback.
- Avoid being dishonest or gentle-to-the-point-of-harm when you actually need to push someone to improve.