In an effort to better align some of my ongoing projects, I plan on cross-posting episodes of my podcast, Conceptually Speaking, once a month. On weeks where I’m not posting new episodes, I’ll be digging back into my catalog and reposting older episodes you may not have heard if you’re new to my work. You can expect the content of these episodes to dovetail nicely with everything I’m sharing on Becoming Literary. This episode with friend of the show Dr. Andrea Gambino is a great partner resource for my article on navigating life, learning, and teaching in the age of spectacle.
In this episode of Conceptually Speaking, I chat with Dr. Andrea Gambino, who earned her PhD in education from UCLA in 2023 and co-organizes the Critical Media Literacy Conference of the Americas. Our conversation explores how critical media literacy advances social and environmental justice, focusing on teachers' embodied experiences in the classroom. Drawing from her decade of teaching in North Carolina and her current research with Los Angeles Unified School District, Dr. Gambino illuminates how educators develop and sustain critical media practices while navigating complex political landscapes. We examine the intersection of personal history, activist experience, and theoretical understanding in shaping teachers' approaches to this vital work.
Key Concepts from the Episode:
Critical Media Literacy as Embodied Practice
How lived experiences inform pedagogical approaches
The essential role of vulnerability in teaching
Examining and addressing our own positionality and biases
Pathways to Critical Practice
The varied routes teachers take to discover critical media literacy
Impact of early activism and mentorship experiences
Developing theoretical foundations through formal education
Finding confidence to engage with challenging material
Cultivating Classroom Communities
Nurturing authentic student-teacher relationships
Opening spaces for dialogue about power and equity
Integrating student voices into curriculum development
Sustaining connections beyond academic terms
For educators interested in critical media literacy, this conversation bridges theory and practice while highlighting the importance of genuine student relationships. Whether you're new to critical media literacy or seeking to deepen your practice, this episode offers insights into navigating our complex media landscape and political discourse.
Dr. Gambino weaves together her classroom experience and research to demonstrate how critical media literacy can transform educational spaces, emphasizing the power of community and embodied practice in creating lasting change.
UCLA's Critical Media Literacy Guide
Dr. Gambino's LinkedIn
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