Metacognition, Motivation & Meaningful Learning With Rick Cohen Beyond The Syllabus podcast

Metacognition, Motivation & Meaningful Learning with Rick Cohen

4d ago 42:44

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In the debut episode of Beyond the Syllabus, we sit down with Rick Cohen, Chief Academic Officer of Edison Township Public Schools and a leading voice in translating the science of learning into real-world classroom practice. From his beginnings in juvenile detention centers to becoming a published expert on metacognition, Rick shares how understanding our own thinking can transform not only student outcomes—but teacher well-being too.

Together, we explore how teaching students to manage their thoughts and emotions empowers them to take ownership of their learning. Rick unpacks how his district is using metacognitive strategies to improve student achievement, reduce teacher burnout, and reimagine what meaningful education looks like—from alternative schools to mainstream classrooms.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

What metacognition really is and why it’s more than a buzzword
How teacher burnout connects to student self-regulation
Why personalization starts with purpose
How to measure thinking (yes, really)
Why content is less important than the skills students build through it
How Edison Township is making metacognition a district-wide practice
Why "What do you want to learn?" might be the most important question in education

Key Moments

03:54 Direct Your Self-Talk Mindfully
07:19 From Detention Center to Education
09:51 Academic Success Inspires Publication
14:27 Expanding Emotional Intelligence in Health
16:40 Innovative Student-Centric Education Approach
20:37 Student Assessments on Social Issues
25:02 Essential Thinking Skills for Kids
27:56 Empowering Teachers and Students
29:00 "Identifying Personal Research Motivation"
33:56 "Educational Pathways and Perspectives"
36:11 Customizing Learning in Immigration Unit
39:55 Promoting Metacognition as a Habit

Connect with Guest:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-cohen-906820119

Connect with Us:

Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidan-mcdowell
Website: https://uniqlearn.co/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uniqlearn

If this episode sparked new thinking, please follow, rate, and review Beyond the Syllabus on your favorite podcast platform. It helps us grow and bring more meaningful conversations your way.

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