
Advertise on podcast: THE ABC’S OF EDUCATION
Rating
5from
This podcast has
46 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Doug GoodkinExplicit
No
Date created
2025/10/09
Latest episode
2026/10/08
Average duration
24 min.
Release period
16 days
Description
“Schools ain’t the way they used to be and they never was.” – Will Rogers Since schooling is mandatory in most of the world, it is an extraordinary opportunity to create the kind of learning communities that both make children feel happy, welcomed, valued and challenged at each age and also prepare them for a lifetime of intelligence, caring, artistic expression and social responsibility. But mostly we squander this chance by continuing business as usual. The ABC’s of Education, taken from one of Doug’s books published in 2006, is a look at 26 things that could refresh and revive schools
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Check latest episodes from THE ABC’S OF EDUCATION podcast
Reflection and Discussion
2026/10/08
Send your questions to Doug directly by emailing your question to [email protected].
Want to get your hands on a copy? Here's a link to purchase the book.
THE ABC’S OF EDUCATION: ABOUT THIS PODCAST:
“Schools ain’t the way they used to be and they never was.” – Will Rogers
Since schooling is mandatory in most of the world, it is an extraordinary opportunity to create the kind of learning communities that both make children feel happy, welcomed, valued and challenged at each age and also prepare them for a lifetime of intelligence, caring, artistic expression and social responsibility. But mostly we squander this chance by continuing business as usual.
The ABC’s of Education, taken from one of Doug’s books published in 2006, is a look at 26 things that could refresh and revive schools and give children both the present and the future they deserve. Take a listen to the ideas, testimonies and stories from a half-century of teaching kids of all ages that could change school culture as we know it. In the “race between education and catastrophe” (H.G. Wells), education is lagging behind as disinformation, misinformation and ignorance push on ahead. Here is the energy drink that will help us catch up and eventually win the race.
BRIEF BIO:
Doug Goodkin is an internationally recognized teacher of Orff Schulwerk, training teachers in over 50 countries worldwide. Alongside his teacher-training work, he worked with children from three years old to eighth grade in The San Francisco School for 45 years before his recent retirement. Post-retirement, he continues working as a consultant, mentor, guest teacher, workshop leader and performer in schools locally, nationally and internationally.
Doug is an author of ten books, keeps an ongoing Blog titled “Confessions of a Traveling Music Teacher,” (now in its 13th year), is a speaker at various Conferences and in a TEDx talk. He is the director of and teacher in the prestigious San Francisco International Orff Course, the Jazz/Orff Course and frequent teacher at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria. He is also the pianist in and leader of the jazz quintet, The Pentatonics, bringing jazz to people of all ages. Doug is featured in a documentary film titled The Secret Song that played at various film festivals worldwide and now is streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and PBS.
Process and Performance
2026/09/28
Send your questions to Doug directly by emailing your question to [email protected].
Want to get your hands on a copy? Here's a link to purchase the book.
THE ABC’S OF EDUCATION: ABOUT THIS PODCAST:
“Schools ain’t the way they used to be and they never was.” – Will Rogers
Since schooling is mandatory in most of the world, it is an extraordinary opportunity to create the kind of learning communities that both make children feel happy, welcomed, valued and challenged at each age and also prepare them for a lifetime of intelligence, caring, artistic expression and social responsibility. But mostly we squander this chance by continuing business as usual.
The ABC’s of Education, taken from one of Doug’s books published in 2006, is a look at 26 things that could refresh and revive schools and give children both the present and the future they deserve. Take a listen to the ideas, testimonies and stories from a half-century of teaching kids of all ages that could change school culture as we know it. In the “race between education and catastrophe” (H.G. Wells), education is lagging behind as disinformation, misinformation and ignorance push on ahead. Here is the energy drink that will help us catch up and eventually win the race.
BRIEF BIO:
Doug Goodkin is an internationally recognized teacher of Orff Schulwerk, training teachers in over 50 countries worldwide. Alongside his teacher-training work, he worked with children from three years old to eighth grade in The San Francisco School for 45 years before his recent retirement. Post-retirement, he continues working as a consultant, mentor, guest teacher, workshop leader and performer in schools locally, nationally and internationally.
Doug is an author of ten books, keeps an ongoing Blog titled “Confessions of a Traveling Music Teacher,” (now in its 13th year), is a speaker at various Conferences and in a TEDx talk. He is the director of and teacher in the prestigious San Francisco International Orff Course, the Jazz/Orff Course and frequent teacher at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria. He is also the pianist in and leader of the jazz quintet, The Pentatonics, bringing jazz to people of all ages. Doug is featured in a documentary film titled The Secret Song that played at various film festivals worldwide and now is streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and PBS.
The Mixed-Age Classroom
2026/09/14
Send your questions to Doug directly by emailing your question to [email protected] and/or [email protected].
Want to get your hands on a copy? Here's a link to purchase the book.
THE ABC’S OF EDUCATION: ABOUT THIS PODCAST:
“Schools ain’t the way they used to be and they never was.” – Will Rogers
Since schooling is mandatory in most of the world, it is an extraordinary opportunity to create the kind of learning communities that both make children feel happy, welcomed, valued and challenged at each age and also prepare them for a lifetime of intelligence, caring, artistic expression and social responsibility. But mostly we squander this chance by continuing business as usual.
The ABC’s of Education, taken from one of Doug’s books published in 2006, is a look at 26 things that could refresh and revive schools and give children both the present and the future they deserve. Take a listen to the ideas, testimonies and stories from a half-century of teaching kids of all ages that could change school culture as we know it. In the “race between education and catastrophe” (H.G. Wells), education is lagging behind as disinformation, misinformation and ignorance push on ahead. Here is the energy drink that will help us catch up and eventually win the race.
BRIEF BIO:
Doug Goodkin is an internationally recognized teacher of Orff Schulwerk, training teachers in over 50 countries worldwide. Alongside his teacher-training work, he worked with children from three years old to eighth grade in The San Francisco School for 45 years before his recent retirement. Post-retirement, he continues working as a consultant, mentor, guest teacher, workshop leader and performer in schools locally, nationally and internationally.
Doug is an author of ten books, keeps an ongoing Blog titled “Confessions of a Traveling Music Teacher,” (now in its 13th year), is a speaker at various Conferences and in a TEDx talk. He is the director of and teacher in the prestigious San Francisco International Orff Course, the Jazz/Orff Course and frequent teacher at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria. He is also the pianist in and leader of the jazz quintet, The Pentatonics, bringing jazz to people of all ages. Doug is featured in a documentary film titled The Secret Song that played at various film festivals worldwide and now is streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and PBS.
The Art of Silent Teaching
2026/09/10
Send your questions to Doug directly by emailing your question to [email protected] and/or [email protected].
Want to get your hands on a copy? Here's a link to purchase the book.
THE ABC’S OF EDUCATION: ABOUT THIS PODCAST:
“Schools ain’t the way they used to be and they never was.” – Will Rogers
Since schooling is mandatory in most of the world, it is an extraordinary opportunity to create the kind of learning communities that both make children feel happy, welcomed, valued and challenged at each age and also prepare them for a lifetime of intelligence, caring, artistic expression and social responsibility. But mostly we squander this chance by continuing business as usual.
The ABC’s of Education, taken from one of Doug’s books published in 2006, is a look at 26 things that could refresh and revive schools and give children both the present and the future they deserve. Take a listen to the ideas, testimonies and stories from a half-century of teaching kids of all ages that could change school culture as we know it. In the “race between education and catastrophe” (H.G. Wells), education is lagging behind as disinformation, misinformation and ignorance push on ahead. Here is the energy drink that will help us catch up and eventually win the race.
BRIEF BIO:
Doug Goodkin is an internationally recognized teacher of Orff Schulwerk, training teachers in over 50 countries worldwide. Alongside his teacher-training work, he worked with children from three years old to eighth grade in The San Francisco School for 45 years before his recent retirement. Post-retirement, he continues working as a consultant, mentor, guest teacher, workshop leader and performer in schools locally, nationally and internationally.
Doug is an author of ten books, keeps an ongoing Blog titled “Confessions of a Traveling Music Teacher,” (now in its 13th year), is a speaker at various Conferences and in a TEDx talk. He is the director of and teacher in the prestigious San Francisco International Orff Course, the Jazz/Orff Course and frequent teacher at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria. He is also the pianist in and leader of the jazz quintet, The Pentatonics, bringing jazz to people of all ages. Doug is featured in a documentary film titled The Secret Song that played at various film festivals worldwide and now is streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and PBS.
Intro to Season 2
2026/08/31
Want to get your hands on a copy? Here's a link to purchase the book.
THE ABC’S OF EDUCATION: ABOUT THIS PODCAST:
“Schools ain’t the way they used to be and they never was.” – Will Rogers
Since schooling is mandatory in most of the world, it is an extraordinary opportunity to create the kind of learning communities that both make children feel happy, welcomed, valued and challenged at each age and also prepare them for a lifetime of intelligence, caring, artistic expression and social responsibility. But mostly we squander this chance by continuing business as usual.
The ABC’s of Education, taken from one of Doug’s books published in 2006, is a look at 26 things that could refresh and revive schools and give children both the present and the future they deserve. Take a listen to the ideas, testimonies and stories from a half-century of teaching kids of all ages that could change school culture as we know it. In the “race between education and catastrophe” (H.G. Wells), education is lagging behind as disinformation, misinformation and ignorance push on ahead. Here is the energy drink that will help us catch up and eventually win the race.
BRIEF BIO:
Doug Goodkin is an internationally recognized teacher of Orff Schulwerk, training teachers in over 50 countries worldwide. Alongside his teacher-training work, he worked with children from three years old to eighth grade in The San Francisco School for 45 years before his recent retirement. Post-retirement, he continues working as a consultant, mentor, guest teacher, workshop leader and performer in schools locally, nationally and internationally.
Doug is an author of ten books, keeps an ongoing Blog titled “Confessions of a Traveling Music Teacher,” (now in its 13th year), is a speaker at various Conferences and in a TEDx talk. He is the director of and teacher in the prestigious San Francisco International Orff Course, the Jazz/Orff Course and frequent teacher at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria. He is also the pianist in and leader of the jazz quintet, The Pentatonics, bringing jazz to people of all ages. Doug is featured in a documentary film titled The Secret Song that played at various film festivals worldwide and now is streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and PBS.
Send your questions to Doug directly by emailing your question to [email protected]
Epilogue
2026/08/26
Want to get your hands on a copy? Here's a link to purchase the book.
THE ABC’S OF EDUCATION: ABOUT THIS PODCAST:
“Schools ain’t the way they used to be and they never was.” – Will Rogers
Since schooling is mandatory in most of the world, it is an extraordinary opportunity to create the kind of learning communities that both make children feel happy, welcomed, valued and challenged at each age and also prepare them for a lifetime of intelligence, caring, artistic expression and social responsibility. But mostly we squander this chance by continuing business as usual.
The ABC’s of Education, taken from one of Doug’s books published in 2006, is a look at 26 things that could refresh and revive schools and give children both the present and the future they deserve. Take a listen to the ideas, testimonies and stories from a half-century of teaching kids of all ages that could change school culture as we know it. In the “race between education and catastrophe” (H.G. Wells), education is lagging behind as disinformation, misinformation and ignorance push on ahead. Here is the energy drink that will help us catch up and eventually win the race.
BRIEF BIO:
Doug Goodkin is an internationally recognized teacher of Orff Schulwerk, training teachers in over 50 countries worldwide. Alongside his teacher-training work, he worked with children from three years old to eighth grade in The San Francisco School for 45 years before his recent retirement. Post-retirement, he continues working as a consultant, mentor, guest teacher, workshop leader and performer in schools locally, nationally and internationally.
Doug is an author of ten books, keeps an ongoing Blog titled “Confessions of a Traveling Music Teacher,” (now in its 13th year), is a speaker at various Conferences and in a TEDx talk. He is the director of and teacher in the prestigious San Francisco International Orff Course, the Jazz/Orff Course and frequent teacher at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria. He is also the pianist in and leader of the jazz quintet, The Pentatonics, bringing jazz to people of all ages. Doug is featured in a documentary film titled The Secret Song that played at various film festivals worldwide and now is streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and PBS.
Back to School
2026/08/18
Want to get your hands on a copy? Here's a link to purchase the book.
THE ABC’S OF EDUCATION: ABOUT THIS PODCAST:
“Schools ain’t the way they used to be and they never was.” – Will Rogers
Since schooling is mandatory in most of the world, it is an extraordinary opportunity to create the kind of learning communities that both make children feel happy, welcomed, valued and challenged at each age and also prepare them for a lifetime of intelligence, caring, artistic expression and social responsibility. But mostly we squander this chance by continuing business as usual.
The ABC’s of Education, taken from one of Doug’s books published in 2006, is a look at 26 things that could refresh and revive schools and give children both the present and the future they deserve. Take a listen to the ideas, testimonies and stories from a half-century of teaching kids of all ages that could change school culture as we know it. In the “race between education and catastrophe” (H.G. Wells), education is lagging behind as disinformation, misinformation and ignorance push on ahead. Here is the energy drink that will help us catch up and eventually win the race.
BRIEF BIO:
Doug Goodkin is an internationally recognized teacher of Orff Schulwerk, training teachers in over 50 countries worldwide. Alongside his teacher-training work, he worked with children from three years old to eighth grade in The San Francisco School for 45 years before his recent retirement. Post-retirement, he continues working as a consultant, mentor, guest teacher, workshop leader and performer in schools locally, nationally and internationally.
Doug is an author of ten books, keeps an ongoing Blog titled “Confessions of a Traveling Music Teacher,” (now in its 13th year), is a speaker at various Conferences and in a TEDx talk. He is the director of and teacher in the prestigious San Francisco International Orff Course, the Jazz/Orff Course and frequent teacher at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria. He is also the pianist in and leader of the jazz quintet, The Pentatonics, bringing jazz to people of all ages. Doug is featured in a documentary film titled The Secret Song that played at various film festivals worldwide and now is streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and PBS.
Z is for Zen Part Two
2026/07/06
Want to get your hands on a copy? Here's a link to purchase the book.
THE ABC’S OF EDUCATION: ABOUT THIS PODCAST:
“Schools ain’t the way they used to be and they never was.” – Will Rogers
Since schooling is mandatory in most of the world, it is an extraordinary opportunity to create the kind of learning communities that both make children feel happy, welcomed, valued and challenged at each age and also prepare them for a lifetime of intelligence, caring, artistic expression and social responsibility. But mostly we squander this chance by continuing business as usual.
The ABC’s of Education, taken from one of Doug’s books published in 2006, is a look at 26 things that could refresh and revive schools and give children both the present and the future they deserve. Take a listen to the ideas, testimonies and stories from a half-century of teaching kids of all ages that could change school culture as we know it. In the “race between education and catastrophe” (H.G. Wells), education is lagging behind as disinformation, misinformation and ignorance push on ahead. Here is the energy drink that will help us catch up and eventually win the race.
BRIEF BIO:
Doug Goodkin is an internationally recognized teacher of Orff Schulwerk, training teachers in over 50 countries worldwide. Alongside his teacher-training work, he worked with children from three years old to eighth grade in The San Francisco School for 45 years before his recent retirement. Post-retirement, he continues working as a consultant, mentor, guest teacher, workshop leader and performer in schools locally, nationally and internationally.
Doug is an author of ten books, keeps an ongoing Blog titled “Confessions of a Traveling Music Teacher,” (now in its 13th year), is a speaker at various Conferences and in a TEDx talk. He is the director of and teacher in the prestigious San Francisco International Orff Course, the Jazz/Orff Course and frequent teacher at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria. He is also the pianist in and leader of the jazz quintet, The Pentatonics, bringing jazz to people of all ages. Doug is featured in a documentary film titled The Secret Song that played at various film festivals worldwide and now is streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and PBS.
Z is for Zen Part One
2026/06/15
Want to get your hands on a copy? Here's a link to purchase the book.
THE ABC’S OF EDUCATION: ABOUT THIS PODCAST:
“Schools ain’t the way they used to be and they never was.” – Will Rogers
Since schooling is mandatory in most of the world, it is an extraordinary opportunity to create the kind of learning communities that both make children feel happy, welcomed, valued and challenged at each age and also prepare them for a lifetime of intelligence, caring, artistic expression and social responsibility. But mostly we squander this chance by continuing business as usual.
The ABC’s of Education, taken from one of Doug’s books published in 2006, is a look at 26 things that could refresh and revive schools and give children both the present and the future they deserve. Take a listen to the ideas, testimonies and stories from a half-century of teaching kids of all ages that could change school culture as we know it. In the “race between education and catastrophe” (H.G. Wells), education is lagging behind as disinformation, misinformation and ignorance push on ahead. Here is the energy drink that will help us catch up and eventually win the race.
BRIEF BIO:
Doug Goodkin is an internationally recognized teacher of Orff Schulwerk, training teachers in over 50 countries worldwide. Alongside his teacher-training work, he worked with children from three years old to eighth grade in The San Francisco School for 45 years before his recent retirement. Post-retirement, he continues working as a consultant, mentor, guest teacher, workshop leader and performer in schools locally, nationally and internationally.
Doug is an author of ten books, keeps an ongoing Blog titled “Confessions of a Traveling Music Teacher,” (now in its 13th year), is a speaker at various Conferences and in a TEDx talk. He is the director of and teacher in the prestigious San Francisco International Orff Course, the Jazz/Orff Course and frequent teacher at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria. He is also the pianist in and leader of the jazz quintet, The Pentatonics, bringing jazz to people of all ages. Doug is featured in a documentary film titled The Secret Song that played at various film festivals worldwide and now is streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and PBS.
Y is for Yes
2026/05/27
Want to get your hands on a copy? Here's a link to purchase the book.
THE ABC’S OF EDUCATION: ABOUT THIS PODCAST:
“Schools ain’t the way they used to be and they never was.” – Will Rogers
Since schooling is mandatory in most of the world, it is an extraordinary opportunity to create the kind of learning communities that both make children feel happy, welcomed, valued and challenged at each age and also prepare them for a lifetime of intelligence, caring, artistic expression and social responsibility. But mostly we squander this chance by continuing business as usual.
The ABC’s of Education, taken from one of Doug’s books published in 2006, is a look at 26 things that could refresh and revive schools and give children both the present and the future they deserve. Take a listen to the ideas, testimonies and stories from a half-century of teaching kids of all ages that could change school culture as we know it. In the “race between education and catastrophe” (H.G. Wells), education is lagging behind as disinformation, misinformation and ignorance push on ahead. Here is the energy drink that will help us catch up and eventually win the race.
BRIEF BIO:
Doug Goodkin is an internationally recognized teacher of Orff Schulwerk, training teachers in over 50 countries worldwide. Alongside his teacher-training work, he worked with children from three years old to eighth grade in The San Francisco School for 45 years before his recent retirement. Post-retirement, he continues working as a consultant, mentor, guest teacher, workshop leader and performer in schools locally, nationally and internationally.
Doug is an author of ten books, keeps an ongoing Blog titled “Confessions of a Traveling Music Teacher,” (now in its 13th year), is a speaker at various Conferences and in a TEDx talk. He is the director of and teacher in the prestigious San Francisco International Orff Course, the Jazz/Orff Course and frequent teacher at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria. He is also the pianist in and leader of the jazz quintet, The Pentatonics, bringing jazz to people of all ages. Doug is featured in a documentary film titled The Secret Song that played at various film festivals worldwide and now is streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and PBS.
X is for Xylophone
2026/05/18
Want to get your hands on a copy? Here's a link to purchase the book.
THE ABC’S OF EDUCATION: ABOUT THIS PODCAST:
“Schools ain’t the way they used to be and they never was.” – Will Rogers
Since schooling is mandatory in most of the world, it is an extraordinary opportunity to create the kind of learning communities that both make children feel happy, welcomed, valued and challenged at each age and also prepare them for a lifetime of intelligence, caring, artistic expression and social responsibility. But mostly we squander this chance by continuing business as usual.
The ABC’s of Education, taken from one of Doug’s books published in 2006, is a look at 26 things that could refresh and revive schools and give children both the present and the future they deserve. Take a listen to the ideas, testimonies and stories from a half-century of teaching kids of all ages that could change school culture as we know it. In the “race between education and catastrophe” (H.G. Wells), education is lagging behind as disinformation, misinformation and ignorance push on ahead. Here is the energy drink that will help us catch up and eventually win the race.
BRIEF BIO:
Doug Goodkin is an internationally recognized teacher of Orff Schulwerk, training teachers in over 50 countries worldwide. Alongside his teacher-training work, he worked with children from three years old to eighth grade in The San Francisco School for 45 years before his recent retirement. Post-retirement, he continues working as a consultant, mentor, guest teacher, workshop leader and performer in schools locally, nationally and internationally.
Doug is an author of ten books, keeps an ongoing Blog titled “Confessions of a Traveling Music Teacher,” (now in its 13th year), is a speaker at various Conferences and in a TEDx talk. He is the director of and teacher in the prestigious San Francisco International Orff Course, the Jazz/Orff Course and frequent teacher at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria. He is also the pianist in and leader of the jazz quintet, The Pentatonics, bringing jazz to people of all ages. Doug is featured in a documentary film titled The Secret Song that played at various film festivals worldwide and now is streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and PBS.
W is for Work
2026/04/20
Want to get your hands on a copy? Here's a link to purchase the book.
THE ABC’S OF EDUCATION: ABOUT THIS PODCAST:
“Schools ain’t the way they used to be and they never was.” – Will Rogers
Since schooling is mandatory in most of the world, it is an extraordinary opportunity to create the kind of learning communities that both make children feel happy, welcomed, valued and challenged at each age and also prepare them for a lifetime of intelligence, caring, artistic expression and social responsibility. But mostly we squander this chance by continuing business as usual.
The ABC’s of Education, taken from one of Doug’s books published in 2006, is a look at 26 things that could refresh and revive schools and give children both the present and the future they deserve. Take a listen to the ideas, testimonies and stories from a half-century of teaching kids of all ages that could change school culture as we know it. In the “race between education and catastrophe” (H.G. Wells), education is lagging behind as disinformation, misinformation and ignorance push on ahead. Here is the energy drink that will help us catch up and eventually win the race.
BRIEF BIO:
Doug Goodkin is an internationally recognized teacher of Orff Schulwerk, training teachers in over 50 countries worldwide. Alongside his teacher-training work, he worked with children from three years old to eighth grade in The San Francisco School for 45 years before his recent retirement. Post-retirement, he continues working as a consultant, mentor, guest teacher, workshop leader and performer in schools locally, nationally and internationally.
Doug is an author of ten books, keeps an ongoing Blog titled “Confessions of a Traveling Music Teacher,” (now in its 13th year), is a speaker at various Conferences and in a TEDx talk. He is the director of and teacher in the prestigious San Francisco International Orff Course, the Jazz/Orff Course and frequent teacher at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria. He is also the pianist in and leader of the jazz quintet, The Pentatonics, bringing jazz to people of all ages. Doug is featured in a documentary film titled The Secret Song that played at various film festivals worldwide and now is streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and PBS.
V is for Vulnerability
2026/03/23
Want to get your hands on a copy? Here's a link to purchase the book.
THE ABC’S OF EDUCATION: ABOUT THIS PODCAST:
“Schools ain’t the way they used to be and they never was.” – Will Rogers
Since schooling is mandatory in most of the world, it is an extraordinary opportunity to create the kind of learning communities that both make children feel happy, welcomed, valued and challenged at each age and also prepare them for a lifetime of intelligence, caring, artistic expression and social responsibility. But mostly we squander this chance by continuing business as usual.
The ABC’s of Education, taken from one of Doug’s books published in 2006, is a look at 26 things that could refresh and revive schools and give children both the present and the future they deserve. Take a listen to the ideas, testimonies and stories from a half-century of teaching kids of all ages that could change school culture as we know it. In the “race between education and catastrophe” (H.G. Wells), education is lagging behind as disinformation, misinformation and ignorance push on ahead. Here is the energy drink that will help us catch up and eventually win the race.
BRIEF BIO:
Doug Goodkin is an internationally recognized teacher of Orff Schulwerk, training teachers in over 50 countries worldwide. Alongside his teacher-training work, he worked with children from three years old to eighth grade in The San Francisco School for 45 years before his recent retirement. Post-retirement, he continues working as a consultant, mentor, guest teacher, workshop leader and performer in schools locally, nationally and internationally.
Doug is an author of ten books, keeps an ongoing Blog titled “Confessions of a Traveling Music Teacher,” (now in its 13th year), is a speaker at various Conferences and in a TEDx talk. He is the director of and teacher in the prestigious San Francisco International Orff Course, the Jazz/Orff Course and frequent teacher at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria. He is also the pianist in and leader of the jazz quintet, The Pentatonics, bringing jazz to people of all ages. Doug is featured in a documentary film titled The Secret Song that played at various film festivals worldwide and now is streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and PBS.
U is for Understanding
2026/03/16
Want to get your hands on a copy? Here's a link to purchase the book.
THE ABC’S OF EDUCATION: ABOUT THIS PODCAST:
“Schools ain’t the way they used to be and they never was.” – Will Rogers
Since schooling is mandatory in most of the world, it is an extraordinary opportunity to create the kind of learning communities that both make children feel happy, welcomed, valued and challenged at each age and also prepare them for a lifetime of intelligence, caring, artistic expression and social responsibility. But mostly we squander this chance by continuing business as usual.
The ABC’s of Education, taken from one of Doug’s books published in 2006, is a look at 26 things that could refresh and revive schools and give children both the present and the future they deserve. Take a listen to the ideas, testimonies and stories from a half-century of teaching kids of all ages that could change school culture as we know it. In the “race between education and catastrophe” (H.G. Wells), education is lagging behind as disinformation, misinformation and ignorance push on ahead. Here is the energy drink that will help us catch up and eventually win the race.
BRIEF BIO:
Doug Goodkin is an internationally recognized teacher of Orff Schulwerk, training teachers in over 50 countries worldwide. Alongside his teacher-training work, he worked with children from three years old to eighth grade in The San Francisco School for 45 years before his recent retirement. Post-retirement, he continues working as a consultant, mentor, guest teacher, workshop leader and performer in schools locally, nationally and internationally.
Doug is an author of ten books, keeps an ongoing Blog titled “Confessions of a Traveling Music Teacher,” (now in its 13th year), is a speaker at various Conferences and in a TEDx talk. He is the director of and teacher in the prestigious San Francisco International Orff Course, the Jazz/Orff Course and frequent teacher at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria. He is also the pianist in and leader of the jazz quintet, The Pentatonics, bringing jazz to people of all ages. Doug is featured in a documentary film titled The Secret Song that played at various film festivals worldwide and now is streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and PBS.
T is for Truth Part 2
2026/03/06
Want to get your hands on a copy? Here's a link to purchase the book.
THE ABC’S OF EDUCATION: ABOUT THIS PODCAST:
“Schools ain’t the way they used to be and they never was.” – Will Rogers
Since schooling is mandatory in most of the world, it is an extraordinary opportunity to create the kind of learning communities that both make children feel happy, welcomed, valued and challenged at each age and also prepare them for a lifetime of intelligence, caring, artistic expression and social responsibility. But mostly we squander this chance by continuing business as usual.
The ABC’s of Education, taken from one of Doug’s books published in 2006, is a look at 26 things that could refresh and revive schools and give children both the present and the future they deserve. Take a listen to the ideas, testimonies and stories from a half-century of teaching kids of all ages that could change school culture as we know it. In the “race between education and catastrophe” (H.G. Wells), education is lagging behind as disinformation, misinformation and ignorance push on ahead. Here is the energy drink that will help us catch up and eventually win the race.
BRIEF BIO:
Doug Goodkin is an internationally recognized teacher of Orff Schulwerk, training teachers in over 50 countries worldwide. Alongside his teacher-training work, he worked with children from three years old to eighth grade in The San Francisco School for 45 years before his recent retirement. Post-retirement, he continues working as a consultant, mentor, guest teacher, workshop leader and performer in schools locally, nationally and internationally.
Doug is an author of ten books, keeps an ongoing Blog titled “Confessions of a Traveling Music Teacher,” (now in its 13th year), is a speaker at various Conferences and in a TEDx talk. He is the director of and teacher in the prestigious San Francisco International Orff Course, the Jazz/Orff Course and frequent teacher at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria. He is also the pianist in and leader of the jazz quintet, The Pentatonics, bringing jazz to people of all ages. Doug is featured in a documentary film titled The Secret Song that played at various film festivals worldwide and now is streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and PBS.
Podcast reviews
Read THE ABC’S OF EDUCATION podcast reviews
ThunderBolt1916 2025/10/30
A Balm
As a 30 year veteran elementary school general music educator who began her career jumping into the Orff Levels and then sadly finding year after year...
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TENNIS.com Podcast
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The Joe Budden Podcast
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4.611654506
The Bulwark Podcast
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4.711501391
Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast
Matt McCusker & Shane Gillis

4.82543180
Smosh Reads Reddit Stories
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Small Town Murder
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Bulwark Takes
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Didn't I Just Feed You
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Warfare
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