Kent Lenci has been an educator for more than 20 years, as a teacher, coach, and school leader at the middle school level. He is the recipient of the Margot Stern Strom Teaching Award from Facing History and Ourselves and the Teacher of the Future designation from the National Association of Independent Schools. Kent founded Middle Ground School Solutions, which is dedicated to helping schools honor political and ideological differences. He can be reached through his website: www.middlegroundschools.com.

"Learning to Depolarize is thoughtful, constructive, and beautifully written—a terrific book. It makes a strong case for taking up these difficult issues in schools, and it will be very helpful to lots of folks."—Dr. Richard Weissbourd, Senior Lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Kennedy School of Government"In Learning to Depolarize, Lenci offers all of us—educators and parents/guardians—a research-based approach to engaging the "other," those whose beliefs differ from our own. The education landscape has become the epicenter for the polarizing culture wars, and Lenci offers practical suggestions that stem from his own experiences in the classroom. This book is insightful, well-researched, straightforward, courageous, and inspirational. In short, this book is a must read!" —Bonnie J. Ricci, Executive Director, International Council Advancing Independent School Accreditation (ICAISA)

• 1. Introduction: We Have Always Been Those Students 2. Polarization Awaits Our Children 3. Depolarization Is a Job for Schools 4. Cross-Cutting Dialogue Through Cross-Country Connections 5. Teaching Students to Build Bridges Within the Classroom 6. Depolarization Requires Managing Media and Emotions 7. Positioning Faculty to Encourage Depolarization 8. Partnering with Parents Across the Political Divide 9. Conclusion: Finding the Courage to Depolarize 10. Appendix: Consolidated List of Resources

Kent Lenci has been an educator for more than 20 years, as a teacher, coach, and school leader at the middle school level. He is the recipient of the Margot Stern Strom Teaching Award from Facing History and Ourselves and the Teacher of the Future designation from the National Association of Independent Schools. Kent founded Middle Ground School Solutions, which is dedicated to helping schools honor political and ideological differences. He can be reached through his website: www.middlegroundschools.com.

"Learning to Depolarize is thoughtful, constructive, and beautifully written—a terrific book. It makes a strong case for taking up these difficult issues in schools, and it will be very helpful to lots of folks."—Dr. Richard Weissbourd, Senior Lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Kennedy School of Government"In Learning to Depolarize, Lenci offers all of us—educators and parents/guardians—a research-based approach to engaging the "other," those whose beliefs differ from our own. The education landscape has become the epicenter for the polarizing culture wars, and Lenci offers practical suggestions that stem from his own experiences in the classroom. This book is insightful, well-researched, straightforward, courageous, and inspirational. In short, this book is a must read!" —Bonnie J. Ricci, Executive Director, International Council Advancing Independent School Accreditation (ICAISA)

• 1. Introduction: We Have Always Been Those Students 2. Polarization Awaits Our Children 3. Depolarization Is a Job for Schools 4. Cross-Cutting Dialogue Through Cross-Country Connections 5. Teaching Students to Build Bridges Within the Classroom 6. Depolarization Requires Managing Media and Emotions 7. Positioning Faculty to Encourage Depolarization 8. Partnering with Parents Across the Political Divide 9. Conclusion: Finding the Courage to Depolarize 10. Appendix: Consolidated List of Resources

Kent Lenci has been an educator for more than 20 years, as a teacher, coach, and school leader at the middle school level. He is the recipient of the Margot Stern Strom Teaching Award from Facing History and Ourselves and the Teacher of the Future designation from the National Association of Independent Schools. Kent founded Middle Ground School Solutions, which is dedicated to helping schools honor political and ideological differences. He can be reached through his website: www.middlegroundschools.com.

"Learning to Depolarize is thoughtful, constructive, and beautifully written—a terrific book. It makes a strong case for taking up these difficult issues in schools, and it will be very helpful to lots of folks."—Dr. Richard Weissbourd, Senior Lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Kennedy School of Government"In Learning to Depolarize, Lenci offers all of us—educators and parents/guardians—a research-based approach to engaging the "other," those whose beliefs differ from our own. The education landscape has become the epicenter for the polarizing culture wars, and Lenci offers practical suggestions that stem from his own experiences in the classroom. This book is insightful, well-researched, straightforward, courageous, and inspirational. In short, this book is a must read!" —Bonnie J. Ricci, Executive Director, International Council Advancing Independent School Accreditation (ICAISA)

• 1. Introduction: We Have Always Been Those Students 2. Polarization Awaits Our Children 3. Depolarization Is a Job for Schools 4. Cross-Cutting Dialogue Through Cross-Country Connections 5. Teaching Students to Build Bridges Within the Classroom 6. Depolarization Requires Managing Media and Emotions 7. Positioning Faculty to Encourage Depolarization 8. Partnering with Parents Across the Political Divide 9. Conclusion: Finding the Courage to Depolarize 10. Appendix: Consolidated List of Resources