Leslie and Richard Strauss Describe How Their In-School Program, Spirit Series, Builds a Better Future with Wisdom from the Past

Leslie and Richard Strauss are a husband-and-wife team who oversee Spirit Series, an innovative educational program in which young students perform plays about timeless stories.  Through Spirit Series’ immersive and rigorous process, participants gain confidence in themselves and improve their teamwork, higher order thinking and focus in the classroom.  The program has served more than 60,000 students and research shows that it has improved their cognitive and social/emotional skills and even lowered absenteeism in participating schools. 

FMI – Spirit Series⁠⁠ website⁠⁠ 

Chapters:

02:44 Meet Richard and Leslie Strauss 
Bill introduces guests Richard and Leslie Strauss, co-directors of the Spirit Series, sharing their backgrounds and experiences in arts education. Their journey begins with personal loss and a desire to help children cope with grief. 

07:56 Breaking into Schools 
Richard explains how Spirit Series gained traction in schools through word of mouth rather than advertising.  

10:29 The Power of Storytelling 
The conversation shifts to the significance of storytelling in education, with Richard emphasizing the impact of historical narratives on young minds.  

12:05 How the Program Works 
Richard outlines the structure of the Spirit Series program, detailing the intensive three-week residency model.  

14:22 Casting and Participation 
The discussion focuses on the unique casting process of the Spirit Series, where roles are assigned by lottery. Richard shares how this approach fosters inclusivity and allows students to reinvent themselves. 

17:01 Engaging Students with Big Questions 
Richard discusses the importance of starting each unit with a thought-provoking question. This method encourages students to reflect on their beliefs and engage deeply with the material over the course of the program. 

20:09 Creating Community Through Performance 
The hosts explore how the Spirit Series fosters a sense of community among students.  

22:33 The Role of Teachers in the Process 
Leslie and Richard describe how classroom teachers engage with the Spirit Series program. They highlight the collaborative nature of the curriculum and the positive changes it brings to teacher-student dynamics. 

25:01 Empowering Teachers with New Curriculum 
The conversation shifts to the evolution of the Spirit Series curriculum, which now empowers teachers to implement the program independently. Richard shares the success of pilot programs that have expanded their reach. 

28:28 Finding Silver Linings in Crisis 
The conversation begins with Richard and Leslie discussing how the pandemic, despite its challenges, sparked creativity and adaptability within their organization.  

30:03 Innovating Through Adversity 
Richard elaborates on the innovative methods they adopted to engage students in a virtual setting, including the creation of films and storytelling videos.  

32:54 The Spirit Series Impact 
Richard explains how students not only learn foundational stories but also create their own, enhancing their understanding and personal expression. 

34:43 Measuring Success and Growth 
Richard and Leslie share the results of their program, emphasizing the positive feedback from teachers and students alike.  

37:49 Addressing Absenteeism and Engagement 
The conversation highlights the program’s success in reducing absenteeism, as students feel a sense of accountability to their peers.  <