2025 Lunch and Learn Webinar Series

Join the Alliance for Decision Education and More Like US for an engaging session designed for educators navigating today’s political climate. Discover how cognitive biases and distorted perceptions influence our understanding of others and undermine meaningful dialogue. Learn practical strategies to foster intellectual humility, reduce political polarization, and empower students to engage in thoughtful, open-minded conversations. Walk away with ready-to-use resources and fresh insights to bring back to your classroom.

Featuring Alison Stumacher, Deputy Director of Education at the Alliance for Decision Education; and James Coan, Executive Director of More Like US

Through Decision Education, history can come alive for students as they strengthen their analytical skills. What was it like for people to make real-time decisions that shaped our history? When students have the opportunity to put themselves in the shoes of the decision makers, they can better learn about history and themselves. In this talk, we’ll discuss how to guide students to recognize the choices historical figures faced, and consider how different choices might have reshaped history. Walk away understanding how this approach can not only deepen historical understanding, but also foster more thoughtful decision-making in students’ own lives.

Featuring Joe Schmidt, Senior Director at the Bill of Rights Institute and Vice President of the National Council for the Social Studies; and Terri Davis, social studies teacher at Homewood-Flossmoor High School and Alliance Senior Teaching Fellow

For students who know they want to attend an institution of higher learning after graduating from high school, selecting exactly which institution to attend is among the most significant decisions they will make up to that point in their lives. However, many struggle with this decision. Rather than students pursuing particular schools based only on one or two narrow factors, we can help students clarify their values and explore all available options. Join this panel of industry experts to find out how.

Featuring Jeff Selingo, New York Times bestselling author and leading higher education researcher; Jodi G. Williams, 2025 West Virginia Counselor of the Year; Kassy Fritz, Director of College Counseling at Hackley School (NY); and Abby Sheffer, Deputy Director of Education at the Alliance for Decision Education

Cognitive biases—mental shortcuts that shape how we perceive the world and make decisions—are fascinating topics for introductory psychology classes. In this webinar, we’ll explore practical strategies for teaching cognitive biases in the psychology classroom, helping students identify their own thinking traps, connect biases to core psychology concepts, and reflect on their real-world implications.

Featuring Michael Sandler, psychology teacher at Arlington High School and former Alliance for Decision Education Teacher Fellow

Students’ life outcomes are the result of chance and the quality of their decisions. We can’t control chance, but we can teach students to make better decisions. This session will introduce key concepts from decision science, a field developed over 60 years ago that drives effective decision-making in medicine, sports, finance, policymaking, and beyond. Students can become stronger decision makers through learning and practice, and this session will introduce how this can be achieved.

Featuring Kevin Parkinson, Senior Education Manager at the Alliance for Decision Education

Forecasting is an essential part of making decisions. How can we use today’s insights to anticipate tomorrow’s outcomes and become better decision makers? In this session, we’ll explore how to teach students the core skills of forecasting, including evaluating evidence, estimating probabilities, and applying sound reasoning when dealing with uncertainty. You’ll gain practical tools for building these high-impact skills in your classroom, helping students become more thoughtful decision makers and problem-solvers.

Featuring Ali Stumacher (Deputy Director of Education), David Bruno (Teacher Engagement Manager), and Karina Hernandez (Education Senior Associate and Pilot Project Specialist) from the Alliance for Decision Education

In a world where students are constantly bombarded by headlines, influencers, algorithms, and untrustworthy information, their ability to make sound decisions depends heavily on their media literacy. This session will explore how educators can equip students to carefully analyze the information they consume and make reasoned, informed decisions in their academic, civic, and personal lives. Join leading experts in media literacy and Decision Education to explore strategies, resources, and classroom-ready practices that empower students to discern fact from fiction and strengthen their decision-making skills.

Featuring Olga Polites, New Jersey Chapter Leader for Media Literacy Now and Alliance Education Advisory Council member; Dr. Sarah McGrew, Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland, College Park and Alliance Education Advisory Council member; and Abby Sheffer, Deputy Director of Education at the Alliance for Decision Education

Schools and educators want students to be effective decision makers, but what, exactly, does that entail, and how can schools and educators help students? Decision Education is the teaching and learning of skillful judgment formation and decision-making. In this session, you’ll hear from educators with a wide range of experiences on how they are implementing Decision Education at the school or classroom level.

Featuring Jason Major, principal at William Dever Elementary and Middle School in Chicago; Joanne Calder, teacher at Beach Grove Elementary and Alliance Senior Teaching Fellow; and Joshua Trujillo, teacher at Cabarrus-Kannapolis Early College High School and Alliance Senior Teaching Fellow

Making decisions as a group can be challenging, but with the right approach, it can also be incredibly powerful. In this session, you’ll learn strategies for creating group decision-making processes that make space for every voice, clarify shared values, and surface the trade-offs that matter most. We’ll explore practical tools for fostering open dialogue, navigating disagreements, and ensuring that every perspective is considered, so your group decisions are both thoughtful and impactful.

Featuring Kevin Parkinson, Senior Education Manager at the Alliance for Decision Education