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The Art of Teaching, Jazz and Mastery, and Learning by Doing - Dr. Gary Stager

Feb 12, 2026

Guest

Gary Stager

Dr. Gary Stager, educator and author known for championing constructionism and learning-by-doing. He explores jazz as a model for mastery and collaboration. He argues for reanimating the art of teaching, high ceilings in learning environments, and computers as intellectual laboratories. He also discusses dignity, meaningful work, and how AI and makerspaces can amplify creative learning.

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INSIGHT

Jazz As A Learning Model

Jazz models striving for personal excellence within a democratic, collaborative context.
Classrooms should emulate jazz's listening, co-creation, tradition, and high standards.

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ADVICE

Design Micro-Worlds For Deep Learning

Prepare curated micro-worlds so learners of different ages or abilities engage meaningfully with computation.
Design extensible programming environments and teacher-shaped contexts to raise both floor and ceiling.

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ADVICE

Follow Through On Student Voice

When you ask students for opinions, implement and respect their ideas rather than using them for show.
Avoid tokenistic consultations that gaslight learners about agency.

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Gary's background and influences

02:56 • 2min

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Purpose of school: introduce passions

05:25 • 1min

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Work, career views, and lifelong growth

06:44 • 1min

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Lessons from jazz about learning

08:06 • 5min

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Ambition and true creativity

13:16 • 4min

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Low floor, high ceiling — design matters

16:58 • 7min

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Reanimating the art of teaching

23:51 • 4min

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Authentic student agency and listening

28:17 • 2min

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Critique of Lego's AI set demo

29:50 • 4min

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Maker movement, makerspaces, and bits

33:27 • 2min

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Generative AI as an amplification tool

35:00 • 6min

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AI and assignments that matter

41:30 • 2min

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Learning by programming fractions in Logo

43:07 • 2min

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Dignity, relationships, and learning

45:18 • 5min

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Maine Youth Center prison project

50:33 • 4min

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Constructing Modern Knowledge institute outcomes

54:59 • 7min

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Computing’s radical educational roots

01:02:04 • 4min

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Preserving Papert's legacy with digital archives

01:06:06 • 3min

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Language of Computation in Reggio Emilia

01:08:40 • 13sec

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Where to find Gary's work and publications

Oceans of Time is Billy Hart's musical autobiography, recounting his long and influential career in jazz and his collaborations with major artists. The book blends personal memoir with reflections on music, performance, and the life of a working jazz musician across decades. It captures Hart's perspectives on improvisation, ensemble playing, and the traditions that shaped modern jazz drumming. Published by Cymbal Press, it aims to preserve important oral histories and musical knowledge for future generations. The book serves both as a memoir and as documentation of a musician's craft and legacy.

Phil Woods autobiography

Phil Woods

The Phil Woods autobiography provides a first-person account of the life and career of Phil Woods, covering his development as a leading alto saxophonist, studio work, and contributions to jazz. It includes anecdotes, reflections on improvisation and musicianship, and insights into the jazz scene across decades. Published by Cymbal Press, the book aims to preserve the voice and legacy of an influential player in modern jazz. Stager references his involvement in producing the autobiography and interviewing figures like Billy Joel for the project. The book serves as both a personal memoir and an historical record of Woods's impact on music.

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• Mentioned in 2 episodes

invent to learn

that's kind of a constructionist book for about the maker movement and all the things you could do with 3d printers and microcontrollers and so on so it it seemed like working with them was was an

Sylvia Martinez

Gary Steger

Invent to Learn explores the maker movement and its potential in education, focusing on hands-on learning experiences with 3D printers and microcontrollers. This book highlights the importance of constructionism in education, advocating for project-based learning and creative exploration. It provides educators with practical strategies and real-world examples to foster innovation and engagement in the classroom. The authors emphasize the value of learning through making, encouraging students to tinker, experiment, and design solutions to real-world problems. It is aimed to promote deeper understanding and skill development, bridging the gap between theory and practice in education.

The Learner's Apprentice

AI and the Amplification of Human Creativity

Ken Kahn

Ken Kahn's "The Learner's Apprentice" explores the transformative potential of generative AI in education, showcasing its ability to enhance creative learning experiences. It examines how AI tools can support students in diverse projects, from app development to scientific simulations, fostering deeper engagement and understanding. The book provides practical examples and strategies for educators to effectively integrate AI into their teaching practices, promoting student agency and personalized learning. It highlights the importance of ethical considerations and responsible AI use in educational settings, ensuring a balanced and beneficial integration. This work envisions a future where AI serves as a collaborative partner in education, empowering students to explore, create, and learn in innovative ways.

On this episode of Wide Walls, I’m joined by Dr. Gary Stager — educator, author, jazz lover, and one of the most outspoken champions of constructionism and learning-by-doing in classrooms.

Gary has spent decades reimagining how children learn, championing hands-on, creative, and learner-driven approaches inspired by the work of Seymour Papert and Reggio Emilia philosophy.

In this episode, we discuss:

Jazz as a Model for Learning

Jazz blends mastery, collaboration, and deep listening. Excellence emerges from practice, tradition, and co-creation — not shortcuts. Classrooms should aspire to that same standard.

Reanimating the Art of Teaching

Teaching is not curriculum delivery. It’s designing environments where powerful ideas can flourish. Empathy and intuition matter as much as content.

High Ceilings Matter

Creativity without ambition is shallow. Students need real complexity and meaningful standards to grow.

Computers as Intellectual Laboratories

Programming is a way of thinking, not just a skill. When students model ideas with code, they engage deeply with concepts. Making with bits expands what’s possible.

Love Over Duty

Dignity and meaningful work reduce discipline better than rules. Students remember relationships, not worksheets. Love is a better master than duty.

Find more about Gary and his work:

* Personal Website -> https://professorgarystager.com/

* LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/garystager/

* Invent to Learn -> https://inventtolearn.com/

* Seymour Papert Archives -> https://dailypapert.com/

* The Language of Computation - CMK in Reggio Emilia -> https://reggio.constructingmodernknowledge.com/

* Cymbal Press -> https://cymbalpress.com/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit widewalls.substack.com

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