Authentic Conversations

Authentic Conversations: A Teacher and Student Discuss Five Important Topics in Education

Andrew C. Burrow and Emma C. Hill
Peter Lang, Quarter 1 2026, 50,000 words (~150 pages)
Cover and summary below are subject to change at printing

Summary

A wide range of publications thoughtfully incorporate student voice through excerpts, summaries, and case studies. In this book, readers are invited to continue ongoing conversations about important topics in education by experiencing student voice in a new way: first, a student has the autonomy and uninterrupted space to share her own perspectives about five important topics in education. These topics are (1) teachers’ and students’ perceptions of each other; (2) questions and answers; (3) grading; (4) three types of work: classwork, homework, and busywork; and (5) participation. Then, alongside her perspectives, her former teacher shares his perspectives about the same topics. Last, they share their perspectives with each other and respond. Within these meaningful conversations, they learn from each other, identify and challenge assumptions, and discover better ways of thinking and doing. Writing in a clear and accessible style, the authors focus on description rather than prescription so that readers can continue the conversations within their own educational contexts. This project, which began for the authors' benefit, now is available as a book for the benefit of all.

Endorsements

Authentic Conversations is not just a book, it’s an invitation to listen, reflect, and grow. Burrow and Hill model what a real partnership between teacher and student looks like. Their dialogue is insightful and refreshingly honest. Emma’s voice is not filtered or framed by research, it is the research. And Andrew listens, learns, and leads with humility. Together, they challenge assumptions, foster empathy, and prove that the most powerful learning happens when we talk with students, not at them.
-Dr. Russell Quaglia, Founder of Quaglia Institute for School Voice & Aspirations

Authentic Conversations: A Teacher and Student Discuss Five Important Topics in Education is a great companion to any novice or experienced classroom teacher interested in deepening their approaches to a constructivist classroom. Authors Burrow (teacher) and Hill (former student) illustrate how youth-adult partnerships focused on examining classroom pedagogy can be both affirming and reflective. They both find agreement and push each other on issues important to the classroom such as: building community, listening to one another, engaging in meaningful class work, getting the most out of homework, developing responsive grading practices, and much more. As a teacher for almost 25 years, I found their exchanges refreshing and grounded. Educators will also walk away with practical strategies for improving their instructional practices. Centered throughout this book is a belief in the power of dialogue to foster a more student-centric learning environment. This work is a great example of how student voice can unearth deeply held assumptions by educators who might need to be openly challenged for learning environments to improve.
-Dr. Marc Brasof, Associate Professor of Education, Arcadia University, and editor of Student Voice Research: Theory, Methods, and Innovations From the Field (2022)

Andrew Burrow and Emma Hill take the Student Voice conversation next level. Authentic Conversations: A Teacher and Student Discuss Five Important Topics in Education embodies the dialogue that is hallmark of effective change in schools. When teachers and students meet together, examine critical issues together, and search for solutions together schools become learning environments characterized by self-worth, engagement, and purpose. Burrow and Hill have set an example for us all. In so doing, they have given the educational community deeper insights into teachers’ and students’ perceptions of each other; the importance of classroom conversation, grading, student work, and engagement.

-Dr. Michael J. Corso, Principal, Catholic Memorial, and co-author of Student Voice: The Instrument of Change (2014)

As a thirty-four-year educator, I found Authentic Conversations both refreshing and transformative. Through Emma’s candid, student voice and Andrew’s empathetic, transparent principles, the book reimagines topics in education that should be rooted in fairness, trust, and authentic communication rather than bureaucracy. In particular, their dialogue on the topic of grading practices reveals how empathy, consistency, and meaningful feedback can shift grading from a dreaded, oftentimes punitive system to a catalyst for growth. Unlike prescriptive texts, this work breathes humanity into assessment, amplifies the student voice, and equips educators with practical, hope-filled strategies that can be immediately applied in classrooms. Rare—and invaluable.

-Tonya Capps, Executive Director of Student Success, Highlands College

Authentic Conversations is a new way of thinking about the illusive construct of engagement in the classroom. For many years, educational experts have given teachers insights on creating an experience for students that motivates them to learn. In their book, Dr. Burrow and Ms. Hill invite us into a dialogue about the classroom experience. Their collective voice is a compelling approach to understanding the power of verbal and non-verbal communication between teachers and students. As an educator for more than 30 years, I have not often read a book that could simplify the complexity of engagement by inviting us into the thoughts of the two actors in a classroom play. The conversation that unfolds naturally evokes empathy for both characters in the state. I was particularly intrigued by how Dr. Burrow would respond after Ms. Hill would offer her perspective, and vice versa. This work is a refreshing approach that I recommend for teachers in any grade or content area. It is practical and applicable. More importantly, it will cause any good teacher to stop and think about the nuances of communication in creating an engaging classroom.

-Dr. Todd Freeman, Superintendent, Vestavia Hills City Schools

In an age dominated by social media, this book brilliantly pulls back the curtain on how relationships and perceptions shape the teaching and learning environment. More than just exploring student-teacher interactions, it dives deep into the human element—what makes people tick and what they truly need. Reading it challenged me to reflect on my own practice and inspired me to be more intentional about truly knowing and being FOR my students. Little things matter a great deal, and conversations are imperative to becoming better people. Well worth the read for any educator seeking meaningful connection and growth.

-Dr. Missy Brooks, Director of Instruction and Special Education, Mountain Brook Schools

“Student voice” is a phrase often used in high schools, but rarely do we hear it in such a genuine way. Authentic Conversations provides that clarity. The candid exchanges between student and teacher are refreshingly real and remind us how much stronger schools can become when we listen to genuinely understand. As a principal, I see daily how vital trust is to school culture—and how quickly it can grow when misunderstandings are addressed with openness. This book offers a model for creating relationships where students feel heard and valued, making “student voice” a lived reality, not just a catchphrase.

-Bill Mann, Principal, Vestavia Hills High School (Freshman Campus)

As an administrator in a large suburban high school, I found the honest dialogue between teacher and student incredibly insightful. Burrow and Hill provide an incredibly open and much-needed glimpse into the modern classroom. Authentic Conversations moves beyond educational theories, tackling the real-world issues of grading, participation, and perception that my staff and students navigate daily. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of listening to our students. I highly recommend this book as an essential tool for professional development and for any educator seeking to build more meaningful connections in their school.

-Dr. Amy N. England, Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction, Hoover High School