How We Teach This: Recent Episodes
The Teachers College @ Emporia State University
We talk with educators and other experts about topics that can help you as an educator, a parent, and as a person.
Hailey Couch, 2018 Milken Educator Award Recipient, delves into the transformative power of play in early childhood education. Hailey, an experienced teacher and current Instructional Coach at Norman Public Schools, shares her journey and passion for developmentally appropriate practices and play-based learning. Listen as Hailey recounts her role in advocating for the "Oklahoma Play to Learn Act," the challenges and triumphs of promoting play in education, and practical strategies for incorporating play in the classroom.
Discover how play not only fosters academic skills but also enhances social, emotional, and cognitive development in young learners. This episode is a treasure trove of insights and inspiration for educators striving to create joyful, dynamic, and effective learning environments.
“This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Emporia State University or the Teachers College. Any mention of products, individuals, or organizations within this podcast does not constitute an endorsement. Listeners are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with appropriate professionals before making any decisions based on information provided in this podcast.”
Dr. Russell Swanson, Assistant Professor, and Todd Roberts, Instructor, at Emporia State University share options for teaching licensure. Roberts is also the Director of the Kansas Future Teacher Academy (KFTA).
Learn about the latest developments in traditional licensure paths, including community college to university programs and fully online options. Learn about programs for special education teachers, Teacher Apprenticeships, and CTE pathways.
For those with a bachelor's degree looking to transition to teaching, we discuss the Transition to Teaching program, Restricted Licensure, and the Kansas State Service Scholarship.
“This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Emporia State University or the Teachers College. Any mention of products, individuals, or organizations within this podcast does not constitute an endorsement. Listeners are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with appropriate professionals before making any decisions based on information provided in this podcast.”
Join us as we celebrate the outstanding educators recognized by Emporia State University's Kansas Master Teachers Award! 🌟
In this episode, hear from exceptional teachers who share:✨ Inspiring stories of students who have shaped their careers✨ Effective strategies they've used in the classroom✨ Innovative ideas that have made a difference in their teaching journey
Tune in for a dose of inspiration and practical tips that can transform your approach to education. Don't miss out on these valuable insights from some of Kansas' finest educators! 🎧
Education #Teaching #Podcast #EmporiaStateUniversity #KansasMasterTeachers #Inspiration #TeachingStrategies #Educators
Dr. Cecil Short, Associate Professor at Emporia State University,
In this episode, we delve into the transformative world of Blended Learning. We explore the 3Ms framework—modality, media, and methods—emphasizing the pivotal role of methods in shaping effective teaching practices.
Highlighting Blended Learning as the dynamic fusion of in-person and online learning modalities, we investigate the benefits it offers, from enhanced engagement to personalized instruction.
We also discuss essential competencies for educators and tackle obstacles like technological disparities and workload. Reflecting on the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we examine its influence and offer pragmatic advice to navigate these hurdles effectively.
“This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Emporia State University or the Teachers College. Any mention of products, individuals, or organizations within this podcast does not constitute an endorsement. Listeners are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with appropriate professionals before making any decisions based on information provided in this podcast.”
Dr. Teddy Roop, Associate Professor at Emporia State University, gives advice that classroom teachers can utilize to improve their reading instruction with research-based strategies.
In this insightful episode, we dive deep into the crucial topic of teaching reading effectively. Join us as we unpack strategies, approaches, and considerations for educators at all levels, from elementary to secondary education.
📚 Using screening and diagnostic assessments to guide instruction
👐 The Power of Multi-Sensory Learning: Explore the benefits of structured literacy approaches;
🔍 Teaching Strategies in Action: Gain practical insights into teaching strategies such as think-aloud, metacognition activities, and phonemic awareness tasks, all designed to boost reading proficiency.
📝 Choosing the Right Phonics Program: Navigate the landscape of phonics programs with confidence, learning what to watch out for to select the most effective program for your students.
🔍 Secondary Education Focus: Explore why effective reading instruction is crucial for secondary educators, including those in exploratory subjects, and its impact on student success.
Dr. Teddy Roop, Associate Professor at Emporia State University, defines the Science of Reading and explains how it is different from Balanced Literacy or whole language methods. She describes how the 5 pillars are critical to effectively teach students HOW to read.
Listen to this episode to deepen your understanding and application of evidence-based literacy strategies.
Join us for an inspiring episode of How We Teach This, where we're thrilled to host two incredible teachers who are inspiring educators! 🎓✨
Meet Kristi Becker Yulich, a phenomenal 4th-grade teacher and the esteemed 2022 recipient of the prestigious Milken Educator Award. 🏆🍎 Be inspired as Kristi shares her experiences and the remarkable impact she's making in her classroom!
But wait, there's more! 🎉 We're also honored to welcome Hailey Couch, an exceptional Elementary Instructional Coach and the distinguished 2018 recipient of the Milken Educator Award. 🌟📚 Hailey will inspire you to find the light of positivity in your school and beyond.
Together, they're on a mission to challenge fellow educators to step up and be 10% bolder in transforming education within their communities.
Tune in to the How We Teach This podcast and embark on a journey of inspiration and empowerment with Milken Award Educators, Kristi Becker Yulich and Hailey Couch. 🎙️✨ Let's revolutionize education, one classroom at a time! #EducationInspiration #EmpoweringEducators #PodcastEpisode #MilkenEducatorAward 🍏📝
Jessica Gazzano, art teacher and member of the 2023 Kansas Teacher of the Year team, and Cooper Allison, 6th grade ELA teacher and 2023 Kansas Horizon Award recipient, share about how they use enthusiasm and fun to engage students. Both are middle school-level teachers who want to inspire fellow educators to bring fun into the classroom.
Featuring Special Guest Host: Brandy Clarke, Marketing Director of The Teachers College at Emporia State University.
This team of outstanding teachers traveled the state during the 2023 - 24 school year sharing ideas and information with educators. While visiting Emporia State University, the team shared stories and strategies they found successful in the classroom.
2024 Kansas Teacher of the YearTaylor Bussinger, Kansas Teacher of the Year
8th grade, Social Studies
Olathe USD 233
Prairie Trail Middle School
Regional Finalists
CHERRYL DELACRUZ | GRETCHEN ELLIOTT | JOANNA FARMER | MELISSA HANEY | ERIN PITTENGER | MICHELLE TAPKO | FONDA TELTHORST
Dr. Beth Dobler, Professor at Emporia State University, leads us on a QUEST into the realm of digital literacy, exploring its integration with project-based learning and envisioning its future in education. Join us as we unravel the acronym and delve into each element.
**Q - Question: Empower students to develop strong questioning skills as they embark on inquiry-driven research projects.
**U - Understanding: Having students understand what they read is necessary to move beyond gathering facts.
**E - Evaluate: Become a healthy skeptic in the digital age. Explore strategies for evaluating online information, utilizing resources like Britannica's Curiosity, and empowering students to discern reliable sources from misinformation.
**S - Synthesizing: Delve into the art of synthesizing information. Learn how students can decide what is crucial and compose their learnings into coherent narratives.
**T - Transforming: Uncover the CHOMP method for transforming knowledge into action. Explore how students can share their insights with others, creating a collaborative and dynamic learning environment.
We'll also break down QUEST into its parts, providing practical examples of teaching strategies that align with each component.
Join the ongoing dialogue with Dr. Jenny Moss, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Emporia State University, as she delves into the nuances of how controlling behaviors from teachers impact students. Gain insights into recognizing genuine learning involvement versus mere compliance. Discover strategies to steer clear of detrimental motivation pitfalls and controlling teaching behaviors. This episode invites you to envision a classroom atmosphere that enhances students' intrinsic motivation, offering a fresh perspective on fostering genuine educational engagement.
Dr. Jenny Moss, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Emporia State University, shares examples to improve student engagement by providing more autonomy. Teachers want to avoid the dark side of motivation, and controlling teaching behaviors. In this episode, you can learn things you might be doing in the classroom, without realizing it, that inhibit student autonomy.
Preview of the exciting topics coming in season 9 and an announcement of which podcast episode was the most listened to in 2023.
Dr. Beth Dobler, Professor at Emporia State University, defines digital literacy and explains why it is critically important that everyone in a child's life teaches youth how to effectively locate and learn from information found on the internet. She explains how research has found that even adults are often not effective at creating a plan when looking for information on the Internet. We should not assume that students have effective digital literacy skills just because they spend a lot of time on their digital devices.
Dr. Beth Dobler, Professor at Emporia State University, defines digital literacy and explains why it is critically important that everyone in a child's life teaches youth how to effectively locate and learn from information found on the internet. She describes what it looks like to think aloud for a student so that they can understand our mental process when we use our experience to quickly find information on the internet. Dr. Beth Dobler, a professor in The Teachers College, has been an elementary teacher, school librarian, and now teaches undergraduate and graduate literacy courses and supervises student interns at ESU. Beth serves on the Kansas Book Festival Board and the Topeka Shawnee County Public Library Board.Dr. Beth Dobler was recognized in The Teachers College as the John E. King Endowed Professor for the 22/23 school year and the 2023 Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor at Emporia State University.
Cecil Short, PhD, Associate Professor and Director of Secondary Education at Emporia State University, shares about A.I. Join us for an exciting journey into the world of Generative AI! Our podcast delves deep into the fascinating realm of AI-powered creativity. Discover how artificial intelligence is transforming education and unleashing innovation.
Kendal Norberg, 4th-grade teacher and member of the 2023 KS Teacher of the Year Team gives examples of strategies that work to create an effective classroom environment with procedures, organization, and on-task behavior. She explains why it is important to "Say what you mean; mean what you say" and follow through. She describes the steps necessary to teach a class of students to enter the room quietly and work productively.
Kendal Norberg, 4th-grade teacher and member of the 2023 KS Teacher of the Year Team shares advice and strategies for creating tension reduction for students experiencing stages of crisis, from anxious, defensive, to exhibiting risk behaviors. Listen for an understanding of how to maintain professional detachment to treat students with respect and increase their learning by calming the agitated states that are easily escalated.
Brian Skinner, 2023 Kansas Teacher of the Year and Interrelated Special Education Teacher for Newton Schools, offers suggestions for creating the most successful classroom when working with other educators. Whether in a co-teaching situation or having a paraprofessional join the class, everyone should work together to assist students. Brian shares his hopes for the future of education.
Brian Skinner, 2023 Kansas Teacher of the Year and Interrelated Special Education Teacher for Newton Schools, explains terms and describes important concepts all teachers need to know about meeting a child's needs with an Individual Education Plan (IEP). He offers advice to give yourself and your students a little grace, plus more.
Dr. Jim Persinger, Professor Emeritus, and Assistant Director of the East Central Kansas Cooperative in Education, explains how simple nudges from classroom teachers can make a big impact in helping a child, dealing with a crisis, heal. Listen to hear four things teachers can do tomorrow in their classroom: validate their feelings, give facts and squash rumors, return to normalcy, and conduct a class meeting. Our website, www.emporia.edu/hwtt includes links to the resources mentioned.
Caryn Long, Director of Educational Technology and Innovation at Montverde Academy and Class of 2023 National Teacher Hall of Fame Inductee, shares her experience incorporating real-world experiences learned from NASA's educational program into the science classroom. She encourages educators to invest in the future of education and explains her hopes for the future of this profession.
Scott Poland PhD, a Professor of Psychology, and a nationally recognized expert in suicide and violence prevention, shares realistic strategies that teachers and principals can implement in their classrooms without spending a lot of money. He offers ideas that embrace getting students involved in creating a safe environment. He is a recipient of the "Helping Heal Parkland Award."
Lisa Jarvis, a high school English Language Arts teacher at Council Grove Junior Senior High, shares effective strategies she uses in her student-centered classroom. You can learn more about the Guided Release strategy and gain ideas on how you can improve teaching and learning with choice. Jarvis was chosen for the Kansas Master Teacher, class of 2019, and recipient of the NEA Teaching Excellence Award.
Joshua Stock, a 6th Grade Literacy teacher in Olathe at Santa Fe Trail Middle School, focuses on fluency strategies that engage students and provide authentic learning opportunities. Stock is the author of "Awesome Sauce", a book about the effective use of videos in the classroom, and host of the podcast, "Awesome Sauce Edu". Stock describes his favorite lesson for authentic fluency practice by taking his students to read to elementary students. He explains why he creates videos to give him more time to connect with students. Listen to find ways to make your classroom a more "awesome space".
This team of outstanding teachers traveled the state during the 2022-23 school year sharing ideas and information with educators. While visiting Emporia State University, the team shared stories and strategies that they find successful in the classroom.
Brian Skinner, Kansas Teacher of the Year
Regional Finalists:
JESSICA GAZZANO | ERICA HUGGARD | MALLORY KEEFE | PAMELA MUNOZ | KENDAL NORBERG | JAIMIE SWINDLER | CARLY TORRES
Kristi Becker Yulich, a 4th-grade teacher in Topeka, KS was surprised and received the Milken Educator Award, known as the "Oscars of Teaching". In this episode, Yulich shares strategies for using fun and creative experiences in the classroom that have authentic learning, get the local community involved with the school and build strong connections with families. Yulich is also a National Geographic Certified Educator.
Emporia State University annually recognizes some exceptional teachers for the Kansas Masters Teachers Award. These teachers share inspiring stories about students who have impacted their careers as well as strategies and ideas they have found helpful and effective through their journey as educators.
Kristen Anderson - Fifth Grade TeacherNorth Fairview ElementaryUSD 345 SeamanKirstin Bangerter - ELA Teacher/InterventionistUSD 443 Dodge CityJerald “Jerry” Braun - Sixth-12th Grade Gifted Teacher Hays Middle and Hays High School, USD 489 Hays
Matthew “Matt” Christensen - Social Studies TeacherBlue Valley Southwest High SchoolUSD 229 Blue Valley Schools
Melissa Hall - Sixth-Eighth Grade STEM TeacherFort Riley Middle SchoolUSD 475 Geary CountyMartha MacKay - Physical Science TeacherEmporia High SchoolUSD 253 EmporiaMaggie Wolken - Kindergarten TeacherUSD 413 Chanute
This panel of experienced teachers from East Bridgewater Jr/Sr High School describes how using a Standards-Based Grading method has changed their classroom. Jamil Siddiqui, Math Teacher & National Teachers Hall of Fame Inductee, Class of 2020, Kelly DeMolles, Science Teacher, Rebecca Duggan, Social Sciences Teacher, Jamie Hulke Language Arts Teacher.
Robert Fenster, a high school history teacher, describes how he evaluates student learning during Social Studies labs, when students work independently and in groups, collaboratively. The students have even asked other teachers in the building to implement this strategy because they feel it is fair. Bob is recognized in The National Teachers Hall of Fame, class of 2022.
Jamil Siddiqui, an inductee in the Class of 2020 to the National Teachers Hall of Fame shares stories about those that have made a significant difference in his life and inspires other teachers to show passion in their work to make a difference for the next generation. Siddiqui explains how his students came to know his previous math teacher as their Grand Teacher.
Part 2 Panel Discussion about the KS Teacher Retention Initiative
Listen as guests with different roles in education share how they have learned from the recent Kansas Teachers Retention Initiative Survey. These education professionals looked at the data and made decisions based on what they learned from their own district data. The panel also discusses the bigger picture of keeping quality teachers in the classroom.
Robert Fenster, a high school history teacher, explains strategies that he has found effective for increasing critical thinking with discussion and choice. Bob is recognized in The National Teachers Hall of Fame, class of 2022.
Listen as guests with different roles in education share how they have learned from the recent Kansas Teachers Retention Initiative Survey. These education professionals looked at the data and made decisions based on what they learned from their own district data. The panel also discusses the bigger picture of keeping quality teachers in the classroom.
The following guests participated in the panel discussion:
Dr. Bret Church, Associate Professor at Emporia State University
Dr. Luke Simmering, Industrial/Organizational Psychologist at Sand Creek Advisors
Jessica Dain, Superintendent of Piper School District
Shannon Kimball, President of USD 497 Lawrence Public Schools Board of Education
Kevin Riemann, Executive Director of Kansas NEA
Be sure to watch for part 2 of this conversation for more great information.
Jamil Siddiqui, inductee in the Class of 2020 to the National Teachers Hall of Fame shares strategies that he has learned to be effective for his advanced math classes. These strategies could easily be implemented in any subject matter. He teaches his students more than math; he teaches them to effectively communicate.
Melissa Gerleman, aninstructor at Emporia State University, and Susan Severin, a School Psychologist, talk about their experience with Social Emotional Learning in an interview with a guest host, Clara Eldridge, a student in The Teachers College at Emporia State University. They discuss the benefits of training teachers with The Jason Foundation in suicide prevention and other challenges they've experienced helping students navigate the changed world post-pandemic.
Robert Fenster, a high school History teacher, shares his experiences in learning how to effectively teach and connect with students, especially those that are in underrepresented minority groups. Bob is recognized in The National Teachers Hall of Fame, class of 2022. He explains how teaching in New Jersey, which is supportive of Culturally Responsive Teachers, has impacted his ability to teach history from more than black-and-white viewpoints.
Diana Mendoza, Director of ESOL and Diversity, and Susanne Stevenson, ESOL Instructional Coach, both at Dodge City Public Schools, give examples of Biography Driven Instruction and explain why it is important to have a Culturally Relevant Classroom. Susanne Stevenson is also recognized as the 2022 Kansas Teacher of the Year. Listen to this episode to better understand how educators can help families and students be more successful when they come to our schools from a wide variety of backgrounds, cultures, and languages.
Dr. Jim Persinger, Professor of Psychology at Emporia State University, gives data to show that schools are actually safer now than they were in the 1980s. Instead of focusing on mass shootings, schools need to be implementing suicide prevention programs. Dr. Persinger gives hope in understanding that there are specific strategies that can be implemented with research showing they can make a difference and save students' lives.
Diana Mendoza, Director of ESOL and Diversity, and Susanne Stevenson, ESOL Instructional Coach. both at Dodge City Public Schools, share how they help students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds overcome the natural barriers that exist to getting a quality education. Susanne Stevenson is also recognized as the 2022 Kansas Teacher of the Year. Listen to this episode to better understand how educators can help families and students be more successful when they come to our schools from a wide variety of backgrounds, cultures, and languages.
Dr. Jim Persinger, Professor of Psychology at Emporia State University, explains how ideas that are commonly thought about school violence are often incorrect. One misconception is that school shootings come without warning. Dr. Persinger explains the data collected by the Secret Service regarding school violence and provides hope for educators that there are things we can control that make a difference in preventing future episodes of violence.
Todd Roberts, Director of Kansas Future Teacher Academy (KFTA) shares the experience of 60+ high school students who participated in the summer of 2022. The participants toured a one-room school house and learned about many teaching strategies including best practices in project-based learning.
Dr. Stephen Sroka, Class of 1996 Inductee into the National Teachers Hall of Fame, shares strategies that guide teachers in ways they can have a positive impact on their school culture for no cost. Instead of investing in metal detectors and expensive systems, Dr. Sroka talks about the Four Things to Create a Safer Classroom, plus many more thoughts and ideas.
The National Teachers Hall of Fame's mission is "to recognize and honor exceptional career teachers, encourage excellence in teaching, and preserve the rich heritage of the teaching profession in the United States."
The class of 2022 inductees were on campus at Emporia State University in June 2022 for induction into NTHF, housed at Emporia State.
In this podcast episode, these experienced teachers delve into classroom management strategies and what they do for self-care. Listen to shared stories of students who changed their teaching careers.
Dr. Ken Weaver and Dr. Carol Strickland, leaders in education and professionals associated with the National Teachers Hall of Fame, the Fallen Educators Memorial, and The Teacher College, share what they have learned from research found while creating and maintaining the National Fallen Educators' Memorial. They explain ideas and strategies that teachers and administrators can control to improve safety in our schools.
Be sure to subscribe to How We Teach This on your favorite podcast platform as our Season 5 explores the difficult topic of promoting school safety and preventing violence. The first episode in the mini-series will drop on August 31st, Wednesday.
Lee Miller and Josh Bolick, experts in Open Educational Resources (OER), spend a lot of time helping others navigate the emerging strategy of OER for their classrooms. In this episode they share, how not only can professors in higher education but also teachers in K-12, can improve teaching and learning by utilizing the concept of open educational resources. They describe the value OER offers the classroom by empowering students as creators.
Leanne Miller, Director of Innovation & Compliance and the Center for Innovation & Excellence at Barton Community College, and Josh Bolick, Head of the David Shulenburger Office of Scholarly Communication & Copyright, Library at the University of Kansas, share about Open Educational Resources (OER). These higher education professionals spend a lot of their time helping others navigate the emerging strategy of OER for their classrooms. They discuss the value students find in OER but also the advantages that instructors might discover as well. Listen to learn about what the copyright symbols mean and get many resources to start your search.
Dr. Dustin Springer, Principal of Gray Hawk Elementary in USD 458 Basehor-Linwood in Kansas, inspires teachers to change their mindset from one of punishment to understanding. He gives examples of Amigdala reset stations and how creating connections with students creates a climate that improves behavior. He describes holding a student accountable for actions but not at the moment when the brain is dysregulated.
Who is your teacher foremother or forefather? Your “grandteacher”?
Teacher lineage was a topic introduced by the NTHF 2020 inductees as they discussed who was their inspiration and who they have inspired and hope to continue inspiring. Guests included:
- Andrew Beiter, a Springville (NY) Middle School eighth grade social studies teacher;
- Melissa Collins, a second grade teacher at John P. Freeman Optional School in Memphis, TN;
- Donna Gradel, a retired high school environmental science teacher from Broken Arrow High School, and current Dean of Academics and Innovation at Summit Christian Academy;
- Thomas Knab, a K-4 visual arts educator at Dodge Elementary School in East Amherst, NY; and
- Jamil Siddiqui, a mathematics teacher at East Bridgewater Junior/Senior High School in East Bridgewater, MA.
Dr. Bret Church, assistant professor at Emporia State University and co-researcher of the Kansas Teacher Retention Initiative, shares the results from a survey of 50% of the educators in Kansas.
They were questioned on three key areas: satisfaction, engagement in the profession, and future intentions.
Districts can analyze their own data and overall stakeholders can learn from these results and build an action plan to improve the situation in Kansas regarding the teacher shortage.
Part 2 of the interview between student, Hailey Kisner, and Michael McKnight delves even deeper into the importance of creating connections with students. He shares that having solid, positive relationships is powerful for teachers. Creating quality relationships is critical to having a successful outcome, especially for students exposed to trauma. He offers specific examples of how teachers can integrate building a relationship into their daily classroom experience.
Travis True, Curriculum & Technology Coordinator for Topeka Public Schools and Google Educator Certified Trainer, gives an overview of recent changes in technology in education and advice for teachers who want to become more efficient at using technology without spending a lot of time trying to learn new software or hardware.
Dr. Lori Desautels explains how early trauma impacts a student's ability to regulate and learn. She has written several books about her experience working with students with challenging behaviors. She shares how addiction is a form of a learning disorder as a reaction to pain. Teachers and parents can look at the acronym "A SECRET" to identify the causes of behaviors to improve a student's success in the classroom.
Dr. Desautels gives more examples of how a philosophy of trauma-informed education changes the classroom environment and culture. She explains that this mindset is more than a program you can buy and implement for 30 minutes a day.
Listen to part 1 by searching How We Teach This for Season 3, Episode 4, How the Brain Impacts Emotion & Learning Part 1.
Jordan Billings, Instructor for Olathe Public Schools, shares strategies and steps on how to get started for educators who are interested in adding elements of gamification into their classrooms. Gamification can improve engagement and add some fun back into the classroom.
Michael McKnight, author and special education expert, describes how education has moved from a time without brain science to current times with more understanding of how trauma affects students that are often labeled difficult. McKnight shares how humans are resilient and the importance of teaching everyone how trauma impacts the brain, then affects behavior and learning. He believes that starting with a teacher who is calm and regulated must happen in order for an educator to respond instead of reacting to negative situations.
The bottom pictures was the start of our brain discussion in 2nd grade. We read "My Fantastic Elastic Brain" and discussed brain highways. Using tofu, students got to "carve" their own brain highways into their model brains. We discussed how some things are deep, long highways because we do them often and it is repeated. Some things are the opposite, and we may not do them or practice them as often. For this, we have smaller brain highways.
I use "brain highways" as a term to teach students that you have to train your brain properly in order to get the response or reaction they desire. For example, if we continuously do a routine incorrectly because we think it's comical, it will start to carve a brain highway that teaches our brain to do something we don't want it to. In other words, students understand that they are in charge of creating their own brain highways, and how they can change past reactions and responses, aka Growth Mindset.
Dr. Dustin Springer shares his background and how he came to realize the need for understanding neuroscience in education. He gives insight by sharing his journey as a teacher then principal of how he worked to changed the environment in his elementary school so that students would have a nurturing school experience with relationships and support. Principals and teachers interested in having a more trauma-informed understanding for their students will appreciate his advice.
Watch for Part 2, coming soon, to hear specific strategies Dr. Dustin Springer utilizes as a principal and encourages his teachers to implement.
If you want to hear more from Dr. Springer about the importance of relationships in schools, listen to our episode from Season 2: SEL Series, The Importance of Relationships in Education
Dr. Lori Desautels explains how early trauma impacts a students' ability to regulate and learn. She has written several books from her experience working with students with challenging behaviors. She shares how addiction is a form of a learning disorder as a reaction to pain. Teachers and parents can look at the acronym "A SECRET" to identify the causes of behaviors to improve a students' success in the classroom.
Watch for Part 2, coming soon, to hear specific strategies that Dr. Desautels uses in her classroom.
Jordan Billings shares strategies and steps on how to get started for educators who are interested in adding elements of gamification into their classrooms. Gamification can improve engagement and add some fun back into the classroom. It might be just what you need to inspire you after a few rough years dealing with the ups and downs during the pandemic.
The team travels across the state giving presentations to inspire and challenge those in education to improve teaching & learning by getting to know their students and building valuable relationships that change lives. In this podcast, the team answers questions on a variety of topics to inspire our listening audience to renew the teaching spirit and make connections.
Dr. Jenny Moss shares strategies and examples of how creating a more autonomy-supportive classroom compared to a controlling environment can improve the overall environment of teaching and learning. She shares why behavior management strategies like public charts or activities that shame students create a less than desirable effect. She offers the suggestion of incorporating more choice and value for students.
How We Teach This is looking forward to Season 3 starting January 19, 2022 with new episodes every two weeks on Wednesdays.
Christopher Albrecht, 2019 Inductee in the National Teachers Hall of Fame, discusses his latest book. Albrecht is an educator and author who inspires teachers to remember their purpose for becoming an educator. In order to write his recent book, The Rediscovery of Hope and Purpose, he interviewed several people with different stories of their life - from a well-known football coach, the first female to run the Boston Marathon, an Alaskan homesteader, and beloved children's author Beverly Cleary.
Albrecht is a fourth grade teacher in New York and a park ranger.
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you would like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
On December 8, 2021 we will drop a special extended interview with 2019 National Teacher Hall of Fame Inductee, author, teacher, and park ranger Christopher Albrecht. After that, we are going on break but will return with our first episode of Season 3 on January 19, 2022!
From adapting school to be delivered online at the beginning of the COVID pandemic through the continuing process of addressing the social-emotional needs of staff and students, administrators from USD 265 Goddard Jess Herbig, Executive Director of Instructional Supports, and Ryan Jilka, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources & Student Services, review their work and experiences.
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
Join school administrators from USD 265 Goddard, Jess Herbig, Executive Director of Instructional Supports, and Ryan Jilka, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources & Student Services, as they discuss their work and experiences through the pandemic.
"A lot of my implementation (of OER) comes from using the mathematical community to find some good, open source or free text options. For the classes I'm using it in, I'm making videos to go on top of it. I will look at the material, and I'll (short) create lectures (with captioning)," said Thomas Mahoney, associate professor in ESU's Mathematics and Economics Department.
Thomas shares his experience with using open broadcaster software (OBS) to record video tutorials for his students.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Open Broadcaster Software (OBS)
- Lightboard Technology
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
Dr. Ruby K. Payne, educator and author best known for A Framework for Understanding Poverty, visited Emporia State University and was interviewed by a current and past member of the Social Emotional Learning Student Group. Dr. Payne is an expert on the culture of poverty and its relation to education.
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
Join us as member of Emporia State University's Social Emotional Learning student group interview expert on education and emotional poverty Dr. Ruby Payne on the next episode of How We Teach This.
Adapting a course from face-to-face to online is not an easy task. In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Moss from Emporia State University's Department of Psychology discusses how she implemented OER into her course while transitioning her courses online due to the COVID pandemic.
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
"This idea of kids need to comply with us because we're the adults and they're the child and they make a poor choice and there has to have a punishment.... quite frankly, those days are over."
"I had that mindset early on in my career. Looking back on it, when we know better we do better. When I started learning more about the impact of trauma...that's when my life took more of a swing towards to the positive," said Dustin Springer, Principal of Gray Hawk Elementary, USD 458 Basehor-Linwood.
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
Dr. Kevin Rabas and Dr. Amy Sage Webb-Baza from Emporia State University's Department of English, Modern Languages, and Journalism discuss ballroom dancing, their reasons for adding Open Educational Resources (OER) into their creative writing courses, and express gratitude for the many resources available to help them with the transition.
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
"When I started learning more about the impact of trauma...that's when my life took more of a swing towards to the positive," said Dustin Springer, Principal of Gray Hawk Elementary, USD 458 Basehor-Linwood. Learn about his progression in social emotional learning in the next episode of How We Teach This.
Meet these first-year teachers who began teaching during the pandemic: Jenna Pennington (BSE 19) and Dylan Schneider (BSE 20). They share their experiences offering advice from what they have learned.
Dylan shares, "An escalated adult cannot de-escalate a child," and Jenna shares, "My motto for the year has been, do what is best for kids."
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
“As a student, I struggled at times going to the bookstore at the start of the semester and plopping down hundreds and hundreds of dollars for books - at the end, I sell back at one-tenth the price. As a teacher, that concerns me,” said Dr. Stewart Gardner.
In this episode, Dr. Joelle Spotswood interviews Dr. Gardner from the Department of Biological Sciences at Emporia State University. He shares his experience with using both traditional textbooks and open educational resources and why he prefers one over the other.
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
Meet these first-year teachers who began teaching during the pandemic (both alumni of Emporia State University): Jenna Pennington (BSE 19) and Dylan Schneider (BSE 20).
"If you don't have the SEL piece in place, the instructional component isn't going to be as effective," said this week's guest, John Allison, recently retired superintendent of Olathe USD 233. We've got to try to address both if we want to actually achieve the results and the have the opportunity for growth in not only the intellectual side, but the emotional and character side of developing students for their future."
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
Dr. Jasmine Linabary from Emporia State University's Department of Communication and Theatre discusses her motivation for adding an Open Education Resource textbook into her course and how that has inspired her and her department to look at creating an OER for their public speaking course.
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
"If you don't have the SEL piece in place, the instructional component isn't going to be as effective," said guest, John Allison, recently retired superintendent of Olathe USD 233. Learn more from him in the upcoming podcast where education majors interview him.
Our guest this week is James Moffett Jr., Principal of Faris Elementary in USD 308 Hutchinson. He tells the story of how he began to realize behavior in children often is not a choice, but the result of feelings caused by their environments.
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
College textbooks and course materials costs have increased over 800% in the last 3 decades, far outpacing inflation, housing, and medical costs, to become the most inflated consumer product. High-cost texts create significant barriers to learning and student success. Open Educational Resources (OER) are "teaching, learning, and research resources that reside in the public domain or have been released under an intellectual property license that permits their free use and re-purposing by others” (Hewlett Foundation). OER and related practices are an approach to overcoming cost and reuse barriers to the benefit of students and instructors.
In this episode, Art Gutierrez and Dr. Terri Summey from Emporia State University's Libraries + Archives. They discuss using an OER in their UL100: Research Skills, Information and Technology course. They also discuss other resources such as favorite textbooks used for information literacy (Upson / Badke), using EBSCOs Faculty Select, and tips for adding leadership into the classroom.
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
James Moffett Jr. explains why it is important to see education holistically instead of concentrating only on academics. He tells the story of how he began to realize behavior in children often is not a choice, but the result of feelings caused by their environments on the next episode of How We Teach This.
Dr. Cory Gibson, the Superintendent of Valley Center School District shares about the strategies and areas of emphasis in his school district that have been successful in creating an atmosphere of caring for students.
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
Tracie Chauvin, Coordinator for Social-Emotional Learning for Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools, shares the value of understanding how trauma impacts students and by understanding social-emotional learning we can be better educators.
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
Our next episode features Dr. Cory Gibson, Superintendent of USD 262 Valley Center, as we explore Social Emotional Learning in K-12 settings.
Dr. Jennifer Moss, assistant professor of educational psychology at Emporia State University shares the importance of understanding motivation and self-determination in teaching and learning. She explains how spending a little time planning for meeting the "nutriment" needs of our students greatly impacts their ability to be successful in our classroom. Is there more than sticker rewards to motivate students to do work they consider boring? Listen and learn.
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
Jordan Billings, teacher of 7th grade Social Studies including Kansas history and geography at Indian Trail Middle School in Olathe Public Schools USD 233, is our guest on this episode.
Billings added gamification to his classroom with ClassCraft then adapted several different themes over the years. Currently, he incorporates a Marvel theme layer to his classes and finds that students are eager to come to class. They have actually asked for more "boss challenges AKA tests." Billings shares the benefits he's found with gamification and offers advice for those who might like to start small and use this tool to increase student engagement in their classroom.
If you enjoy this episode, watch for a second episode with Jordan Billings in the future. He will share more strategies of how to integrate gamification for those that are interested, but still a little unsure of how to get started.
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
Shari Rooks, principal at Cottonwood Elementary in the USD 385 Andover Public Schools has created a family with the staff, students and their families that makes those who are a part of the building feel like they belong over her 20 years at the school.
She shares how her staff has made amazing adaptations during the pandemic to allow for outstanding learning as well as the importance of considering the student first.
Bringing dogs into the school and classroom was a natural part of the process when considering what kids really need to be successful. She shares the benefits and a few cautions for those that might be considering starting a therapy dog program in their school.
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
Erica Huggard, biology instructor at Emporia High School and 2020 Kansas Master Teacher, shares how she uses modeling instruction as a format for teaching and learning with her students in a way that makes active learning visible in the classroom.
Huggard describes how she uses this teaching strategy to benefit her students who need to memorize many biology concepts to retain the knowledge, not just perform on a test.
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
Erica Huggard, 2020 Kansas Master Teacher and a biology instructor at Emporia High School, shares how she uses modeling instruction as a format for teaching and learning with her students in a way that makes active learning visible in the classroom. Listen in on the next episode of How We Teach This.
Practicing teachers Joshua & Jenica Stock share their experiences while teaching during the pandemic. They offer some advice and inspiring words of wisdom including how to relax and connect with family and friends yet maintaining social distancing.
They describe how the pandemic has pushed them to be better teachers and find ways to continue to teach with effective strategies.
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
Dr. Jim Persinger, Professor of Psychology at Emporia State University, explains the difference between what most people think is self-care and pampering. The research shows there are specific strategies that you can use to feel more energy, avoid burnout and enjoy working in education.
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
Joshua and Jenica Stock, both educators, share their experience dealing with the changes brought about by the COVID pandemic including some positives they hope will continue even after the pandemic is over. Next time, on How We Teach This.
How We Teach This is continuing to provide interesting and helpful stories you will find keep you inspired and energized to make your next school year even better.
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
Dr. Jim Persinger, professor of psychology at Emporia State University, gives low-cost suggestions for ways that administrations can identify and prevent burnout in their teachers.
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
Dr. Jim Persinger, Professor of Psychology at Emporia State University, explains the difference between what most people think is self-care and pampering. The research shows there are specific strategies that you can use to feel more energy, avoid burnout and enjoy working in education.
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
Dr. John Wade, associate professor of psychology at Emporia State University, shares how to find happiness during these unprecedented times of the COVID pandemic.
Everyone has seen significant changes to their lifestyles during the pandemic of 2020. Some have adapted and found happiness through times of change. Learn the strategies that you can use to improve your mental health without expensive programs. It is NOT just "think happy thoughts." These simple but effective tips can be implemented by anyone wanting to find more joy in their everyday life.
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
Dr. Jim Persinger, professor of psychology at Emporia State University, gives low-cost suggestions for ways that administrations can identify and prevent burnout in their teachers in the next episode of How We Teach This.
Kyler Akagi has already accomplished some cool things even though this is just his second year teaching. He created the podcast, "Death of the Roman Republic."
In this episode, he shares technology he has found especially useful with the changes brought by the pandemic and gives some wise advice for new teachers that some experienced teachers will find beneficial as well.
You can find more information about "How We Teach This" on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
Dr. John Wade, associate professor of psychology at Emporia State University, shares how to find happiness during these unprecedented times of the COVID pandemic on our next episode.
associate professor at Emporia State University, shares how to find happiness during these unprecedented times of the COVID pandemic on our next episode.
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you would like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.
Kyler Akagi has already accomplished some cool things even though this is just his second year teaching. Find out what tips and tricks he's learned on our first episode of How We Teach This.
You can find more information about How We Teach This on our website, www.emporia.edu/HWTT plus watch videos of the presenters, access resources they mention, and find links to other websites related to the episode.
If you'd like to leave us a comment about this podcast episode, you can do that here.