Classroom Matters

Keeping kids learning and engaged on a daily basis in a classroom can sometimes be a struggle for teachers.  Now take that situation and flip it to a dining room table with parents adapting to the new normal and trying to work from home at the same time.  Join host Kristy Houle as she talks with Tim Gore about how to keep kids learning, structured and engaged during this time of at home learning w...

According to an article published by the National Association for Gifted Children “Worries and anxious thoughts can increase in the absence of intellectual stimulation.” So how are families keeping up with teaching gifted students from home?  How are the schools making sure that these students are not overlooked and have every resource needed to stimulate the brain?  Join host Kristy Houle as she...

The Coronavirus has led to multiple challenges for schools and families across the nation and no one has felt that more than families educating students with disabilities.  On a normal day a student that has an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) can be seen working with multiple experts and using therapeutic equipment.  So what happens when this is left for the parents to try and replicate at hom...

Teaching kids to read can be a difficult task for trained teachers in the best of environments, so you can imagine how difficult it might be for parents trying to teach from home.  The current learning situation across the country is uncertain to say the least, but how can  parents and teachers keep an emerging reader on the right track?  Join host Kristy Houle and guest Becky Jennings as they div...

Looking for a way to keep your kids engaged with both teachers and friends during this time of social distancing?  Join host Kristy Houle and Tim Gore as they chat about the use of Zoom technology for both academic and social purposes while you are working with students at home.  

During these uncertain times for schools and public education, teachers are dealing with a tremendous amount of challenges. They now have the heavy burden of working from home, teaching online and modifying grades and assignments. In this episode you'll hear... How some teachers have successfully adjusted to an online classroom setting The major challenges that online teaching brings Which pr...

Michelle Esswein is Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Winning Women, an organization that promotes an economic environment conducive to growth and development for women in business.  She also produces and hosts a radio show and is the Chief Executive Officer of Teres Entertainment.  Michelle has been recognized around the country for her accomplishments in the business world and as...

Kristy Houle and Tim Gore discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and how parents and teachers can effectively transition to online/at home learning.

This week Kristy and Tim talk all about homework and its place in the classroom. Effective? A waste of time? Where do you stand?

Social-Emotional development in students is a vital component of any child's school day. How students respond and internalize peer interactions can either motivate or damage a student's mindset. Join host Kristy Houle as she chats with Social-Emotional learning expert Tre Gammage to find out how the public education system is addressing these developmental stages. In this episode you&apo...

Most educators would tell you that the first year of teaching is usually the most challenging. That was no different for our host Kristy Houle and her colleague Tim Gore.  Join Kristy and Tim for some surprising, yet hilarious stories as they remember back to their first year of teaching.

Anyone that has ever worked in a public school setting know that the school secretary is the first person that most parents and community members see.  It sometimes falls on them to set the tone and climate of the school building and to keep things running smoothly.  This may seem like an easy task, but we will learn differently in this episode of Classroom Matters.  Join host Kristy Houle as she...

Education has been along for the ride in a world where technology seems to be taking over.  Looking back over the last 30 years of public-school education it is obvious there have been a lot of changes, challenges and hurdles that educators have overcome.  Join host Kristy Houle and her colleague Tim Gore as they chat about some of those changes and how they think education has risen above those o...

Education usually ensures a life-long career, however, Dr. Bernard Dubray has pushed that to the limit. Dr. Dubray has been in the education field for over 50 years and is currently the longest running superintendent for the state of Missouri. His devotion to the community, students and teachers is evident in the work that he does, but he has also made tremendous impacts in the areas of academics...

Eric Hadley has been knee deep in the world of science for over twenty years. Working as an educator and expert in the field of STEM, he has witnessed firsthand how far public education has come in teaching future generations the importance of science and critical thinking skills. Join host Kristy Houle as she sits down with Eric to discuss how science education has progressed over the last two de...

How important are the arts in today's classroom?  It seems as though the arts programs are always the first to be cut when school budgets get low.  In today’s episode of Classroom Matters I will be chatting with Tom Tobias and Ed Grooms about arts education and the impact it has when we remove it from the public-school setting.  Tom is a retired K-12 arts teacher and has also spent time with...

Join host Kristy Houle and colleague Tim Gore for another dose of reality as they discuss things they DON’T miss about teaching.  

Becky Jennings is no stranger to substandard professional development for teachers.  As an expert in the professional development field for over 20 years, she has experienced the challenges and helped create resolutions for the epidemic of ineffective teacher training.  In this episode of Classroom Matters she sits down with host Kristy Houle to discuss the pitfalls of professional development and...

Join host Kristy Houle and former educator Tim Gore as they reminisce about aspects of teaching they miss most.  Everything from read alouds to interacting with students Kristy and Tim dive into some funny memories and retrospective thinking with a touch of humor…and coffee.

Public education has seen a tragic increase in the amount of school shootings and overall school violence in the last ten years.  Students are no longer just “duking it out” on the playground and then calling a truce.  In today’s society teens are more likely to respond to difficult situations in a more violent fashion than in years past.   Social media and the instant access to violent video game...

Tierica Berry is an innovative educator who empowers teenage girls to take ownership of their own development. She believes that when a girl recognizes that the choices they make everyday is what shapes their reality, it helps reduce blame and excuse making.  As the founder of A Woman's Standard, Tierica helps train educators to assist young ladies to see the power they hold and fall in love...

Michael Brown's death in Ferguson, MO started a national civil rights movement revolving around how police and government treat black residents. Alongside the residents and community concerns came safety concerns for the  staff and students of the Ferguson-Florissant School District, which is located in the heart of where many demonstrations took place. In this episode of Classroom Matters, h...

Dr. Joseph Davis is not only leading the charge to restructure an entire school district, but also managing to keep the quality of academic success high. Raised in North Carolina by his mother and grandmother,  Dr. Davis learned the value of hard work and a good education at a young age. Motivated by his love of people and relationships he has excelled at providing leadership and a love for learni...

This week's Classroom Matters episode wraps up  with part three of our Student Series on student preparedness for higher education and careers.  Jack Pifer, a current high school senior sits down and talks with host, Kristy Houle about making his way through his last year of public school and the pressures of being an athlete.  Jack also shares his thoughts on what makes an effective teacher...

This week's Classroom Matters episode continues with part two of our Student Series on student preparedness for higher education and careers.  Nicole Moore, a recent high school graduate, and now college student sits down with host Kristy Houle to discuss the characteristics of both effective and ineffective teachers.  Nicole also discusses how prepared she felt for life after high school and...