Kansas State College of Education

EDCATS EDCAST

Education EN ↓ 3 episodes

Tune into the EDCATS EDCAST for real conversations about education, student experiences, and the impact of learning beyond the classroom. Hear from voices across our community as they share insights, stories, and ideas shaping the future of education.

Author

Kansas State College of Education

Episodes

Lessons Learned From a Lifetime in Education: Dr. Randy Watson 05.06.2026 45:50

Today, we spoke with the Commissioner of Education for the state of Kansas, Dr. Randy Watson. As he begins to let the sun set on a 45-year-long career, he spent time with us reflecting on and pondering the past, present, and future of education. He shared heartfelt stories meant to inspire and a few funny ones. Whether you're a student yourself, a pre-service educator, a teacher, or an admini...

How Helping First Generation Students Succeed Actually Serves All Students: Dr. Stephanie Bannister 30.05.2026 35:39

Today's conversation is with Dr. Stephanie Bannister. Stephanie is the director of FirstGen Forward, a non-profit whose mission is to foster success for first-generation college students. In this episode, Stephanie explains the ways in which helping first-generation college students succeed actually helps all students succeed and how learners and educators both benefit when teachers process t...

The Power of Connecting With our Students: Angie Messer Tells us What She Believes Every Teacher Needs to Know. 08.05.2026 25:31

In this episode of the EDCATS EDCAST, veteran educator Angie Messer shares why building strong, lasting connections with students is at the heart of meaningful learning. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience as a teacher and administrator, she reflects on the journey that shaped her relationship-centered approach to education. Angie also offers practical insights to help educators create cla...