How We Teach This

Dr. Damara Paris and Dr. Carrie Boettcher are esteemed experts in accessibility and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Dr. Paris, as a Deaf individual, highlights her lifelong advocacy for accessible education. With her extensive experience as a Rehabilitation Counselor, Dr. Boettcher delves into the importance of accessibility in education and how UDL supports diverse learning styles. Together,...

Diane Kimsey ,  2025 Kansas Teacher of the Year nominee and Robin Dixon , 2007 Kansas Master Teacher discuss a concurrent enrollment program designed for high school students aspiring to become future teachers. The interview includes information about the daily classroom experience, the curriculum, and the competitions these students participate in. We explore the impact on students' lives and...

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 Lear...

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 educati...

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...

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...

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 seconda...

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, t...

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 Year...

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 -...

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 epi...

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 sho...

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 fi...

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...

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 s...

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 c...

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."