In this episode, we feature a conversation with Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of the Thornton McFerrin Coaching Academy, Dr. Michael Thornton, regarding the intersection of teaching and coaching in the secondary classroom. Dr. Thornton shares his thoughts on being a "teacher-first, coach-second", emphasizing that the skills needed for effective instruction and athletic leadership are synonymous. The episode serves as a practical guide for educators, detailing the significant need for coaches in public schools and the critical role of mentorship in helping new teacher-coaches navigate the dynamics of the classroom and the court to reach their full professional potential.

Mentioned Resources

• Coaching Academy
• Aggie Coaching Network

Music Included

Song: Jam Time (Instrumental)Artist: NAMLicense #: 4601725855Song: New Kids (Instrumental)Artist: More Like GeorgiaLicense #: 9511520888

In this episode, we feature a conversation with Kara Green, a program manager and field experiences team lead in the Office of Educator Preparation Programs and Certification at Texas A&M University, regarding what to expect around clinical teaching in the secondary classroom. Kara shares her focus on a clinical teaching philosophy that views this intensive semester as a crucial "safety net" where academic coursework and real-world practice align through structured mentorship. The episode gives practical information and advice for pre-service educators, detailing the state-mandated guidelines, the essential roles of cooperating teachers and university supervisors, and how to successfully navigate the transition from a university student to a full-time teaching professional.

Mentioned Resources

• TLAC Clinical Teaching Website

Music Included:

Song: Jam Time (Instrumental)

Artist: NAM

License #: 4601725855

Song: New Kids (Instrumental)

Artist: More Like Georgia

License #: 9511520888

We often talk about fostering a growth mindset in our students, but what about the mindsets we carry as educators? In this episode, host Kenric Davies dives into the hidden dangers of a teacher having a fixed mindset and how our subconscious expectations can shape a student's entire academic trajectory. Drawing from classic psychological research and personal classroom victories, Kenric challenges pre-service and early-career teachers to embrace the "power of yet" and step into the classroom as lifelong works in progress.

Mentioned Resources

• Bubble Gum Brain (Book)

Music Included:

Song: Jam Time (Instrumental)

Artist: NAM

License #: 4601725855

Song: New Kids (Instrumental)

Artist: More Like Georgia

License #: 9511520888

In this episode, we feature a conversation with Dr. Justin Randolph, Assistant Professor of History at Texas A&M, and Adam Cook, Laboratory Manager and Senior Forensic Engineer, regarding the implementation of strategies to make content relevant in the secondary classroom. Justin and Adam share their unique perspectives on connecting academic disciplines to the real world, ranging from the interpretive work of public history to the essential role of materials science in everyday infrastructure. The episode serves as a practical guide for educators, exploring how to move beyond rote memorization by using primary sources and industrial applications to engage students and help them understand the broader impact of their learning.

Mentioned Resources

• ASM Materials Education Foundation
• Journal of Texas History
• Journal of Southern History

Music Included:

Song: Jam Time (Instrumental)

Artist: NAM

License #: 4601725855

Song: New Kids (Instrumental)

Artist: More Like Georgia

License #: 9511520888

In this episode, we talk with a guest from the TAMU LIVE lab about Game Based Learning and using Gamification in the classroom. We also include a conversation about how Virtual Reality (VR) may be helpful for student learning and engagement in your classroom.

Mentioned Resources

• TAMU LIVE Lab Website
• TAMU LIVE Lab Socials

Music Included:

Song: Jam Time (Instrumental)

Artist: NAM

License #: 4601725855

Song: New Kids (Instrumental)

Artist: More Like Georgia

License #: 9511520888

To round out the series on inquiry in the classroom, host Kenric Davies reflects on the universal themes found across the science, social studies, mathematics, and English episodes. In this bonus episode, Kenric shares his own experiences as a former physics and astronomy teacher to highlight how inquiry-based learning (IBL) transcends specific content areas and focuses on the fundamental process of learning. He discusses the critical role of asking powerful "how" and "why" questions to spark student curiosity and the importance of teachers stepping back to allow for student discovery. Kenric describes IBL as a vital tool for building student identity and agency, transforming the classroom into a space where students learn to analyze information and navigate the world with a critical, scientific mindset.

Music Included:

Song: Jam Time (Instrumental)

Artist: NAM

License #: 4601725855

Song: New Kids (Instrumental)

Artist: More Like Georgia

License #: 9511520888

In the final part of our series on inquiry in the classroom, guest Dr. Sarah DiCaglio, Assistant Professor and Writing Program Administrator at Texas A&M University, describes her experiences implementing inquiry-based learning in the English classroom. Dr. DiCaglio shares practical insights into the process of writing as a form of thinking, emphasizing the importance of student discovery over finished products. She describes inquiry as a vital tool for helping students find their voice through language and navigating the challenges of the AI era by focusing on the transformative power of the writing process.

Music Included:

Song: Jam Time (Instrumental)

Artist: NAM

License #: 4601725855

Song: New Kids (Instrumental)

Artist: More Like Georgia

License #: 9511520888

In part 3 of our 4 part series on inquiry in the classroom, guest Dr. Jennifer Austin, Professor of Instruction at the University of Texas at Austin, describes her experiences implementing Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) in the mathematics classroom. Dr. Austin shares practical insights for applying inquiry in both small and large class settings while describing IBL as a powerful tool to engage students and help them find their academic voice, transforming the classroom from passive lecturing into a space for active, student-led discovery.

Mentioned Resources

- Mathematics Association of America (MAA)

- MAA Inquiry Based Learning Special Interest Group

- Math Circles in Texas

Music Included:

Song: Jam Time (Instrumental)

Artist: NAM

License #: 4601725855

Song: New Kids (Instrumental)

Artist: More Like Georgia

License #: 9511520888

In part 2 of our 4 part series looking at Inquiry Based Learning (IBL) in the classroom, guest Dr. Sarah Wiseman, veteran social studies teacher in Frisco ISD, describes her experiences using IBL with social studies classes. Dr. Wiseman shares practical strategies for scaffolding inquiry while describing IBL as a way to equip students with the critical thinking skills to make meaning in their world, which is essential for careers and citizenship.

Mentioned Resources

• Harvard's Project Zero
• C3 Framework for Social Studies
• Facing History & Ourselves

Music Acknowledgements

Music Included:

Song: Jam Time (Instrumental)

Artist: NAM

License #: 4601725855

Song: New Kids (Instrumental)

Artist: More Like Georgia

License #: 9511520888

In part 1 of our 4 part series looking at Inquiry Based Learning (IBL) in the classroom, guest Dr. Dawson Nodurft, Instructional Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Texas A&M University, describes his experiences implementing inquiry in the science classroom. Dr. Nodurft shares practical strategies for using counterintuitive demonstrations to spark curiosity while describing IBL as a way to develop critical thinking and highlighting the role of timely feedback in helping students master complex concepts.

Mentioned Resources

• TAMU Physics & Astronomy Department Website
• TAMU Physics & Engineering Festival
• TAMU Physics Supplemental Material
• TAMU DEEP Program

Music Included:

Song: Jam Time (Instrumental)

Artist: NAM

License #: 4601725855

Song: New Kids (Instrumental)

Artist: More Like Georgia

License #: 9511520888