How We Teach This

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:

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 Year

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.