How We Teach This

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 class meeting. Our website, www.emporia.edu/hwtt includes links to the resources mentioned.

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."

Lisa Jarvis, a high school English Language Arts teacher at Council Grove Junior Senior High, shares effective strategies she uses in her student-centered classroom. You can learn more about the Guided Release strategy and gain ideas on how you can improve teaching and learning with choice. Jarvis was chosen for the Kansas Master Teacher, class of 2019, and recipient of the NEA Teaching Excellence Award.

Joshua Stock, a 6th Grade Literacy teacher in Olathe at Santa Fe Trail Middle School, focuses on fluency strategies that engage students and provide authentic learning opportunities. Stock is the author of "Awesome Sauce", a book about the effective use of videos in the classroom, and host of the podcast, "Awesome Sauce Edu". Stock describes his favorite lesson for authentic fluency practice by taking his students to read to elementary students. He explains why he creates videos to give him more time to connect with students. Listen to find ways to make your classroom a more "awesome space".

This team of outstanding teachers traveled the state during the 2022-23 school year sharing ideas and information with educators. While visiting Emporia State University, the team shared stories and strategies that they find successful in the classroom.

Regional Finalists:

JESSICA GAZZANO | ERICA HUGGARD | MALLORY KEEFE | PAMELA MUNOZ | KENDAL NORBERG | JAIMIE SWINDLER |   CARLY TORRES  

Kristi Becker Yulich, a 4th-grade teacher in Topeka, KS was surprised and received the Milken Educator Award, known as the "Oscars of Teaching". In this episode, Yulich shares strategies for using fun and creative experiences in the classroom that have authentic learning, get the local community involved with the school and build strong connections with families. Yulich is also a National Geographic Certified Educator.

Emporia State University annually recognizes some exceptional teachers for the Kansas Masters Teachers Award. These teachers share inspiring stories about students who have impacted their careers as well as strategies and ideas they have found helpful and effective through their journey as educators.

This panel of experienced teachers from East Bridgewater Jr/Sr High School describes how using a Standards-Based Grading method has changed their classroom. Jamil Siddiqui, Math Teacher & National Teachers Hall of Fame Inductee, Class of 2020, Kelly DeMolles, Science Teacher, Rebecca Duggan, Social Sciences Teacher, Jamie Hulke Language Arts Teacher.

Robert Fenster, a high school history teacher, describes how he evaluates student learning during Social Studies labs, when students work independently and in groups, collaboratively. The students have even asked other teachers in the building to implement this strategy because they feel it is fair. Bob is recognized in The National Teachers Hall of Fame, class of 2022.