Teaching and Learning: Theory vs. Practice

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Pam Guimond, secondary science education coordinator at Governors State University and Dr. Rena Whitten, assistant superintendent at Thornton Fractional District 215 about teacher pay and benefits. They discuss their motivations for becoming teachers and how Governors State University made becoming a teacher possible. Information is provided for high school and community college students as well as people seeking a career change. 

Referenced in this podcast:

GSU College of Education programs

GSU Secondary Education programs

Dr. Guimond email: [email protected]

Dr. Amy Vujaklija email: [email protected]

Dr. Joi Patterson email: [email protected]

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Cheryl Green about year one as the president of Governors State University. She discusses the ten tenets and seven masters for leading the university and the balanced focus on students, staff, faculty,  and administration. She also shares her vision for enhancing GSU as the Jewel of the Southland in year two.

Referenced in podcast:

Episode 28: Aged-Out Foster Youth with Mr. Nicholas Neal

In this episode, we talk to Ms. Malarie Baumann about technology in the classroom. She discusses how pivoting to remote, online instruction created space for collaborative planning, risk-taking and creative problem solving. She also shares favorite tools and best practices in learning and implementing technology in the classroom. 

Referenced in podcast: Kahoot!, Edpuzzle, Peardeck, Pivot Interactives, Classkick

In this episode, we talk to Douglas Burrage and John Ruiz, two elementary education candidates. They discuss their reasons for being educators, the barriers they have faced, and how they have stayed on course for their chosen teaching careers. They also share ideas for recruiting more men of color to the field of education. 

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Robert Clay about his role in building campus community. He discusses how feeling a sense of belonging affects student success. He also shares strategies for students, faculty, and staff for being engaged in the campus community. the importance of students knowing and connecting to available resources as well as faculty and staff being involved in student events.

In this episode, we talk to Stephanie Krauss about her book Making It: What Today’s Kids Need for Tomorrow’s World. She shares her inspiration for writing about the four currencies necessary for success -- competencies, connections, credentials, and cash. We also discuss future projects.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Frank Harris about affirming students’ identities and affirming their strengths. Dr. Harris shares how to disrupt the 3D effect of distrust, disdain, and disregard with trust, mutual respect, and care. We also talk about his newly developed concept of racelighting.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Drew Hines about the mission of Greencorps Chicago. Dr. Hines discusses Greencorps’ project-based model to provide job training, support regional sustainability, and build partnerships with higher education.  We also talk about theory versus practice in the practical application setting.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Shaniqua Jones about restorative justice in education. She shares the importance of experiencing restorative justice as a way of life and success stories from this valuable work.  We also discuss practical classroom practices for finding out where students are in their readiness to learn and how to meet them there.