The Teaching History Her Way Podcast

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History teachers are constantly asking students to make connections between the past and the present, but how do we help them see those connections in meaningful ways?

In this episode of Teaching History Her Way, I’m joined by Dave Olson, Director of Education at Retro Report and a former classroom teacher. Retro Report creates journalism and classroom resources that connect today’s issues to the history behind them, giving students an opportunity to look beyond the headlines and ask how we got here. Dave and I talk about what makes Retro Report different from simply showing students a documentary or assigning a news article, and how teachers can use its videos and resources as part of an inquiry, a lesson, a source analysis, or a way to connect historical background to issues students are encountering today.

We also talk about something that matters more than ever in the classroom: teaching students to think critically when they are surrounded by information, misinformation, and competing narratives.

Middle and high school social studies teachers: listening to this episode will help you help students understand that history isn’t just something that happened, instead it’s something that can help explain the world they live in.

Explore Retro Report by clicking here.

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Support the production of the Teaching History Her Way Podcast by purchasing some really great history tees.  Click here to shop now or go to www.teachinghistoryherway.com and click on "Merch."

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In this episode of Teaching History Her Way, I'm joined by Darcy Daniels and Denise Furlong. If you've listened before, you've heard the brilliance of Darcy, and Denise adds to the magic. They're on the podcast to talk about their brand new book, Portrait of a Citizen (Routledge).

Together, we dig into what it actually means to raise engaged, thoughtful citizens in today's classrooms, and how Darcy and Denise built a framework that goes way beyond "memorize the Bill of Rights and move on." We talk origin stories, the thinking behind the book, what they're seeing work with real students, and practical ways you can start bringing this into your own classroom tomorrow.

Grab the book by clicking here! If you teach civics, government, or really any flavor of social studies, Portrait of a Citizen needs to be on your shelf. Darcy and Denise built an awesome toolkit, and it's the kind of resource you'll come back to again and again. 

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Support the production of the Teaching History Her Way Podcast by purchasing some really great history tees.  Click here to shop now or go to www.teachinghistoryherway.com and click on "Merch."

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Conspiracy theories about our presidents aren't a modern invention, they've been part of American politics since the very beginning. In this episode of Teaching History Her Way, I chat  with Stephen Knott, author of Conspirator in Chief (University Press of Kansas), to dig into the long history of presidential conspiracy theories and what they reveal about the presidency and Americans themselves.

Stephen shares the throughline connecting suspicion, fear, and power across two centuries of U.S. history, and offers classroom-ready ways to help students separate evidence from speculation. It was really interesting to talk with Stephen and unpack how educators can use this history to help students think critically about our leaders, and how the beliefs they espoused affected the people.

Listen for a fascinating look at history's most persistent rumors, how to teach them well, and what we can learn from them about the present.

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Support the production of the Teaching History Her Way Podcast by purchasing some really great history tees.  Click here to shop now or go to www.teachinghistoryherway.com and click on "Merch."

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In this episode, I share a powerful classroom project in which my middle school students created a museum-style exhibit exploring slavery in the President’s House in Philadelphia, the home of George Washington during the early years of the United States. Through research, art, writing, and hands-on building, students investigated the lives of the people enslaved there. 

Rather than writing traditional reports, students designed exhibits: research panels, artifacts, models, and visual displays that explored the contradictions between the ideals of liberty in the founding era and the reality of slavery within the president’s household.

In this episode, I explain why projects like this matter, how students approached the work of interpreting history, and how teachers can create opportunities for students to think like historians and share their work with an authentic audience. When students are trusted to wrestle with complicated history, they often rise to the challenge in extraordinary ways.

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Support the production of the Teaching History Her Way Podcast by purchasing some really great history tees.  Click here to shop now or go to www.teachinghistoryherway.com and click on "Merch."

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What happens when students stop memorizing information and start connecting ideas? In this episode, I talk with Derek Schutte and T.J. Warsnak about how hexagonal thinking helps students build those connections, and why it leads to some of the most meaningful classroom discussions.

If you’ve ever wanted students to move beyond memorizing information and instead start making meaningful connections, this strategy does exactly that. Hexagonal thinking asks students to place ideas next to each other, explain why they belong together, and defend their reasoning. The result is a classroom full of discussion, debate, and deeper thinking.

During our conversation, Derek and T.J. share how this approach helps students slow down, think more carefully about relationships between ideas, and collaborate in ways that make learning visible. We also talk about what it looks like in real classrooms and why giving students space to justify their thinking can lead to some of the best learning moments.

If you’re looking for a way to spark richer conversations and help students see the bigger picture in what they’re learning, this episode might give you a new strategy to try.

You can purchase Edugons at www.edugons.com!

Quick note: This isn’t a sponsored episode. I invited Derek and T.J. on because I think hexagonal thinking is a really interesting strategy for helping students make connections.

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Support the production of the Teaching History Her Way Podcast by purchasing some really great history tees.  Click here to shop now or go to www.teachinghistoryherway.com and click on "Merch."

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Why do we teach?

It’s a question educators are asked all the time, often with a mix of curiosity, disbelief, and admiration. In this solo reflection and community episode, I explore the answer that often hides just beneath the surface: hope.

Teaching is one of the greatest acts of hope we can offer the world. Every day, we welcome students from all walks of life and help them learn not just academic content, but how to think, how to question, how to care for themselves and one another, and how to live in a shared society. Much of this work is quiet. Much of it is unseen. And most of the time, we are playing the long game.

As we move into  2026, I  invited teachers from across the United States to share their own messages of hope for the year ahead. Their voices- honest, generous, and deeply human- remind us why this work matters and why we keep coming back. In this episode, we reflect on the deeper purpose of teaching across disciplines, from reading and math to science and social studies, and how each subject helps students develop the tools they need to think critically, recognize injustice, resolve conflict, and imagine a more just world.

To every educator listening: thank you for showing up day after day, year after year. You are doing the work of democracy. My hope for you is a happy, healthy New Year, and that you hold onto hope, even when it speaks in a whisper.

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Support the production of the Teaching History Her Way Podcast by purchasing some really great history tees.  Click here to shop now or go to www.teachinghistoryherway.com and click on "Merch."

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Religion is deeply embedded in history — yet many educators feel unsure about how (or whether) to teach it in the social studies classroom.

In this episode of Teaching History Her Way, I am joined by educator Tim Hall to examine the role of religion in social studies education. Our conversation focuses on why religion is essential for historical understanding, common misconceptions about teaching religion in schools, and how to approach the topic in ways that are academic, inclusive, and constitutionally sound.

Together, we explore what it means to teach about religion rather than teach religion, why avoidance creates gaps in students’ understanding of history, and how educators can navigate this content with confidence and care.

Visit Tim at www.religionmatters.org or on X, Instagram, and Facebook @religionmatter5 

🎧 This episode is especially valuable for social studies teachers seeking clarity, guidance, and reassurance when teaching religion as part of the historical record.

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Support the production of the Teaching History Her Way Podcast by purchasing some really great history tees.  Click here to shop now or go to www.teachinghistoryherway.com and click on "Merch."

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In this episode of Teaching History Her Way, I talk with educator Drew Fortune about how rock and roll can transform the way we teach social studies. Drew shares his background and what inspired him to explore the history of rock from an educational standpoint. He also introduces his framework, "Bob Dylan Pedagogy," and explains how Dylan’s music can help students connect to themes like civil rights, protest, and American identity.

We dive into how rock music has shaped public consciousness, which artists you can study, and how teachers can use music to help students think critically about culture and history. Drew also shares practical advice for anyone who wants to bring popular music into the classroom but isn’t sure where to start.  Drew mentions TeachRock.org as a great resource.

If you’ve ever wanted to make history feel more alive or just love a good conversation about the intersection of music and meaning, this episode will strike a chord.

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Support the production of the Teaching History Her Way Podcast by purchasing some really great history tees.  Click here to shop now or go to www.teachinghistoryherway.com and click on "Merch."

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What can football teach us about American history? In this episode of Teaching History Her Way, I sit down with historian John Laub to explore the fascinating connections between consumerism, sports, and identity in the United States.

Together, we trace how football grew from a college pastime into a cultural and commercial powerhouse, shaping and reflecting everything from television advertising to corporate sponsorships. John shares primary sources teachers can bring into the classroom, like vintage ads, game broadcasts, and sports merchandise, to help students uncover the ways consumer culture and athletics have been intertwined for decades.

We also discuss how football’s history opens doors to broader themes in American life, including class and regionalism, and why sports history is an engaging and accessible way to help students connect with the past.

Whether you’re a seasoned football fan or just curious about the cultural impact of the game, this conversation will give you fresh tools and insights to bring into your teaching practice.

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Support the production of the Teaching History Her Way Podcast by purchasing some really great history tees.  Click here to shop now or go to www.teachinghistoryherway.com and click on "Merch."

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What happens when you combine a passion for the Civil War with the power of technology? In this episode of Teaching History Her Way, CherylAnne talks with Jim Beeghley, founder of TeachTheCivilWar.com, about how digital tools can transform the way students explore one of the most pivotal eras in American history.

Jim shares how he helps students not just learn about the Civil War but actively do history—digging into primary sources, maps, images, and artifacts through engaging digital platforms.

You’ll hear about:

• How technology can bring students closer to “doing history” instead of memorizing it
• Creative ways to use digital tools to make geography and troop movements come alive
• Strategies for teaching students to analyze Civil War-era photography and art using tech tools
• Practical tips for weaving digital history into your own classroom

Jim’s insights will give you fresh ideas to try with your students, whether you teach the Civil War or other areas of history!  Be sure to also visit his website at www.teachthecivilwar.com.

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Support the production of the Teaching History Her Way Podcast by purchasing some really great history tees.  Click here to shop now or go to www.teachinghistoryherway.com and click on "Merch."