We were chatting a few weeks ago, here at Top of the Class, and the conversation came up about how classroom teaching is not the only destination for educators. There are so many ways teachers can expand their reach and grow in this field. So, we wanted to know more about this to gain a better idea of what alternative jobs and career paths are out there for those driven to be in the field of education. So, we bring you our guest, Lindy Gaudiano. She brings a wealth of knowledge to listeners on t...
Jun 03, 2019•30 min
In this episode, we are going to chat about growth mindsets and what that looks like in the classroom from the teacher perspective. Meredith and I are really into this topic because it’s something we try to do everyday in our work lives and in our personal lives. This is such an inspirational topic, so we had to bring in an equally as inspiring guest, Heather Bowman! Who knows, maybe our chat may even inspire you all to consider your own growth mindset! P.S. We LOVE your feedback, so please feel...
May 06, 2019•29 min
In this Extra Credit episode, we share five of our very favorite teacher books. Boy, was this a tough one! There are so many great books on teaching, but we selected five books that any educator can appreciate regardless of their age group or content area. So, with our wide range of listeners in mind, we tried to choose books that are inspiration and practical, compelling and also give us some real talk about the realities of teaching. So, why wait any longer? Let’s get to listening!
Apr 24, 2019•15 min
Boy, do we have a special episode and guest for you today! In this episode, we will be talking ALL about teaching reading...something I would say both Meredith and I quite enjoy! But, whether you’re a preschool teacher or high school math teacher, we’re ALL involved in improving the literacy and communication skills of our students. So, buckle up, pop in those ear buds, and get ready for the Art and Science of Teaching Reading with special guest and National Board Certified Teacher, Anthony Pere...
Apr 08, 2019•27 min
Time is of the essence when you're a teacher! Am I right? In this episode, we outline 5 ways to help make you a more efficient educator. We all want to use our time more wisely, so we can spend more time doing what we enjoy as an educator, which is to inspire children, and less time on those pesky, but necessary, managerial tasks. Happy listening! Also, we LOVE your feedback, so please feel free to tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter using our handle @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES! [audio src="https:...
Mar 26, 2019•11 min
Wow, we are really excited about this session with Dr. Robyn and Robin, two experts in the field who also happen to share the same name! We also know that this topic is a popularly requested concept in many teaching circles. So, in this episode, we’re chatting about project-based learning. Project-based learning, or PBL, as it’s often called, is a method where students get to engage in sustained inquiry around a real-world problem, develop some solutions for that problem, and then share their so...
Mar 04, 2019•33 min
Today’s episode we’re talking about why we all should choose education. This episode is for pre-service teachers and veteran teachers alike. We want to dive into why education is such an important arena now more than ever. In this episode, we will be chatting with two wonderful guests and pre-service teachers, Makenna Ray and Ivonne Carmona. This topic matters to everyone in the field of education because as educators, we know that there are other tempting fields of work out there that might lur...
Feb 19, 2019•21 min
Top of the Class is so excited about this episode because we know just how powerful this topic is! Today, Meredith and Emily will be chatting about how to build momentum in our schools and classrooms through STEAM or Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. So, climb aboard this podcast "STEAM" boat as we dive a bit deeper with today’s special guests, Cori Araza & Marni Landry. Also, we LOVE your feedback, so please feel free to tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter using...
Feb 04, 2019•33 min
Our Extra Credit episodes are shorter than normal episodes. Our goal is to share helpful tips to make your life as an educator a bit easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable! In this Extra Credit episode, Meredith and Emily outline 5 ways to help make your classroom more engaging. We all know that an engaging classroom leads to better learning! Also, as always, we love your feedback, so please feel free to tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter using our handle @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES! Ok...now...
Jan 22, 2019•17 min
It is a new year and there is no better way than to kick it off with a new episode of Top of the Class! Take a listen as hosts Emily Pottinger and Dr. Meredith Critchfield chat with assistant professor and former K-12 educator, Katy Long. In this episode we’re talking about our language learners: what’s it mean to be a language learner, how we can support their language development, and how to make sure they’re culturally valued in the classroom. Happy podcasting and happy New Year! Also, we LOV...
Jan 07, 2019•28 min
In this month's Top of the Class podcast episode, "From the Parent Point of View," hosts Emily Pottinger and Dr. Meredith Critchfield chat with associate professors, former K-12 educators, husband-wife duo, and parents of two Tom Dyer and Dr. Rebekah Dyer about what parents really think of teachers. We chat about ways teachers can improve relationships with parents, as well as the big "dos" and "do-nots" when communicating with parents. We LOVE your feedback, so please feel free to tweet us any ...
Dec 03, 2018•24 min
As teachers, we wear a lot of hats and help dozens of students every day, but we also want to make sure we pay attention to ourselves. We can't pour from an empty cup! In our latest Top of the Class episode, “Practicing Mindfulness as an Educator,’’ your hosts Emily Pottinger and Dr. Meredith Critchfield discuss ways for us, as teachers, to be mindful and take care of ourselves -- all so we can best support our students! This episode is jam-packed with tips and tricks on how to practice mindfuln...
Nov 05, 2018•35 min
This month we’re chatting about how to help our students who have very specific learning and behavioral needs that we may, or may not, have the expertise to help. We’re talking to two experts, Katie Sprute and Crystal McCabe, who can help us understand how best to help exceptional students. We’re also going to dive into what we can do to reach all students and support everyone’s learning and social needs. We love your feedback, so please feel free to also tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitte...
Oct 01, 2018•43 min
In episode 2, we discussed how we can build positive relationships within our schools and with our colleagues. If you haven’t listened to that episode, dip back in and check it out! This month, we’re diving into how to network outside our classroom walls. This is a hot topic because most educators, like us, WANT to network outside the school, but we just don’t know HOW or WHERE to get started or we feel frustrated by the logistical blocks that prevent us from getting there. We look forward to yo...
Sep 04, 2018•42 min
This month we’re chatting about rising up and becoming a school leader with special guest, Dr. Debbie Rickey. We all know leadership comes in many forms in the field of education and the world of teaching. So, we are here to chat about some tips on how to become a “teacher leader” or school leader, and maybe even some trials and errors that might occur when being a leader. We look forward to you joining us in our discussion. Please feel free to also tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter usin...
Aug 06, 2018•33 min
Join us, Emily Pottinger and Dr. Meredith Critchfield, in Top of the Class. This podcast was developed by educators for educators of all kinds, so whether you’re an undergraduate student studying to become a teacher, maybe you’re a paraprofessional, a classroom teacher, a master’s student, or an administrator, you are welcome here! This month we’re chatting with field experts and assistant professors, Jillian Hartman and Brandon Juarez, about Tech Trends. We’ll focus on what’s new and useful in ...
Jul 02, 2018•37 min
In this special two part episode we’re chatting about Tales from the Teachers’ Lounge. We have guests, Stacy Rucker and Dr. Ben Vilkas here to discuss all about making connections in your school and building positive relationships. This is part 2. So, join us as we finish the conversation we started with Stacy and Ben. If you have requests for podcast topics or want to respond to anything we’ve talked about, tweet us at @gcu_coe.
Jun 20, 2018•28 min
In this special two part episode we’re chatting about Tales from the Teachers’ Lounge. We have guests, Stacy Rucker and Dr. Ben Vilkas here to discuss all about making connections in your school and building positive relationships. This is part 1; keep your eye out for part 2 later this week! If you have requests for podcast topics or want to respond to anything we’ve talked about, tweet us at @gcu_coe.
Jun 13, 2018•22 min
In this session, we will chat about 5 reasons why you make a difference every day as an educator. In light of everything going on in the field of education, we know it can sometimes be easy to forget how big of an impact we make on a daily basis. So, this is our personal podcast love letter to all of our fellow educators.
May 23, 2018•8 min
In this first episode, we will look at ways we can elevate teaching as a profession and we welcome our guest, Dr. Kimberly LaPrade, Dean of the College of Education at Grand Canyon University.
Apr 09, 2018•43 min
