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Season 11 of How We Teach This has a wide range of guests and topics - Be inspired by stories from inductees into the National Teachers Hall of Fame, Kansas Master Teachers, and learn how mentoring teachers impacts the classroom, plus many more interviews.
Welcome back to How We Teach This for season 11. We talk with educators about topics that can help you as an educator, a parent, and a person. This podcast is sponsored by The Teachers College at Emporia State University. I'm Kristy Duggan, your host and Executive Producer. We are super glad to be back after a summer break and are ready for an exciting new season of guests. I hope you have had a rejuvenating summer and have reignited your passion for teaching as we get ready for the first days of school. Our episodes hope to inspire you to reach out of your comfort zone and try something new and fun in your classroom this year.
Season 11, Episode 8 - November 19, 2025
Teaching with Awe: Cultivating Curiosity and Purpose in Science Education
Teaching with Awe: Cultivating Curiosity and Purpose in Science Education
Join us for a conversation with Dr. Pascale Creek Pinner, a National Board Certified science educator and 2025 National Teachers Hall of Fame inductee who has built engaging, hands-on learning experiences for students across Hawai‘i Island. In this episode, she shares how projects such as Envelopes of Science Awesomeness and community-based environmental investigations help students see science as relevant to their lives. She also reflects on insights gained through the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow and how those policy insights shaped her work back home. Educators will appreciate her practical example of teaching responsible, classroom-ready use of generative AI. This episode offers inspiration and concrete ideas for anyone committed to elevating STEM learning, especially at the middle school level.
Dr. Pascale Creek Pinner
2025 National Teacher Hall of Fame Inductee
Season 11, Episode 7 - November 5 , 2025
Teaching Teachers: Mentoring Conversations- Peer Coaching
Teaching Teachers: Mentoring Conversations- Peer Coaching
In this episode, Dr. Ann Addison talks with two instructional coaches who guide beginning teachers through the early years of their professional journey. The discussion explores what inspires educators to become mentors, how they build trust, and the strategies that make coaching relationships most effective. The coaches share experiences supporting both teachers of record in apprenticeship programs and those entering the classroom through traditional preparation routes. Listeners will gain practical insights into mentoring strategies, balancing responsibilities, and fostering a supportive environment where new teachers can grow and thrive.
Guest Host
Ann Addison, Phd.
Director of Teacher Induction and University Partnerships
Olathe School District
Mallory Borrego
Mallory Borrego
Peer Consultant
Megan Powers
Megan Powers
Instructional Coach
Michael Dunlea
2025 National Teacher Hall of Fame Inductee
Season 11, Episode 6 - October 22, 2025
Learning Without Walls: Building Connected Classrooms Through Inquiry
Learning Without Walls: Building Connected Classrooms Through Inquiry
In this episode of How We Teach This, elementary educator and 2025 National Teachers Hall of Fame inductee Michael J. Dunlea III shares how inquiry can break down classroom walls and connect learning across every subject. Drawing on more than two decades of experience, Michael discusses how he weaves science, literacy, math, and community service to help students explore their world with curiosity and purpose. He also offers a wealth of resources for teachers seeking to expand their own professional learning and global connections. Together, we examine how current science assessments often fail to capture students’ true abilities for inquiry—and what educators can do to create more authentic measures of learning. Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with practical strategies and fresh perspectives on what meaningful science education can look like.
Season 11, Episode 5 - October 8, 2025
Teaching Teachers: Mentoring Conversations- Secondary
Teaching Teachers: Mentoring Conversations- Secondary
In this episode of How We Teach This, guest host Dr. Ann Addison leads a conversation with mentor teachers who guide future educators in secondary classrooms. These mentors—including those teaching in K–12 specialty areas like music—share how they set clear expectations, provide constructive feedback, and foster confidence and autonomy in their interns.
Listeners will hear thoughtful insights on balancing mentorship with daily teaching demands, along with practical strategies to help future educators thrive as they prepare for their own classrooms.
Guest Host
Ann Addison, Phd.
Director of Teacher Induction and University Partnerships
Olathe School District
Kaitlyn Just
Kaitlyn Just
Language Arts Teacher
Emporia High School
Emporia USD
Jessica Madinger
Jessica Madinger
English Language Arts Teacher
Northern Heights High School
North Lyon County USD
Meredith Knapp
Meredith Knapp
Music Teacher
Walnut Elementary
Emporia USD
Tom Jenkins
2025 National Teacher Hall of Fame Inductee
Season 11, Episode 4 - September 24, 2025
STEM Realities: Inquiry, Invention & Impact with Tom Jenkins
STEM Realities: Inquiry, Invention & Impact with Tom Jenkins
In this episode, we talk with Tom Jenkins, a National Board Certified Teacher and 2025 National Teachers Hall of Fame inductee, about bringing authentic STEM education to life. From student-driven projects that led to a U.S. patent to creating teacher-developed curriculum in a rural district, Tom shares insights on inquiry-based learning, STEM identity, and professional development that truly supports innovation.
Discover how real-world STEM learning can transform classrooms—and how other districts can replicate this success.
Season 11, Episode 3 - September 10, 2025
Teaching Teachers: Mentoring Conversations- Elementary
Teaching Teachers: Mentoring Conversations- Elementary
In this episode, with guest host, Dr. Ann Addison, experienced elementary mentor teachers share what it means to guide future educators. They discuss what inspired them to welcome interns into their classrooms, how they set expectations, and the ways they build trust and confidence with new teachers. From offering consistent feedback to celebrating growth, these mentors provide practical strategies and honest reflections on the rewards and realities of mentoring. Whether you’re already mentoring in the primary grades or preparing to step into that role, this conversation offers grounded insight into making a lasting impact—one student teacher at a time.
Guest Host
Ann Addison, Phd.
Director of Teacher Induction and University Partnerships
Olathe School District
Victoria Bankson
Victoria Bankson
2nd Grade Teacher
Logan Avenue Elementary
Emporia USD
Manuel Estrada Espinoza
Manuel Estrada Espinoza
5th Grade Teacher
Walnut Elementary
Emporia USD
Lisa Lauer
Lisa Lauer
1st Grade Teacher
Chase County Elementary
Chase County USD
Katelyn Lawrence
Katelyn Lawrence
1st Grade Teacher
Burlington Elementary
Burlington USD
Liz Anstine
2025 KS Teacher of the Year
Leavenworth High School
Business Teacher
Season 11, Episode 2 - August 27 , 2025
Entrepreneurial Classrooms: Turning Projects Into Possibilities
Entrepreneurial Classrooms: Turning Projects Into Possibilities
In this episode of How We Teach This, we sit down with Elizabeth “Liz” Anstine — the 2025 Kansas Teacher of the Year and a dynamic business educator at Leavenworth High School — to explore how student entrepreneurship can transform classroom learning. Liz shares powerful stories from her business and marketing courses, where students design and run hands-on projects like candy sales, sustainable meal planning, and even freeze-drying ventures. Through authentic, real-world experiences, she illustrates how applied learning ignites student leadership, creativity, and practical skills.
Season 11, Episode 1 - August 13, 2025
Teaching Teachers: Mentoring Conversations- Introduction
Teaching Teachers: Mentoring Conversations- Introduction
In this opening episode of Teaching Teachers: Mentoring Conversations, host Dr. Ann Addison introduces the mini-series and explores the vital role mentor teachers play in shaping future educators. Listeners will learn about foundational coaching frameworks, flexible mentoring stances, and practical strategies for supporting both student teachers and new teachers of record. Blending real stories with proven tools, this conversation offers valuable insight for anyone looking to grow as a mentor and help prepare the next generation of teachers.
Guest Host
Ann Addison, Phd.
Director of Teacher Induction and University Partnerships
Olathe School District
“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.”
Want to be a guest on our show? Contact us at email: HWTT@emporia.edu
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