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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 and we hope you’ll join us each month.

Copyright: © 2018

Latest Episodes:

Top of the Class Episode 63 – Executive Presence – Emily & Meredith Mar 11, 2025

Welcome to today’s episode! We are diving into a topic that goes beyond lesson plans and teaching strategies—executive presence in education. Often associated with corporate leadership, executive presence is just as critical in the world of teaching. It’s about how we carry ourselves, communicate, and connect with others in a way that inspires confidence and respect.

As educators, we navigate a variety of roles—mentor, leader, mediator, and advocate. Whether it’s managing a classroom, collaborating with colleagues, or engaging with parents, our ability to project authority and empathy impacts every interaction. Today, we’ll explore what executive presence looks like for teachers, why it’s essential for building trust and credibility, and how it can influence career growth and classroom success.

Join us as we unpack the key elements of executive presence and share practical strategies for enhancing your presence as an educator. From fostering student engagement to advocating for change, we’ll discuss how a confident and composed demeanor can shape your professional journey.

Top of the Class Episode 62 – Working with Different Personalities – Dr. Alicia Kozimor Feb 11, 2025

In today’s episode, we’re delving into the art and science of working with personalities and appreciation language. What better a topic to be released during this Valentine’s Day week. As educators, we interact with diverse personalities daily—students, colleagues, administrators, and parents. Understanding these unique traits and how they influence communication, collaboration, and engagement is critical to fostering positive relationships and creating inclusive environments. We’ll unpack practical strategies for building strong team dynamics, explore how appreciation languages can transform workplace culture, and share real-world stories of how educators have used these tools to connect meaningfully with others. Whether you’re a pre-service teacher, current teacher, administrator, or support staff, we hope this episode will provide actionable tips and tricks for your day-to-day.

Top of the Class Episode 61 – What is Teacher Licensure? – Dr. Jeremy Hayden Jan 13, 2025

Well, we know that we have taken a little bit of a hiatus on Top of the Class these past few months. Life has been nothing short of a whirlwind, but we have missed you all and are so excited to jump right in.

Today we are chatting about the ever-glamorous topic of educator certification. Whether you’re just beginning your journey into teaching or you’re a seasoned professional, navigating the certification process can feel overwhelming. In this episode, we’re diving into the nuts and bolts of educator certification—what it takes to get certified, how it impacts your career, and why it’s a crucial step in shaping your teaching practice. We hope to bring you some practical insights and real-world advice from a certification expert!

Top of the Class Episode 60- Financial Literacy for Educators- Part II -Monica Martinez Mar 05, 2024

So, we are back with Part II of our financial literacy conversation with our expert, Monica Martinez! We are here to chat about what financial literacy is and why it is important for us as educators. Again, we want to remind all you listeners that we are not professional financial advisors and the information shared today is simply to help educate and share tips. We ask that any listeners seek advice from professional financial advisors before making any changes to their financial planning. Let’s go hear more on this important topic and if you missed Part I, be sure to go back for a listen!

Top of the Class Episode 59- Financial Literacy for Educators- Part I -Monica Martinez Feb 06, 2024

This is part one of a 2-part special! Today we bring to you a conversation that is not always an easy one to dig into, but one that is so important to discuss as educators. We are bringing to you an expert to help us chat and learn a bit more about financial literacy as educators. Before we learn about our amazing guest, Meredith and I do want to remind our listeners that we are not professional financial advisors and the information shared today is simply to help educate and share tips. We ask that any listeners seek advice from professional financial advisors before making any changes to their financial planning. Let’s dive right in with our expert!

SPECIAL 75th Recording: Top of the Class Extra Credit- Why We Love Teachers with Emily & Meredith Jan 01, 2024

Happy 75th Recording, Top of the Class!

This is a very special launch for a very special profession and we couldn’t think of a better episode than this one! We have officially released 75 recordings here on Top of the Class. And, in this brand new year, we want to dedicate it all to our amazing profession and all the educators out there! You are all an inspiration and why we do what we do. Happy New Year and happy 75th recording!

Top of the Class Episode 58- Character Education: Shared Leadership/The Practical Wisdom Framework with Emily Farkas & Dr. Ashley Betkowski Nov 06, 2023

We are excited to wrap up our special 4-part series on Character Education today. If you missed the first 3 episodes in this series, be sure to go back to hear all of the wonderful wisdom. As we enter episode 4 in this series, we are going to be chatting specifically about shared leadership and the Practical Wisdom Framework.

Resource Links:

Our Framework for Purposeful Cultures of Character

The SSC for our Free Resources

Leading with Virtue Free PD courses

The Jubilee Center for Character and Virtues teacher resources,

The Jubilee Center for Character and Virtues – The Character Teaching Inventory (also attached)/ Teaching Character Education: What Works

What Works in Character Education by Berkowitz and Bier

PRIMED by Berkowitz

Karen Bohlin’s Practical Wisdom Framework

Top of the Class Episode 57-Character Education: The Caught, Taught, Sought Model with Emily Farkas & Dr. Ashley Betkowski Oct 02, 2023

Welcome back! We are so excited to dive into the 3rd of a special 4 part series all about Character Education. If you didn’t catch our first 2 episodes in the series, be sure to take a listen. Today we have a catchy model that we are going to dig into, the “Caught, Taught, and Sought Model”. I am really looking forward to this one!

Resource Links:

Our Framework for Purposeful Cultures of Character

The SSC for our Free Resources

Leading with Virtue Free PD courses

The Jubilee Center for Character and Virtues teacher resources,

The Jubilee Center for Character and Virtues – The Character Teaching Inventory (also attached)/ Teaching Character Education: What Works

What Works in Character Education by Berkowitz and Bier

PRIMED by Berkowitz

Karen Bohlin’s Practical Wisdom Framework

Top of the Class Episode 56- Character Education: Actionable Steps with Emily Farkas & Dr. Ashley Betkowski Sep 04, 2023

We are here with the 2nd episode in our special 4-part series on Character Educaiton! If you missed the 1st episode in the series, be sure to take a peek! Today we are chatting about some actionable steps. We all love some marching orders as educators!

Resource Links:

Our Framework for Purposeful Cultures of Character

The SSC for our Free Resources

Leading with Virtue Free PD courses

The Jubilee Center for Character and Virtues teacher resources,

The Jubilee Center for Character and Virtues – The Character Teaching Inventory (also attached)/ Teaching Character Education: What Works

What Works in Character Education by Berkowitz and Bier

PRIMED by Berkowitz

Karen Bohlin’s Practical Wisdom Framework

Top of the Class Episode 55- Character Education: Where to Begin & Defining Core Values with Emily Farkas & Dr. Ashley Betkowski Aug 07, 2023

We are here to dive into a really important series on Top of the Class. We are about to jump into a special 4-part series around Character Education. We are here to build upon our previous episode where we had the opportunity to start chatting about this topic. So, in this series, we will have the opportunity to dig in much deeper to some of the practical applications and “action items” around implementing Character Education in our schools and classrooms. Let’s dive into Part I of this amazing 4-part series on Character Education.

Resource Links:

Our Framework for Purposeful Cultures of Character

The SSC for our Free Resources

Leading with Virtue Free PD courses

The Jubilee Center for Character and Virtues teacher resources,

The Jubilee Center for Character and Virtues – The Character Teaching Inventory (also attached)/ Teaching Character Education: What Works

What Works in Character Education by Berkowitz and Bier

PRIMED by Berkowitz

Karen Bohlin’s Practical Wisdom Framework

Top of the Class Episode 54-Alternative Pathways to Educator Licensure-Dr. Carol Lippert and Carolyn Mann Jul 10, 2023

We wanted to bring to you all a topic that has been on our minds for some time now. We have been in countless meetings, sessions, and conversations all about the teacher pipeline or educator pipeline and how we can help to fill the need out there. We know the need is great and we have had the opportunity to speak with some experts on some innovative pathways to educator certification AND GCU has been doing some innovation of its own. That said, we have two guests today who are going to help us break down this topic a bit more and chat about the idea of teacher residency and alternative pathways to educator licensure.

Let’s hear from our amazing guests today!

Top of the Class Episode 53-Why We Appreciate Being an Educator with Julianne Bridwell & Ryan Reid Jun 06, 2023

Recently, we celebrated a VERY important week. As the academic school year winds down each year, we have Teacher Appreciation Week. While we celebrate teachers and educators EVERY single day, this is a week where we pay extra special attention to our educators. To our listeners out there, teachers, leaders in the field, and anyone who is in the education field, we THANK you all from the bottom of our hearts. We know this job comes with a whole slew of ups and downs, but each and every one of you is making a daily difference in young minds and the future of society as a whole. So, thank you! That said, we wanted to celebrate here on Top of the Class. So, we have brought in some amazing guests and experts to chat with us about why we appreciate being an educator. Let’s take a listen!

Top of the Class Episode 52-Servant Leadership-Part 4 with Nicholas Johnson May 01, 2023

We are back with the 4th and FINAL episode in our special 4-part series on servant leadership. This topic has been rich with good reminders, tips, and ideas on how we can best serve our fellow colleagues, our students, our student’s families, and the community around us. We are so excited to wrap up such an amazing series with our final guest today.

Let’s jump right in and take a listen!

Top of the Class Episode 51-Servant Leadership-Part 3-with Melissa Woodward Apr 03, 2023

We are back…for part 3 of a very special FOUR-part series all on servant leadership. We know that it might not be a term used at all places of work, but our roles as educators really do embody a lot of those characteristics that are found in servant leadership. So, we thought it was such a worthy topic to dive into with 4 amazing experts who each have 4 very different backgrounds and are in 4 very different roles in the education profession! Join us as we hear from the expert, Melissa Woodward, and special guest host, Assistant Dean, Lindy Gaudiano!

Top of the Class Episode 50-Servant Leadership-Part 2-with Emily Hollendoner Mar 06, 2023

Well, we are back for another wonderful episode. This is Part II of our Servant Leadership Series. If you missed Part I, we chatted with an alum who went a bit viral on our COE Instagram page for her role in “Life of a First Year Teacher: Life of Shay!” and learned SO much! Feel free to take a listen! Now, we know that as educators, servant leadership is a term we often hear used in our field. In addition, here at GCU and in the College of Education, part of our mission is to assist in the overall human flourishing of our communities. Teachers do just that! So, let’s hear from our next guest to chat about such a meaningful topic!

Top of the Class Extra Credit-Why We LOVE GCU with Emily & Meredith Feb 14, 2023

With today being Valentine’s Day, we thought that this was the perfect day to share the LOVE. In this Extra Credit episode, Emily and Meredith dive into why they love GCU and a little bit about their own history and journey. With over TWO decades between them at GCU, there is a lot of love to go around.

If you are new to Top of the Class, or if you are a veteran listener, we hope you enjoy this fun episode. So, sit back, relax (unless you are driving), and enjoy the show!

Top of the Class Episode 49-Servant Leadership-Part I-with Shay Quitno Jan 27, 2023

Today, we have a fun episode that is actually part of a FOUR-part series! For the next few episodes, we are going to be talking all about servant leadership. As classroom teachers and school leaders, we’re not just leaders, but we’re servant leaders who provide emotional and academic support, create cultures of learning, encourage the individuals we work with to grow, and make room for everyone’s ideas to be heard. Our topic today is SO important that we thought it was necessary to break it down into four episodes with four AMAZING guests. So, buckle up and get ready to listen to the wise words of our first guest educator in this series, Shay Quitno.

Top of the Class Episode 48-Bringing Character Ed to Classrooms with Emily Farkas Sep 20, 2022

We are beyond thrilled about today’s episode. This has been a topic that is very important to us here at GCU and in the College of Education, but also personally important to us at Top of the Class. We know that there are SO many challenging things that our students experience in life. The world is HARD! And, we also know that those things affect our students in the classroom. Educators spend so much time with their students and lessons go beyond the math, English, science, and social studies curriculum. So, we are here to chat about character education and what that looks like in the classroom. And, we have brought an amazing expert to speak with us today! We can’t wait for you to give this episode a listen!

Top of the Class Episode 47-Back-to-School Basics with Dr. Victor Diaz Aug 22, 2022

We are so excited right now. As we record this episode, we have been bombarded with all of the back-to-school media, commercials, pictures on social media, etc. And, we know that so many of you are preparing to return to your classrooms and many of you may already have a classroom full of students! We know there is SO much work, TLC, and planning that goes into getting ready for back to school. We thought it would be wonderful to bring in one of our local experts to talk a little bit about what it takes to get a school ready for the students to come back to school each fall. Let’s jump right in and start this school year off with another fantastic episode of Top of the Class!

Top of the Class Episode 46-Students with Exceptionalities & Online/Hybrid Environments with Dusty Sanchez and Julie Blair Jul 25, 2022

Today, we are going to talk about a really special topic. We wanted to discuss those online and hybrid environments, specifically how we can best support our students with exceptionalities. We have brought in two amazing experts in this area today, Dusty Sanchez and Julie Blair, to help us all learn! Let’s get ready to learn from the best. We also have some amazing resources discussed and shared by our experts today below:

High Leverage Practices (HLPs): High-Leverage Practices Resources | CEEDAR (ufl.edu)
Removing Barriers to Effective Distance Learning by Applying High Leverage Practices: Removing Barriers to Effective Distance Learning by Applying the High-Leverage Practices (ufl.edu)
Assistive Technology Padlet from Arizona Department of Education/Exceptional Student Services: Assistive Technology JOT – Spring 2021 (padlet.com)
CIDDL: https://ciddl.org/

**Please note that these resources are suggested by our experts and are not affiliated with GCU or Top of the Class.

Top of the Class Episode 45-Educator Vocal Health with Dr. Rachel Velarde Jun 27, 2022

Today we have a really interesting topic that is new to us on Top of the Class. We are so lucky to know experts in the field who bring a wide variety of experiences to Top of the Class. We are so excited to learn something new today. We all can attest that we do a lot of talking as teachers, so today we are talking all about vocal health with our amazing guest, Dr. Rachel Velarde. Let’s jump right in and learn how we can take care of our most important tool as a teacher, our voices!

Top of the Class Episode 44-Professional Ethics with Dr. Troy Hutchings May 02, 2022

Today we come to you all with a very timely discussion. We are here to chat about ethics and our professional practice as educators. Many of us likely have an understanding of the Model Code of Ethics for Educators and for our GCU students and grads, you may remember our Professional Dispositions. This is something that is not a one-and-done conversation. As educators, we must constantly work in this area to grow and refine our professional practice in the area of ethics in the classroom, especially as lines become blurred and more challenging when we’re teaching in a variety of modalities like online, hybrid, and the traditional face to face classroom. We are so lucky to have one of the most knowledgeable experts in this area to speak on our topic today, Dr. Troy Hutchings. We are so excited to share all of his expertise with you today!

Extra Credit: Alternative Pathways to Teaching with Lindy Gaudiano Apr 04, 2022

Today we are going to chat a bit about some of the challenges that we are faced with today in the field of education. As many of us know, there is a need to help get more certified teachers in the classroom. So, we wanted to talk a little bit about what that might look like. How can we help support the field of education through a variety of alternative pathway opportunities? Here to chat with us is Assistant Dean, Lindy Gaudiano, to share all of her wisdom and expertise as well as some innovative programs that can help our future educators certify while teaching in the classroom.

Top of the Class Episode 43-Setting Appropriate Boundaries with Meredith and Emily Mar 14, 2022

Today’s episode comes to us after discussions with many of you on what parts of being an educator challenge and mystify you the most. For many of you, this is how to appropriately, kindly, and ethically set boundaries with all the different stakeholders we encounter from parents to students to colleagues. In addition, this happens to be a topic about which Meredith and Emily are particularly passionate. So, let’s chat about setting those boundaries!

Extra Credit Episode: Tips to Running a Successful Virtual Meeting with Tiffany Newell Feb 07, 2022

Many of us are hosting and running virtual meetings these days, so we thought we’d bring in an amazing expert, Tiffany Newell, who can teach us all the tricks to make the meetings run smoothly and make sure they are as informative and engaging as possible. This short and sweet extra credit episode is for all of you — teachers, admin, faculty, staff, and parents — anyone out there using virtual meetings to communicate information in these really unique times. Let’s hop in and learn some helpful tips and tricks!

Top of the Class Episode 42-Creating the Ultimate Teacher Capsule Wardrobe with Dr. Brandon Juarez Jan 17, 2022

The world and the field of education are going through some transformation right now. We cover lots of serious topics on this show, but we wanted to dabble in something a bit lighter. So, we have added Part 2 to our Creating the Ultimate Teacher Wardrobe mini-series. I don’t know about you, but how I dress can definitely affect how I feel. How we dress in the classroom can help us maintain that teacher confidence, help with setting professional boundaries with students, colleagues, and parents/guardians, etc. So, if you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, focused on female or feminine fashion, please check out that episode.

Top of the Class Episode 41-Our Field of Education Today Jan 05, 2022

We know that there are so many changes that we are seeing in the field of education right now…some from needs found from the pandemic. In this episode, Emily and Meredith chat about this timely topic including discussion on what our “new normal” might look like and some lessons we have learned in the field of education during 2020-2021. Let’s hop right in and reflect!

Top of the Class Episode 40-GCU and COE Updates with Emily and Meredith Dec 20, 2021

This is a fun little episode with Meredith and Emily as they share some updates in the College of Education and with Grand Canyon University. They will chat about new roles, exciting vision, social media, and more! Hop on and learn about what’s new with this dynamic duo.

Top of the Class Episode 39-Culturally Responsive Teaching with Justin Campbell Dec 07, 2021

Today we come to you all with a very important discussion and topic. We are here to chat about culturally responsive teaching. Now, as teachers, we know just how important this is. It is important to talk about, but it is also essential that we continue to reflect and grow in our practice as teachers. We are honored to welcome our expert and guest today, Mr. Justin Campbell. Let’s dive right into this episode and learn from one of the best!

Top of the Class Episode 38-Part 2: Our Students’ Health in Trying Times with Dr. Stephanie Nilsen and Dr. Crystal McCabe Aug 17, 2021

This is Part 2 of our episode on supporting our students’ mental health during trying times, so if you haven’t had the chance, be sure to check out Part 1 of this fabulous episode. We have had many requests from you all on how to support our students’ mental health during crisis points. We need this topic now more than ever, but not all of us are experts in this area! So, we have brought in the experts to help! Let’s take a listen to Dr. Stephanie Nilsen and Dr. Crystal McCabe as they continue to share their wisdom!

Also, let us know if you have requests for podcast topics or want to chat about anything we’ve talked about today, tweet us at @gcu_totc that GCU TOTC or Top of the Class. Go Lopes!

Top of the Class Episode 38-Part 1: Our Students’ Health in Trying Times with Dr. Stephanie Nilsen and Dr. Crystal McCabe Aug 02, 2021

SPECIAL RELAUNCH EPISODE: After a few months, Top of the Class is back! We’ve had many requests lately from you, our listeners, on how to support our students’ mental health during trying times. We know that mental health is a national crisis, one that often becomes really apparent when students are trying to learn or engage with their peers. We also know that these really tough times only make the conversation about our students’ mental health that much more important. So, we decided to break down some of this topic with two experts, Dr. Stephanie Nilsen and Dr. Crystal McCabe. We have a special TWO part episode for you because there is just so much to unpack with this topic. So, let’s dive right in!

Also, as always, Meredith and I LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

Top of the Class Episode 37: Creating the Ultimate Teacher Capsule Wardrobe with Meredith and Emily Mar 01, 2021

There’s so much going on these days, especially in the field of education. To add to the mix of the MANY things teachers think about, many of us are left wondering what to wear. Also, it’s fun to think about something lighthearted like fashion. With all the seriousness in the world, why not dabble in something fun? We are asked so many questions about teaching, but we have to admit, this is one of the most frequently asked questions. So, in this episode, we’re going to talk about tips, how to build a capsule wardrobe, our favorite places to shop, ways to save a few dollars, all in the spirit of teacher fashion.

Also, as always, Meredith and I LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

Top of the Class Episode 36: It Starts With You: Self-Care and Compassion Satisfaction in Teaching: Jamie Valderrama Feb 01, 2021

In this episode, we wanted to continue conversations that we have started to have in our past episodes. We have touched a bit on the wide range of expectations that teachers tackle day in and day out, as well as how we need to practice mindfulness and take care of ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually to ensure we are the best teachers we can be for our students. But, we heard a new term that really rang true for us, compassion fatigue. We are very excited to learn from our guest and expert today, Jamie Valderrama, on the topic of compassion fatigue and what we can do about it as teachers. Let’s take a listen!

Also, as always, Meredith and I LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

Top of the Class Episode 35-Teacher of the Year and National Board Certified Teacher: Dr. Beth Maloney Jan 04, 2021

We are so excited to kick off this new year with such an amazing episode! We love bringing to you, our listeners, all the best and brightest in the field of education. It’s our mission really here on Top of the Class and today is no different as we welcome a very special guest to the show. Today’s guest comes with tons of knowledge and experience in so many areas of education. Dr. Beth Maloney was the 2014 Arizona Teacher of the Year. She currently serves as president of the AZ state chapter of the National Network of State Teachers of the Year and as past president of the AZ National Board Certified Teacher Network. She also teaches fifth-grade at Sunset Hills Elementary School in the Dysart Unified School District in Surprise, Arizona, where she’s an amazing teacher and also a strong and bold advocate for continuing teacher education and professional development! Please welcome and join us in listening to the wonderful, Dr. Beth Maloney!

Also, as always, Meredith and I LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

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Top of the Class Episode 34-Faith in the Public School System with Dr. Paul Danuser Dec 07, 2020

As we are in the thick of the holiday season, this is a very timely and perhaps much needed conversation. In this episode, we are going to chat about a topic of conversation that often comes up in our GCU classes. Faith in the classroom. We have a lot of faculty, alumni, and teacher candidates in our programs who struggle with the balance between having a faith-based worldview and the expectations for teaching in public schools. We thought we’d bring in a pro on this topic to sort it all out. We are so excited to welcome the newly minted DOCTOR Paul Danuser. Congratulations, Dr. Danuser!

Also, as always, Meredith and I LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

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Top of the Class Episode 33- Addressing the Biggest Challenges Facing Education with Nathan Hollis II Nov 02, 2020

We polled you all on Twitter and Google Forms and many of you all reported back that you wanted to know more about how to become a teacher advocate. A lot of us are so passionate about issues that impact education, but we don’t know how to go beyond our classroom or school to make a difference in the field. We have a guest here today to help us with just that, Mr. Nathan Hollis II. He comes to us with so much experience and a broad background in education and teacher advocacy! Let’s take a listen to all of his wisdom, tips, and advice!

Also, you know that Meredith and I LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

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Top of the Class-Extra Credit-Three Trending Tech Tools in Education: Amanda Errington Oct 19, 2020

As K-12 education has shifted towards virtual learning, we want to make sure we’re on the cutting edge of the latest and greatest tech tools. In this Extra Credit episode, we’re going to dive into the three trending tech tools in education with a fantastic expert teacher and faculty member, Amanda Errington. She is extremely creative and we hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did!

Don’t forget, we LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES! Also, if you know of anyone who might like this podcast, be sure to spread the word, you can find us on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play Music, and more!

Top of the Class Episode 32-Being a Teacher Advocate: 2019 Arizona Teacher of the Year-Kareem Neal Oct 05, 2020

Wow! In this episode, we have such a special treat for you all! We are beyond thrilled and a little star-struck to welcome the 2019 Arizona Teacher of the Year, Kareem Neal. He is here to answer some of our burning questions and share a bit about his journey in education…and what a journey that is! Join us and take a listen to his beyond inspiring work in the field of education and his journey as the 2019 Arizona Teacher of the Year!

Also, Meredith and I LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

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Top of the Class-Extra Credit-Teaching in COVID-19: Virtual and Hybrid Learning Tips with Emily & Meredith Sep 22, 2020

We know this is a wild and unprecedented time for all you educators out there, and we just want you to know that while we don’t know what the right answer is in all this, we stand with you and support you. We know you’re doing the best you can to make it work for students. We also know all you parents out there are doing your best too to advocate for your kiddos. At Top of the Class, we are constantly working to bring you all practical tips that can be useful in your everyday. We’re hoping that through this episode and this ongoing conversation we’re having here while dealing with COVID-19, and on our Twitter @gcu_totc, that we can all show each other lots of grace and love during these tough times.

Don’t forget, we LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES! Also, if you know of anyone who might like this podcast, be sure to spread the word, you can find us on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play Music, and more!

Top of the Class Episode 31: Save the Drama…. For the Classroom with Michael Kary Sep 08, 2020

We just can’t help ourselves with a “punny” title! We know that times are so very different than when we first recorded this episode. However, we think it is so relevant because we want to give these creative outlets to our students even if our classes look a bit different this year.

In this episode, we are going to let our artistic flags fly high and talk all about bringing creativity into the classroom through the dramatic arts. We welcome such a special guest and expert, Michael Kary. Michael teaches acting and writing at Grand Canyon University. He’s a professional actor with credits in New York City and regionally across the country. He has such an inspiring story that I don’t think left us with a dry eye in the studio! Join us in welcoming and listening to this amazing episode!

Also, you know that Meredith and I LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

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Top of the Class Episode 30-Teaching and Serving Indigenous Populations: 2020 Arizona Teacher of the Year- Lynette Stant Aug 07, 2020

In honor of all of our wonderful educators planning for back to school, some of which are already back in action this week, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate you all! A huge shout-out goes out to teachers everywhere, but we are especially sending love to our Arizona teachers, we wanted to share this fabulous session we did just before COVID-19 changed all of our lives. In this episode, we are so excited to welcome the most recent 2020 Arizona Teacher of the Year, Lynette Stant. She brings so much expertise and inspiration to us all! Please welcome and join us in listening to Lynette’s episode!

Also, as always, Meredith and I LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

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Top of the Class Episode 29- Balancing Teaching and Family with Andrea Hogan Jul 15, 2020

Are you working and parenting from home right now? Today’s episode is a special one because it likely speaks to so many of us right now during these challenging times. Our guest today, Andrea Hogan, is a super mom, super psychology professor, super doctoral student, super wife, and a dear friend. Like so many of us, she’s currently juggling being a mom, a wife, teaching, and going to school herself! So, she’s learned a lot of tricks to multitask and keep her kiddos fulfilled and learning, while also supporting her students in her classes.

We also want to give a huge shout-out to EVERY teacher around the world right now. It’s amazing how as teachers we can be confronted with an international pandemic and yet still accomplish wonderful work with our students and manage to keep everyone alive and well at home. To all our teachers, we salute you!

Finally, we want to add a disclaimer on this episode. We were recording from home in our closets, so the sound may not be as fabulous as y’all are used to, but we thank you for humoring us! Also, Meredith and I LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

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Top of the Class Episode 28- #MathStrong with Katy Long Jun 15, 2020

In this episode, we are getting out of our own personal comfort zones and we’re talking MATH! These two language arts/literacy buff co-hosts are diving deep into the world of math education with one of our favorite math education experts, Assistant Professor, Katy Long. One of our favorite parts of hosting this show is that we get to really extend our knowledge base. There’s SO much to know about the field of education and being a good teacher, so we love that we’re going to learn more about all the latest trends in math education. Let’s jump right in!

Also, as always, Meredith and I LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

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Top of the Class Episode 27-Mental Health and Self-Care for Teachers with Kathy Britton May 18, 2020

First, we want to just send all of our teachers a HUGE shout-out out there for the wonderful work that has been accomplished during the COVID-19 situation. Also, huge kudos to all of the parents who have now become teachers over these last months. We hope this episode can help provide some healthy reminders during tough times. In this episode, we want to explore a topic that many teachers are confronted with and that’s teachers’ mental health and self-care. Because we’re in these positions where we serve others all day long, we sometimes don’t know how or forget to take care of ourselves as best as possible. In addition, we know the day does not stop when that last bell rings at school. We know a teacher’s day goes well into the evening hours for a wide variety of reasons, like grading, planning, and….you know…family!

Also, as always, Meredith and I LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

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Top of the Class-Extra Credit-Keeping it Clean: Fighting Germs and Illness in the Classroom Mar 26, 2020

At Top of the Class, we are constantly working to bring you all practical tips that can be useful in your everyday. We know that many of us are experiencing some stress, and some may be downright scared with what is happening today around viruses and illness. That being said, we wanted to put together some very practical tips and tricks that we have picked up over the years as teachers, and moms of little ones. We are sending our thoughts and prayers to all of our listeners, fellow teachers, folks in healthcare, and everyone taking it one day at a time. Stay healthy and keep those germs at bay today, tomorrow, and the next day!

Don’t forget, we LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES! Also, if you know of anyone who might like this podcast, be sure to spread the word, you can find us on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play Music, and more!
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Top of the Class Episode 26-Putting First Things First: Early Childhood Development (Part 2) Mar 09, 2020

So, we are back to finish our conversation in this special two part episode, talking all about little humans and early childhood development. This episode is vital to us as teachers, but also moms of two feisty toddlers! We are so grateful to have an amazing advocate for early childhood education, Amy Corriveau from First Things First. If you did not catch part one of this episode, First Things First is one of Arizona’s most critical partners in creating a family-centered, comprehensive, collaborative and high-quality early childhood system that supports the development, health and early education. Without further ado, let’s jump right in!

Also, as always, Meredith and I LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

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Top of the Class Episode 25-Putting First Things First: Early Childhood Development (Part 1) Mar 02, 2020

In this special two part episode, we’re focusing on the little humans. It’s all about early childhood development. This episode means so much to us as teachers and long-time educators but also as parents of toddlers who are right in the middle of this all-important development phrase of their life. We are beyond excited to welcome one of the best and brightest long-time advocates for early childhood education, Amy Corriveau. She joins us from First Things First. Many of you are familiar with FTF, but, if you’re not local, it is one of Arizona’s most critical partners in creating a family-centered, comprehensive, collaborative and high-quality early childhood system that supports the development, health and early education. So, jump on and take a listen!

Also, as always, Meredith and I LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

https://gcutopoftheclass.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/ep.-29-putting-first-things-first-part-1.mp3

Top of the Class-Extra Credit-Check Yourself!: A Quick Guide to Healthy, Professional Communication Jan 20, 2020

In today’s short and sweet extra credit episode, Meredith and Emily share some strategies to make sure your professional relationships in and outside of the classroom are healthy and fruitful. In other words, when a conflict is brewing, how can we check ourselves before we wreck ourselves? So, let’s jump right in!

Don’t forget, we LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES! Also, if you know of anyone who might like this podcast, be sure to spread the word, you can find us on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play Music, and more!

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Top of the Class-Extra Credit-Nailing the Teacher Interview Jan 06, 2020

Top of the Class is here with a special guest co-host today! This Extra Credit episode features Meredith and, special guest, Katie Sprute! Katie is no stranger to Top of the Class. You can recognize her voice from past episodes, like Episode 6 and 22. Today, Katie and Meredith are here to give you all a crash course in nailing the teacher interview. So, come and take a listen to to all the fabulous tidbits and advice on how to interview like a pro. #GetTheJob

As always, we LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES! Also, if you know of anyone who might like this podcast, be sure to spread the word.

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Top of the Class Episode 24- Keeping Things Civil in a Sometimes Uncivil World with Joshua Danaher and Dr. Matt Nolen Jan 02, 2020

Happy New Year from Top of the Class! Can you believe it is 2020? This is the perfect episode to kick of a new year. Today’s episode is all about keeping the peace! In today’s social and political climate, it can be tough to maintain civility when it feels like harsh words are being tossed about everywhere we look. So, we thought we’d bring in two experts, Joshua Danaher and Dr. Matt Nolen, who can help us navigate these murky waters and figure out how to maintain civility, whether at school or at home, in a sometimes uncivil world. Let’s jump right in and get ready to have some civil discourse!

Also, as always, Meredith and I LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

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Top of the Class Episode 22- Helping Students with Autism: Virginia Murray Dec 17, 2019

This is Part II in our Autism Awareness series. Please be sure to check out Part I from earlier this month! Our episode today is all about serving our students with autism. As diagnoses of autism continue to rise, we want to make sure that we, as teachers, are on the cutting-edge with the best practices and methods for supporting these students. So, we have brought in another amazing educator and expert, Virginia Murray, to help us chat about this important topic and help us help YOU all in the classroom by providing some ideas, strategies, and more to best help our students.

We LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

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Top of the Class Episode 23- TIE It Up: Trauma Informed Education (TIES) with Dr. Joe Roselle and Dr. Stephanie Nilsen Dec 02, 2019

Today’s episode is one that we know weighs on many educators’ hearts and is a topic you all, our listeners, have asked us to explore. How do help students who’ve faced trauma in their lives? We are really looking forward to chatting with our two guests today. We know that trauma can be a very triggering subject for some of us, so we are going to do our best to handle this conversation with all the sensitivity it deserves and we have no doubt that our incredibly informed guests with a wealth of knowledge in the area of Trauma Informed Education, Dr. Joe Roselle and Dr. Stephanie Nilsen, will help us do just that!

Also, we LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

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Top of the Class Episode 21- Seeing the Whole Spectrum: Autism Awareness with Dr. Christopher Smith Nov 20, 2019

Today’s episode is a special one and is Part I in a very special series. Today we are going to chat about autism awareness and we feel really honored to have our guest in the studio, Dr. Christopher J. Smith, who has decades of experience researching, evaluating, and supporting students with autism spectrum disorder, or ASD. This is such an informative and powerful episode, so we hope this conversation helps to spread the word on such an important topic like ASD.

We LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

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Top of the Class Episode 20-Trends in STEM: Cori Araza and Marni Landry Nov 04, 2019

This is Part II of our STEM series! Be sure to check out Part I, Dissecting STEM. In this episode, we are getting the scoop on trends in the field of STEM, Science-Technology-Engineering-and Math. As STEM continues to become a major player in our schools, we want to make sure we’re on the cutting edge of all the latest developments in the field. And, bonus…We’ve chatted about with our special guests here on the podcast before, Cori Arraza, GCU Director of K12 STEM Outreach at GCU, and Marni Landry, Manager of K12 STEM Outreach. So, we have some pros to help us chat about this topic! These two experts were so highly requested by you all that we thought we would bring them back in again for more awesome insight into the field!

We LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

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Top of the Class Episode 19-Dissecting STEM: Cori Araza and Marni Landry Oct 07, 2019

In this episode, we are taking a deeper dive into STEM education. We want to break down S, T, E, and M to get a closer look into what it looks like in the classroom and how we can make it work for us. This is a topic that we both find super interesting because it’s not in our wheelhouse. We have plenty of expertise in education, but STEM is definitely not in our comfort zone, but we’re super intrigued by it and know that it is an essential area in the field for so many reasons! So, we brought back two super knowledgeable guests, Cori Araza and Marni Landry.

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Top of the Class-Extra Credit-Six Teacher Websites to Have on your Favorites List Oct 01, 2019

In this Extra Credit episode, we share six teacher websites that we just can’t do without. We rely on these websites every day to help find ways to better reach certain students or just to generally grow in our knowledge of the field. If you’re not growing, you’re dying. There’s no neutral for educators, as Dean of the College of Ed Dr. LaPrade likes to say. We just feel like there’s so much to know about being a great teacher, and we have these websites to thank for helping us get one step closer. Also, see the links to the sites in our session below:

https://www.youtube.com/user/crashcourse

https://www.colorincolorado.org/

http://readwritethink.org/

https://www.tolerance.org/

https://www.understood.org/en

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Top of the Class-Extra Credit-Teaching with Love: Bringing LOVE Into the Classroom Oct 01, 2019

In this Extra Credit episode, we share what it takes to build a classroom based on love. We both really feel that the world needs a lot more love and empathy right now and a lot less combativeness and discord. Love isn’t always the easy route either. Kumbaya doesn’t come easy. It takes time, a lot of energy, and a stick-tuitiveness that other approaches don’t require. But, a classroom founded on love really is more fulfilling for the teacher and students, it’s a safer space for students who may or may not feel safe outside of the classroom, and it allows students to learn more effectively because they feel supported and heard. So, let’s get listening and share the love!

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Top of the Class Episode 18-Pod-Crossover…When Podcasts Collide: Joshua Sugata and Mark Trollinger Sep 03, 2019

Today’s episode is one we have been waiting for! It is our big cross-over event! When we began this crazy podcasting journey, we were not 100% sure as to where we needed to start. Meredith and I did endless research…and Google searching. However, our biggest help was to actually talk things out with fellow podcasters. That is when we were able to connect with today’s guests. Today’s guests come to us as experts in teaching and learning, and happen to host another fabulous GCU podcast. This podcast is for our incredible GCU faculty around the world focused on teaching tips, and it just so happens to be called Teaching Tips!

We LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

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Top of the Class Episode 17-Fun and Games in the Classroom: Kimber Underdown and Crystal McCabe Aug 07, 2019

Today’s episode is a FUN one. Not only because Meredith and I like to have a good time on this show, and in life in general, but also because our topic today is all about fun. There’s something really special when a teacher knows the content but has also figured out how to deliver the content in a way that makes students want to be there and eager to learn. Meredith and I both know there is so much power in having laughter in our classrooms. So, today, our guests our going to help us learn all about making the classroom FUN!

We LOVE your feedback, so tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

Also, below are some mentioned texts and sites in our session:

Explore Like a Pirate by Michael Matera: https://www.mrmatera.com/

Ditch that Textbook by Matt Miller: http://ditchthattextbook.com/tag/gamification/

Digital Badges: https://info.credly.com/

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Top of the Class Episode 16-Gifting the Gifted Learner: Lupita Hightower Jul 15, 2019

In this episode, we are going to chat about gifted learners. Gifted learners are a special population in our schools representing about 10% of our brightest students. Giftedness can show up for children in a few different ways. It can be like intellectual, creative, artistic, leadership oriented, or in a specific academic areas like the language arts, mathematics, or science. So, we just really want to know more. To help us with this, we’ve invited one of the most esteemed educators in the entire Valley. Dr. Lupita Hightower comes to us with more experience and wisdom than we know what to do with! Let’s take a listen!

Also, we always LOVE your feedback, so please tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter using our handle @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

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Top of the Class Episode 15-Teaching is the Tip of the Iceberg: Other Careers in Education Jun 03, 2019

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 this topic and the field of education. We know you are going to love her as much as we do! So, without further ado…Let’s get listening.

Also, we always LOVE your feedback, so please tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter using our handle @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

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Top of the Class Episode 14-Fostering a Growth Mindset with Heather Bowman May 06, 2019

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 free to tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter using our handle @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

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Top of the Class-Extra Credit-Five Must-Have Teacher Books Apr 24, 2019

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!

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!

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Top of the Class Episode 13-The Art and Science of Teaching Reading with Anthony Perez Apr 08, 2019

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 Perez.

P.S. We LOVE your feedback, so please feel free to tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter using our handle @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

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Podcast Logo_Fall 2018 — Five Ways to Be a More Efficient Educator Mar 26, 2019
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!

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Top of the Class Episode 12-Project-Based Learning with Robyn & Robin Mar 04, 2019

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 solutions in a public way. We hope you enjoy our chat as much as we did. 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!

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Top of the Class Episode 11-Why Choose Education? Feb 19, 2019

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 lure us away from schools and from our classrooms, especially during these challenging and contentious times in education! But, we ALL need that reminder about why we initially chose this profession, why this is such an important profession, and why we continue to choose teaching every day! We wanted to bring in some rising superstars and college students who have chosen to pursue education as a career. We want this dose of insight today to inspire you all, regardless of the position you are in life!

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!

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Podcast Logo_Fall 2018 — Top of the Class Episode 10- Full Steam Ahead with STEAM Feb 04, 2019

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 our handle @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

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Top of the Class-Extra Credit-Five Ways to Make your Classroom More Engaging Jan 22, 2019

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 ready, set, and here we go!

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Top of the Class Episode 9- Giving Voice to Your English Learners Jan 07, 2019

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 LOVE your feedback, so please feel free to tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter using our handle @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

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Top of the Class Episode 8- From the Parent Point of View Dec 03, 2018

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 thoughts or ideas on Twitter using our handle @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

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Podcast Logo_Fall 2018 — Top of the Class-Episode 7-Practicing Mindfulness as an Educator Nov 05, 2018
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 mindfulness as an educator. PS: We LOVE your feedback, so please feel free to tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter using our handle @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

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Podcast Logo_Fall 2018 — Top of the Class-Episode 6-Helping Your Students in Need Oct 01, 2018
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 Twitter using our new handle @GCU_TOTC. GO LOPES!

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Top of the Class Image 125x125 — Top of the Class-Episode 5-Networking Outside the Classroom Sep 04, 2018
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 you joining us in our discussion. Please feel free to also tweet us any thoughts or ideas on Twitter using our new handle @GCU_TOTC.

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Top of the Class Image 125x125 — Top of the Class-Episode 4- Rising Up: Becoming a School Leader Aug 06, 2018
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 using our new handle @GCU_TOTC.

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cropped-top-of-the-class-image-125x125 — Top of the Class-Episode 3- Tech Trends Jul 02, 2018
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 educational technology. We’ll also chat about what’s worth spending our time and resources on in terms of tech in the classroom — and what’s not worth our time.

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cropped-top-of-the-class-image-125x125 — Top of the Class-Episode 2 (Part 2)- Tales from the Teachers’ Lounge Jun 20, 2018
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.

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cropped-top-of-the-class-image-125x125 — Top of the Class-Episode 2 (Part 1)- Tales from the Teachers’ Lounge Jun 13, 2018

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.

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Top of the Class Image 125x125 — Top of the Class- Extra Credit-Five Reasons you Make a Difference as an Educator May 23, 2018
True to teacher form, we wanted to provide you all with a little extra credit. So, join us in what we are calling our Extra Credit episodes! These episodes will be shorter than our normal episodes and pack-a-punch through rapid-fire tips and strategies to make your life easier, more efficient, and downright enjoyable! 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. We selected our 5 favorite teacher quotes to help lead us in explaining why what you do is so important.

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Top of the Class Image 125x125 — Top of the Class-Episode 1- Elevating the Profession Apr 09, 2018
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 and we hope you’ll join us each month where we will be discussing current trends, tips, and topics related to the field of education. 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.

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