Top of the Class

Latest Episodes:

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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!

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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

Show notes

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!

https://gcutopoftheclass.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/23-keeping-things-civil-in-a-sometimes-uncivil-world.mp3

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