We know that powerful things are happening in education and that those powerful things often go unnoticed or are siloed (within a community). We’ve built a space to share those powerful things, where we aren’t constrained by distance and scheduling. We’ll combine our 35 years of K - 12 teaching experience with the unique perspectives of our guests to connect you to relevant ideas and experiences. Listen in to motivate your practice, challenge your current pedagogy, and expand your horizons w ...
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From Theory to Practice: Sarah Lapp (STEM Education Scholar Series 5)
20:53
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In this episode of our series, Form Theory to Practice, we delve into the invaluable role of community in the teaching profession, featuring Sarah Lapp, a passionate math teacher and alumna of CMU. Whether you're a new teacher navigating the early stages of your career or a seasoned veteran seeking fresh inspiration, Sarah shares insightful perspec…
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From Theory to Practice: Maddie Burgin (STEM Education Scholar Series 4)
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In this episode of "From Theory to Practice," we talk with Maddie Birgin. As a former STEM Education scholar and current math teacher, Maddie brings a unique perspective to teaching and getting involved with the school community. Throughout our conversation, Maddie shared insights into the challenges of managing large groups of students with varyin…
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From Theory to Practice: Sara Fitzpatrick (STEM Education Scholar Series 3)
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In our series, "From Theory to Practice," we're thrilled to reconnect with some of our CMU Alumni, who we got to know through out STEM Education Scholar Program. Today, we shine the spotlight on Sara Fitzpatrick, a former math teacher and current school counselor. Links: From Theory to Practice: Bailey Birman (STEM Education Scholars Series 1) From…
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From Theory to Practice: Ryan Stevens (STEM Education Scholar Series 2)
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In our series, "From Theory to Practice," we're thrilled to reconnect with some of our CMU Alumni, who we got to know through out STEM Education Scholar Program. Today, we shine the spotlight on Ryan Stevens a middle school math and STEM teacher. Join us as we delve into Ryan's journey from student to teacher, exploring the invaluable lessons learn…
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From Theory to Practice: Bailey Birman (STEM Education Scholars Series 1)
26:53
26:53
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We caught up with some of our CMU Alumni, the students who we got to know well as STEM Education Scholars. Bailey Birman is teaches math at an alternative high school in Michigan. She shares the ways in which she felt prepared to teach and what has been a learning curve. Her thoughts on keeping a healthy boundary between her classroom and her life …
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Assessment: Making Grades and Feedback Meaningful
18:39
18:39
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We wrap up our assessment series by talking with Nicole Hagle. Nicole shares her strategies for looking at proficiencies instead of points. We talk about what happens when students do not understand the grading system and what we can do to help. Other Episodes on Assessment: Healthy Grading Practices: Perspectives from a Secondary Teacher Assessmen…
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We're continuing our conversation on assessment with multi-age teacher, Tammy Clingenpeel. We talk about making "just in time" accommodations, how to differentiate assessment within a fixed curriciulum, and how Tammy's teaching has changed over time. This episode is a thoughtful reflection from a thoughtful teacher. We know you'll love it. Intro Mu…
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We're back and talking assessment with elementary teacher Bryant Greiner. We talk assessment strategies for math and reading and the skills we build in elementary. Bryant's warm and enthusiasm for learning about his students skills and personalities is a great reminder of how building relationships with students must be factored into every aspect o…
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We hope you enjoy our interview with June Teisan. She's a long-time educator and a life-long learner. We discuss the 3Ps of project, place, and problem based learning. Links NCWIT InnovatED 313 Music: Intro Music: David Biedenbender Other Music: Oleksandr Savochka, Sergii Pavkin from Pixabay Find us on social media: Instagram: cmichcese Facebook: c…
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Healthy Grading Practices: Perspectives from a Secondary Teacher
40:01
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How do we communicate student growth? Is that the same as work ethic? The same as effort? Our conversation with teacher Aric Foster gets us thinking about what makes a healthy grading practice. Our Email: cese@cmich.edu Intro Music: David Biedenbender Other Music: Pixabay Find us on social media: Instagram: cmichcese Facebook: cmich_cese…
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When a Space Is Designed to Teach Differently
29:54
29:54
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We spoke with Lizzie Dilg, director of the Discovery Museum in Mt. Pleasant Michigan. We discussed how museums are designed to foster learning and how we can learn from the way informal educators approach children. Museum Links: Discovery Museum on Facebook Discovery Museum Website Discovery Museum on Instagram STEM Passport Music Intro: David Bied…
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Julie and Ashley are back for another season of Teach Wonder. Listen as we talk about what teaching lessons we've learned this summer and some fun takes on our adventures in reading. Links: Unearthing Joy The Wager Ascendant Intro Music: David Biedenbender Other Music: Pixabay Find us on social media: Instagram: cmichcese Facebook: cmich_cese…
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Mixed Tape: Some Reflections on The Teacher We Want to Be
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In this seasons finale, we took a different approach. You're going to hear an episode that's part reflection, part conversation and part remix. We took clips from two influential interviews to our staff and listened to them in a new light. There is no bad time to reflect on what teaching means to you, but the end of the year feels like a particular…
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Teaching over Time: The Power of Teaching Partnerships, PBL, and Informal Data
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We are absolutely thrilled to have with us this week Laura Trombley and Becky Rousseau, two incredible teachers who have been trying some new things in their classroom. We'll be chatting about how partnerships and collaboration can nurture a more dynamic learning environment, the power of project-based learning, what kind of data can actually tell …
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In a slight deviation from our regular content, we're sharing the final products from two student clubs in Alma and Ithaca. Students created a set of audio dramas for their peers and for us. This project was made possible with the support of the Gratiot Community Foundation. Join us as we celebrate the creativity and collaboration of these two grou…
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Our second episode with Tracy Donohue. In this episode, we further our discussion on play and it's integral role in development and it's place in schools. This is a continuation of our discussion from a previous episode- we recommend you start your listening journey there. Listen to Episode 1 now Introduction Music: David Biedenbender Find us on so…
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Today we're talking with Dr. Tracy Donohue. Join our guest as they reflect on their professional experiences and how they have prepared them to work with teacher education students who are learning to teach through play. As you listen, we invite you to also reflect on the background you bring to education, how you value play and what you would be w…
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Role playing games and story? Yes. Role playing games and fantasy? Obviously. But role playing games and STEM? Find out why we say- absolutely! Our interview with Mike Reuter focuses role playing games and their possibilities with students. Owner of Raconteurs of the High Road, Mike draws on his experience leading middle & high school and adult gro…
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Permission From Ourselves: A Discussion about Students, Growth, and PBL
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We talked with Instructrional Coach Megan Nix. This conversation includes insights into project-based learning, how we think about students and their voice and choice, and the experiences that change us as teachers. Megan's answers are full of reflection and insight; they are an expression of how much she values students and giving them meaningful …
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Grit and Resilience: It's Probably Not What You Think
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We interviewed 906 Adventure Team's Todd Poquette. This conversation began with a discussion about the goals and structure of this youth biking team. Mountain bikers will appreciate Todd's focus and love of this activity. Educators and parents, you will want to hear how this growing nonprofit is rethinking the way we think about grit and resilience…
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This week on Teach Wonder, we are bringing you an interview with Dawn Kahler. A middle school teacher from Kalamazoo, Michigan, Dawn brings a level head and thoughtful presence to teaching in 2022. This conversation spans student relationships, administration, and how to take care of yourself. Links: Kagan: It's All About Engagement For White Folks…
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Belonging and Inclusive Teaching: InSciTE
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This episode revisits a familiar topic in a new way. We're taking a look at the new program at Central Michigan University that is allowing students to integrate their learning in a collaborative environment. This episode shares the perspectives of faculty and students. We talk about the tips and ideas that were part of the instrumental workshop se…
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Christie Folsom works at the Chippewa River District Library. Whether you are a regular in the library or are not sure what street you'd drive down to find yours, this episode is for you. Our conversation spans early literacy and the role of libraries in the community. We end our interview with our favorite reads of 2022. We guarantee this intervie…
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To See What It's Like to Be An Active Member of Your Community
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In its simplest form, today's interview focuses on the program Connections that Count. It partners Central Michigan University undergrads with people with disabilities. More realistically, this podcast episode is about building a community that is based on respect and care; one that brings out the best in others and holds members accountable. Build…
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Our interview with Pete O’Neil focuses on building relationships with students as a launching point for learning. He shares how he his thinking about teaching has changed overtime and what ideas and experiences he has learned from in his 23 years as a teacher. Pete’s honest approach to difficult questions makes this interview one that we can all le…
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This episode is a conversation with faculty Wiline Pangle, PhD. She is leading a new certificate that is a combined effort of many and speaks to a movement in education that we are more than a little interested in. This certificate gives students an opportunity to integrate their skills and apply them in a way that is authentic. We discuss the diff…
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Ever wondered what a year in the life of another teacher looks like? Ever wonder what a year of doing project-based, interdisciplinary learning in a makerspace looks like? Trey Smith is a K - 8 digital literacy teacher in Philadelphia. He is sharing details on his units, approach to educational design, and reflections on where to go next. You'll le…
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We are bringing our former teacher friend and new colleague Kim June back on our podcast. We asked Kim to think about a change she's made to her practice and how she is bringing that into the fall. We were not prepared for her answer- so much so, that we brought her back for a second interview for this episode. Part I will be an interview with Juli…
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Bringing My Whole Self to All of These Things
25:28
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Welcome to Season 3! We're launching this season with Amanda Cornwell. A colleague at the makerspace, Amanda runs field trips, student programming, and brings a huge amount of creativity, innovation, and joy to the makerspace. We asked her about how she's changed as an educator and how she's bringing that into fall. Music By: David Biedenbender Lin…
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Welcome back to Season 3 of Teach Wonder. Tune in to hear some what is coming this season and find out how you can be involved. Email us: cese@cmich.edu Music: David Biedenbender Find us on social media: Instagram: cmichcese Facebook: cmich_ceseBy The Center for Excellence in STEM Education
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We're ending this season with a mix of interviews from a different point of view. Julie spoke with three students at Central Michigan University who are studying to be teachers. Listen to how they're preparing, how they've grown, and what they think about building relationships with students. Intro Music: David Biedenbender Find us on social media:…
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Sarah Szuminski brings a unique blend of experience as a teacher and as a parent to this important conversation about childhood, special education, and what we want for our kids. Sarah has her master's degree in early childhood special education. She has worked in professional settings with children, teachers, parents, and therapists. As a parent, …
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In a slight change from our usual episodes, we're bringing you a trio of audio dramas. Written, directed, and performed by a middle school group that met after school in the makerspace, we know you'll be impressed with their creativity and enthusiasm. Thanks to CMU Faculty Will Anderson for partnering in this project, Serafine Hinz for recording an…
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This week on Teach Wonder, we are bringing you an interview with Dawn Kahler. A middle school teacher from Kalamazoo, Michigan, Dawn brings a level head and thoughtful presence to teaching in 2022. This conversation spans student relationships, administration, and how to take care of yourself. Links: Kagan: It's All About Engagement For White Folks…
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In today’s episode. We’re considering what STEM means from different perspectives. You'll hear interviews with Claire Bunker, MiSTEM Network Director, East Central Michigan Region, and Amy Hindbaugh-Marr, STEAM Teacher in Ithaca, Michigan. These two interviews share stories, experiences, and practice advise that will help you think about STEM in yo…
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Brandis Ansley is a faculty member at Central Michigan University in the special education department. Prior to getting her PhD, Brandis worked in the mental health field and as a special education teacher. This podcast explores the ways in which stress affects, students, teachers, and the education system. Links: Schools Across the Country are Str…
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A False Sense of Competence: Important Conversations about Teaching and Learning
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How do we define competence inside the classroom? What are some of the nuanced differences between special and general education? How does specific language help teachers communicate more clearly? Our conversation with Dr. Paula Lancaster, Dean of the College of Education and Human Services at CMU engages with these questions and more. Dean Lancast…
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Join us in conversation with Hedi Baxter Lauffer. We catch up and learn how plants, science education and having teachers think of themselves as learners all play a part in Hedi’s professional background. You don’t want to miss a chance to hear from the Director of Teaching and Learning with the Wisconsin Fast Plants Program. Links: FastPlants.org …
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Small Groups, Big Impact: Elliciting Student Thinking
35:21
35:21
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In this companion episode, we're returning to Mr. G and Mrs. Peach's classroom. This time, Julie joins the conversation to look at the ways in which Mr. G elicits student thinking. As a former secondary teacher, Julie has some fresh perspectives to share as she watches and elementary math lesson. This episode includes discussions on differentiation…
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Small Groups, Big Impact: A Closer Look at Dynamic Instruction
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In Season 2, we're looking to share the voices of teachers and reflection on the work that they're doing. In this episode, we visit Mrs. Peach's classroom. As she teaches her her small group math lessons, we'll see what we can learn from her decisions and thought process. No matter your grade, experience level, or content area- this episode has som…
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Our season closes with a conversation with Rick Joseph. Rick is a National Board Certified Teacher and has taught 5th and 6th grade at Covington School in suburban Detroit since 2003. He previously served as a bilingual educator (Spanish) and trainer for nine years in the Chicago Public Schools. Rick is the 2016 Michigan Teacher of the Year. In our…
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Session 2 is coming! Listen in to hear what's coming. This season we're featuring a mix of interviews and audio captured from schools, workshops, and more! We're focusing on Core Teaching Practices that focus on building respectful relationships, working in small groups, and making content explicit for students. Tune in to learn, celebrate, and gro…
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Lori Flippin is the STEM Initiative Leader for the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance. In this episode, we talk about work it takes to make change and build infrastructure for programs in schools. The hard work that teachers do is supported by businesses, partners, and leaders. Lori is one of those leaders sharing the importance of partnering in edu…
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As a Michigan Teacher of the Year, a life-long educator, and executive coach to individuals of all ages, Gary Abud Jr. is uniquely positioned to see how some of the challenges occurring in K - 12 translate beyond the classroom. Join us for a talk that may challenge your assumptions about teaching and invigorate you to question some of your practice…
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Core Teaching Practices: Building Respectful Relationships
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Can we capture the conversations and experiences of an in-person workshop and bring it to our listeners? That's the challenge we gave ourselves this summer. This episode is one of a series we'll be bringing you. We've threaded audio from conversations with teachers together with interviews from the team leading this project and finally project refl…
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Do I Start with a Question or Do I Start with a Direction?
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30:31
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This episode focuses on how stepping off the stage to learn alongside our students can be equal parts rewarding and scary. In our interview with Dr. Troy Hicks, he shares some of the thinking that goes into this style of teaching- workshopping writing, teacher as coach, teaching online. We dig into the challenges and successes that Troy's worked th…
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Taking a look at Ourselves, Our Learners and Their Needs
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12:52
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In this Bonus Episode, we talked about the ways that COVID changed teaching. The challenges of teaching during this time are not to be minimized; nor are the challenges families and individuals have faced. In this episode, however, we focus on the changes that Eric thinks will stay in his own work and the teachers he works with. Eric shares some sp…
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The Experience Doesn't End in the Makerspace
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Ashley talks with Eric Carpenter, the Executive Director and Chief Education Designer at Rocky Mountain Education Design. The first in a three-part series, this episode focuses on Eric's entry into education. He shares how he started working with the makerspace model with K - 12 students. Eric discusses the importance of collaboration and brings so…
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Eric Carpenter is back to talk more about what a makerspace model could look like in a school. He shares some ways to think about activity planning and talked about how STEM and makerspace learning should start in a school. This episode is a deep dive, filled with specific examples and ideas for anyone who is on a makerspace journey in education. L…
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These Moments Arise from Working With Teachers: A Conversation about MiSTAR
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We met with Doug Oppliger, instructer at MTU and member of the MiSTAR team. We talked with Doug about how writing middle school curriculum transformed his thinking about content and his own teaching. We learn more about the reasons behind this curriculum and the work that went into creating it. Doug brings specific examples of how science and engin…
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