How We Teach This

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We talk with experts and educators about topics that can help you as an educator, a parent, and a person. [email protected] https://linktr.ee/hwtt

The How We Teach This Podcast is produced by The Teachers College at Emporia State University.

10/07/2026

🎙️ NEW EPISODE | National Board Certification: The Experience Behind the Certification

It’s not just about what you do as an educator—but understanding *why* you do it.

In Part 2 of our National Board Certification series, we hear directly from National Board Certified Teachers Jennifer Gessley, Juan Patiño-Jiménez, Kristy Oborny, Thomas Fulbright, and Alvin Peters.

They share the challenges and surprises of pursuing certification, but one theme kept coming through: **reflection**. The process pushed them to examine their instructional decisions, explain the thinking behind them, and become more intentional about their practice—and that reflection continued long after certification.

If you’ve ever wondered what the National Board process is really like, or whether the time and effort are worth it, hear from educators who have experienced it themselves.

🎧 Listen to *How We Teach This*:https://linktr.ee/hwtt

09/23/2026

🎙️ NEW EPISODE | National Board Certification: What It Is—and What It Is Not

What does it really mean to become a National Board Certified Teacher? Who is the certification for—and what does the process actually involve?

In Part 1 of our two-part series, we’re joined by Alvin Peters, NBCT, Director of the Great Plains Center for National Teacher Certification. We talk about common misconceptions, the four components of certification, time and cost, and the support available to educators considering the process.

Then, in Part 2, we’ll hear directly from a panel of National Board Certified educators about what the experience was like for them and how it affected their teaching and professional lives. (coming soon)

🎧 Listen to How We Teach This: https://linktr.ee/hwtt

09/09/2026

🔐 Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue anymore. It’s an education issue.

In our newest episode of How We Teach This, Dr. Jaime Fuentes, CyROC Program Coordinator and ESU Esports Director, joins us for “What Every Educator Needs to Know About Cybersecurity.”

We talk about why schools are attractive targets for cybercriminals, common mistakes educators may not realize they’re making, and practical steps schools can take to better protect students, staff, and data.

We also explore:
🔹 What should be included if you only have one hour for staff cybersecurity training?
🔹 How can underfunded districts strengthen cybersecurity?
🔹 What should schools have in place before an attack happens?
🔹 How is AI changing cybersecurity risks?
🔹 Why does cybersecurity require more than just the IT department?

Cybersecurity can feel highly technical, but every educator has a role in creating safer digital learning environments.

🎧 Listen to the conversation:https://linktr.ee/hwtt

08/26/2026

🎙️ NEW EPISODE: Reading Strategies That Stick

We’ve talked about the research behind the Science of Reading—but what does it actually look like when you put that research into practice with students?

2026 Kansas Master Teacher Michelle Kelly, Kindergarten teacher, joins How We Teach This to share practical strategies she uses to help students build strong, lasting connections between sounds, letters, words, and meaning.

Our conversation gets into the HOW of literacy instruction, including:
📖 Orthographic mapping and sound mapping
🔤 Explicit phonics and decoding
🧩 Morphology and multisyllabic words
❤️ High-frequency and “heart” words
⏱️ Building fluency

Michelle also shares engaging multisensory techniques that help students become more confident and independent in their reading.

🎧 Reading Strategies That Stick — available now on How We Teach This, https://linktr.ee/hwtt

08/12/2026

Season 12 of How We Teach This starts with a very special conversation. 🎙️

What does a lifetime as an educator teach you about what really matters?

We’re back from summer break with the 2026 National Teachers Hall of Fame inductees. These five distinguished educators reflect on the classroom moments they still carry with them, lessons they wish they had learned earlier, successes that never appeared on a test score, and opportunities they see for education today.

And who better to lead the conversation than someone who understands the honor firsthand? Terry Kaldhusdal, a 2024 National Teachers Hall of Fame inductee, joins us as guest host.

🔗 Listen: https://linktr.ee/hwtt

07/22/2026

☀️ Summer Break Flashback! ☀️

While How We Teach This is on summer break, we're revisiting some of our favorite conversations with practical ideas for educators.

📚 Lesson Planning with Open Resources: Inside JTILT, Season 11 Episode 10

Planning lessons doesn't have to mean starting from scratch.

In this episode, we explore JTILT ( Journal of Technology-Integrated Lessons and Teaching ), a free collection of high-quality instructional resources designed to help educators save time while creating engaging learning experiences. The conversation also examines how open educational resources (OER) and generative AI can work together to support—not replace—thoughtful lesson planning.

As you are looking for fresh classroom ideas, this episode offers practical strategies you can put to use right away.

🎧 Listen here: https://linktr.ee/hwtt

07/07/2026

It's summer break for How We Teach This, so we're revisiting some of our favorite conversations from past seasons! ☀️🎙️

🎧 Episode Highlight: How One School District Is Preparing Educators for the Age of Generative AI Through Policy and Clear Guidelines (Season 11, Episode 9)

🤖 How should schools approach generative AI?

As AI becomes part of everyday teaching and learning, educators need more than new tools—they need thoughtful policies and practical guidance.

Wichita Public Schools AI Specialist, Katelyn Schoenhofer, shares how one school district is developing clear AI guidelines, supporting teachers, and keeping student learning at the center of every decision.

Whether you're a classroom teacher, instructional coach, school leader, or simply curious about the future of education, this conversation offers practical insights you can use.

🎧 Listen now: https://linktr.ee/hwtt

06/18/2026

The podcast is taking a summer break. Be sure to follow us on social media and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you don't miss when we launch season 12 in August.
Wishing you time to recharge, reflect, and reconnect.

06/03/2026

The Science of Reading is often discussed in the context of K–2 instruction—but reading development doesn’t stop once students learn basic decoding skills.

In our newest episode of *How We Teach This*, we explore what the Science of Reading means for upper elementary, middle school, and high school educators. We discuss multisyllabic words, morphology, comprehension, academic vocabulary, and why literacy remains essential across every content area.

We also examine how some older students may still struggle with underlying reading difficulties that were never fully identified or addressed—and what secondary teachers can do to better support them.

🎙️ Episode: *From Learning to Read to Learning Through Reading: The Science of Reading Beyond K–2*

05/20/2026

How can schools move beyond teaching online safety to building stronger digital communities?

In our newest episode of How We Teach This, we explore digital citizenship through the lens of engagement, connected learning, and community support. Dr. Cecil Short and Dr. Jered Borup discuss the DOCK grant, digital literacy in Kansas communities, and the Academic Communities of Engagement (ACE) Framework.

The conversation examines how emotional, behavioral, and cognitive engagement shape student learning—and how educators, families, and school leaders can work together to support students in both digital and physical spaces.

🎧 Listen to the episode:https://linktr.ee/hwtt
“Designing Learning Ecosystems with the ACE Framework for Student and Community Engagement”

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http://emporia.edu/hwtt, https://linktr.ee/hwtt

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