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

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

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 38-Part 1: Our Students’ Health in Trying Times with Dr. Stephanie Nilsen and Dr. Crystal McCabe

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.

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

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.

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

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!

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

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!

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

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!

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

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!

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

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!

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

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-Teaching in COVID-19: Virtual and Hybrid Learning Tips with Emily & Meredith

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!

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

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!

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

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!

Top of the Class Episode 29- Balancing Teaching and Family with Andrea Hogan

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! 

Top of the Class Episode 28- #MathStrong with Katy Long

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!

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

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.

hubhopper

Top of the Class

hubhopper