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.
- Update frequency
- every 23 days
- Average duration
- 27 minutes
- Episodes
- 80
- Years Active
- 2018 - 2025
Top of the Class Episode 15-Teaching is the Tip of the Iceberg: Other Careers in Education
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 ex…
Top of the Class Episode 14-Fostering a Growth Mindset with Heather Bowman
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…
Top of the Class-Extra Credit-Five Must-Have Teacher Books
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 …
Top of the Class Episode 13-The Art and Science of Teaching Reading with Anthony Perez
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 …
Five Ways to Be a More Efficient Educator
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 …
Top of the Class Episode 12-Project-Based Learning with Robyn & Robin
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…
Top of the Class Episode 11-Why Choose Education?
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 ar…
Top of the Class Episode 10- Full Steam Ahead with STEAM
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 classroom…
Top of the Class-Extra Credit-Five Ways to Make your Classroom More Engaging
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 e…
Top of the Class Episode 9- Giving Voice to Your English Learners
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 profes…
Top of the Class Episode 8- From the Parent Point of View
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-w…
Top of the Class-Episode 7-Practicing Mindfulness as an Educator
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 …
Top of the Class-Episode 6-Helping Your Students in Need
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 …
Top of the Class-Episode 5-Networking Outside the Classroom
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…
Top of the Class-Episode 4- Rising Up: Becoming a School Leader
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 tea…
Top of the Class-Episode 3- Tech Trends
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 …
Top of the Class-Episode 2 (Part 2)- Tales from the Teachers’ Lounge
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 …
Top of the Class-Episode 2 (Part 1)- Tales from the Teachers’ Lounge
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…
Top of the Class- Extra Credit-Five Reasons you Make a Difference as an Educator
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 an…
Top of the Class-Episode 1- Elevating the Profession
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…