In this episode of Popular Podagogy, host Chris Carlton chats with Dr. Sandy Youmans about why early math really matters—and how we can help kids stop “hating math” and start feeling confident with numbers. From foundational numeracy skills to mixing direct instruction with playful, real-world learning, Sandy breaks down what strong early math teaching actually looks like in Canadian classrooms. With a parent perspective (and some great at-home math ideas) thrown into the mix, this conv...

What does it really take to support teacher candidates in the classroom? In this episode of Popular Pedagogy, Dr. Amy Burns—Dean of the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University—shares insights from her decades as a K–12 educator and leader in teacher preparation. From building reflective spaces to turning challenges into learning opportunities, this conversation highlights how associate teachers can make practicum experiences transformative for both mentors and future educators.

In this episode of Popular Podagogy, host Chris Carlton has a conversation with Dr. Amy Burns, Dean of the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University. Together, they explore how teacher candidates can thrive during their practicum by taking care of themselves, adopting a learning mindset, and building meaningful relationships with mentors and students. Dr. Burns shares practical strategies for navigating challenges, seeking feedback, and getting involved beyond the classroom—all while r...

In this fun and inspiring episode of Popular Podagogy, Jocelyn Greene shares how theatre and improv can supercharge student learning and bring joy to the classroom! From building confidence to boosting academic skills through playful storytelling, she shows how every subject—even math—can come alive with imagination. Whether you're taping out maps on the floor or riding a “magical elevator” through biomes, Jocelyn makes a strong case that learning through play is powerful, memorable, and seri...

Join host Chris Carlton and Dr. Ian Matheson as they dive into an exciting primary school-wide environmental project. Discover how researchers, teacher candidates, primary students, and community partners came together to create vermicomposting systems that transformed classroom learning and connected to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. From hands-on worm bins to a red-carpet film premiere, this episode showcases the power of collaboration, innovation, and student engagement in environme...

Laura Mozhu Li, an MEd student at the Faculty of Education, talks about her research on Chinese newcomer youth and their experiences with racism in Canada. Laura, a 1.5 generation Chinese-Canadian, shares how her own immigration and schooling experiences influenced her research, along with some helpful tips on fostering inclusive classrooms. Laura Mozhu Liis a 1.5 generation Chinese-Canadian woman who came to Canada with her parents at the age of 8. Currently a MEd student at Queen's, h...

Dr. Pamela Beach, Associate Professor of Language and Literacy, joins us for a wide-scoping discussion about literacy. Listen to learn about multi-literacies, early literacies, the differences between learning languages, how to help with literacy learning in your classroom - and so much more! Pamela's book, Promoting Language and Early Literacy Development: Practical Insights from a Parent Researcher is available now! Pamela Beach is currently the Associate Dean, Research at the Faculty of...

Queen's Master of Education student Kyle Raymond joins us to talk about how and why video games should be part of the classroom. Kyle provides practical tips on logistics and ways to make it work with limited resources as well as ideas on how to integrate video games into lessons. Kyle Raymond is a passionate educator pursuing a Master of Education (MEd) at Queen's University, working with Dr. Claire Ahn. He is working on his thesis titled, “Flowering Narratives: The Integration of Vid...

Recent Master of Education Graduate Tristan Lewis joins Chris Carlton this month to talk about his MEd project - A Month of Queer Thriving: 20 ways to queer your classroom. Enjoy this conversation full of helpful and easy to implement ideas about ways to queer your classroom. Make sure to check out Tristan's resource, A Month of Queer Thriving: 20 ways to queer your classroom which is designed to take some of the guesswork out of finding innovative ways of engaging students while employ...

Did you know that accommodations from high school don't automatically transfer to University? Or that the goal of accommodations for students changes once you get to University? Alan Jeans, Manager of Queen's Student Accessibility Services and current PhD student at the Faculty of Education joins host Chris Carlton to discuss the transition from K-12 to University for students with accommodations. Find out more about Queen's Student Accessibility Services (QSAS). The QSAS Intake Guide wa...

Dr. Nikhil Arora (Physics) and Dr. Nenad Radakovic (Education) join host Chris Carlton to discuss the 2024 total solar eclipse. Listen to find out more about the solar eclipse, what to talk about in your classroom, and more! Resources: Queen's 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

Wondering how to navigate equity in your classroom? Our own Dr. Alana Butler joins us to answer questions like: How do you support diverse students in your classroom without putting the spotlight on them? How do you navigate and address offensive comments in the classroom – and how do you bring it up with the entire class? Alana and Chris talk about representation, focusing on individual strengths (versus deficit), belonging, culturally relevant pedagogy, and so much more! Resourc...

Listen to Dr. Chris DeLuca, Professor of Educational Assessment and Associate Dean - School of Graduate Studies, talk about AI in the classroom - ways to leverage it to enhance student learning, why we shouldn't be afraid of it, and how to get started using AI. Find out more about Chris DeLuca. Resources Leveraging AI to enhance learning Kappan Online ArticleHow can teachers integrate AI within schools? EdCan Online ArticleQueen’s Generative AI Teaching & Learning ResourcesHow to Cite...

On this podcast, we talked with registered social worker Laura Conboy, who is the Mental Health Lead at Limestone District School Board. Laura discusses mental health as a continuum, strategies for mental health in the classroom - both individually and as a group, how to create caring conditions, what a circle of care looks like, how to navigate the tiers of intervention, creating brace spaces, and she provides some really great tips on how to take care of yourself as a teacher. Resour...

Lauren Smart-Lampl, Indigenous Teacher Education Program Coordinator and current Master of Education in World Indigenous Studies in Education student, joins us to talk about Truth and Reconciliation in the classroom drawing on her experience teaching in Nova Scotia. She discusses how she talked about residential schools in her classroom, how to indigenize your classroom, the importance of Indigenous languages, and more. Head to our website for a full list of resources and to find out ...

Hear from Dr. Patty Douglas, Associate Professor of Disability Studies and Exceptionalities and the inaugural Chair of Student Success and Wellness at the Faculty of Education. In the podcast, Patty discusses how her experience as a classroom teacher gave her a fire in her belly and led her to become a researcher. She discusses what neurodiversity-affirming practices are and what makes it different from the medical model of disability. She discusses the slogan, "nothing about us without us" w...

Dr. Tiina Kukkonen joins us to talk about why every teacher should integrate art into their classrooms - and how to make that happen. Resources: Arts Integration Arts Infusion CommitteeKennedy CenterArt Canada InstituteArts Integration and 21st Century Skills: A Study of Learners and Teachers (article) Institute for Arts Integration in STEAMMontreal Museum of Fine Art EDUCART Platform Teaching Artists Resources Places to Find/Connect with Teaching Artists School b...

MEd students Beck Watt and Alex O'Leary joined us to talk about being a 2SLGBTQ+ ally in the classroom, how to address difficult topics in the news, and bringing representation into the classroom every day. Resources The Faculty of Education's Gender Diversity Resources2STLGBQIA+ Lesson Plans from the Manitoba Teacher's SocietySupporting Transgender and Gender Diverse Students in Manitoba Schools Bios Beck Watt is a tattooed teacher of music and active flutist from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Beck...

When we think about literacy we often think about literature and poetry – but what about non-fiction? The National Council of Teachers of English put out a powerful statement (with recommendations) about the importance of non-fiction literacy and the value it has in the classroom. Non-fiction children’s author Lindsey Carmichael joins us to talk about how non-fiction can engage students who may not engage with other literature, some of her favourite moments with non-fiction in classrooms, som...

Katrina Carbone, PhD student, talks about her research and how mental health, wellness and assessment are intertwined – and how assessment can be used to support student flourishing. She also discusses research she completed during her Master of Education centred around assessment identity and how our own experiences as students can shape how we practice as teachers. She ends the podcast with some great tips on how to implement assessment practices into your classroom. Resources Queen...