Popular Podagogy - Queen's Faculty of Education

Queen's University Faculty of Education
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Popular Podagogy is a podcast from the Queen’s University Faculty of Education that brings big ideas in teaching and education to life. Our guests include top researchers and instructors from our Faculty and beyond, as well as practicing teachers to combine innovative educational ideas with the everyday life of being a teacher. Chris Carlton is our new host for 2022, Nathan Cheney was our host from 2018 - 2021. Theme song by Trevor Strong (PhD'21).

  1. FEB 12

    Popular Podagogy: One Hand Can’t Clap: Collaboration, Care, and Student Success with Dr. Jacqui Getfield

    In this episode of Popular Podagogy, host Chris Carlton speaks with Dr. Jacqui Getfield about what student success really means and how educators can create truly optimized classroom conditions. Drawing on critical race theory and lived experience, Dr. Getfield emphasizes the power of intentional collaboration between home and school, especially for Black, Indigenous, and disabled students.  Read Jacqui's article in The Knowledge Forum, "Black Students in Special Education: Contradiction or Conundrum?" Jacqui Getfield, PhD is founder of a grassroots organization, Mothers United in Mediating Mutual Alliances (MUMMA). Her research focuses on race and disability within family engagement in home-institution partnerships. Her PhD dissertation is titled, “Prescriptive Partnerships: Black Mothers of Disabled Children and Educators in Ontario’s Public School System.” Dr. Getfield theorizes and analyzes through the lens of critical race theory. An adjunct faculty member at York University, she has delivered online public lectures and keynote speeches at universities in Canada and the USA. A diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging (DEIAB) consultant, Dr. Getfield has facilitated DEIAB workshops at charities, non-profit organizations, churches, etc. Dr. Getfield has 25 years of professional experience in education, health, research, and corporate communications in Canada. Currently, she is project manager of the Caribbean African Regenerative Medicine (CARM) project. She is a volunteer board member of the North York Senior Centre (NYSC) and the Black Legal Action Centre (BLAC).

    30 min

  2. FEB 10

    Engage with the Joy: Making the Most of Your Practicum with Amy Burns

    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 reminding future teachers to “engage with the joy” in the experience.

    27 min

  3. 12/16/2025

    Popular Podagogy: Beyond 1-2-3 - Building Math Confidence in the Early Years

    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 conversation makes a compelling case for building math confidence early—because it turns out kids don’t hate math, they hate feeling bad at it.  Resources AIM Collective (Assessment and Instruction for Mathematics) – A Canada-wide network of researchers and educators focused on strengthening elementary math educationMath Cognition Lab (Carleton University) – Research lab hosting the AIM Collective and leading work on early numeracy and number developmentBeyond 1-2-3: Early Mathematics Education in Canada – Book co-edited by Dr. Sandy Youmansearlymath.ca – Website hosted by Dr. Youmans with resources related to early mathematics educationTIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) – International assessment of math and science achievement (Grades 4 and 8)Young Mathematicians – Online math resources for educators and familiesErikson Early Math Collaborative – Organization supporting early math learning and instructionDREME Network (Stanford University) – Research network focused on early math developmentMeasuring Penny by Loreen Leedy – Children’s book highlighting measurement concepts through everyday experiences

    22 min

  4. 09/18/2025

    Teaching the Teacher: How Practicum Shapes Future Educators with Amy Burns

    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.

    15 min

  5. 06/02/2025

    Popular Podagogy: How to Bring Theatre into Your Classroom

    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 seriously fun!  Resources:  Child's Play in Action - Blog and Resources for EducatorsEdutopia articles written by Jocelyn Child's Play NY Professional Development VideosChild's Play NY WebsiteAbout Joceyln Greene: Jocelyn Greene is the proud Founder and Executive Director of Child’s Play NY. She has been teaching and directing since 1998. Before founding Child’s Play NY, she taught at Oddfellows Playhouse in Connecticut, Will Power to Youth in Los Angeles and Epic Theater Ensemble in New York. Jocelyn is a member of Actors Equity Association and has performed at The Public Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theatre and New York Theatre Workshop among others. She holds an MFA in Acting from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and a BA in English and Spanish Literature from Wesleyan University. With Child’s Play NY she has taught in scores of top-tier New York schools, spearheading their after-school and summer arts programing. She has designed residencies for schools from South Brooklyn to the Hudson River Valley. She loves directing Shakespeare with teens and re-inventing fairytales with 4-year-olds. With Child’s Play in Action she turns her curriculum into video-tutorials for parents and educators. Check out a Q + A with her here, and listen to her interview on Women Killing It.

    25 min

  6. 03/31/2025

    Popular Podagogy: A Worm-derful Vermiculture Schoolwide Project with Ian Matheson

    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 environmental education. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation on how small actions in the classroom can lead to big global change!  Resources:  Winston Churchill Public School Vermicomposting School Wide Project VideoLearn More about UN SDG 11: To get to know Global Goal 11 and its targets, visit Global Goals.Watch a short clip ‘Understand Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities’ from Participate - a free community-learning platform that combines best parts of social media and online learning.Watch United 4 Social Change video ‘Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities - SDG Series.’Learn about processing organic wastes using earthworms: Learn the specifics of vermicomposting.Example of a poster [PDF 401 KB] from the collection produced by BEd students that includes books available for all within the Faculty of Education - each book has to do in some way with vermicomposting and/or soil health.Take action: Start your own vermicompost, visit The Box of Life.Learn more about all 17 UN SDGs on the UN’s Student Resources page and what you can do to get involved.

    25 min

  7. 02/06/2025

    Popular Podagogy: Chinese Newcomer Youth in the Classroom with Laura Mozhu Li

    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, her research stems from her own identity and struggles in the Ontario school system and takes on a social justice approach in unraveling the immigration and schooling experiences of Chinese newcomer youth. Laura’s background and immigration experiences fuel her passion for languages and culture, and, combined with her love of teaching, they motivated her to become a secondary French and English teacher.

    21 min

  8. 12/04/2024

    All About Literacy with Dr. Pamela Beach

    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 Education and an Associate Professor in Language and Literacy at the Faculty of Education, Queen’s University. Pamela completed her MA in Child Study and Education at the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study, University of Toronto and her PhD in Developmental Psychology and Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto. Pamela has a decade of elementary classroom experience, teaching a range of grades and subject areas from junior kindergarten to seventh grade. Her background as an elementary teacher has influenced her research which centres on the dissemination of research-informed literacy practices. Pamela’s work explores how online and multimedia resources can be used in teacher education and professional development. Pamela uses web analytics, screen-capture technology, the virtual revisit think aloud, and eye-tracking technology to study teacher cognition and learning.

    31 min
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About

Popular Podagogy is a podcast from the Queen’s University Faculty of Education that brings big ideas in teaching and education to life. Our guests include top researchers and instructors from our Faculty and beyond, as well as practicing teachers to combine innovative educational ideas with the everyday life of being a teacher. Chris Carlton is our new host for 2022, Nathan Cheney was our host from 2018 - 2021. Theme song by Trevor Strong (PhD'21).

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