Journeys of Teaching
By Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart
Journeys of TeachingMay 13, 2024
Jonathan Robertson - Legislation and Book Banning
Jonathan Robertson is a recent graduate Columbus State University with a degree in Political Science. On this episode, recorded in Spring 2024, Jonathan will examine increased legislative efforts in different states and distinguishes between challenges and outright bans.
References:
- Ferri, C. E. (2023). Book Banning Goes Digital: Libraries Suspending Their E-Book Services and the Complications It Poses for First Amendment Doctrine. Stanford Technology Law Review, 27(1), 127–179.
- “HB 1084.” Georgia General Assembly. Accessed April 25, 2024. https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/61477.
- Maloney, S. (2023). Political Advocacy Groups: The Puppet Masters behind Public School Boards’ Banning of Books. DePaul Law Review, 73(1), 129–154.
- “PEN America Is Suing Escambia County, Florida.” PEN America, January 31, 2024. https://pen.org/pen-america-v-escambia-county/.
- Yates, B. March 3, 2023. “School Book Bans: Senate Bill 226 and How Georgia Got Here.” Georgia Law Review.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Educational Technology at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Amiya Smith & Carolina Maldonado - Art Censorship & Book Banning
Amiya Smith and Carolina Maldonado are Art majors at Columbus State University. On this video podcast episode, recorded and produced in Spring 2024, they discuss examples of art censorship and intersections of this issue with book banning.
Their references list is provided as a shared Word Doc. Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Educational Technology at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Daniel Oved - Financial Censorship
Daniel Oved is a Finance major at Columbus State University. On this episode, recorded in Spring 2024, Daniel defines "financial censorship" and discusses how this issue is connected to book banning.
References:
- Farrell, K. (2008). Corporate complicity in the Chinese censorship regime: When freedom of expression and profitability collide. Journal of Internet Law, 11(7), 1–21.
- Federal Trade Commission. (2022, March 4). The antitrust laws. https://www.ftc.gov/advice-guidance/competition-guidance/guide-antitrust-laws/antitrust-laws
- Pagani, M., Czerwinski, D., & Whaley, G. (2020). Financial censorship controversy: Financial services leading social change? Journal of Accounting & Finance (2158-3625), 20(3), 101–126. https://doi.org/10.33423/jaf.v20i3.3012
- Reitman, D. O. a. R. (2020, December 15). Visa and Mastercard are trying to dictate what you can watch on Pornhub. Electronic Frontier Foundation. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/12/visa-and-mastercard-are-trying-dictate-what-you-can-watch-pornhub
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Educational Technology at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Jagrishi Settipalli - Internet Censorship
Jagrishi Settipalli is a Cybersecurity major at Columbus State University. On this episode, recorded in Spring 2024, Jagrishi will discuss Internet censorship and parallels with the issue of book banning.
References:
- Lawson, T., & Comber, C. (2000). Censorship, the internet and schools: A new moral panic? The Curriculum Journal, 11(2), 273–285. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585170050045236
- Mathewson, T. G. (2024, April 13). Schools were just supposed to block porn. instead they sabotaged homework and censored suicide prevention sites. The Markup. https://themarkup.org/digital-book-banning/2024/04/13/schools-were-just-supposed-to-block-porn-instead-they-sabotaged-homework-and-censored-suicide-prevention-sites
- Storts-Brinks, K. (2010). Censorship online. Knowledge Quest, 39(1), 22-28. https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/censorship-online/docview/763169771/se-2
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Educational Technology at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Zada Ivey & Daniel Argueta - Hunger
Zada Ivey and Daniel Argueta are Theatre Education majors at Columbus State University. On this episode, recording in Fall 2023, they discuss the story of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School and how to navigate the dominant sociocultural values that are reinforced in today's education sector.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Educational Technology at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Aidan Phillips & Paige Abney - Her Fight Lives On
Aidan Phillips and Paige Abney are Theatre Education majors at Columbus State University. On this episode, recorded in Fall 2023, they will discuss the story of Suzie King Taylor, a former slave in Georgia who became the first African American nurse and implications for today's education sphere, including how all students must feel seen and supported by teachers, schools, and communities.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Educational Technology at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Kennedy Larkin - Divisive Concepts
Kennedy Larkin in an Elementary Education major at Columbus State University. On this episode, recording in Fall 2023, Kennedy discusses the aims of Critical Race Theory (CRT) and misconceptions about it amidst anti-CRT state legislation. She also discusses the need for positioning historical racism and injustice amidst present-day problems and issues and tells the story of lynchings that occurred in her hometown of Albany, GA.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Educational Technology at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Episode 109: Dr. Sarah Bonner - Meaningful Work
This week, we will catch up with a previous guest from this podcast, Dr. Sarah Bonner. Sarah is a award-winning former middle grades English language arts teacher of two decades and current now serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, Literacy and Special Education at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington.
In Spring 2023, Sarah resigned from her teaching position with her school district in Central Illinois due to unrest from a vocal minority over her inclusion of This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson in a curated collection of books for her students on a day dedicated to reading and exploration.
On this episode, we will hear Sarah’s story, and unlike most weekly releases on this podcast, we will present our conversation with Sarah in its entirety with only minor edits.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 108: Minh Lê - Writing Ourselves into Existence
This week, we will explore the journey of Minh Lê. Minh is the author of well-regarded picture books such as Lift and Drawn Together as well as the middle grades graphic novel Green Lantern: Legacy. He is an early childhood education policy expert and a faculty member for Hamline University’s MFA Program in Writing for Children and Young Adults.
On this episode, we will discuss Minh's work as a board member for the We Need Diverse Books organization, the growing issue of book banning and censorship, and how he teaches his students at Hamline to write from an authentic place.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 107: Minh Lê - A Dialogue with the Reader
This week, we will explore the journey of Minh Lê. Minh is the author of well-regarded picture books such as Lift and Drawn Together as well as the middle grades graphic novel Green Lantern: Legacy. He is an early childhood education policy expert and a faculty member for Hamline University’s MFA Program in Writing for Children and Young Adults.
On this episode, we will discuss some of Minh’s written works, including Lift, Drawn Together, and You Are Here: Connecting Flights, an anthology novel to which he contributed.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 106: Lauren Redden - Tangible Outcomes
This week, we will explore the journey of Lauren Redden. Lauren is an Associate Professor in the McWhorter School of Building Science at Auburn University and leads Auburn's Construction Management Summer Academy for Young Women.
On this episode, we will discuss Lauren's time as an undergraduate student at Auburn and how she came to study building science as well as her years of industry-level experience and how she draws upon those experiences to inform her current teaching.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 105: Lauren Redden - A Welcoming Space
This week, we will explore the journey of Lauren Redden. Lauren is an Associate Professor in the McWhorter School of Building Science at Auburn University and leads Auburn's Construction Management Summer Academy for Young Women.
On this episode, we will discuss the Construction Management Summer Academy for Young Women that Lauren leads at Auburn University, an experience that targets the gaps of female representation and participation in the building science field.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 104: Meagan Cascone - No Preconceived Notions
This week, we will explore the journey of Meagan Cascone. Meagan is the Director of the Professional Arts Integration Resource (PAIR) Program at the Springer Opera House in Columbus, Georgia.
On this episode, we will discuss Meagan's early experiences with theatre, including her work with a traveling theatre education company, as well as how these experiences inform her work in arts integration professional development with the PAIR Program.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 103: Meagan Cascone - The Joy of Arts Integration
This week, we will explore the journey of Meagan Cascone. Meagan is the Director of the Professional Arts Integration Resource (PAIR) Program at the Springer Opera House in Columbus, Georgia.
On this episode, we will discuss Meagan’s current work and how she and her team spark joy and self-efficacy amongst practicing teachers as they seek to integrate the arts into their practices.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 102: Scott Stuart - Social Media as a Window
This week, we will explore the journey of Scott Stuart. Scott is the best-selling author of children’s books such as My Shadow is Purple. His new book, Bedtime Stories for Hard Days is now available.
On this episode, we will discuss how Scott has leveraged social media to engage with readers in meaningful ways and how these networked connections informed his latest book.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 101: Scott Stuart - Literature is Forever
This week, we will explore the journey of Scott Stuart. Scott is the best-selling author of children’s books such as My Shadow is Purple. His new book, Bedtime Stories for Hard Days is now available.
On this episode, we will discuss Scott’s books and advocacy for gender diversity and how his son has informed his writing.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 100: Jennifer Gennari - Writing Outside My Lane
This week, we will explore the journey of Jennifer Gennari, a teacher and editor as well as the author of the middle grades novels Muffled and My Mixed-Up Berry Blue Summer. You can follow Jennifer on Twitter @JenGenn.
On this episode, we will discuss her novel Muffled and how she approached writing from a perspective and experiences different than her own.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 99: Jennifer Gennari - An Emotional Core
This week, we will explore the journey of Jennifer Gennari, a teacher and editor as well as the author of the middle grades novels Muffled and My Mixed-Up Berry Blue Summer. You can follow Jennifer on Twitter @JenGenn.
On this episode, we will discuss Jennifer’s novel, My Mixed-Up Berry Blue Summer, and how Jennifer drew upon legislation in the early 2000s in Vermont to reflect the lived experiences of same-sex couples seeking civil unions as well as their families.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 98: Jennifer Gennari - Giving Praise and Raising Questions
This week, we will explore the journey of Jennifer Gennari, a teacher and editor as well as the author of the middle grades novels Muffled and My Mixed-Up Berry Blue Summer. You can follow Jennifer on Twitter @JenGenn.
On this episode, we will discuss Jennifer’s work as a teacher of prospective authors and the approaches she employs to support their craft and empowering their voices.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 97: Courtney Stepp - Checking In
This week, we will explore the journey of Ms. Courtney Stepp. Courtney is a kindergarten teacher at Benson Hill Elementary in Renton, WA, and appeared on Episodes of 10-12. Among the points we discussed last time, over two years ago, were redesigning classroom management approaches, engaging in personal learning networks, and a read aloud lesson Courtney taught over Zoom during the pandemic the day after the attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2021. You can follow Courtney on Twitter @MsCStepp.
On this episode, we will catch up on Courtney's personal and professional growth and work from the past two years.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 96: Dr. Reba Wissner - Ungrading
This week, we will explore the journey of Dr. Reba Wissner. Reba is an Assistant Professor of Music and Musicology at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia. You can follow Reba on Twitter @reba_wissner.
On this episode, Reba shares about her approaches to ungrading as a postsecondary instructor and how these practices have impacted and benefitted her students in many ways.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 95: Dr. Reba Wissner - Musicology
This week, we will explore the journey of Dr. Reba Wissner. Reba is an Assistant Professor of Music and Musicology at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia. You can follow Reba on Twitter @reba_wissner.
On this episode, we will begin by learning more about Reba’s work in musicology, including how she started a Public Musicology Certificate Program at Columbus State, a program unique to this institution.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 94: Dr. Elaine Westbrook - Being Place-Conscious
This week, we will explore the journey of Dr. Elaine Westbrook, an Assistant Professor at Montana State University Billings whose areas of specialization include STEM Educational Methods, Chemistry, and Astronomy. You can connect with Elaine on LinkedIn.
On this episode, we will discuss Elaine's current work as a teacher educator in Montana and how she has learned to be place-conscious in the rural and indigenous communities in which she works.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 93: Dr. Elaine Westbrook - The "Cunningham Foundation"
This week, we will explore the journey of Dr. Elaine Westbrook, an Assistant Professor at Montana State University Billings whose areas of specialization include STEM Educational Methods, Chemistry, and Astronomy. You can connect with Elaine on LinkedIn.
On this episode, we will discuss Elaine’s industry-level work before she transitioned to teaching and how pivotal her father was in her studies, career, and current work.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 92: Dr. David Kieran - A Unique Opportunity
This week, we will explore the journey of Dr. David Kieran. David is an Associate Professor & Colonel Richard R. Hallock Distinguished Chair in Military History at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia. You can follow David on Twitter @DavidKieran2.
On this episode, we will explore the work David does with students at Columbus State, engaging them in community-centered historical research and leveraging the regional access of Columbus.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 91: Dr. David Kieran - The Memorial Landscape
This week, we will explore the journey of Dr. David Kieran. David is an Associate Professor & Colonel Richard R. Hallock Distinguished Chair in Military History at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia. You can follow David on Twitter @DavidKieran2.
On this episode, David and I will discuss the renaming of Fort Moore and how we interpret memorialization in the contemporary southern U.S. culture.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 90: Brenna Chambers - Letting Go
This week, we will explore the journey of Brenna Chambers. Brenna is the Manager for Professional Learning at the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix, Arizona. You can connect with Brenna on LinkedIn and learn more about the Arizona Science Center on their official website.
On this episode, Brenna and I will discuss her current role at the Arizona Science Center, facilitating professional development sessions focused on science education and leveraging play and student choice.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 89: Brenna Chambers - Both Worlds
This week, we will explore the journey of Brenna Chambers. Brenna is the Manager for Professional Learning at the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix, Arizona. You can connect with Brenna on LinkedIn and learn more about the Arizona Science Center on their official website.
On this episode, Brenna and I will discuss her classroom teaching career, including her jump from teaching in the early childhood and kindergarten settings to working as a fifth-grade math teacher, finding ways to integrate open-ended learning, play, and student choice amidst the standardized nature of formal public schooling.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. Visit his LinkTree to connect with him.
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 88: Aimee Lucido - Coming in 2024!
This week, we will explore the journey of Aimee Lucido. A computer programmer who worked for Uber, Google, and Facebook, Aimee is the author of the middle grade novels Emmy in the Key of Code and Recipe for Disaster. She has a children’s picture book, Pasta Pasta Lotsa Pasta, and middle grade novel, Words Apart, both scheduled for release in 2024. You can follow Aimee on Twitter and Instagram @AimeeLucido.
On this episode, Aimee I will discuss her upcoming books that will be published in 2024 and how she plays with words and verse in her writing.
Season 6 of Journeys of Teaching will be released around the third quarter of 2023. Check out past episodes in the archives wherever you get your podcasts!
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @aaronrgierhart
Email: gierhart_aaron@columbusstate.edu
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 87: Aimee Lucido - Jewish Enough
This week, we will explore the journey of Aimee Lucido. A computer programmer who worked for Uber, Google, and Facebook, Aimee is the author of the middle grade novels Emmy in the Key of Code and Recipe for Disaster. She has a children’s picture book, Pasta Pasta Lotsa Pasta, and middle grade novel, Words Apart, both scheduled for release in 2024. You can follow Aimee on Twitter and Instagram @AimeeLucido.
On this episode, Aimee will share her experiences of growing up Jewish and how she actively chose this as part of her cultural identity, including how she reflected these experiences and issues in her novel Recipe for Disaster. She will also discuss how it is important for all readers to feel seen and represented in the literature they read.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @aaronrgierhart
Email: gierhart_aaron@columbusstate.edu
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 86: Aimee Lucido - Straddling Different Worlds
This week, we will explore the journey of Aimee Lucido. A computer programmer who worked for Uber, Google, and Facebook, Aimee is the author of the middle grade novels Emmy in the Key of Code and Recipe for Disaster. She has a children’s picture book, Pasta Pasta Lotsa Pasta, and middle grade novel, Words Apart, both scheduled for release in 2024. You can follow Aimee on Twitter and Instagram @AimeeLucido.
On this episode, Aimee will discuss her novel Emmy in the Key of Code and share how she reflected her own experiences of straddling different worlds in her work as a computer programmer.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @aaronrgierhart
Email: gierhart_aaron@columbusstate.edu
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 85: Mrs. Erika MacNeil - Sit in the Discomfort
This week, we will explore the journey of Mrs. Erika MacNail. Erika is a teacher-librarian in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada.
On this episode, we will discuss how Erika first fell in love with reading and storytelling and how she works to foster this same passion for reading with her students.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @aaronrgierhart
Email: gierhart_aaron@columbusstate.edu
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 84: Mrs. Erika MacNeil - Building Relationships
This week, we will explore the journey of Mrs. Erika MacNail. Erika is a teacher-librarian in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada.
On this episode, we will hear Erika’s stories about how she intentionally serves students from her community in the ways she organizes the school library’s shelves and builds relationships with students to best meet their needs.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @aaronrgierhart
Email: gierhart_aaron@columbusstate.edu
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 83: Millard Oakley STEM Center - Accessible and Integrated STEM
This week, we will explore the journeys of Drs. Jennifer Meadows and Kelly Moore and learn more about their work with Tennessee Tech University's Millard Oakley STEM Center.
On this episode, Jennifer and Kelly will discuss the mission of the Millard Oakley STEM Center at Tennessee Tech, including how teaching candidates and community partners are integrally involved in the events held there. You can learn more about the Millard Oakley STEM Center on the Tennessee Tech University website.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @aaronrgierhart
Email: gierhart_aaron@columbusstate.edu
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 82: Millard Oakley STEM Center - Dr. Kelly Moore
This week, we will explore the journeys of Drs. Jennifer Meadows and Kelly Moore and learn more about their work with Tennessee Tech University's Millard Oakley STEM Center.
Dr. Kelly Moore is a Senior Lecturer at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, TN. You can learn more about the Millard Oakley STEM Center on the Tennessee Tech University website.
On this episode, we will hear Kelly’s stories about getting “fired up” about science education and the botany education curriculum she is helping to design and pilot in the field.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @aaronrgierhart
Email: gierhart_aaron@columbusstate.edu
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 80: Mr. Jared Huisingh - Alternative Dissent
This week, we will explore the journey of Mr. Jared Huisingh. Jared is a former middle and high school English teacher and current doctoral candidate and teacher educator at the University of Tennessee. You can follow Jared in Instagram @huisingh.
On this episode, we will hear Jared discuss what it means to teach and be a teacher educator in 2022 and beyond amidst dominant social and political discourses as well as recent legislation in conservative states.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @aaronrgierhart
Email: gierhart_aaron@columbusstate.edu
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 79: Mr. Jared Huisingh - Crystalization
This week, we will explore the journey of Mr. Jared Huisingh. Jared is a former middle and high school English teacher and current doctoral candidate and teacher educator at the University of Tennessee. You can follow Jared in Instagram @huisingh.
On this episode, we will hear Jared’s stories about growing up internationally and returning to the United States and how his experiences have informed his culturally responsive, empathy-driven teaching practices.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @aaronrgierhart
Email: gierhart_aaron@columbusstate.edu
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 78: Mr. Jared Huisingh - Critical Media Literacy
This week, we will explore the journey of Mr. Jared Huisingh. Jared is a former middle and high school English teacher and current doctoral candidate and teacher educator at the University of Tennessee. You can follow Jared in Instagram @huisingh.
On this episode, we will hear Jared’s stories about becoming interested in critical media literacy and how he has incorporated it into his teaching.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @aaronrgierhart
Email: gierhart_aaron@columbusstate.edu
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 77: Dr. Jay Percell - What Could Be (Gradeless Classrooms)
This week, we will explore the journey of Dr. Jay Percell. Jay is an Associate Professor of Teaching and Learning at Illinois State University in Normal, IL. Jay holds a doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Illinois State. You can follow Jay on Twitter @jaycpercell.
On this episode, we will hear Jay discuss how he developed his gradeless approaches to assessment and feedback.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @aaronrgierhart
Email: gierhart_aaron@columbusstate.edu
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 76: Dr. Jay Percell - Be You
This week, we will explore the journey of Dr. Jay Percell. Jay is an Associate Professor of Teaching and Learning at Illinois State University in Normal, IL. Jay holds a doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Illinois State. You can follow Jay on Twitter @jaycpercell.
On this episode, we will hear Jay’s stories about how he drew upon his positive high school experiences and role models to become a high school English teacher and later, a teacher educator.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @aaronrgierhart
Email: gierhart_aaron@columbusstate.edu
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 75: Sally Baker - Think Like an Artist
This week, we will explore the journey of Mrs. Sally Baker. Sally is a STEM/STEAM Specialist for the Georgia Department of Education and previously served as the Education Director for the Springer Opera House in Columbus, Georgia, and the Director of Springer’s Professional Arts Integration Resource (PAIR) Program. You can connect with Sally on LinkedIn and learn more about PAIR on the Springer Opera House website.
On this episode, Sally will discuss the power of arts integration on both teachers and students and how to get started with arts integration in your classroom.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @aaronrgierhart
Email: gierhart_aaron@columbusstate.edu
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 74: Sally Baker - On the Stage
This week, we will explore the journey of Mrs. Sally Baker. Sally is a STEM/STEAM Specialist for the Georgia Department of Education and previously served as the Education Director for the Springer Opera House in Columbus, Georgia, and the Director of Springer’s Professional Arts Integration Resource (PAIR) Program. You can connect with Sally on LinkedIn and learn more about PAIR on the Springer Opera House website.
On this episode, Sally will discuss how she grew up on the stage at Springer Opera House and how she drew upon and leveraged the arts in her classroom teaching career.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @aaronrgierhart
Email: gierhart_aaron@columbusstate.edu
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Episode 73: Sally Baker - Arts Integration
This week, we will explore the journey of Mrs. Sally Baker. Sally is a STEM/STEAM Specialist for the Georgia Department of Education and previously served as the Education Director for the Springer Opera House in Columbus, Georgia, and the Director of Springer’s Professional Arts Integration Resource (PAIR) Program. You can connect with Sally on LinkedIn and learn more about PAIR on the Springer Opera House website.
On this episode, we will hear Sally’s stories about how she founded the PAIR program and the impacts it has made on students, including traditionally low-achieving schools.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @aaronrgierhart
Email: gierhart_aaron@columbusstate.edu
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.
Angelica Acosta: Intentional Science Instruction
Angelica Acosta is an Elementary Education major at Columbus State University. On this third of three episodes, she discusses her intentions to be a better, more engaging science teacher for her students than many of the teachers she had as a K-12 science student.
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Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @aaronrgierhart
Email: gierhart_aaron@columbusstate.edu
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Season 5 of Journeys of Teaching begins on 1/1/2023 with new episodes releasing each Sunday!
Angelica Acosta: The Science Teachers I Had
Angelica Acosta is an Elementary Education major at Columbus State University. On this second of three episodes, she shares some of her negative and challenging stories about her previous science teachers and how she does not want to replicate these experiences for her own science learners in her teaching career.
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Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @aaronrgierhart
Email: gierhart_aaron@columbusstate.edu
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Season 5 of Journeys of Teaching begins on 1/1/2023 with new episodes releasing each Sunday!
Angelica Acosta: Negative Feelings about Science
Angelica Acosta is an Elementary Education major at Columbus State University. On this first of three episodes, she discusses the negative feelings about science and science education she has that have lingered from her previous experiences as a science student.
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Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @aaronrgierhart
Email: gierhart_aaron@columbusstate.edu
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Season 5 of Journeys of Teaching begins on 1/1/2023 with new episodes releasing each Sunday!
Andreanna Culp, Ethan Cox, & Madison Underwood: Our Future Science Instruction
Andreanna Culp, Ethan Cox, and Madison Underwood are Elementary Education majors at Columbus State University. On this third of three episodes, they discuss plans and intended approaches they will draw upon in their future science instruction.
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Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @aaronrgierhart
Email: gierhart_aaron@columbusstate.edu
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Season 5 of Journeys of Teaching begins on 1/1/2023 with new episodes releasing each Sunday!
Andreanna Culp, Ethan Cox, & Madison Underwood: Making Science Memorable
Andreanna Culp, Ethan Cox, and Madison Underwood are Elementary Education majors at Columbus State University. On this second of three episodes, they share memorable stories from their science education experiences and how they intend to make science memorable for their current and future elementary students.
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Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @aaronrgierhart
Email: gierhart_aaron@columbusstate.edu
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Season 5 of Journeys of Teaching begins on 1/1/2023 with new episodes releasing each Sunday!
Andreanna Culp, Ethan Cox, & Madison Underwood: Relationships with Science and Science Education
Andreanna Culp, Ethan Cox, and Madison Underwood are Elementary Education majors at Columbus State University. On this first of three episodes, they discuss their differing "relationships" with science and science education.
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Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @aaronrgierhart
Email: gierhart_aaron@columbusstate.edu
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Season 5 of Journeys of Teaching begins on 1/1/2023 with new episodes releasing each Sunday!
Episode 72: Dr. Corey Hall - Drawing Upon Identity and Experience
This week, we will explore the journey of Dr. Corey Hall. A former school librarian and middle school teacher, Corey currently serves as the Director of Curriculum Solutions at STEM Education Works and is an Adjunct Professor at Indiana Wesleyan University. You can connect with Corey on LinkedIn.
On this episode, we will hear about her current work as the Director of Curriculum Solutions at STEM Education Works and how she taps into her previous work as a school librarian, connecting literacy, engineering, and the STEM of it all in her curricular work today.
Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart is an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and previously taught in the Illinois public schools for 11 years. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @aaronrgierhart
Email: gierhart_aaron@columbusstate.edu
Podcast Socials: Facebook & Instagram @JourneysOfTeaching & Twitter @JourneysTeach
Thank you to Mitch Furr for the podcast theme music and Adam Gierhart for the logo artwork.