Popular Podagogy - Queen's Faculty of Education

What does it mean to be a lifelong learner in the teaching profession? In this episode of Popular Pedagogy , newly appointed Associate Dean of Teacher Education, Holly Ogden, reflects on the power of relationships, curiosity, and growth in teaching and learning. She shares insights from nearly 25 years in education and discusses how these experiences will shape her vision for teacher education at Queen's University. _______________________________________________________________________________________ Dr. Holly Ogden (PhD, Queen’s University) is Associate Dean, Teacher Education and an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Education, Queen’s University. Holly is a teacher, researcher, and musician who has taught in the ConEd, BEd and Professional Master of Education programs. Holly began her career teaching grades one through six with the Limestone District School Board and her classroom experience informs her research interests. She lives in Sydenham with her husband and two children.

This episode explores how integrative thinking helps students navigate tensions instead of choosing between opposing ideas. Nogah Kornberg shares practical tools like the pro-pro chart and a five-stage problem-solving journey that builds creativity, empathy, and critical thinking. The conversation highlights how embracing “creative friction” in classrooms can empower students to generate innovative solutions to real-world challenges. Resources I-Think website I-Think Challenge Kits I-Think Case Studies Creating Great Choices by Roger Martin and Jennifer Riel Email: connect@i-thinktogether.org About Nogah Kornberg As strategist, facilitator and coach, Nogah’s work sits at the intersection of thought leadership and action. She is a trusted partner to leaders and educators navigating complex, system-level challenges. As Co-Executive Director of I-Think, she creates solutions that translate aspirations into lasting impact. Nogah wrote the first textbook in Integrative Thinking, I-Think Facilitator Notebook. She also led the team designing I-Think’s first board game, I-Think Different: About Social Media, the Well-being Mini Kit and Challenge Kits. With school boards, Nogah has designed School Improvement Frameworks used by every leader in the Board, worked with Indigenous Education Teams to co-create their strategy and identify areas for action, and facilitated the Vision, Mission and Strategy with students for Central Technical School. She is currently working on a podcast with them. Nogah received her Bachelor of Education and Master of Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto. She holds a Honours Bachelor of Arts from Trent University in History and Indigenous Studies.

In this episode of Popular Podagogy , host Chris Carlton sits down with educator Heidi Siwak for a thought-provoking dive into what students really think about artificial intelligence. Drawing on insights from over 5,000 Ontario students from Grades 6-12, the conversation explores everything from AI as a tool for inclusion and creativity to concerns about trust, surveillance, and bias. The big takeaway: students aren’t just passive users of tech. They want guidance, ethical guardrails, and a real say in how AI shapes their learning and future. Resources AI Student Voice Report I-Think AI Challenge Kit I-Think Heidi is an award-winning Ontario educator passionate about fostering student voice and agency and equipping students with the skills they need to shape the future of AI. As a Teacher-Coach at I-Think , Heidi has guided over 5000 Ontario students and their teachers through I-Think’s Artificial Intelligence Challenge and leads I-Think’s AI Readiness workshops for educators and parents, helping schools and families navigate the AI era. Heidi’s work as an educator has been featured in articles, books, and podcasts. She is an experienced conference presenter and TEDx speaker. Heidi has an MEd in Education Leadership and Policy with 25+ years of K-8 teaching at the Hamilton-Wentwork District School Board and at the Ontario Ministry of Education. Heidi is an alumna of Mila-Quebec Institute for Artificial Intelligence Summer School on Responsible AI and Human Rights, 2025.

In this episode of Popular Podagogy, host Chris Carlton dives into the complex world of sex education with Dr. Jacob DesRochers, an expert in sex education. They explore how educators can thoughtfully address sexual health, identity, and religious diversity in classrooms. This conversation offers insights on how teachers can create safe, inclusive spaces for students to make sense of their experiences while bridging the gap between school curriculum and diverse home values. Let's Talk about Sex (and Faith): Teaching about sexuality and health across religious and political lines Jacob's 2019 article in EdCan Jacob DesRochers (he/him) , PhD is a researcher and educator focusing on the complex interplay between sexuality, gender, culture, and religion in education, particularly within K-12 settings. He is the Research Associate with the Queen’s-Weeneebayko Health Education Program in Queen’s Health Sciences, where his work supports community-grounded approaches to Indigenous health education and curriculum design. His doctoral research, supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, examined how K-12 sexuality education curricula can intentionally engage religious diversity despite often seeking distance from religion. Jacob’s broader scholarship critically explores the political and moral panics shaping public debates and policies surrounding human rights protections, discrimination, and educational inclusion. Jacob was the lead research assistant on Dr. Lee Airton’s project “Gender Expression” under Construction: How School Boards are Shaping Ontario’s Newest Human Rights Category (2018–2020) and later supported the launch of Gegi.ca, the first bilingual platform designed to help students and teachers in Ontario address discrimination based on gender identity and expression. Jacob collaborates with organizations, universities, and student groups to develop policies and educational initiatives that address gender and sexual violence prevention through trauma-informed and justice-oriented frameworks. He also serves on research ethics boards for Queen’s University and Canadian Blood Services. His scholarly commitments center on community-engaged research that interrogates how systems of power shape educational policy, practice, and everyday experience.

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).

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.

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 education Math Cognition Lab (Carleton University) – Research lab hosting the AIM Collective and leading work on early numeracy and number development Beyond 1-2-3: Early Mathematics Education in Canada – Book co-edited by Dr. Sandy Youmans earlymath.ca – Website hosted by Dr. Youmans with resources related to early mathematics education TIMSS (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 families Erikson Early Math Collaborative – Organization supporting early math learning and instruction DREME Network (Stanford University) – Research network focused on early math development Measuring Penny by Loreen Leedy – Children’s book highlighting measurement concepts through everyday experiences

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 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 Educators Edutopia articles written by Jocelyn Child's Play NY Professional Development Videos Child's Play NY Website About 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 .

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 Video Learn 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.

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.

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.

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 Video Games in ELA Classrooms to Cultivate Learning about Environmentalism." He also holds a Bachelor of Education (BEd) from Queen's. In addition to his academic pursuits, Kyle has been a music instructor, teaching guitar, and has served as a remote teacher and tutor for the past few years. Kyle's research focuses on the video game Flower .

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 employing queer and trans pedagogical practices. He hopes you'll use it to foster queer thriving via your teaching practice in concrete, practical, but perhaps unexpected ways. Tristan Lewis is a queer high school teacher in Ontario. His teachable subjects are English, Drama, and History. As a new teacher, he had trouble being bold enough to work against what's 'expected' of teachers.

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 walks incoming students through every step of the intake process. Alan Jeans is a disability advocate who has worked in disability communities in Canada from coast to coast – from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Vancouver, British Columbia with stops in between. Currently, Alan manages Queen’s Student Accessibility Services (QSAS) at Queen’s University. In addition to managing QSAS, Alan is also a PhD student in the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University. His research takes a critical disabilities approach to exploring the shifting intersectional landscape between disability and masculinity over generations. Having Tourette Syndrome himself, Alan identifies with a neurodiverse experience and is a proponent of the belief that strength arises from , not in spite of disability.

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! Resources: Anti-Racism and Diversity in Teaching Resources from Queen’s Faculty of Education Disability Resources from Queen’s Faculty of Education Gender Diversity Teaching Resources from Queen’s Faculty of Education Social Justice resources and information from the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario Educator’s Equity Toolkit from the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association Equity from the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation Useful Links for Equity and Inclusive Education from Ontario Teachers’ Federation Dr. Alana Butler joined the Faculty of Education in 2017 and currently teaches both Bachelor of Education students and graduate students. Her research interests include the academic achievement of low-socio economic students, equity, diversity, and inclusion policies and practices from k-12 to higher education, at-risk children/youth and their educational attainment, and multicultural education. Find out more about her on the FookNConversaton Podcast .

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 Article How can teachers integrate AI within schools? EdCan Online Article Queen’s Generative AI Teaching & Learning Resources How to Cite ChatGPT Magic School AI (AI for Teachers) UNESCO: Artificial intelligence in education UNESCO: ChatGPT and AI in higher education – Quick Start Guide Intelligent Classrooms: What AI Means For The Future Of Education Frobes Article Educating in a World of Artificial Intelligence Podcast Harvard Education

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. Resources for Mental Health in the Classroom ONE CALL Desk Reference Guiding Questions to Build a Mentally Healthy Classroom Community Mental Health Literacy Course for Educators The Third Path OCT Professional Advisory Introduction to Children and Youth Mental Health: Skills for Educators Personal Resiliency Tips Brene Brown Podcast on Compative Suffering, the 50/50 Myth and Settling the Ball 211 Ontario Good2Talk Laura Conboy is a registered Social Worker and has been working as the Mental Health Lead for the Limestone District School Board since 2017. As part of her role, Laura creates and implements Limestone’s Mental Health and Substance Use Strategy and annual action plans. Prior to coming to Limestone, Laura worked as a hospital social worker in several departments including the emergency department, high-risk obstetrics, and child and adolescent psychiatry. When Laura is not working, she can be found reading, traveling, or learning to play pickleball.

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 more about Lauren.