Top Tenn Teaching

#031 Adam Dovico

In this episode, we talk with principal, speaker, and author Adam Dovico about fostering student leadership and equity in education. 

#030 State of Education

In this episode, my dad, Mike Crabtree, and I chat about the state of education, especially on the heels of the pandemic. 

#029 Coronavirus & Distance Learning

Today’s episode comes to you from a distance. We are both recording in separate locations so that we can be protected from COVID-19 and we are talking all about distance learning. Like so many districts around the state of Tennessee and around the country, our local school district is closed until the end of the month, but we will be implementing distance learning. Today we are going to be talking about how to make the most of distance learning and how to make it work for you and your studen...

#028 Guess Who's Back

We’re baaaaack! We know you have probably missed us-don’t tell us if you haven’t- but sometimes life gets in the way. It is almost like returning to school after the summer, except it’s March. Oops. We have both had huge life changes since last season, but we are back and excited to bring you some fun content to get you through the rest of the school year. Welcome to season 3!!!! Follow Derrick Follow Kelsey

#027 A Conversation With a New Teacher: Caroline Davis

On today's episode, we are talking with Caroline Roberts Davis. Caroline is currently finishing up her second year of teaching 6th grade science at the same middle school that she attended as a student. Caroline shares with us the ups and downs of being a new teacher, what her experience has been like, and what some common misconceptions of new teachers are. We really enjoyed this conversation and appreciated the honesty that Caroline brought to the table.   Mentioned in this episode:  ...

#026 Q & A

On today’s episode, we are answering listener questions! You guys have posted in our Facebook group, emailed us, and even left us voicemails on our school phones of some questions that you want answered by us. We are sitting down to talk about each of the questions that were sent to us by our listeners and we know that this is going to be a fun conversation. Top Tenn Tips: Google Earth with History Maps Teacher Appreciation Week!!! Send a handwritten note to a coworker and/or a previous...

#025 A Conversation on Student Teaching

Today, we are headed into educational territory that people don’t often talk about. That’s right, we are talking all about student teachers. It is important to remember that we all start somewhere, so we sat down with two student teachers who are just starting out on their teaching journey. Daniel Allen and Luke Saunders are currently serving as student teachers within our school building and we were lucky enough to pick their brains about what their student teaching experience has been like...

#024 I Wish Professional Development Was

We are wrapping up the school year and the end is in sight, so the last thing on your mind is professional development. In our experience, someone can mention professional development and a lot of people roll their eyes. We believe that educators have been forced into professional developments that are not applicable to them, aren’t presented well, and sometimes are just plain boring. We sat down together to discuss what we think professional development ought to be and what we wish it was. ...

#023 Loud Learning with Tom Loud

We are bringing you a conversation with the one and only Tom Loud. Tom is the principal for the Preferred Flex Academy. He is also a Twitter celebrity although he is way too humble to actually say that he is. Tom talked to us all about the Preferred Flex Academy, how his history with education as a student shaped him into the educator that he is today, and all about creating a professional learning network. Every conversation with Tom is a good one and we hope you enjoy this episode.  Tom ...

#022 Top Tenn Teacher Qualities

Today, we are sitting down to discuss the qualities that make a good teacher. Most of us have interviewed for a job at some point and been asked, “What qualities do you have that make you a good teacher?" We all have different qualities to bring to the table and to our schools, but what qualities make a great teacher?  We came up with a list of ten qualities based on our own experiences plus added some things that you shared in our Facebook group and we are excited to bring this list to you ...

#021 Climbing the Ladder with Jennifer Moore

In this episode, we are talking to a Blount County Schools legend, Mrs. Jennifer Moore. Jennifer currently serves as the Secondary Supervisor for Blount County Schools but has also been a classroom level English teacher as well as a building level administrator. Jennifer shares with us her educational experience, how she was able to climb the educational career ladder, what her greatest success has been as a teacher, and we even touch on her enthusiasm for running. Top Tenn Tips: Be Inter...

#020 Top Fictional Characters and What We Can Learn From Them

In this episode, I will be sharing with you my top five fictional characters and lessons we can learn from them in teaching. These are not necessarily my favorite fictional characters, but characters I believe that have traits and values that we can learn from as educators. For the full show notes, go to toptennteaching.com

#019 Best Advice

In this episode, we will be discussing the best advice that we have ever received. Young or old, new or experienced, we have all been on the receiving end of some advice. Some of the advice may be good, some might be less than good. But at one point or another, someone hits us with a nugget of wisdom that we just can’t shake.

#018 The Sound of Music with Rachel Owens

We were truly blessed to get to speak with Rachel Owens and to hear her share her passion for teaching, music, and family. We sat down with Rachel to talk about her experience as a choir teacher, what it was like to come back from maternity leave, what it’s like to have her husband teaching on the same campus as her when they often combine their choirs, and what she wishes core subject area teachers knew about special or related arts teachers. Y’all are going to really enjoy hearing her stor...

#017 Top Tenn Educators to Follow

In this episode, we are dishing out some love. In honor of Valentine’s Day being yesterday, we wanted to spread some love to other teachers on social media who inspire us daily. We are bringing you our top ten list of people to follow on social media. Creating a Professional Learning Network is so important in today’s world and connecting with educators via social media can be a complete game changer in the classroom. We get inspired when we hop onto Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook and see...

#016 A Unique Path to Teaching with Laura Maclin

In this episode, we are talking to someone near and dear to both of our hearts... Mrs. Laura Maclin. Laura and Kelsey met while in graduate school and completed our Master’s Degree together while Derrick met Laura for a few courses in his own master degree program. We love Laura so much and it was a pleasure to be able to listen to her unique story of becoming a teacher and to be able to share it with you today. For our full show notes, visit toptennteaching.com. 

#015 Top Tenn Teaching Pet Peeves

This is episode number 15 where we air our grievances and list our top ten teaching pet peeves. A pet peeve is something that is a frequent subject of complaint. We all have them and no matter what grade you teach or what school you’re at, you’ll be sure to find something on our list that hits home. For full show notes, visit our website... toptennteaching.com.

#014 True Grit with Dr. Courtney Whitehead

In this episode, we are talking with Dr. Courtney Whitehead. Courtney is the assistant principal at Carpenter’s Middle School in Blount County, Tennessee, a professor of education at a local university, and the queen of organization. We sat down in Courtney’s office for this conversation and to say that she has a captivating personality would be an understatement. She’s fun, energetic, and explains to us just what what true grit is. In our conversation today, you’ll even discover how riding ...

#013 You Might Be a Teacher If...

In today’s episode, we are talking all about the identity of teachers. What is it that really makes someone a teacher? Is it shopping at Target for their school supplies, is it praying for snow days, is it being the first to arrive at work or the last to leave?  Today we give you our top 10 list of You might be a teacher if…. Follow: Derrick Kelsey Top Tenn Teaching Email

#012 Building a Culture as a New Administrator with Summer Russell

In today’s show, we talk to Summer Russell about how her first year as an administrator is going, what big plans she has for her school, how she worked hard to build relationships with her staff while building a strong school culture, and how she feels about having her own son at the school that she’s a principal at. We gained some very valuable insight from this conversation and we are sure that you will find it just as fun as we did. Listener Mailbag: Katie Miller  Brian Webber Mich...

#011 New Year's Goals

Hello and welcome to Top Tenn Teaching. We are your hosts, Derrick Crabtree and Kelsey Cansler, and this is the podcast where we discuss all things teaching.  As we promised in the last episode, we are now coming at you with weekly episodes and cannot wait to share some awesome new content with all of you. Be sure you are subscribed to the show so that you can get first dibs on downloading the new episodes each and every Friday. Today in honor of the new year, we are sitting down to talk abo...

#010 Christmas Bonus!!! Favorite Holiday Movies and How They Relate to Teaching

In this episode, we sit down to discuss our top five favorite Christmas films and how they relate to teaching. We didn’t share our lists before the show so this episode is completely unscripted. What you hear is what you get...consider it an early Christmas present from your Top Tenn Teaching family.

#009 Advancing Your Education with Dr. Chad Smith

In this episode, we are talking to Dr. Chad Smith. Dr. Smith is a high school principal as well as a professor for a graduate program here in East Tennessee. We sat down with Dr. Smith to discuss the value of continuing your education as an educator. So many teachers are going back to school to get a Master’s, EdS, or even doctorate degree for different reasons such as a pay raise, having the education needed to pursue administration, or even just for personal development to be the best teac...

#008 Top Ten Things I Wish I Knew Before Teaching

In today’s episode, we are listing the top ten things that we wish we knew before becoming teachers. I have been teaching for 9 years and Kelsey has been teaching for 4, but there are definitely things that we wish we had known prior to entering the education field.  None of these things would have changed our decision to become educators, but they are things that would have made our experiences less challenging. Mentioned in the Show: 101 Ways to Ditch That Textbook with G Suite Newsp...

#007 Keeping Up with Kelsey Cansler

WE'RE BAAAAACK!!! We have a brand new season with brand new episodes! We even have a brand new surprise waiting for you at the end of this episode.  In this episode, we interview Kelsey Cansler. Kelsey is a middle school language arts teacher who is passionate about education, running, and podcasting. In this interview we talk to Kelsey about her educational experience at every level, what she enjoys about teaching, and what we can expect from her moving forward! Resources in this Episod...

#006 Ditch That Textbook with Matt Miller

In this episode, I interview the textbook ditcher himself, Matt Miller. Matt Miller is a teacher, blogger and presenter from Indiana. He has infused technology and innovative teaching methods in his classes for more than 10 years. He is the author of the book Ditch That Textbook: Free Your Teaching and Revolutionize Your Classroom and writes at the Ditch That Textbook blog about using technology and creative ideas in teaching. Connect with Matt Miller Twitter Blog Resources Mentioned i...

#005 Kids Deserve It with Todd Nesloney

In this episode, I interview one of my #eduheroes: Todd Nesloney. Todd is a principal, author, speaker, and much more. In this interview, we discuss the importance of getting connected and sharing your story. Todd Nesloney is the Principal at a PreK-5 school in Texas. He is an award winning author for his work in co-authoring “Kids Deserve It!” and “Flipping 2.0: Practical Strategies for Flipping Your Class” and his brand new release “Stories from Webb”. Todd is passionate about education an...

#004 Trypod Recommendations

  In this episode, I discuss my journey into podcasts, podcasting, and some of my favorite podcasts. #Trypod is a social media movement to get more people listening and involved in the podcast universe.  Top Tenn Tech Tip: Screencastify #Trypod Recommendations: Google Teacher Tribe House of #EDtech Podcast PD Cult of Pedagogy Teaching Keating Podcasters to Connect With: Matt Miller & Kasey Bell Chris Nesi Stacy Lindes & AJ Bianco Jennifer Gonzalez Wes Kieschnick Fee...

#003 Career Exploration and CTE with Melissa Crabtree

In this episode, I interview Melissa Crabtree. We discuss the importance and value of career exploration and CTE in secondary education. This is some amazing content from and amazing educator! Top Tenn Tech Tip Quizlet Quizlet Live Students playing Quizlet Live... and in action! Content Career and Technical Education (CTE) Career Exploration TN Promise Contact Melissa Crabtree - [email protected] Derrick Crabtree  Twitter - @crabtreehms & @toptennteaching F...

#002 Growth Mindset & Flexible Learning with Katie Miller

In this episode, I interview my sister, Katie Miller. Katie is a Recruiting Coordinator for Clayton Home Building Group in Maryville, Tennessee. Katie has a unique perspective to offer growing up, and currently living in, an educators' family. Katie has had a unique learning experience in education and there are many students out there today like her. Katie is a prime example of the value of a growth mindset and flexible learning environments for all.    Katie Miller  Top Tenn Tech Tip ...

#001 BCS Rocks & 1:World with Mike Crabtree

In this episode, I interview Blount County School's Assistant Director of Schools (and my father), Mike Crabtree. Mr. Crabtree discusses his start in education, Reading Rocks, 1:World, and much more (including a special appearance from my son, Liam)! To connect:  Twitter @crabtreehms @toptennteaching Instagram Facebook  Leave feedback: I would love to hear from you and get ideas about what you are interested in hearing about! Flipgrid

#000 Top Tenn Teaching Intro

Welcome to Top Tenn Teaching. This podcast spotlights outstanding teachers from Tennessee, the United States, and all over the world. We focus on innovation and technology in education. We look forward to hearing from and connecting with educators everywhere. To connect: Twitter @crabtreehms @toptennteaching Instagram Facebook Leave feedback: I would love to hear from you and get ideas about what you are interested in hearing about! Flipgrid

Top Tenn Teaching