Welcome to the aggieTEACH Momentum Podcast brought to you be the aggieTEACH-Arts & Sciences program at Texas A&M University.
This podcast is meant to provide a little more insight and information to those seeking a secondary content teacher certification in Texas. We aim to provide episodes that help pre-service educators on the path to certification as well as leverage the experience of the current program coordinators and other guest speakers to support teachers in their first few years in the classroom.
The Momentum Podcast is hosted by aggieTEACH alumni and current aggieTEACH-Arts & Sciences Program Manager, Kenric Davies, MAT. Most recently, Kenric was a high school physics and astronomy teacher in the north Texas area. Learn more about Kenric HERE.
Listen anywhere you find your podcasts!
Episode 19: Why Teach?
Release Date: Tuesday, January 13th
Guest Speaker: Kenric Davies, MAT ’10, Program Manager for aggieTEACH-Arts & Sciences, College of Arts & Sciences at Texas A&M University
Summary: In this episode, guest host Dr. Jennifer Whitfield interviews aggieTEACH-Arts & Sciences Program Manager Kenric Davies about why he decided to become a high school educator. Kenric also shares why he eventually got out of the classroom to pursue his changing passion related to supporting educators in Texas.
Duration: 19:12
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Episode 20: Certification Exam Preparation
Release Date: Tuesday, January 27th
Guest Speaker: Alyssa Taylor ’26, Julianna Dublin ’26, Parker Doucette ’25, Abigail Wilson ’26
Summary: In this episode, we take a deep-dive conversation with teacher candidates Alysa, Julianna, Parker, and Abigail regarding the rigorous process of preparing for Texas secondary teacher certification exams. While the students briefly touch on their personal inspirations for entering the field , the primary focus is on the academic and logistical hurdles of the certification pathway. The episode serves as a practical guide for pre-service educators, leveraging the recent successes and stressors of current candidates to help those coming after them navigate the path to certification.
Duration: 35:12
Mentioned Resources
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Episode 21: Grading Practices
Release Date: Tuesday, February 10th
Guest Speaker: Christine Rittenhouse, AP Physics Teacher in Frisco ISD
Summary: In this episode, we feature a conversation with veteran AP Physics teacher Christine Rittenhouse regarding the implementation of student-centered grading practices in the secondary classroom. Christine shares her focus on a grading philosophy that emphasizes student growth, ownership, and mastery over traditional point-chasing. The episode serves as a practical guide for educators, detailing a multi-tiered assessment structure that leverages frequent feedback to help students navigate the learning cycle and reach their full academic potential.
Duration: 29:12
Mentioned Resources
- Grading from the Inside Out (book)
- Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics (book)
- Frisco ISD Grading Philosophy (2023)
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Episode 22: Inquiry in Science
Release Date: Tuesday, February 24th
Guest Speaker: Dr. Dawson Nodurft, Instructional Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Texas A&M University
Summary: In part 1 of our 4 part series looking at Inquiry Based Learning (IBL) in the classroom, guest Dr. Dawson Nodurft, Instructional Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Texas A&M University, describes his experiences implementing inquiry in the science classroom. Dr. Nodurft shares practical strategies for using counterintuitive demonstrations to spark curiosity while describing IBL as a way to develop critical thinking and highlighting the role of timely feedback in helping students master complex concepts.
Duration: 30:12
Mentioned Resources
- TAMU Physics & Astronomy Department
- TAMU Physics & Engineering Festival
- TAMU Physics Supplemental Material
- TAMU DEEP Program
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Episode 23: Inquiry in Social Studies
Release Date: Tuesday, March 10th
Guest Speaker: Dr. Sarah Wiseman, Social Studies Teacher at Liberty High School in Frisco ISD
Summary: In part 2 of our 4 part series looking at Inquiry Based Learning (IBL) in the classroom, guest Dr. Sarah Wiseman, veteran social studies teacher in Frisco ISD, describes her experiences using IBL with social studies classes. Dr. Wiseman shares practical strategies for scaffolding inquiry while describing IBL as a way to equip students with the critical thinking skills to make meaning in their world, which is essential for careers and citizenship.
Duration: 25:12
Mentioned Resources
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Episode 24: Inquiry in Math
Release Date: Tuesday, March 24th
Guest Speaker: Dr. Jennifer Austin, Professor of Instruction and Undergraduate Mathematics Faculty Advisor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Texas at Austin
Summary: In part 3 of our 4 part series on inquiry in the classroom, guest Dr. Jennifer Austin, Professor of Instruction at the University of Texas at Austin, describes her experiences implementing Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) in the mathematics classroom. Dr. Austin shares practical insights for applying inquiry in both small and large class settings while describing IBL as a powerful tool to engage students and help them find their academic voice, transforming the classroom from passive lecturing into a space for active, student-led discovery.
Duration: 33:12
Mentioned Resources
- Mathematical Association of America (MAA)
- MAA Inquiry Based Learning Special Interest Group
- Math Circles in Texas
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Episode 25: Inquiry in English
Release Date: Tuesday, April 7th
Guest Speaker: Dr. Sara DiCaglio, Assistant Professor of English at Texas A&M University
Summary: In the final part of our series on inquiry in the classroom, guest Dr. Sarah DiCaglio, Assistant Professor and Writing Program Administrator at Texas A&M University, describes her experiences implementing inquiry-based learning in the English classroom. Dr. DiCaglio shares practical insights into the process of writing as a form of thinking, emphasizing the importance of student discovery over finished products. She describes inquiry as a vital tool for helping students find their voice through language and navigating the challenges of the AI era by focusing on the transformative power of the writing process.
Duration: 36:12
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Episode 25.5: Inquiry Series Reflection
Release Date: Friday, April 17th
Summary: To round out the series on inquiry in the classroom, host Kenric Davies reflects on the universal themes found across the science, social studies, mathematics, and English episodes. In this bonus episode, Kenric shares his own experiences as a former physics and astronomy teacher to highlight how inquiry-based learning (IBL) transcends specific content areas and focuses on the fundamental process of learning. He discusses the critical role of asking powerful “how” and “why” questions to spark student curiosity and the importance of teachers stepping back to allow for student discovery. Kenric describes IBL as a vital tool for building student identity and agency, transforming the classroom into a space where students learn to analyze information and navigate the world with a critical, scientific mindset.
Duration: 19:12
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Episode 26: Gamification in Education
Release Date: Tuesday, April 21st
Guest Speaker: Dr. Michael Rugh, Associate Research Scientist, TAMU LIVE Lab
Summary: In this episode, we talk with a guest from the TAMU LIVE lab about Game Based Learning and using Gamification in the classroom. We also include a conversation about how Virtual Reality (VR) may be helpful for student learning and engagement in your classroom.
Duration: 29:12
Mentioned Resources
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Episode 27: Making Content Relevant
Release Date: Tuesday, May 5th
Guest Speaker: Dr. Justin Randolph, Assistant Professor in History at Texas A&M University & Adam Cook, Laboratory Manager/Sr. Forensic Engineer for Ethos Engineering & Testing
Summary: In this episode, we feature a conversation with Dr. Justin Randolph, Assistant Professor of History at Texas A&M, and Adam Cook, Laboratory Manager and Senior Forensic Engineer, regarding the implementation of strategies to make content relevant in the secondary classroom. Justin and Adam share their unique perspectives on connecting academic disciplines to the real world, ranging from the interpretive work of public history to the essential role of materials science in everyday infrastructure. The episode serves as a practical guide for educators, exploring how to move beyond rote memorization by using primary sources and industrial applications to engage students and help them understand the broader impact of their learning.
Duration: 39:12
Mentioned Resources
Listen Directly on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, & I Heart Radio
