Category: Podcast Episodes

Ep. 177 | Lightspeed: The Impact of Classroom Acoustics with Ray Young

In this episode, I give you the reasons I haven’t dropped an episode in a month. You’re going to want to hear why, trust me! I also delve into a critical yet often overlooked aspect of education: classroom acoustics. Join me as I chat with Ray Young from Lightspeed to explore the profound influence of acoustics on both teachers and students in the classroom. Discover how Lightspeed, a leading innovator in classroom audio solutions, is revolutionizing the educational experience. From enhancing teacher instruction to boosting student engagement, Ray reveals how the right acoustic environment can make all the difference in the classroom Buen provecho!

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About Ray Young

Ray Young is the Director of Education Design & Development at Lightspeed. A 100 percent employee-owned company, Lightspeed is on a mission to help every student hear every word. 

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Ep. 176 | 5 Tips To Keep Admin Out Of Your Classroom

In this episode, I give you 5 tips to help keep admin out of your classroom. This is not a shot at administration at all. We all know that you have a job to do but as teachers, seeing an administrator walk through your door in the middle of teaching can bring extra stress and anxiety to even veteran teachers. These 5 tips will also help make you a better teacher at your campus so admin… you’re welcome! While recording this episode, I’m drinking a chocolate banana protein smoothie to keep it light and filling. I hope you’re off to a great start and as always, Buen provecho!

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Ep. 175 | Shifting Ed: All Things Lumio and EdShift With Katie Novak and Kris Astle

In this episode, I chat shifting ed with Katie Novak and Kris Astle. They are co-hosts of The EdShift Podcast and are always down for some educational conversation. This particular episode was recorded live at ISTE in Philadelphia. It was actually recorded at the Lumio booth with their own equipment! This is a great conversation that touches on brain research, how The EdShift Podcast came to be, and how Lumio can be used without a SMART Board! Check out the great conversation and also check Lumio out for yourself! Buen provecho!

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About Katie Novak

Katie Novak is a global strategist, writer, and speaker focused on elements that connect us at our core, like identity and our sense of self. She is passionate about education and the impact of connecting students to their learning in authentic ways and bringing the science of learning and play into classrooms. She brings her experience in museum and outdoor education, advocacy, and community building to the EdTech space. 

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About Kris Astle

Kris Astle is an experienced educator with a passion for elevating student voice. She has a global understanding of trends, research-based best practices, educational needs, and the facilitation of change in the education landscape. Kris started her career in the classroom, teaching first in Switzerland and then in the US. She has launched both IB and ESL programs in schools she has worked in. She is passionate about meeting both students and teachers where they are and helping them use technology to follow their passions.

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Ep. 174 | 2023-2024 BOY Keynote: Setting the Stage for a Successful School Year

In this episode, I deliver my 2023-2024 Beginning Of The Year Keynote. The summer is (almost) over and school will be in full swing soon. I give some tips and advice for you to set the stage for a successful school year. I delivered this keynote while enjoying some egg fried rice. Much like the beginning of a school year, egg fried rice is all about preparation. Check out my video below on how to make this delicious recipe. I hope you kick start your year in full swing and as always,  Buen provecho!

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Ep. 173: Unleashing STEM Creativity: Magicbits – The Key to Innovation w/ Ranjan de Costa And Migara Amithodhana

In this episode, I chat Magicbit STEM Education Kits with Ranjan de Costa and Migara Amithodhana. Don’t know what Magicbits are? No problem! These kits are designed for students to unleash their creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving skills in the classroom. Students program them to complete all sorts of tasks. The best part is that they can be used by those who have no coding experience to even the savviest of coders. To connect with OmniPro, Ranjan, and Migara, use the links below. Buen provecho!

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About Ranjan de Costa

In 1991, Ranjan de Costa founded OmniPro as a San Francisco Bay Area VAR (Value Added Reseller) and today, OmniPro is a computer systems integrator and IT supplier. Ranjan de Costa’s goal has always been to help students in need, schools without tech resources, as well as the government and education markets with budget short-falls.

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About Migara Amithodana

With a degree in electronics and telecommunications engineering, Migara has been involved in developing technical solutions for various fields in Sri Lanka. He has more than 8 years of experience in the ICT industry and is a co-founder of Magicbit which promotes innovation and creativity for the next generation.

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Ep. 172: Longevity in Podcasting: A Conversation With The EduTech Guys

This episode is sponsored by Propello. Are you a teacher that’s tired of talking? Are you an admin that’s looking to infuse more energy into your classrooms? Look no further than Propello.

Propello’s teaching and learning platform is designed to help schools and districts shift away from old-school, “sit and get” teaching. Instead, Propello is designed to help every teacher embrace student-centered, hands-on, and inquiry-based instruction. 

Propello combines standards-aligned curriculum, scaffolding like language translations and leveled reading, and embedded teacher guidance to ensure every student, in every classroom, gets a first-class learning experience. 

Learn more and sign up for free at www.propello.com

In this episode, I chat about longevity in podcasting with David Henderson and Jeff Madlock AKA, The EduTech Guys. These guys have been in the edtech podcasting game for over 10 years and have over 1,000 episodes in conference coverage alone! These are my favorite edtech podcasters and I had the opportunity to chat with them on my show about what it takes to stay in the game for so long. Peep the episode to hear the organic, in-person conversation Listen to it and share it with others. To connect with David and Jeff, use the links below. Buen provecho!

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About David and Jeff AKA The EduTech Guys

EduTechGuys is a high-intensity rollercoaster ride of super fun which takes mortal form in the two distinct entities which are David Henderson and Jeff Madlock. Crafted in the fires of Mt. Wannahockaluggie, these two self-proclaimed high priests of edtech first started navigating the world of educational technology on the web through a podcast, over a ravine in a rainstorm in 2015 (Sharkbait, ooh ha ha). Since then the two have traveled the nation bringing their joy for silly puns and more importantly sharing the journey of each educator they encounter.

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Ep. 171: The Power Of Pause: Being In The Moment With Kristin And Joe Merrill

This episode is sponsored by Propello. Are you a teacher that’s tired of talking? Are you an admin that’s looking to infuse more energy into your classrooms? Look no further than Propello.

Propello’s teaching and learning platform is designed to help schools and districts shift away from old-school, “sit and get” teaching. Instead, Propello is designed to help every teacher embrace student-centered, hands-on, and inquiry-based instruction. 

Propello combines standards-aligned curriculum, scaffolding like language translations and leveled reading, and embedded teacher guidance to ensure every student, in every classroom, gets a first-class learning experience. 
Learn more and sign up for free at www.propello.com

In this episode, I chat with Kristin and Joe Merrill while at ISTE Live 23. We chat about the delicate balance of being a content creator and a parent. They’re still in the classroom doing their thing and traveling to speak at conferences. How do they do it? Why do they do it? Who does the laundry? Peep the episode to hear the organic, in-person conversation Listen to it and share it with others. To connect with Kristin and Joe, use the links below. Buen provecho!

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About Kristin and Joe Merrill

Kristin and Joe are Fourth and First Grade teachers and authors of the InterACTIVE Class series. Together, put a spin on traditional strategies by infusing EdTech with learning that meets the needs of all students.

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Ep. 170: From Impact To Influence: Inspiration With Jed Stefanowicz And Manuel Herrera

This episode is sponsored by Propello. Are you a teacher that’s tired of talking? Are you an admin that’s looking to infuse more energy into your classrooms? Look no further than Propello.
Propello’s teaching and learning platform is designed to help schools and districts shift away from old-school, “sit and get” teaching. Instead, Propello is designed to help every teacher embrace student-centered, hands-on, and inquiry-based instruction. 
Propello combines standards-aligned curriculum, scaffolding like language translations and leveled reading, and embedded teacher guidance to ensure every student, in every classroom, gets a first-class learning experience. 
Learn more and sign up for free at www.propello.com
In this episode, I chat with Jed Stefanowicz and Manuel Herrera to discuss the power of influence by being a rule breaker and changemaker. We chat about Jed’s new book, Impact To Influence, as well as Manny’s path through the EdTech landscape. This is a great episode and will probably not be the last one you hear amongst the three of us. Listen to it and share it with others. To connect with Jed and Manuel, use the links below. Buen provecho!

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About Jed Stefanowicz

Jed Stefanowicz provides job-embedded professional development, leadership, and instructional coaching for academic technology. Through conferences, workshops, and coaching, Jed aims to engage and build staff/student digital learning capacity, keeping the focus on practice over product. As a 28 year elementary educator, speaker, blogger, and former Massachusetts Teach Plus Policy Fellow, Jed shares his passion for effective tech integration to transform teaching and learning, creating engaging and equitable digital learning environments and experiences that activate, innovate, and motivate digital learning. He is the Author of Take AIM at Digital Learning: Activate, Innovate, Motivate, and Impact to Influence

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Ep. 169: Lessons in Wellness: Nurturing Student And Teacher Wellbeing w/ Christine Ravesi-Weinstein

This episode is sponsored by Propello. Are you a teacher that’s tired of talking? Are you an admin that’s looking to infuse more energy into your classrooms? Look no further than Propello.

Propello’s teaching and learning platform is designed to help schools and districts shift away from old-school, “sit and get” teaching. Instead, Propello is designed to help every teacher embrace student-centered, hands-on, and inquiry-based instruction. 

Propello combines standards-aligned curriculum, scaffolding like language translations and leveled reading, and embedded teacher guidance to ensure every student, in every classroom, gets a first-class learning experience. 

Learn more and sign up for free at www.propello.com

In this episode, I chat with Christine Ravesi-Weinstein to discuss both student AND educator well being. She’s an author, speaker, mental health advocate, educational leader, editor, and vlogger. She’s got quite a story to tell and has even started her own non-profit organization, Running From Anxiety. This is a great conversation that EVERY EDUCATOR NEEDS TO HEAR. Listen to it and share it with others. To connect with Christine, use the links below. Buen provecho!

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About Christine Ravesi-Weinstein

Christine Ravesi-Weinstein currently serves as a high school Assistant Principal in Massachusetts, USA and previously worked as a high school science department chair for four years and classroom teacher for 15. Diagnosed with anxiety and depression at 23, Christine began her journey towards mental wellness. She began a non-profit organization in June of 2017 aimed at removing the stigma of mental illness and promoting physical activity as a means to cope with anxiety. Now she works as an author, speaker, and the CEO of her own publishing company. Christine helps educators prioritize student mental health in the face of 21st century technology. 

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Ep. 168: X-Factor Publishing And Student Podcasting With Matthew Joseph

This episode is sponsored by Propello. Are you a teacher that’s tired of talking? Are you an admin that’s looking to infuse more energy into your classrooms? Look no further than Propello.

Propello’s teaching and learning platform is designed to help schools and districts shift away from old-school, “sit and get” teaching. Instead, Propello is designed to help every teacher embrace student-centered, hands-on, and inquiry-based instruction. 

Propello combines standards-aligned curriculum, scaffolding like language translations and leveled reading, and embedded teacher guidance to ensure every student, in every classroom, gets a first-class learning experience. 

Learn more and sign up for free at www.propello.com

In this episode, I chat with Matthew Joseph to discuss his publishing company, X-Factor. He’s a published author and has held many positions in education. He’s also a podcaster who’s passionate about promoting student voice through podcasts as well. We discuss his EDU path and also tap into the importance of empowering others to ensure longevity. To connect with Matthew, use the links below. Buen provecho!

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About Matthew Joseph

Dr. Matthew X. Joseph is currently the Director of Evaluation, Supervision, Mentoring, and Hiring in Brockton Public Schools. He is also the CEO of X-Factor EDU consulting and publishing. Experiences such as Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Director of Digital Learning and Innovation, elementary school principal, classroom teacher, and district professional development specialist have provided Matt with incredible insights on how to best support teaching and learning

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