Category: Podcast Episodes

Ep. 167: Let’s Talk EduMatch With Sarah Thomas And Mandy Froehlich

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 Sarah Thomas and Mandy Froehligh from EduMatch while at ISTE 2023. Not sure what the heck EduMatch is? Peep this episode because more than likely, EduMatch has you covered with what you need in your EDU career. Not going to lie… it sounds like a dating site for teachers right?! It isn’t but that’s not to say that the idea for that is not brewing as we speak. Check out this episode and don’t forget to connect with everything that EduMatch, Sarah, and Mandy are doing for our fellow educators. To connect with Sarah, Mandy, and EduMatch use the links below. Buen provecho!

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

About Sarah Thomas

Sarah-Jane Thomas, PhD is a Regional Technology Coordinator in a large district in Maryland. She is the founder of the EduMatch project, which promotes connection and collaboration among educators around the world. Through EduMatch, Sarah has published several collaborative and individual books. EduMatch is also a recognized Google for Education professional development partner. 

Sarah serves as President on the Board of Directors for EduMatch Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit that supports grassroots work of students and educators. In addition, she is a co-author of the ISTE publication series, Closing the Gap, focusing on digital equity, as well as a Google Certified Innovator and trainer.

Sarah graduated from George Mason University with a doctoral degree in Education, and a concentration in International Education. She also holds a Master’s degree from Howard University in the field of Curriculum and Instruction.

Sarah was designated an ASCD Emerging Leader in 2016, and was recognized in EdTech Magazine’s 30 K-12 IT Influencers Worth a Follow in 2020. She was named by the National School Board Association as one of the “20 to Watch” in 2015. She was part of the Technical Working Group that refreshed the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Standards for Educators in 2016-2017, and in 2017, she received the ISTE “Making IT Happen” Award.

About Mandy Froehlich

Mandy Froehlich passionately encourages educators to create innovative change in their classrooms. An experienced Director of Innovation and Technology, technology integrator, and teacher, she has experience at many levels of the organizational structure. Her interest lies in reinvigorating and re-engaging teachers back into their profession, as well as what’s needed to support teachers in their pursuit of innovative and divergent thinking and teaching. She consults internationally with school districts and post-secondary institutions in the effective use of technology to support great teaching, mental health support for educators, and how to create organizational change. 

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Connect With Mandy Froehlich

Connect With EduMatch

Ep. 166: First Time At ISTE With Cathy Masrour and Craig Nicholls

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 Cathy Masrour and Craig Nicholls. This is their first time at ISTE Live so we discuss what sessions they are ready to hit, what social events they’re geared up for, and their expectations. Cathy is from Long Island, New York and Craig Nicholls came to Philly from Melbourne, Australia! Talk about frequent flier miles! I’m planning to catch up with them after ISTE is over to see what they actually got out of it. Peep this episode! To connect with Cathy and Craig, use the links below. Buen provecho!

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

About Cathy Masrour

Catherine Masrour is a librarian educator living on Long Island.  She is the 2022 SSLMA School Librarian of the Year.  Catherine has a doctorate in Education: Learning and Leadership and her interests are in the Library Learning Commons model, 21st-century learning, makerspaces, reluctant readers, and ELL students.  She runs a non-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting STEM enrichment opportunities for students in her community.  And, she is a former Peace Corps volunteer who served in Morocco.

About Craig Nicholls

Craig, with over 25 years of experience in teaching, specializes in K-10 Digital Technologies and promotes its integration across all subjects. He currently serves as the Director of Digital Learning at Melbourne Girls Grammar, where he works with teachers and students to improve the use of technology. Craig holds key roles in professional bodies like the Digital Learning and Teaching Victoria Committee and the Australian Council of Computers in Education. Additionally, he is recognized as an ISTE Community Leader, Adobe Education Leader, and Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert.

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Ep. 165: First Time At ISTE With Ronda Blevins and Jennifer Mitchell

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 Ronda Blevins and Jennifer Mitchell. This is their first time at ISTE Live so we discuss what they packed, what sessions they are ready to hit, and their expectations. They are great guests and were eager to discuss what they plan to get out of this conference. I’m planning to catch up with them after ISTE is over to see what they actually got out of it. Peep this episode! To connect with Ronda and Jennifer, use the links below. Buen provecho!

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

About Ronda Blevins

Dr. Ronda Blevins is an assistant professor of education and director of the job-embedded practitioner program at Carson-Newman University in East TN.  She’s ISTE Certified, a community leader, and part of the new Higher Ed Collective group.  She is also co-host the Perfect Chaos Podcast (a podcast about all things education) with her husband.  She got into the field of education through a different path, but is determined to make a difference in the lives of her students and their future students.  She is also in the process of building/creating the EAGLE Technology Lab, a place where future and current teachers can test out a variety of technology tools and find new ways to integrate technology into their classrooms.

About Jennifer Mitchell

Jennifer is from Westchester, NY and lives in northern VT. She’s married with 2 kids (19 and 17). She has taught PreK-Grade 6 and after teaching 6th-grade for 10 years just finished year 2 of being the Education Technology Integrationist at her school. 

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Ep. 164: Unpacking ISTE Live 2023 With Al Thomas

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 http://www.propello.com

In this episode, I chat with Al Thomas while at ISTE Live 2023 to unpack ISTE Live 2023! We chat everything from networking, to Philadelphia food, to student creativity! It’s a great conversation with an even better guest. If you were at ISTE, there’s a lot to unpack here. If you WEREN’T at ISTE, there’s still more to unpack as well. To learn more, listen to this episode. To connect with Al Thomas, use the links below. Buen provecho!

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

About Al Thomas

Al Thomas is the founder and CEO of Educopilot. He has more than 20 years of experience in education as a teacher, principal, district-level director, and consultant. He’s passionate about developing and curating unique, innovative solutions that improve learning for all. Al believes that if we are to prepare students for future success, we must equip them with creative problem-solving skills that harness their talents and abilities.

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Ep. 163: Hybrid Education w/ Ted Mo Chen From ClassIn

In this episode, I chat with Ted Mo Chen from ClassIn. ClassIn is an all in one platform for teachers, students, and parents. It focuses on being a central hub for all things teachers do and need as well as IT solutions for the classroom. They focus on hybrid learning and making it as seamless as possible. To learn more, listen to this episode. To connect with ClassIn, use the links below. Buen provecho!

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

About Ted Mo Chen

Ted Mo Chen is a serial EdTech entrepreneur now heading strategy and investment initiatives at ClassIn, the world’s most powerful hybrid classroom solutions provider. As of 2023, the company serves 50 million students and educators in 160+ countries, infusing their day-to-day blended instruction with unparalleled interactivity.  Ted’s career is rooted in the belief that edtech is a transformative power and equalizing force in our society.

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Ep. 162: Epson In The Classroom: More Than Projectors w/ Remy Del Mar

In this episode, I chat with Remy Del Mar from Epson. Remy is the Senio Product Manager for K-12 Projectors at Epson America but sets the record straight when it comes to what Epson is offering the EDU space. She goes into the technology they’re behind including AR headsets, wireless doc cams, and more! To learn more, listen to this episode. To connect with Epson, use the links below. Buen provecho!

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About Remy Del Mar

Remi Del Mar is the senior product manager for K-12 projectors at Epson America, Inc. Remi spearheads Epson’s vision of merging virtual and physical environments through projection and augmented reality technology sectors and works to define new applications. She continues to educate end-users on the endless capabilities of creating immersive experiences and promoting the ability to break perceptions of what is and into what can be.

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Ep. 161: Hip Hop In The Classroom: Flowin’ w/ Mike Judd From Flocabulary

In this episode, I chat with Mike Judd from Flocabulary. He’s the Senior Curriculum Manager at Nearpod and an actual Hip Hop MC! He takes us through the journey of how a Flocabulary song goes from idea to published song. There are a lot of moving parts to this to ensure that the finished product is worthy of being a part of the Flocabulary library and ultimately, a teacher’s playlist for students. To learn more, listen to this episode. To connect with Flocabulary and Nearpod, use the links below. Buen provecho!

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

About Mike Judd

Mike Judd is the Senior Curriculum Manager at Nearpod. He’s been with the Nearpod team since 2018.

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Ep. 160: LG in Education: More Than Just Microwaves And Rectangles w/ Vicky Sanville!

In this episode, I chat with Vicky Sanville from LG. She schools us on all of the EDU solutions LG has to offer. They are not just in your kitchen and mass producing high-end rectangles for your home. They’re actually providing viable solutions for educational institutions! To hear more, check out the episode. To learn more, connect with Avantis Education using the links below. Buen provecho!

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About Vicky Sanville

Victoria leads a growing team within LG Business Solutions that focuses on delivering best-in-class solutions to meet the unique strategies and challenges that Government and Education customers face. LG’s technology drives the strategic discussions surrounding: collaboration and connectivity, the flexible use of space and optimization of it, and resiliency efforts to ensure continuity of business/education and secure infrastructure. 

Learn More About LG

LG On Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriasanville/

Ep. 159: Let’s Take A Deep Dive Into ClassVR With Chris Klein From Avantis Education

In this episode, I chat with Chris Klein from Avantis Education at ISTE Live 23 in Philadelphia! Avantis supports learning through the Eduverse and ClassVR to immerse students into the learning. Their solutions integrate with other platforms in order to support educators regardless of what type of hardware they use. To hear more, check out the episode. To learn more, connect with Avantis Education using the links below. Buen provecho!

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

About Chris Klein

Chris Klein is head of education for the United States at Avantis Education, the leader in virtual reality technology for K-12 education and creators of the Eduverse and ClassVR.

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Ep. 158: What’s New Within The Renaissance Ecosystem w/ Todd Brekhus

In this episode, I chat with Todd Brekhus from Renaissance at ISTE Live 23 in Philadelphia! Renaissance has acquired many EdTech companies that you probably currently use in the classroom. He discusses his journey to Renaissance and how it has come full circle to help thread the needle for our teachers and students. To hear more, check out the episode. To learn more, connect with Renaissance using the links below. Buen provecho!

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About Todd Brekhus

Todd is an education technology innovator with nearly 30 years of experience. Most recently, he helped create myON, a personalized literacy platform that is part of Renaissance’s literacy portfolio. Previously, Todd served as Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for PLATO Learning, President and COO of Learning Elements, and Education Program Director for MCI WorldCom. Todd also spent eight years as a technology leader in schools. In 2014, he was awarded the prestigious Lamp Lighter Visionary Award by the Association of American Publishers and was named the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient by SIIA Company CODiE Awards.

Learn More About Renaissance