Tag: tcea

Ep. 272 | Stations: The Secret Ingredient To Differentiation w/ Melanie Rhode and Bernadette Zamora

Struggling with differentiation? These two teachers share how station rotations transformed their classrooms—and their sanity. Real talk, tech tips, and spicy nuggets you won’t want to miss!

This episode is sponsored by MagicSchool AI. With over 6 million users worldwide, MagicSchool offers more than 80 educator-friendly tools that support everything from AI literacy instruction to smarter lesson planning. To learn more and get started, visit www.magicschool.ai.

Differentiation doesn’t have to feel like chaos! In this episode recorded live at the TCEA Elementary Technology Conference, I chat with Melanie Rhode and Bernadette Zamora, two incredible educators, who break down how they use station rotations to meet the needs of every learner. We unpack what differentiation really means, how they plan rotations, manage tech tools, and handle off-task behavior. You’ll also hear practical tips on grading, station setup, and how to kick off your school year with strong routines. If you’re looking to spice up your instruction and streamline your workflow, this one’s for you!

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

About Melanie Rhode

Melanie is a third grade teacher at an independent school in Houston. She’s taught for 28 years. She’s taught 1,2,3,4,and 5th grade and loves anything ELA.

About Bernadette Zamora

Bernadette has been in education for almost 16 years. She has taught 3rd grade, 4th grade and 5th grade and was an instructional specialist for two years. She is currently teaching 2nd grade and teaches all subject areas.

Ep. 271 | How To Run A School Makerspace With Cari Orts

Running a makerspace? Learn what it takes, what to skip, and how to thrive in this hands-on educator role—straight from Cari Ots who manages two makerspaces.

This episode is sponsored by MagicSchool AI. With over 6 million users worldwide, MagicSchool offers more than 80 educator-friendly tools that support everything from AI literacy instruction to smarter lesson planning. To learn more and get started, visit www.magicschool.ai.

What does it really mean to run a makerspace? In this episode, recorded live at the TCEA Elementary Technology Conference, I chat with Cari Orts who runs two school makerspaces. She shares the must-haves (and nice-to-haves), what a makerspace is not, and how to thrive if you’re suddenly handed the makerspace keys. Whether you’re a tech coach, a teacher, or an administrator, this episode is packed with practical tips and inspiration to bring creativity, collaboration, and curiosity to life in your school.

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

Ep. 267 | Why You Should Attend The Elementary Technology Conference w/ Jeannine Freeman

Discover why the Elementary Technology Conference in Galveston, Texas is the ultimate blend of PD and paradise as Jeannine Freeman from TCEA shares what makes this event a must-attend.

What do flip-flops, beachfront views, and cutting-edge edtech have in common? They’re all part of the Elementary Technology Conference in Galveston, Texas! In this episode, Jeannine Freeman from TCEA joins us to dish on why this event is a must for educators looking to blend sunshine with professional growth. In this special episode, you’ll find out what makes this conference unlike any other—and why it might just become your favorite PD getaway.

Learn More And Register For The Elementary Technology Conference

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

About Jeannine Freeman

As TCEA’s partnerships and events manager, Jeannine Freeman plays a vital role in planning many of the events the organization’s 85,000 members know and love. Each year, Jeannine manages speakers and their content for the System and Network Administrators Conference, the TCEA Convention and Exposition, and the Elementary Technology Conference (ETC). As a previous elementary educator, her heart beats for this niche population, which makes ETC one of her favorite events to plan and attend.

Connect With Jeannine and TCEA

Ep. 260 | It Takes 10 Years To Get Started: The Hustle w/ Jorge Valenzuela, Jean Darnell, And Andre Daughty

How do you turn your passion for education into a platform for impact? At TCEA 2025, Jorge Valenzuela, Jean Darnell, Andre Daughty, and I uncovered the secret—hustle, heart, and connections. Meet “The Tech Thrillas” and hear how we got here!

This episode is sponsored by Brisk Teaching. To learn more and get started, visit www.briskteaching.com.

What does it take to turn a passion for education into a thriving career of speaking, presenting, and inspiring others? If you’ve ever wondered how conference presenters get started, or if you dream of taking your expertise beyond your school walls, this episode is for you.

At TCEA 2025, I had the privilege of sitting down with three incredible educators—each of us on our own unique journey but united by a shared love for teaching, technology, and transformation. Over the course of our conversation, one thing became clear: success doesn’t just happen—it’s built on passion, persistence, and a whole lot of hustle.

The Road to Success: What It Really Takes

We all took different paths to get where we are today, but some common themes emerged:

🔥 Passion Drives Everything – We didn’t start out thinking we’d be presenters or keynote speakers. We simply loved what we did, shared it with others, and opportunities started opening up.

💪 The Hustle is Real – From writing proposals to presenting at local events (sometimes for free!) to saying “yes” to the scary opportunities, we put in the work. Success isn’t luck—it’s consistent effort over time.

🎤 Speaking & Presenting is a Skill You Build – None of us were born keynote speakers. We learned, practiced, and improved by putting ourselves out there, getting feedback, and refining our craft.

🤝 Connections Matter – This episode is proof that relationships shape careers. Our paths crossed through conferences, social media, and shared experiences. Now, we’re “The Tech Thrillas”—a group with big plans ahead!

So, How Can You Get Started?

If you’re an educator who wants to share your ideas on a bigger stage, here’s what we recommend:

  1. Start Local – Present at your school, district, or regional events. Build your confidence and experience.
  2. Find Your Niche – What are you passionate about? What do people always ask you for advice on? Lean into that expertise.
  3. Apply for Conferences – Submit proposals to events like TCEA, ISTE, FETC, and state-level edtech conferences.
  4. Connect & Collaborate – Network with others in the field, engage on social media, and don’t be afraid to reach out to speakers you admire.
  5. Keep Learning & Growing – The best speakers are also lifelong learners. Keep pushing yourself to improve!

The Tech Thrillas Are Just Getting Started!

What started as a conversation turned into something much bigger. We’re now “The Tech Thrillas”—a group of passionate educators ready to make waves in edtech. This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to see where this journey takes us.

🎧 Listen to the full episode for inspiration, motivation, and maybe even the push you need to start your own journey!

Ep. 259 | Crayons & Content: Why Creativity In The Classroom Matters With Monica Roach

Is creativity disappearing in today’s classrooms? Not if we rethink how we teach! In this episode, Monica Roach shares simple ways to keep creativity alive while still covering content. Listen now for fresh ideas! 🎙️✨

Would you like me to adjust anything or add more?

This episode is sponsored by Brisk Teaching. To learn more and get started, visit www.briskteaching.com.

Is Creativity Disappearing from the Classroom?

If you’re an educator, you’ve probably felt the weight of content coverage. Standards, testing, pacing guides—it all adds up, leaving little room for creative exploration. But is creativity truly being squeezed out of the classroom, or is there a way to weave it seamlessly into our content-driven instruction?

I recently sat down with Monica Roach, an expert in fostering creativity in education, and she had a powerful message: Creativity is still possible—it just looks different than it used to.

Why Creativity Feels Like It’s Disappearing

Many teachers feel that creativity has taken a backseat because of the intense focus on standards and testing. And while it’s true that instructional time is precious, we don’t have to choose between creativity and content. Instead, we need to shift how we view creative teaching.

Creativity and Content Can Coexist—Here’s How

In this episode, Monica Roach shares several actionable ways teachers can embed creativity into their lessons without losing precious instructional time:

  1. Creative Thinking Routines – Simple activities like “What If?” scenarios, brainstorming sessions, or open-ended questions can spark curiosity and deepen understanding of content.
  2. Choice-Based Assignments – Give students the freedom to show mastery in different ways: a podcast, a comic strip, a short story, or even a mini-documentary. The learning stays rigorous, but the engagement skyrockets.
  3. Real-World Problem Solving – Connect lessons to real-life challenges. If students are learning about fractions, have them design a recipe. Studying history? Let them create a modern-day news broadcast about past events.
  4. Art, Music, and Movement – Even in core subjects, incorporating music, drawing, or hands-on activities can activate different parts of the brain and make learning stick.
  5. Low-Lift, High-Impact Strategies – Creativity doesn’t have to mean elaborate projects. Quick creative warm-ups, like “One-Minute Sketches” or “Six-Word Summaries,” get students thinking differently without taking up much class time.

The Big Takeaway

Creativity isn’t gone—it’s evolving. As educators, we have the power to design lessons that engage students in meaningful ways while still meeting standards. The key is to make space for creative thinking within the content, rather than seeing it as an “extra.”

So, how will you bring creativity back into your classroom?

🎧 Listen to the full conversation with Monica Roach on the latest episode and get inspired to make learning more engaging than ever!

Ep. 258 | EdTech & Eats: Trivia Fun At TCEA 2025 With Frankie Baker

EdTech meets food in this fun TCEA 2025 trivia episode! Test your knowledge against Frankie Baker’s on meals, ingredients, classroom tools, and more. Play along and see if you can outsmart us! 🎉🍔

This episode is sponsored by Brisk Teaching. To learn more and get started, visit www.briskteaching.com.

After days packed with inspiring sessions, innovative tools, and miles of walking through the expo hall at TCEA 2025, I knew it was time for something a little different. Sure, we love discussing pedagogy, emerging trends, and the latest in classroom technology, but sometimes, you just need a moment to have some fun. That’s why we decided to shake things up with a special episode of trivia—combining two things we love: edtech and food! In this special episode, I sit down with Frankie Baker to test her edtech and food trivia while at TCEA 2025. She had three lifelines on the other side of the microphone and camera to help her get through it.

Why EdTech and Food?
Think about it—both food and education are essential parts of our daily lives. We prepare, consume, and share them in ways that bring people together. Plus, in both fields, innovation is always on the menu. From smart kitchen gadgets to AI-driven learning platforms, there’s a surprising amount of overlap!

A Taste of Our Trivia Questions:

  • What dish originated in which country?
  • Which extension based app can help save teachers hours of time with student writing feedback?
  • What’s educational trend boomed in the 2010’s and included “The Oregon Trail”?

During the episode, we put our knowledge (and our guest’s!) to the test, sparking some hilarious moments and unexpected learning along the way. The best part? You can play along and see if you can outsmart us!

So, whether you’re an edtech guru, a foodie at heart, or just someone who loves a good trivia challenge, this episode is for you. Grab a snack, press play, and let’s dive into some seriously fun learning! Buen provecho!

Ep. 257 | The Price We Pay For AI With Brianna Hodges and Carl Hooker

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing education, but at what cost? That’s the big question we tackled in this live podcast session at TCEA 2025 with our incredible guests, Brianna Hodges and Carl Hooker. In a world where AI tools are becoming classroom staples, are we equipping students with AI literacy—or simply creating a generation that leans too hard on automation? And as educators, how do we balance AI’s benefits with the risk of diminishing creativity?

We explored these critical questions with the help of a lively audience, diving into real-world scenarios where AI enhances learning—and where it might be holding us back. But because we believe learning should be fun (and a little unpredictable), we also spiced things up with a hot sauce challenge and food trivia. Let’s just say some of us left the stage with a newfound respect for mild salsa.

Throughout the episode, we discuss:

  • What AI literacy really means for educators and students
  • The potential dangers of over-relying on AI
  • Whether AI is killing creativity or simply changing how we define it
  • Audience insights on how they use (or avoid) AI in their teaching
  • The great hot sauce debate—how much heat is too much?

This episode is packed with engaging discussions, thought-provoking insights, and some hilarious audience participation. Whether you’re an AI skeptic or an enthusiast, you’ll walk away with new perspectives—and maybe even a craving for some spicy snacks.

Tune in and join the conversation! What do you think is the real cost of AI? Buen provecho!

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

About Brianna Hodges

Learner. Listener. Leader. Storyteller. Texas EdTech of the Year (2017). K12 Administrator to Watch (2018). National Advisor and Spokesperson for Future Ready Instructional Coaches. An experienced school and district leader with a superpower for storytelling (Bri spent 10+ years as a PR exec) and developing capacity, Brianna works with school districts across the country to transform learning for all ages and stages. Let’s rewrite the story of what school has been and provide purpose to practice, and institute innovative change together.

Connect With Brianna Hodges

About Carl Hooker

Carl Hooker is a 25-year educator from Austin, TX. He’s an 8-time author, 5-time podcast host, 2-time bar owner, 3-time father, and 1-time husband. His latest book, Learning Evolution tackles the challenges of AI-enhanced learning and empowers teachers to leverage this new technology in creative ways for learning. He identifies as a pizza-lover, with a regular household debate between Detroit-style and New York-style.

Connect With Carl Hooker

Ep. 256 | TCEA Takeaways: Bringing STEM Ideas and Podcasting to Life w/ Brenda Gutierrez

STEM meets podcasting! Join Brenda Gutierrez and I as she shares her first TCEA experience and her mission to bring back STEM ideas and launch a podcasting initiative to Ysleta de Sur Pueblo Department of Tribal Empowerment.

This episode is sponsored by Brisk Teaching. To learn more and get started, visit www.briskteaching.com.

What happens when a first-time attendee at TCEA sets out to bring back new ideas for STEM—and ends up leaving with a vision for podcasting innovation? I invited Brenda Gutierrez, Student Services Coordinator at Ysleta de Sur Pueblo Department Of Tribal Empowerment in El Paso, Texas, to share her exciting journey.

After attending my “Keep It Simple: Micropodcasting In The Classroom” session at TCEA, Brenda was struck by the potential of podcasting as a tool to amplify student voice, foster collaboration, and provide professional development for educators. She realized that bringing STEM back to her organization could go beyond robotics kits and digital tools—what if they could create their own podcasts, documenting successes, challenges, and discoveries along the way?

Key Takeaways from the Episode:

  1. TCEA Planning: Learn what Brenda plans to learn more about while at TCEA 2025
  2. STEM Ideas For Her Community: We discuss simple steps to start a podcast without fancy equipment or tech headaches.
  3. Tips For TCEA 2025 Success Without Overwhelm: I give Brenda some advice being that she is a first timer at a conference of this magnitude.

Why This Matters

As educators, we know the value of making learning visible. Podcasting offers a dynamic way to do that by highlighting successes, reflecting on lessons learned, and even showcasing student-led discussions on STEM topics. Brenda is proof that a simple spark of inspiration can lead to transformational growth once she takes it back to her organization.

If you’ve been toying with the idea of launching a podcast or revamping your STEM curriculum, this episode will give you the motivation and practical advice to make it happen!

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

Ep. 255| Teaching Smarter, Not Harder: Unlocking the Power of Brisk Teaching with Suvi Gluskin

In this episode, I speak with Suvi Gluskin from Brisk Teaching about their AI-powered Chrome extension designed for educators. Suvi explains how Brisk simplifies lesson planning, grading, and feedback, enabling teachers to save significant time while enhancing student engagement and differentiation in the classroom.

This episode is sponsored by Brisk Teaching. To learn more and get started, visit www.briskteaching.com.

Ever feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to plan lessons, grade assignments, and still have time to breathe? In today’s episode, I chat with Suvi Gluskin, Head of Marketing and Community for Brisk Teaching. We dive into Brisk Teaching—the AI-powered Chrome extension that’s here to change the game for educators. Suvi shares how Brisk streamlines your teaching tasks, make differentiation a breeze, and frees up your time for what truly matters: connecting with students. Buen Provecho!

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

About Suvi Gluskin

Suvi Gluskin is the Head of Marketing at Brisk Teaching, the most popular AI-powered Chrome Extension for educators, helping over 1 million teachers save 10-20 hours per week. Brisk seamlessly integrates with educators’ existing tools to support differentiation, content creation, feedback, and writing authentication. Prior to Brisk, Suvi spent seven years leading Community at Seesaw Learning and previously worked at PBS KIDS. She holds degrees in Music and Child Development from Carnegie Mellon University.

Connect With Suvi and Brisk Teaching

TCEA 2025 EdTech Bites x Brisk Teaching Walking Food Tour

If you’re heading to TCEA, you’re not going to want to miss out on the EdTech Bites x Brisk Teaching Walking Food Tour of Downtown, Austin!

Pssst! Hey, TCEA peeps… WE’RE BAAAACK! That’s right, another Walking Food Tour for TCEA 2025 in Downtown, Austin. The awesome folks at Brisk Teaching and I have partnered to be able to offer this exclusive event to 20 participants. I can’t think of a better way to kick off TCEA 2025 than with Brisket and Brisk It! Get it?! See what I did there?! Anyway… Check out the details below and click on the image below to sign up.

TCEA Walking Food Tour Details

  • When is it? Saturday, February 1st 2025
  • What time is this exclusive event? 6:00pm-8:00pm CT
  • How many people can attend? 20 attendee spots
  • How much does it cost to attend? Cost is $15 per person
  • Where will we be stopping to eat? See below
Stop 1Stop 2Stop 3
Veracruz All NaturalCoopers Old Time Pit BBQVooDoo Doughnuts
A Variety Of Steak , Chicken, Al Pastor Pork, Vegetarian Tacos, and Aguas Frescas (all natural vegetable and fruit juices)Smoked Brisket, Sausage, Mac & Cheese, and Potato SaladDonuts… Do I Really Need To Explain Any Further?!

Things To Consider Before Signing Up

  • There will be meat, dairy, and gluten
  • We will be walking about a mile total through Downtown Austin
  • Those participating will be responsible for getting to and from the food tour on their own

How Do I Sign Up and How Will I Know If I Got A Spot?

  • Click the image above to fill out the form using A PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS as district filters can and will block outside emails
  • Check your email frequently for further instructions
  • If you’re one of the first 20, you’ll receive instructions to submit payment to secure your spot (If you submit payment and have a change of plans, I cannot issue a refund but you can give your spot away to someone else and handle reimbursement with them)
  • You’ll receive your confirmation email by January 27th. If all spots are filled, you will receive an email stating so
  • As we get closer to the event, you’ll receive an email with the map, times, and further instructions

What Is Brisk Teaching?

Brisk is an easy-to-use Google Chrome extension that integrates time-saving AI directly into the platforms where teachers spend the most time, like Google Docs, Slides, articles, YouTube videos, PDFs, and more. With just a few clicks, Brisk quickly completes tasks that usually take hours, like generating student feedback, differentiating resources, creating instructional materials, and assessing student writing. Trusted by over 900,000 teachers, Brisk is the leading AI-powered Chrome Extension designed specifically for educators, helping them get more done in less time.

Install for FREE:  https://www.briskteaching.com/chrome-extension

2025 FETC and 2024 TCEA Walking Food Tour Recaps

Check out my 2024 TCEA Recap which includes footage from the Walking Food Tour to see what it’s all about. See you in Austin!