Podcasts about hillbrook school

Episode Notes - In the new season of the Hillbrook School Podcast, host Bill Selak engages with Jay Van Buren, an innovative educator in the Hub at Hillbrook, as they explore the transformative potential of augmented reality (AR) in education. Jay shares his passion for integrating AR into the learning experience, highlighting how it differs from virtual reality by enhancing our interaction with the real world rather than isolating us from it. The conversation dives into the practical applications of AR, including Jay's development of the "Selflinder" project, where fifth graders create immersive cylinders that reflect their identities. This project not only allows students to express themselves but also empowers them to design an engaging experience that others can explore. With AR, students learn to create meaningful connections to specific locations, making their projects resonate on a personal level. Bill and Jay also discuss the exciting prospects of augmented reality tours and collaborative projects with local museums, emphasizing the importance of community and storytelling in education. They touch on how AR can make learning more interactive and impactful, helping students to think critically about design and user experience. As they navigate the intersection of technology and art, this episode encourages educators to embrace AR as a tool for fostering creativity, collaboration, and deeper connections among students. Tune in to discover how Hillbrook School is pioneering innovative educational practices that prepare students for a future where AR will play a significant role in learning and community engagement. Read transcriptRead transcript

Episode Notes - Bill Selak engages in a conversation with Clara, the Director of the Hub at Hillbrook. They challenge the stigma surrounding failure in education by advocating for "failing forward" and embracing the learning opportunities that come from making mistakes. Clara shares her experiences in the Hub, where hands-on projects often lead to unexpected lessons and a deeper understanding of practical applications like woodworking and 3D printing. Bill and Clara also discuss the transformative power of professional development (PD) for teachers, highlighting innovative sessions that range from building miniature cars to culinary challenges and deep dives into visual thinking strategies. They emphasize the importance of integrating subjects to reflect real-world scenarios and how projects can simultaneously address multiple educational standards. From the intricacies of sublimation printing to the nuances of music creation, this episode reveals the endless possibilities for creativity and innovation in education. Tune in to discover how Hillbrook School is redefining learning experiences for students and educators alike, fostering a culture where curiosity leads to lifelong skills and personal growth.Read transcript

Episode Notes - In this thought-provoking episode of the Hillbrook School Podcast, host Bill Selak delves deep into the evolving intersection of AI, education, and the creative arts. As we navigate the burgeoning landscape of artificial intelligence, Bill challenges the narrative surrounding AI in schools, focusing on the burgeoning role of creative writing in an AI-driven future. He introduces the concept of prompt engineering as an emerging career path, underscoring the importance of preparing students for jobs that are just beginning to take shape. Bill also breaks down the exciting capabilities of Sora, the latest AI tool that transforms text into video, revolutionizing the way we approach storytelling and film-making. He argues that the ability to craft descriptive writing is no longer just a marker of good prose; it's now the key to producing compelling visual content. By highlighting the direct correlation between the richness of language and the quality of AI-generated images and videos, this episode emphasizes the critical need for creativity and descriptive prowess in the classroom. As we head into Spring Break, Bill encourages educators and parents to embrace the potential of AI as a tool for enhancing the arts and equipping students with the skills to become the content creators and storytellers of tomorrow. This episode is not only a reflection on the current season's theme but also a forward-looking discussion about the essential role of the arts in shaping the educational landscape in an era of rapid technological advancement. Tune in for an insightful exploration of how AI is not just reshaping the future of media but is also reinforcing the value of artistic expression and writing skills in our students' education. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation that bridges the worlds of writing and creative arts in unprecedented ways. And stay tuned for the remaining episodes of the season, where we continue to celebrate the integral role of the arts in learning at Hillbrook School. Listen in, get inspired, and join us on this journey through innovation and creativity.Read transcript

Episode Notes - In this melodic episode of the Hillbrook School Podcast, host Bill Selak sits down with the multifaceted Derek Primo Silverman, music and "other things" maestro at Hillbrook. The conversation strikes a harmonious blend of music, technology, and education as they delve into the intricacies of the Winter Concert and the role AI played in refining the show choir's performance. Derek shares the behind-the-scenes magic of arranging popular songs, the unexpected tempo tweaks, and the innovative use of AI-driven audio manipulation software from iZotope to polish the choir's recordings. The duo also explores the broader implications of AI in audio, from enhancing student creativity to its potential for improving urban soundscapes and overall well-being. As they discuss the transformative power of tools like GarageBand and Loopy HD, the episode resonates with the excitement of making music production more accessible and inspiring for students. Tune in for an enlightening symphony of ideas, illustrating how AI is not just changing the future of music but also amplifying the educational experience at Hillbrook School. Listen in as Bill and Derek riff on the future of sound, and don't miss the buzz about upcoming musicals "13" and "Beauty and the Beast Junior."Read transcript

Episode Notes - Join host Bill Selak, Director of Technology at Hillbrook School, for an engaging and lively discussion with two special guests, both named Vanessa. In this episode, Vanessa Fernandez, Program and Research Lead for the Scott Center, and VanNessa Hulme Silberman, Performing Arts Director at Hillbrook, dive into the world of art and activism. They explore how art serves as a powerful tool for teaching and understanding complex subjects like early 20th-century literature, and how it reflects cultural shifts and technological advancements. The conversation also touches on the public art renaissance in San Jose and its impact on education. The Vanessas share their personal journeys in art and activism, discussing how they incorporate these elements into their teaching and personal projects. From transforming classic plays to reflect modern sensibilities to fostering student-led social impact projects, this episode is a testament to the power of art in shaping perspectives and driving change. Listen in for an inspiring blend of art, education, and activism, and how these elements are interwoven at Hillbrook School.Read transcript

Episode Notes - In this episode of the Hillbrook School podcast, host Bill Selak engages in a one-on-one conversation with Martin, the Hub Engineer at Hillbrook. Martin shares his unique journey from aspiring designer to industrial design graduate, highlighting his passion for helping students bring their creative dreams to life. He discusses the challenges and rewards of teaching, emphasizing the importance of failure as a learning tool. Martin also delves into his personal venture of crafting wallets, blending aesthetics with functionality, and the lessons learned from running a business. The episode explores the Hillbrook Engineering Learning program, where students are encouraged to experiment and innovate, and the impact of design thinking in education. Join Bill and Martin for an inspiring discussion on creativity, education, and the power of pursuing one's passions.Read transcript

Bill is the Director of Technology at Hillbrook School in Northern California. Passionate about helping educators harness the ever-changing face of technology to better individualize teaching and learning, he shares resources at billselak.com and through his Bill Selak Talks podcast. In this episode, Bill shares the incredibly important reminder that it's not just okay for us to take a break to engage in a creative outlet, it's essential. It's not a waste of time. It's an investment of time.

As school leaders, how do we have a high impact on our school's culture without adding another thing to teachers' plates? Where's that sweet spot where you get high impact with low effort? My answer to that is this year's Talent Show act for employees at Hillbrook School. Hear how we made a music video, […]

Episode Notes In this episode, Bill Selak sits down with Gulliver LaValle to discuss Hillbrook School's DEI Lens--a tool used for employees and board members for making decisions and having discussions in a more inclusive way.

Sarah Hollingsworth and Clara Ngo (both math/science teachers at Hillbrook School) talk with Emily Hendricks about all things identity, social justice, anti-racism and what it's like to try and integrate it all in teaching and working with students and faculty at an independent school.  Check out these referenced sources:“Showing Up for Racial Justice” Mike Fishback “The Big 8” of IdentityKimberly Krenshaw: IntersectionalityPeople of Color ConferenceZinn Education ProjectPolyanna OrgSEED

Gully LaValle, Director of DEI at Hillbrook School, and Emily Hendricks (@eh48) discuss the reality of creating and supporting a DEI framework in educational institutions.  What are its challenges and opportunities?For further resources and educational opportunities, check out comprehensive Gully's list of resources in supporting social justice and DEI work: https://bit.ly/2AB0OaO.  

It’s our first live podcast! Hillbrook School’s Vision 2020 strategic plan challenged us to reimagine the student experience, with a strong call to develop more concrete ways that we achieve...

In this episode, I talk with Annie Makela, Founding Director of The Scott Center for Social Entrepreneurship at Hillbrook School. As promised, lots of links and EduAwesome resources: Scott Center for Social Entrepreneurship on Facebook @scott_center_soc_ent on Instagram Annie Makela contact: email and Twitter (@anniemakela) Hillbrook CTE podcast on Apple Podcasts, or playable on hillbrookcte.org […]

Mark speaks with us about his school's social-entrepreneurial focus, how he draws from his school's unique history, and what he's currently reading in his book club.

Prompted by a question on Twitter, I talk for an unusually long time (33 minutes!) about the needs of a makerspace in this episode. Quick warning: I was walking around Hillbrook School looking at our own spaces on a windy day, so you'll likely hear some wind in the recording. Also, spoiler alert: makerspaces are more about mindsets than tools.

Before becoming the Director of Technology at Hillbrook School in Northern California, Bill taught elementary music, kindergarten, and second grade. He is an ISTE Kay L. Bitter Vision Award winner, ISTE Emerging Leader, Google Certified Innovator, and is Leading Edge Certified. He shares all things #eduawesome via his website,  Twitter, and Snapchat (@billselak). In this episode, Bill and Brent share stories about taking risks as administrators.

A chat with Roberto Greco about unschooling and other topics. Rob just finished up the year teaching at Hillbrook School in Los Gatos. He has a great take on how learners should learn, and uses this philosophy by unschooling with his own children. Austin Kleon was mentioning Rob on Twitter, so we are hoping that one of my heroes will listen to this episode. Crossing fingers!