Podcasts about tcea

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 EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites 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 Jeannine On X: https://x.com/TechTimeWithJ9 Jeannine On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/techtimewithj9.bsky.social Jeannine On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/J9Freeman7 TCEA Website: https://tcea.org/ Elementary Technology Conference Website: https://tcea.org/events/etc/

  This episode is sponsored by Brisk Teaching. To learn more and get started, visit www.briskteaching.com.     After a whirlwind of edtech, learning strategies, and the hustle of the expo hall at TCEA 2025, we decided to mix things up with a fun, lighthearted challenge—EdTech & Food Trivia!

This episode is sponsored by Brisk Teaching. To learn more and get started, visit www.briskteaching.com.   Live from TCEA 2025, we're bringing you an electrifying discussion on "The Price We Pay for AI" with special guests Brianna Hodges and Carl Hooker. This is TCEA's first EVER live podcast as a concurrent session so we had a live audience in front of us. We tackle AI literacy, the dangers of over-reliance, and whether AI is making us less creative. And because we like to keep things spicy—literally—we threw in a hot sauce challenge and some food trivia! Tune in for a mix of deep insights, audience engagement, and a little bit of heat. Because of the live audience, the energy in the room was unmatched and Brianna and Carl made this episode much more special and spicy. You'll hear the energy while listening to this episode. Buen provecho! Connect With Gabriel Carrillo EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites 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 Brianna's Website: https://www.briannahodges.com Brianna On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bhodgesedu.bsky.social Brianna On X: https://www.x.com/bhodgesEDU Brianna On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhodgesedu/ 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 Carl's Website: https://CarlHooker.com Carl's Blog: https://hookedoninnovation.com/ Carl On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hookertech.bsky.social Carl On X: https://twitter.com/mrhooker Carl On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hookertech/

This episode is sponsored by Brisk Teaching. To learn more and get started, visit www.briskteaching.com   In this episode, we're joined by Brenda Gutierrez, Student Services Coordinator at Ysleta de Sur Pueblo Department Of Tribal Empowerment in El Paso, Texas. She shares her first experience attending TCEA 2025. We dive into her mission to bring engaging STEM ideas back to her organization and discuss her newfound excitement for integrating podcasting into professional development. From key conference takeaways to actionable steps for starting a podcasting initiative, this conversation will inspire you to innovate and experiment in your own teaching or leadership role. Connect With Gabriel Carrillo - EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com/ - EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social - EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites - EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites - EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites - EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites - EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

SummaryIn this episode of AI in Action, hosts Maurie and Jim Beasley discuss their experiences at the TCEA conference, reflecting on the evolution of AI in education, the importance of engaging with educators, and the trends they observed in AI solutions. They share insights on vendor interactions, the challenges faced in public education, and the innovative steps they are taking to integrate AI into their educational practices. The conversation highlights the significance of professional development for teachers and the need for a collaborative approach to harnessing AI effectively in the classroom.

Teachers everywhere are searching for ways to revitalize their teaching experience and reconnect with their students. That's why I'm thrilled to have Tisha Poncio joins me live from the TCEA conference to share innovative tools and strategies to transform your teaching and alleviate some common stressors teachers are feeling in the classroom. Tisha Poncio, a seasoned educator, former burned out teacher, and tech enthusiasts offers insights on how Smart Technologies and Lumio can make learning more engaging and manageable. In this episode, she shares how tools like Lumio can help bridge the gap between teachers and their diverse learners. We're diving into leveraging technology for student engagement by making learning fun and interactive, addressing neurodiversity in the classroom, and the importance of surrounding yourself with a supportive community.

Happy New Year to everyone. This is a quick episode to share upcoming events and some tools to explore in the new year. Are you headed to FETC, TRETC, TCEA, or OETC? Let me know! I will see you there. Need a keynote, PD training for your school or county, or sessions for your conference? I cover AI, AI and the Law, Cybersecurity, STEM, and more. bit.ly/thriveineduPD Tools to explore Almanack AI CodeMonkey CoSpaces Edu. Use promo code COSPromoRDP24 

In this episode, Maurie and Jim discuss their recent experiences at the TCEA conference, highlighting the growing interest in artificial intelligence within educational settings. They explore the challenges of implementing AI tools in schools, the importance of digital literacy, and the complexities of measuring return on investment in education. The conversation also touches on political perspectives regarding AI and the implications of militarization in the field. Finally, they share upcoming events and conferences where they will be speaking about AI.

This episode is brought to you by Snorkl. As educators, we want students to express and explain their thinking. We want to hear their thoughts on a science question, a story, or a math problem. But listening to each student one-on-one is nearly impossible. Snorkl lets students record their thinking with a virtual whiteboard and uses AI for immediate, personalized feedback. This works for any question at any grade level. Teachers get an immediate summary of student progress. Check out Snorkl.app for an incredible deal for schools to pilot it this year. In this episode, I chat with conference planners, presenters, and participants of the TCEA Area 20 EdTech Conference that took place on Saturday October 5th, 2024 at the Northside Activity Center in San Antonio, Texas. This was the inaugural conference and one that pulled in sponsors including MagicSchool AI, MergeEDU, Canva, Diffit, Adobe, Seesaw, Swivl, Screencastify, Curipod, Padlet, and Purple Up USA. There were sessions that covered a wide variety of content areas, ability levels, and strategies. I had the pleasure of being on the planning committee, being a presenter, and being the Keynote Speaker at this event. I ask fellow planners, presenters, and conference attendees the same question: “How would you sum up this conference in one sentence?” And that is what I did on location. This episode is a collection of these responses stitched together. So if you are interested in planning a conference, take a listen to the responses. If you're going to be attending a conference soon, take a listen to prep yourself. If you have attended a conference in the past, ask yourself if you've answered like these individuals have while attending one. Make sure you share this episode with a friends and colleagues and as always, Buen Provecho! Connect With Gabriel Carrillo EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com EdTech Bites Twitter: https://twitter.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Threads: https://www.threads.net/@edtechbites EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites Connect With TCEA TCEA Website: https://tcea.org/

Tech Toys and programs are her jam. She's developed numerous programs in esports, drones, robotics, and design. She routinely shares her knowledge at conferences and virtually in monthly meetings with Intel, our California state-wide esports group, and the Collaborative of Large Districts across the US. She has been featured at NAECAD, TCEA, FETC, and ISTE as an expert in esports program development and implementation. She's also been featured in articles and/or podcasts by NAECAD, CDW, ISTE, and Intel and have sat on several panels as an educational esports expert for these same entities. She is the former 2022 NAECAD HS Esports Director of the Year and a 2023 finalist for the FUSD Managerial Educator of the Year and the 2024 *thegameHERS Guardian of the Year. She is an expert in Minecraft Education, Minecraft Esports, a Minecraft Mentor & Ambassador, Minecraft Certified Educator, and Trainer, and the facilitator for the Minecraft Esports Teacher Academy cohorts. Implementing processes and systems for maximum program, project, and team efficiency is her specialty. She executes every detail of her project, exceeding expectations. Her passion is empowering teams and creating programs that thrive. Trained in interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, team & organizational development, and program management; She's a rare breed of an influencing manager, systems implementation expert, and skilled presenter. With 30 years of experience in training, facilitating, coaching, mentoring, and delivering presentations, She has the ability to visualize the project, create the essential material, and deliver interactive high-skilled presentations and workshops that fulfill the client's needs. Honesty, integrity & loyalty, are characteristics she values and inspires within the teams and organizations she influences. She is exceptionally detailed, organized, logical, and energetic. Those she works with call her Wonder Woman because of her truthful character and ability to execute what seems impossible! Connecting people with resources and opportunities to maximize their personal and professional growth is what drives her. She is a dedicated, passionate, and encouraging leader who enjoys empowering others to succeed.

This episode is sponsored by MagicSchool AI. If you're looking for a solution for AI in education, check out MagicSchool AI.  MagicSchool is the leading AI Platform in education with over 2 million users and 3,600 school and district partners worldwide.  Save educators time with teacher tools, build safe and responsible AI experiences launched by teachers to their students, and experience AI purpose built for education now.  It's free for educators and you can sign up in seconds.  It also meets the data privacy needs for k12, we do not sell data or train on student data, protecting the privacy of all users.  Sign up now at www.magicschool.ai This episode was recorded while at the Elementary Technology Conference in Galveston, Texas. I chat with Debbie Tannenbaum to discuss the refocusing she doing to elementary teachers. There are not many conferences like the Elementary Technology Conference put together by TCEA and she is using her talents to meet the specific needs of our elementary teachers. This is a great conversation that focuses on those needs and how we as coaches can help promote student learning in the elementary classroom. Buen provecho! The Book Is Officially Out! My first book “Cooking Up Experiences In The Classroom: Focus On Experiences, Not Just Lessons” is officially out! A HUGE shout out to Lumio for helping sponsor this book. I'm super excited about this project. It's filled with ideas on how to make memorable experiences for your students. In addition, each chapter also lays out a specific recipe mentioned in that chapter along with a video tutorial on how to prepare that dish. Make sure you get your copy and cook up some experiences for your students and loved ones! Click Here To Purchase Your Copy On Amazon Connect With Gabriel Carrillo EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com EdTech Bites Twitter: https://twitter.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Threads: https://www.threads.net/@edtechbites EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites Connect With Debbie Tannenbaum Debbie On Twitter: https://x.com/TannenbaumTech

This episode is sponsored by MagicSchool AI. If you're looking for a solution for AI in education, check out MagicSchool AI.  MagicSchool is the leading AI Platform in education with over 2 million users and 3,600 school and district partners worldwide.  Save educators time with teacher tools, build safe and responsible AI experiences launched by teachers to their students, and experience AI purpose built for education now.  It's free for educators and you can sign up in seconds.  It also meets the data privacy needs for k12, we do not sell data or train on student data, protecting the privacy of all users.  Sign up now at www.magicschool.ai This episode was recorded while at the Elementary Technology Conference in Galveston, Texas. I chat with Cari Orts to discuss digital art tools that can help unleash student creativity in the classroom. Cari has been leading the way in the digital art space for quite some time and I had the opportunity to see her present at TCEA years ago. This conversation will help you unleash your students' creativity in the classroom with simple ideas to digitize student art activities. Buen provecho! The Book Is Officially Out! My first book “Cooking Up Experiences In The Classroom: Focus On Experiences, Not Just Lessons” is officially out! A HUGE shout out to Lumio for helping sponsor this book. I'm super excited about this project. It's filled with ideas on how to make memorable experiences for your students. In addition, each chapter also lays out a specific recipe mentioned in that chapter along with a video tutorial on how to prepare that dish. Make sure you get your copy and cook up some experiences for your students and loved ones! Click Here To Purchase Your Copy On Amazon Connect With Gabriel Carrillo EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com EdTech Bites Twitter: https://twitter.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Threads: https://www.threads.net/@edtechbites EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites Connect With Cari Orts Cari's Website: http://techiecari.com Cari Orts On Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/TechieCari Cari Orts On Facebook: http://facebook.com/TechieCari

In this episode of EdTech Bites, I dive into the world of AI with Mason Nichols. This episode was recorded live from Honchos Churros in San Antonio. We explore how technologies like ChatGPT are revolutionizing the classroom, from personalized learning tools to innovative educational uses that are making teachers' lives easier. Alongside some of the best churros in San Antonio, we discuss our favorite AI tools and share insights on how these advancements are shaping the future of education. Tune in to discover how AI is not just a subject of study, but a dynamic teaching assistant in today's digital world. Buen provecho! The Book Is Officially Out! My first book “Cooking Up Experiences In The Classroom: Focus On Experiences, Not Just Lessons” is officially out! A HUGE shout out to Lumio for helping sponsor this book. I'm super excited about this project. It's filled with ideas on how to make memorable experiences for your students. In addition, each chapter also lays out a specific recipe mentioned in that chapter along with a video tutorial on how to prepare that dish. Make sure you get your copy and cook up some experiences for your students and loved ones! Click Here To Purchase Your Copy On Amazon Connect With Gabriel Carrillo EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com EdTech Bites Twitter: https://twitter.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Threads: https://www.threads.net/@edtechbites EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites About Mason Nichols Mason is a passionate elementary educator who enjoys using technology tools to empower students. He recently graduated with his Masters Degree in Learning Experience Design and Educational Technology. Additionally, Mason enjoys sharing resources and tech tools on social media along with presenting at ISTE, TCEA, and CUE. Connect With Mason Nichols Mason's Blog: http://nicholsandime.com Mason On Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicholsandime Mason On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicholsandime/ Mason On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nicholsandime

Tune in to Episode 20 as we're accompanied by my esteemed peers: Instructional Technology Coaches Shelly Earls, Teresa Scoggins, and Pam Colman. We're also thrilled to welcome first-time guest Instructional Technology Coordinator Scott Webb to the show. Don't miss out on this dynamic panel as we dive into topics ranging from TCEA to food and […]

A recap of some of the recent conferences: FETC, TCEA, IDEAcon, and big topics! Explore more AI resources via AI4ALL, AI4k12, Teach AI, and some fun tools like the Duet AI to generate images in Google or Padlet AI "I Can't Draw." Stay tuned for my next episode with a guest! Book me for your PD events, individual coaching, conference workshops, or keynotes via bit.ly/thriveineduPD. See testimonials on my website.

Take a quick listen as we review TCEA Days 3& 4. You don't want to miss this quick episode with a couple of tips and a big new thought by Josh.

Jim and I had the opportunity to attend and present at the TCEA COnvention in Austin last week. In this podcast, we talk about what we saw, what we learned, and what we would love to see happen concerning AI in Education.

zSpace Executive Vice President Ron Rheinheimer and Sr. Customer Success Manager, Robin Slunder, chat with the guys about zSpaces offerings in the AR/VR, STEM, CTE and other offerings to enhance student learning and career training. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/edutechguys-conference/support

They guys sit down with Vivi VP of Educator Experience, Juliana Finegan and Kari Moulton, Bourbonnais Illinois School District Technology Integration Support Specialist, to discuss the amazing benefits and offering from Vivi. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/edutechguys-conference/support

Huw Williams chats with the guys about the new features and additions to ClassVR and Eduverse and the benefits of VR & AR in K-12 Education. Huw Williams is Chief Executive Officer of Avantis Education. He previously served as managing director and was named CEO in November 2023 to lead the company's continued expansion in global markets. Williams has worked in the education technology industry for more than 20 years, including the last nine years heading up the global sales and marketing function at Avantis, helping pioneer many of the company's market-leading innovations including Eduverse, the content engine that powers ClassVR. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/edutechguys-conference/support

The guys sit down with Graham Celine and talk about how Intelitek can support students from Kindergarten to Career for STEM and CTE education. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/edutechguys-conference/support

The guys chat with Kimberly Ball to about Lumio's features that support desired student outcomes and the The Why Behing the FireFly! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/edutechguys-conference/support

Let's talk briefly about Day 1 and 2 at the TCEA Conference in Austin Texas. I want to share it all from what I heard, felt, and indulged in!

Here are a few ideas to explore that help with boosting student engagement. Check out some of the tools mentioned including EduaideAI, Curipod, SnorklApp and SchoolAI. Contact me for PD training, individual coaching, or keynotes via my form: bit.ly/thriveineduPD Be sure to subscribe to the podcast and my blog at www.Rdene915.com. Thanks for listening! If you are attending TCEA or IDEAcon, be sure to say hi!

Are you looking for some conferences to attend? Today's episode highlig hts some of my favorites to kick off the year. FETC, TCEA and IDEAcon. Listen in for some tips and ideas for attending and takeaways. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast and my blog www.Rdene915.com Interested in PD or need a keynote? Connect with me via my form: bit.ly/thriveineduPD

In this episode, I give you 5 reasons why you should be starting student portfolios in your classroom in 2024. Student portfolios really are the next wave in education and whether we like it or not, our students need be using them. If you enjoy this episode share it with a friend or colleague. Click here to read the full blog post on student digital portfolios. Buen provecho! The Book Is Officially Dropping 1/19/2024! My first book “Cooking Up Experiences In The Classroom: Focus On Experiences, Not Just Lessons” is being released January 19th, 2024. I'm super excited about this project. It's filled with ideas on how to make memorable experiences for your students. In addition, each chapter also lays out a specific recipe mentioned in that chapter along with a video tutorial on how to prepare that dish. Make sure you get your copy and cook up some experiences for your students and loved ones! See You At FETC 1/24 Meet The Author Experience Booth 2453 in the Expo Hall 1/25 Quick and Easy Projects w/ Canva at 12:30-2:30 in S331D 1/26 More Ways to Slay Vocabulary at 9-10 am in the Expo Hall booth 4711 FETC and TCEA Walking Food Tours If you're heading to FETC or TCEA, I'd love to see you at the official EdTech Bites Walking Food Tours I'll be hosting in Downtown Orlando and Austin. These are being sponsored by Kami and are going to be a hit at these conferences. For more information and how to sign up, click the blog post below: https://edtechbites.com/2024/01/09/edtech-bites-x-kami-fetc-and-tcea-walking-food-tours/ Connect With Gabriel Carrillo EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com EdTech Bites Twitter: https://twitter.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Threads: https://www.threads.net/@edtechbites EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQCZcyW4BkCFQ5P2BLK61xg

In this episode, we talk to Lori Gracey, CAE, executive director of the Texas Computer Education Association. She joins our hosts Steven Stout, FASAE, CAE, and Katy Markert for an engaging conversation focused on leadership, learning how to lead and where to go for advice, technological advances including the use of AI, and the importance of being involved in an organization like TSAE.  Better By Association is produced by Association Briefings.   Show notes Lori Gracey currently serves as the executive director of the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) with a staff of 21 dedicated individuals serving more than 80,000 members around the world. During her 14 years in this position, she has led TCEA in membership and revenue growth, helped to pay off their building and purchase a new, larger building (also paid off), and implemented new conferences, partnerships with other associations, and professional development opportunities for members and non-members. Lori earned her CAE in 2014. She has served on the TSAE board and regularly presents at different TSAE events, including Association 101, New Ideas, webinars, Learn at Lunches, and the CEO Forum. She leads a weekly meeting with executive directors of other educational technology associations and has also organized and led several governance events for volunteer leaders in similar associations from around the world. Prior to entering the association world, Lori garnered 28 years of experience in education, with 22 years as a curriculum and technology director. She served on the TCEA board of directors for 13 years previously. Lori is a past presenter at the International Society for Technology in Education and a regular presenter at the TCEA convention. She has served as the ISTE 2017 and 2013 Conference Program Chair and the 2007 NECC International Conference Chair Person, and has conducted professional development for the Texas Association of School Administrators, Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education, Texas Association of School Boards, and hundreds of school districts across the country. A MA in English and a BS in Education have helped Lori to manage the intricacies of whatever career she challenges.

Welcome to Saturday Morning Teacher Talk, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:30 Pacific and 11:30 Eastern! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast. Education X Posts Featured in This Episode: Teacher2Teacher shares a Vocabulary Throwdown frame, courtesy of Jill Webs. The frame allows students to work in two teams on a single shared Doc and race to properly populate the frame around a single vocabulary term. Monte Syrie challenges the assumption that students won't do the work if teachers won't grade it. Is that really true? I share some examples that speak to the contrary. Lynnette Earle encourages teachers to do the hard work and take risks, whether we're making changes to our assessment practice or trying new things in the classroom. Model the learning. Melissa D (Dean of Math) says that the feedback that we give our students should make them feel known. Wow. Such a great challenge to apply to the feedback that we share with students. Teacher2Teacher shares a powerful self-assessment frame for students, courtesy of Katie Novak and Catlin Tucker. Jeremy Jorgensen reminds us that with all the consumption that our students do, it's so important to give our students daily opportunities to make and create. Meagan Alfano suggests that we start using a new hashtag: #WhatIfEdu. Her first What If: "What if we just let kids read what they want to read?" TCEA shares a great graphic that reminds us of some quick and easy steps we can take to make our learning tasks and assessments more accessible for multilingual learners. Nicholas Emmanuele suggests that in his experience, good rapport with students doesn't seem to be going as far as it used to in terms of gaining student cooperation, effort, ethic, etc. Julie Ann points out just how much more work teaching is compared to where the profession was 20 years ago. Annick Rauch, author of the PheMOMenal Teacher, reminds us of this quote from Maya Angelou: every storm runs out of rain. Teacher2Teacher shares a list of 9 outstanding ChatGPT prompts that can help Math teachers. Canva for Education shares a fun post: name the idiom represented by four different AI-generated images. A few live viewers competed to name the images first. CONNECT with ME On X @TeachersOnFire (https://X.com/TeachersOnFire) On Facebook @TeachersOnFire (https://www.facebook.com/TeachersOnFire/) On YouTube @Teachers On Fire (https://www.youtube.com/@teachersonfire) On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/timwcavey/ Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/teachersonfire/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/teachersonfire/support

Welcome to Saturday Morning Teacher Talk, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:30 Pacific and 11:30! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast. MAKING NEWS on X THIS WEEK: California's Governor Newsom just signed a bill requiring cursive writing (handwriting) to be taught to all students in grades 1-6. Here's why I think that is a terrible decision. Prodigy Education is encouraging teachers to support student out-of-school performances (sports, competitions, recitals). Here's why I think this is a dangerous precedent. TCEA shows how we can use "I noticed" to build relationships with our students (credit to FreshFromTheFourth  Chey Cheney argues that we shouldn't discredit or discourage students from copying as a first strategy for finding a solution. Rolland (@RChids on X) shares suggestions for how we can reset our brains on the weekend before entering a new week. John Sowash shares some news from Google Slides: presenters can now draw and annotate directly on the Slides during presentations. CONNECT with ME On X @TeachersOnFire (https://X.com/TeachersOnFire) On Facebook @TeachersOnFire (https://www.facebook.com/TeachersOnFire/) On YouTube @Teachers On Fire (https://www.youtube.com/@teachersonfire) On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/timwcavey/ Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/. SONG TRACK CREDIT Chef Brian by Latasha Dude by Patrick Patrikios New Year by Bad Snacks Positive Fuse by French Fuse Summer in the Neighborhood by Bad Snacks Tropic Fuse by French Fuse Sunny Travel by Nico Staf Coupe by The Grand Affair Fast and Run by Nico Staf Go! By Neffex *All songs retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/teachersonfire/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/teachersonfire/support

Welcome to Saturday Morning Teacher Talk, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:30 Pacific and 11:30! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast. MAKING NEWS on X THIS WEEK: Scare a teacher in four words! Thanks to @TeacherGoals for this fun challenge.  Dr. Brad Johnson reminds us to show appreciation to our leaders during National Principals Month, and I shout out my principal, Andrea Wiebe. Empower your learning targets by using them, talking about them, reflecting on them with students. - Jason Kennedy  Natalie Vardabasso points to the importance of crafting compelling learning goals. I interpret this on the micro (classroom) level AND on the macro. Why are we doing school at all? What's the point?  Supporting the growth of the whole child looks like the core competencies, taught and reinforced at every grade level for students in British Columbia.  8 Ways to Scaffold Writing - created by @ValentinaESL and reshared by TCEA on X  "Tell me more." The coaching question that feels like a hug from Eleana Aguilar.  "Engagement isn't synonymous with fun. It's about stretching students' cognitive abilities." - @AliceKeeler on X  Educator Ashley Aoki shares a very cool image of a learning profile (created on Canva).  CONNECT with ME On X @TeachersOnFire (https://X.com/TeachersOnFire) On Facebook @TeachersOnFire (https://www.facebook.com/TeachersOnFire/) On YouTube @Teachers On Fire (https://www.youtube.com/@teachersonfire) On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/timwcavey/ Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/. SONG TRACK CREDIT Chef Brian by Latasha Dude by Patrick Patrikios New Year by Bad Snacks Positive Fuse by French Fuse Summer in the Neighborhood by Bad Snacks Tropic Fuse by French Fuse Sunny Travel by Nico Staf Fast and Run by Nico Staf *All songs retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/teachersonfire/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/teachersonfire/support

Welcome to Saturday Morning Teacher Talk, airing LIVE on YouTube every Saturday morning at 8:30 Pacific and 11:30! Join the conversation and add your comments to the broadcast. MAKING NEWS on X THIS WEEK: In this edition: Bill Ferriter says that "Giving zeros is one of the most unprofessional actions a teacher can take." Do you agree or disagree? Tom Schimmer suggests that opposition to standards-based grading really comes from teacher desire to coerce students into compliant behavior. Agree or disagree? What makes feedback powerful? Trevor MacKenzie shares a must-have list. Howie Hua allows his students to chat with each other for five minutes before their tests - no writing aloud. From Todd Finley (via TCEA) shares 13 Brain Blast Review Activities. If you've reached the end of a unit of study and you're looking to consolidate student learning, check out this menu. Marcus Luther shares a self-assessment that he uses in his high school writing courses that makes great use of the Google Doc drop-down features. How do students assess their own evidence of learning and why? Marcus Luther lists three must-haves that must be present in order to help teachers adopt new practices or strategies. Bethany Hill argues that "Recess is a right, not a privilege. It is instructional time, not something extra. Every kid deserves recess. Every single one." Technology Laura shares her top 10 edtech tools. Is there an app on this list that is new to you? Paul Cardoza (live viewer on LinkedIn) asks: Is it a problem that some schools seem to be focusing more on social-emotional learning than on academics? I share some thoughts on this. CONNECT with ME On X @TeachersOnFire (https://X.com/TeachersOnFire) On Facebook @TeachersOnFire (https://www.facebook.com/TeachersOnFire/) On YouTube @Teachers On Fire (https://www.youtube.com/@teachersonfire) On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/timwcavey/ Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/. SONG TRACK CREDIT Chef Brian by Latasha Dude by Patrick Patrikios New Year by Bad Snacks Positive Fuse by French Fuse Summer in the Neighborhood by Bad Snacks Tropic Fuse by French Fuse Sunny Travel by Nico Staf Fast and Run by Nico Staf *All songs retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/teachersonfire/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/teachersonfire/support

Alfonso Mendoza Jr.: A Blend of Business Acumen and EdTech InnovationHailing from the heart of South Texas, Alfonso Mendoza Jr. is an acclaimed Instructional Technologist, Podcaster, and Google Innovator. A Business Administration graduate from the University of Texas-Pan American, Alfonso discovered his passion for teaching in 2006, translating his business prowess into successful classroom leadership.Over 11 years of teaching, Alfonso's passion for technology blossomed, witnessing the creative potential of his students. As an Instructional Technologist, Alfonso leverages his Masters in Educational Technology, E-Learning, and Technology Leadership Certifications from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, in addition to his Technology Director Certificate from TCEA.Currently pursuing a doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis on Educational Technology, Alfonso is one of the elite Google Innovators worldwide, recognized as a top 50 EdTech Influencer in Augmented Reality K-12. He further shares his passion and insights through his podcast and blog, shaping the future of education one post at a time.

In today's world, technology is everywhere, and classrooms are no exception. Many educators have embraced the idea of going paperless and using digital tools to enhance teaching and learning. But is this always the best approach? In this episode, Alice Keeler and I chat the idea that paperless is not a pedagogy, and that technology should be used thoughtfully and intentionally in the classroom.   Alice Keeler, is a well-known educator, author, and keynote speaker who has written extensively on the topic of integrating technology into the classroom. Alice argues that while digital tools can be useful, they should not be seen as a catch-all for all educational challenges. In particular, she highlights how teachers could dive deeper into the content without technology use. We discuss the importance of pedagogy and instructional design, and the need to carefully consider when and how to integrate technology into the curriculum.   Join us for a thought-provoking conversation about the role of technology in education, the importance of balancing innovation with a focus on pedagogy and student learning, and the Walking Food Tour at TCEA. She was a participant in that event and discusses her personal opinion on the food. Buen provecho! Connect With Gabriel Carrillo EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com EdTech Bites Twitter: https://twitter.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQCZcyW4BkCFQ5P2BLK61xg About Alice Keeler Alice Keeler is a math teacher, edtech expert, author, mom of 5, and the queen of spreadsheets. She is passionate about student centered classrooms. Paperless is not a pedagogy; use technology to improve relationships and learning. Connect With Alice Keeler Alice's Website: http://alicekeeler.com Alice on Twitter: https://twitter.com/alicekeeler Alice on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alicekeeler/ Alice on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keeleralice Alice's Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AKteachertech/

I've been researching AI for several years and dove right into to testing out ChatGPT. This is the second podcast about ChatGPT, with some new ideas. Here is a link to the Getting Smart ChatGPT blog post from December. My interview for San Antonio Fox News after TCEA about AI in Education. Teaching AI to Students

A few of us were able to attend TCEA in San Antonio and we would like to share some of the great sessions and newest edtech ideas that we saw from the Lone Star State.Educators ReferencedLearn Your Google Admin Console Step by StepErick Buenrostro, Mesha Daniel  - Ysleta ISDDon't Become a Cybersecurity MemeEmily Young  - Mansfield ISDUniversal Accessibility: 10 Design Tips to Make Digital Content Accessible for AllAshley Jackson Ivey  - Garland ISDChart A New Course: Teaching Essential Skills for Tomorrow's WorldRachelle Dene Poth  - Riverview School DistrictTo Infinity and Beyond with Edu ProtocolsJeremiah Wall, Valerie Wall  - Pilot Point ISDHacking Microsoft Office 365: Tips and Tricks for Getting the Most Out of Your Office SuiteScott Boiles, Bob Eikenberry  - Eagle Mountain Saginaw ISDTech Coaches Roundtable: Ideas for a Sustainable PD ProgramPayton Bartee, Tori Klaff, Krista Nix-Buckner  - Katy ISDLeveraging Student Voices: How to Build Capacity Through Student Technology LeadersKarsyn Jackson  - Denton ISDTech TokChelsea Best, Amanda Dismukes, Brittni Kalich, Troy Kuhn, Tom Spall  - Brenham ISDPodcast TeamHosts- Katie  Ritter & Justin ThomasEditing Team- Michael Roush, Justin Thomas Social Media/ Promo Team- Annamarie Rinehart, Lisa Kuhn, Maggie HarrisCreative/Content Team- Justin ThomasProducers- Justin ThomasForward Edge Coaches Camp An event that assists instructional coaches learn new tips and strategies for implementing their rolEDU Coach Network We're former teachers turned instructional coaches. Coaches can change student learning for better Forward Edge Google Educator Bootcamp This Google for Education Bootcamp is for educators to get certified in Google products

In this episode, I chat with Ron Rheinheimer and Sheena Shoemaker from ZSpace to discuss how their product is breaking barriers in the classroom. This product really does break barriers adn allows students to do things that can't normally be done in the classroom. This was recorded on-site at TCEA in San Antonio and I even got to see the demo in person. To learn more about how zSpace can help your students, check out their information below. Buen Provecho!   Connect With Gabriel Carrillo EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com EdTech Bites Twitter: https://twitter.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQCZcyW4BkCFQ5P2BLK61xg Connect With zSpace zSpace Website: https://zspace.com zSpace on Twitter: https://twitter.com/zspace zSpace on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zspace-3d/ zSpace on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zspace.inc/?hl=en zSpace on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zSpace3D

In this week's episode, Michael and Sam discuss how they changed the perception of a technology coach, pushed the scope of their impact on instruction, and differentiated their professional development to meet the needs of the teachers.  In this episode, we discuss: Building relationships with their teachers and staff to serve effectively Expanding the role of technology in the classroom And the TCEA conference presentations! About Michael Vick: I have been an educator for 12 years. I've been a Digital Learning Coach, Instructional Technology Facilitator, Online Algebra Teacher, 8th Grade Math Teacher, and Special Education Resource Teacher. For the last 7 years, I've been involved with digital learning.  I pride myself on always helping teachers get to the next step in their digital learning journey. Whether that means becoming proficient in a specific digital tool, an idea for making a lesson more meaningful for students, or ways to integrate more technology into the day to day classroom activities - I'm always willing to help however I can.  When I'm not immersed in the digital learning world, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, listening to podcasts, and playing a variety of sports.  Follow Michael Vick: Twitter: @DigitalVick About Sam Shropshire: I have been in education for the past 17 years and have taught in a variety of situations. My first 11 years I spent teaching high school social studies and the last six years I have been involved in digital learning. During my first five years teaching, I also coached boys athletics for the high schools I worked for. I have been in small schools with a population of about 150 to huge schools with a population of about 3,500 and have taught a variety of subjects from World Geography to AP World and US History.  As I integrated more and more technology into my class, I became fascinated with the endless possibilities technology provided my students. Most transformative to me was how technology allowed my students to become the center of the learning process. My desire to encourage that kind of learning environment is what led me into my role in digital learning.  Personally, I have been married to the most amazing wife ever, Katie, since 2009 and we have the two best kids ever, Eva and Cyrus. I live for my family and we do so much for each other. From youth sports to hiking adventures, we have a great life together! Follow Sam Shropshire: Twitter: @DLCShrop The OFFICIAL Sponsor of the Aspire to Lead Podcast! As a passionate coffee drinker, I am always looking for the best cup of premium coffee. Once Leslie and I tasted Papa Rob's Coffee, we instantly fell in love with the flavor of the Espresso Special Blend. Papa Rob's Coffee is the only coffee we drink and I'm proud to have them as the exclusive sponsor of the podcast! Papa Rob's Roasting Company was started to pass on the love for premium coffee that is as fresh as it is delicious! Rob sources only the...

In this episode, I share why you need to stop choosing “One Word” for this year.  I give you my reasons on why to do this and what to do instead. If you're listening to this episode at FETC, I will probably cross paths with you. If you're going to TCEA this year, I'd love to chat with you in person and possibly break bread. I hope your 2023 is off to a great start and stay safe. Buen provecho!   Connect With Gabriel Carrillo EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com EdTech Bites Twitter: https://twitter.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQCZcyW4BkCFQ5P2BLK61xg What to Eat In New Orleans While At FETC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yJKcILRtiQ

Victoria Thompson is an Education Industry Executive at Microsoft, an instructional designer for EduSpark, and an ISTE Ambassador. She has been in education for seven years and began her journey teaching fifth and sixth grade math and science in Summerville, SC. After completing her masters degree in curriculum and instruction she moved to the Seattle, WA area in 2018, where her career has pivoted to focusing on digital transformation, STEM integration in schools, technology in instruction, and using technology to bridge equity gaps in education. She has presented at ISTE, FETC, TCEA, ImpactEducation, CUE, and DigCitSummit on topics such as creating inclusive math classrooms, culturally responsive STEM education, and equity in educational technology. Additionally, she was recently awarded the title of one of the top 30 K-12 IT influencers in 2021 by EdTech Magazine.

From Spanish Rice to Dungeons and Dragons to Whataburger, join Kris and Katie with Gabriel Carrillo of EdTech Bites as they discuss modelling, students creation, and so much more. Hear ideas and reflections for EdTech in 2023, and tips for how to tap into what students truly value. Hear why Gabriel's key coaching goal is to have teachers stop creating lessons and start creating experiences.  Find Gabriel at FETC, TCEA and ISTE in 2023, and be sure to check out the EdTech Bites blog and podcast for lots of great insights about EdTech AND food: https://edtechbites.com/   Get in touch with Katie and Kris: katie@educatalyst.com On Twitter: @Keightyen, @KrisAstle & @TheEdShiftPod And on IG: @keighten Big thanks to our awesome editor Kevin Olenick!

Over the past two years, we have seen technology use in the classroom skyrocket. From assessment tools to curriculum support, these technologies are essential to classrooms in districts across the country. Hand in hand with the bloom in learning technologies, inclusive technologies have become a major topic of discussion in the education world. In part two of this two-part series sponsored by the Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES) at CAST, our guests discuss how to implement a technology program that meets the needs of all learners. Step by step- setting standards, creating guides for teachers, sourcing and vetting vendors, and communicating support, this episode explores how district leaders can implement a comprehensive program to support all students with stories and examples from district leaders themselves. Today's guests are two leaders from the Jenks Public Schools in Jenks, Oklahoma – District Assistive Technology Coordinator Janna Greathouse and Edtech Coordinator Samantha Reid. Janna graduated from the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma with a Master's degree in Speech Pathology. She has practiced as a speech-language pathologist in public school systems in the Carolinas and in Oklahoma, where she currently works. . Her latest pursuits involve efforts to increase accessibility, equity, and inclusion district-wide so that students are empowered to be experts in their own learning and are supported in doing so. Samantha obtained her M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction with an Emphasis on Technology Integration in Education from UNLV in 2006, after which she began working in EdTech. Prior to moving into EdTech, she taught in Elementary School. Samantha is an ISTE Certified Education as well as receiving several other certifications and Micro-credentials through the years. She has done training all over the region and has presented at several EdCamps, Google Summits, and conferences, including ISTE, TCEA, FETC, and CoSN. This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by the Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES) at CAST. Learn more at https://cites.cast.org/ Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN, @MindRocketMedia, @cafox, @MaggieP, @CAST_UDL, @JoSenja, @GreathouseJanna The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with MindRocket Media Group and published on edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org. Learn more about MindRocket Media Group at www.mindrocketmediagroup.com. Read the transcript of this interview here: https://edcircuit.com/creating-a-framework-for-inclusive-technology-part-2-s3e6/

Enjoyed being at TCEA and checking out the amazing innovation of Invzbl! Join us Friday, June 10th to learn more about it from CEO, Chuck Morrison and have some fun by playing a game too! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to Episode 48 of the Canvascasters Podcast! In this episode, we talk with Misty Joaquin, a Digital Learning Facilitator, serving Little Elm ISD, in the great state of Texas! We dive into the importance of Mental Health, from an educator's perspective. We discuss strategies and healthy practices for mental health, as well as ways to make life more manageable using Canvas itself. We also discuss some great resources from "Cultivating Calm in the Classroom" from TCEA including a blog post on mindfulness. TCEA Lunch and Learn Cultivating Calm https://sites.google.com/tcea.org/21-22lunch-and-learns/223-cultivating-calm ________________________________________________ Visit instructure.com for more information about Educator of the Year nominations. ________________________________________________ MUSIC PROVIDED BY: Finding Happiness by Dj Quads http://soundcloud.com/aka-dj-quads Music provided by Free Music for Vlogs https://youtu.be/Yh9fk9iLR4s --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/canvascasters/message

Claudio Zavala Jr. is an Adobe Education Evangelist based out of the Dallas-Fort Worth area with over 25 years in the education world. He has served in capacities as an educator, mentor teacher, educational technology trainer, and digital designer. He has a passion for helping students and educators share their stories with digital tools. In 2017, Claudio founded I Am Claudius LLC, a creative media consulting company providing workshops and webinars on subjects like innovation, video creation, and storytelling. Claudio has presented at various national and regional conferences including ISTE, SXSWEdu, FETC, and TCEA. Claudio has also been featured in various magazines including Toggle and EdTech Magazine. He was a part of the Adobe Spark Ambassador program for the past two years. Claudio has spent the last 4 years creating tutorials for his YouTube channel. Claudio is an accomplished photographer, avid cinematographer, mountain biker, and professional musician. You can find him on all social media platforms at @ClaudioZavalaJr and can learn more about him at claudiozavalajr.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/wondernamya/message

Victoria Thompson is an Education Industry Executive at Microsoft, an instructional designer for EduSpark, and an ISTE Ambassador. She has been in education for seven years and began her journey teaching fifth and sixth grade math and science in Summerville, SC. After completing her masters degree in curriculum and instruction she moved to the Seattle, WA area in 2018, where her career has pivoted to focusing on digital transformation, STEM integration in schools, technology in instruction, and using technology to bridge equity gaps in education. She has presented at ISTE, FETC, TCEA, ImpactEducation, CUE, and DigCitSummit on topics such as creating inclusive math classrooms, culturally responsive STEM education, and equity in educational technology. Additionally, she was recently awarded the title of one of the top 30 K-12 IT influencers in 2021 by EdTech Magazine.

Victoria Thompson is an Education Industry Executive at Microsoft, an instructional designer for EduSpark, and an ISTE Ambassador. She has been in education for seven years and began her journey teaching fifth and sixth grade math and science in Summerville, SC. After completing her masters degree in curriculum and instruction she moved to the Seattle, WA area in 2018, where her career has pivoted to focusing on digital transformation, STEM integration in schools, technology in instruction, and using technology to bridge equity gaps in education. She has presented at ISTE, FETC, TCEA, ImpactEducation, CUE, and DigCitSummit on topics such as creating inclusive math classrooms, culturally responsive STEM education, and equity in educational technology. Additionally, she was recently awarded the title of one of the top 30 K-12 IT influencers in 2021 by EdTech Magazine.

Listen as Angela and Lisa share their experiences from TCEA.

TCEA took place in Dallas, Texas this week - February 7-10th. Hear about the top trends and ideas that Kris discovered, and join in on some positive vibes and momentum from the event!  Learn more about TCEA at tcea.org Like this event recap? We're hoping to do more of them, so let us know! Connect with your hosts on Twitter:  Katie: @keightyen Kris: @KrisAstle

We are so pleased to join two wonderful school librarians, and members of the @FReadomFighters—Nancy Jo Lambert and Becky Calzada for an interview about censorship, #FReadom, and access to books for children. Along with Carolyn Foote and other librarian colleagues, these women launched the #FReadom hashtag which has trended nationally to the tune of 13,000 tweets! Their goal: Shine a light on the positive impact that books make as we ensure they are accessible from many diverse viewpoints. These educators inspired us, striving to unite everyone behind the common goal of connecting children with books as we foster their learning and growth. This movement grew in the wake of a daunting number of book challenges and book bannings nationwide in recent months. Consult the following resources mentioned in this podcast for concrete action items, and monthly challenges to help you get involved in protecting freedom of information and helping people work in harmony with our school libraries to provide the best possible reading experience for students. 1. Find out about the #FReadom movement in this news article. And more here. And here.2. Find out what you can do to help at the @fReadomfighters Campaigns and Actions page. 3. Find out more about the credentials and expertise of school librarians in these social media posts.4. Find out more about helpful responses and frequently asked questions on the FreadomFighters website. 5. Follow the @FReadomFighters on Twitter.Becky CalzadaBecky Calzada is a District Library Coordinator in Leander ISD which is located NW of Austin. She is a Director-at-Large for AASL, an advisory member for The Center for the Future of Libraries Advisory Group, on the Legislative Committee for TxLA, and Past Chair for the TxASL. Becky can be followed on Twitter @becalzada.Nancy Jo LambertNancy Jo Lambert is a Google Certified Trainer and HS teacher-librarian in Frisco, TX at Reedy High School. She is a presenter advocating for libraries by telling the story of the learning happening in her library. She holds positions in TLA, TCEA, ALA, AASL, and TASL. She was named TCEA Library Media Specialist of the Year the American Association of School Librarians Social Media Superstar Curriculum Champion in 2019. She co-founded #TeachPride, EduPrideAlliance. She is also a #FReadom organizer. She is known for sharing her professional work on Twitter @NancyJoLambert and nancyjolambert.com and her library website reedylibrary.com.We'll close with a a moving, important quote shared by Nancy Jo Lambert during the interview.In the words of Rudine Sims Bishop, “Literature transforms human experience and reflects it back to us, and in that reflection, we can see our own lives and experiences as part of the larger human experience. And when there are enough books available that can act as both mirrors and windows for all our children, they will see that we can celebrate both our differences and our similarities, because together they are what make us all human.”

Episode 202: Tech with Alfonso Mendoza Guest Bio:  My guest today is Alfonso Mendoza. Alfonso serves as an Instructional Technologist and has received his Masters in Educational Technology, E-Learning Certification, and Technology Leadership Certification from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, along with his Technology Director Certificate from TCEA. He is currently working on his doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis in Educational Technology. Alfonso is also 1 of less than 3,000 Google Innovators worldwide and was named 1 of the top 50 EdTech Influencers on Augmented Reality in K-12 Worth a Follow in 2021.    Episode Summary: In this episode Fonz and Natalie talk about the idea that “less is more” when it comes to educational technology, even for online teachers. They discuss the necessity of using technology to connect students with one another and their teacher, as well as the importance of teachers' “getting clicky with” new technology.    Timestamps  What's an instructional technologist? [2:12] Fonz didn't even want to teach! [4:14] Fonz's take on moderation in educational technology [6:16] Keeping it simple [8:18] How teachers' tech effectiveness relates to student success [9:58] What's the tech you should ditch? [10:23] How can technology help online teachers connect with their students? [16:26] Gettin' clicky with it  [20:20] It's okay to learn from your students [23:30]   Selected Links from the Episode Tech Checklist by Natalie and Fonz MyEdTechLife Website Using Technology To Connect with Parents - Edutopia Article