The Wired Educator Podcast

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Matthew Joseph, author of Power of Us: Creating Collaborative Schools and co-author of Modern Mentoring, Reimagining Teacher Mentorship. This is a powerful conversation about Innovative Leadership, Mentoring, Collaboration and so much more! I love this interview! Matthew and I talk about so many important areas of education!  You will leave this episode with an incredible list of takeaways that you can immediately apply in your classroom, your building, and your district. This is a must-listen episode of The Wired Educator Podcast. Dr. Matthew X. Joseph has collected incredible insights on how best to support teaching and learning, and his work has led to nationally published articles and opportunities to speak at multiple state and national events. He has been a school and district leader in many capacities in public education over his twenty-five years in the field, with experiences such as being the director of digital learning and innovation, an e

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Chrissy Romano Arrabito. She is an amazing educator and author of a wonderful book, Quiet Kids Count. I love this interview for many reasons, but primarily for the incredible conversation Chrissy and I have about so many important areas in education. This discussion is rich and yields some incredible takeaways. Chrissy is brilliant and genuine. Her book is so well written and designed.  Chrissy Romano Arrabito is a career teacher and proud of it! She is currently an elementary teacher at Nellie K. Parker Elementary School in Hackensack, New Jersey and has over 26 years of experience as an elementary and middle school teacher.  Chrissy is dedicated to teaching the whole child, stimulating and supporting innovation in classrooms, and strives to provide authentic learning experiences for her students. Her true passion lies in nurturing the quiet kids, those that tend to fall through the cracks, those that truly need a champion to support and advocate fo

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Amy Illingworth, the author of an awesome book from Dave Burgess Consulting, titled The Coach Adventure: Building Powerful Instructional Leadership Skills that Impact Learning. You’re going to need two brains to take in and absorb all of the awesomeness that Amy shares with us in this interview. Amy Illingworth, EdD, is a lifelong educator, a learner, a coach, and a leader. Her leadership vision is to create equitable learning opportunities where student and adult learners thrive. She has served as a teacher, literacy coach, an administrator at the elementary, middle, and high school levels and has taught at the graduate school level. She currently serves as the assistant superintendent of educational services in the Encinitas Union School District in California. Mentioned in this episode:  Amy's book: The Coach Adventure: Building Powerful Instructional Leadership Skills that Impact Learning Amy's website: blog reflectionsonleadershipandlearning.w

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Richard Colosi about his awesome new podcast titled EdTech Stories. It is an educational, narrative podcast that he is launching on February 10th. I talk with Rich about his work in education as an instructional technology specialist, being a consultant with the United States Department of Education, Office of Innovation in Improvement, and more! This is an incredible episode. Rich is brilliant and one of the kindest humans I know. You are going to love this episode.  Richard Colosi is an Instructional Technology Specialist from Rochester, NY. Since beginning his education career 15 years ago, he has established himself as an effective leader within instructional technology through creating and sharing effective integration practices to maximize student learning.  He's been a featured presenter at numerous school districts and conferences and has worked as a consultant with the United States Department of Education's Office of Innovation and Improveme

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I share my amazing interview with Sarah Johnson. Sarah is the author of two incredible books, Balance Like a Pirate:Going Beyond Work-Life Balance to Ignite Passion and Thrive as an Educator (which she co-authored with Jessica Cabeen and Jessica Johnson) and Sarah just published a new book titled,  Lead with FAITH: Building a Strong Foundation So You Can Rise Up, Slay Fear, and Serve Well. Sarah hosts the weekly In AWE Podcast where she is proud to amplify women’s stories every week. This is a GREAT episode. Sarah Johnson is a former teacher and school principal, turned author, speaker, and podcaster. She is passionate about assisting others in seeking greater satisfaction in all areas of their full lives by helping them go beyond work-life balance as well as develop strong leadership foundations. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education, Master of Science in Educational Administration, and a Certificate for Women in Leadership from Cornell Universi

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Jakob Hansen. Jakob has more than ten years in education as an innovative educator and leader. He has now turned his attention to the future of education. He is an educational consultant helping schools now prepare students for the future. This is an amazing interview and conversation that will really get you thinking.  Jakob was one of the leading forces behind FlowFactory, Denmarks' first High School that was 100% based on Challenge Based Learning and cross-curricula, Real World projects, together with both local and international corporations and organizations (like LEGO Education, SamLabs and Danfoss). His mission is to inspire us to reinvent education ... to dare to think differently about learning and to aim higher and to see new creative possibilities for learning that are based on future trends instead of historical traditions. Jakob Hansen has a background in industrial and interaction design and has been teaching Design, Entrepreneurship and

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Monica Burns, the founder of Class Tech Tips! Monica was guest back on episode 72. It was great catching up with Monica and seeing the wonderful resources she creates for educators. You are going to love this episode.  Dr. Monica Burns is a Curriculum and EdTech Consultant, Apple Distinguished Educator and Founder of ClassTechTips.com. Monica was part of her school’s leadership team and was a vocal advocate for bringing one-to-one technology into her classroom. As a classroom teacher, Monica used iPads to create an engaging, differentiated learning experience to meet the unique needs of her students. Realizing the power of digital tools in the classroom, Monica started ClassTechTips.com to provide a resource for educators. Since starting ClassTechTips.com, Monica has presented to teachers, administrators and tech-enthusiasts at numerous national and international conferences including SXSWedu, ISTE, FETC and EduTECH. She is a webinar host for SimpleK1

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I share 20 resolutions for 2020 that I believe will help every educator, administrator, and school district to level-up and impact lives. This episode is based on a blog post I share every year on www.WiredEducator.com on New Year's Day. I hope you enjoy it. I would love to read your EDU Resolutions for 2020. Educators are my favorite species. They not only work incredibly hard all hours of the day to make an impact in the lives of those they teach, they are also constantly working to improve themselves as well. Each year I taught, I wanted to make my classroom, lessons, and engagement better. I was always trying to level-up. I still am. I made resolutions each school year and again at the start of the new year. I love those imaginary reset buttons! I shared my resolutions each year with my students and hung them on the classroom wall. Why? Because I knew my students would hold me accountable. And boy did they! I didn’t hit them all, but I hit more than I would

In this 150th Episode of The Wired Educator Podcast I share the Top Twenty Things I Have Learned Publishing 150 Podcast Episodes and Interviewing Amazing Educators! I am so happy I started the Wired Educator Podcast, and it is amazing to me to see it now at 150 episodes. I have no intention of stopping now. In fact, I am looking to growing the podcast in new ways.  I am thankful that you listen to the show, level-up each week, and make a positive impact in the lives of students. You are awesome, and I am not embarrassed to tell you that every week.  I have learned a lot from publishing 150 episodes and interviewing educators from all over the world. I wanted to share a condensed list of what I feel my guests have in common, and what they do that makes them stand out.  As I share what I have learned, I'll bet many will resonate with you. I'll bet you see yourself in a lot of these amazing qualities. I believe this because you are taking time to level-up. There are many commonalities in success. Still, I hope t

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I interview LaVonna Roth. We talk about the neuroscience connected with teaching and learning. LaVonna shares her message of Ignite Your S.H.I.N.E. and it will seriously make a difference in how you teach and how your students learn.  She breaks down the Acronym of SHINE for us and so much more. This is a great interview. LaVonna Roth is the lead illuminator, creator and founder of Ignite Your S.H.I.N.E.®  Self. Heart. Inspire. Navigate. Exceptional. These words capture the path that LaVonna Roth uses to challenge others in discovering how to ignite the S.H.I.N.E. in their students, others and self.  LaVonna will push your thinking and personal reflection to challenge you to grow personally and professionally. Her mission is to help individuals discover who they are, what they can become, and to build self-motivation to see how far they can go. She will passionately stretch the status quo in education and invite you to join her so “shifts happen”. One way to be i

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Kyle Pearce about making math moments that matter. Kyle is an amazing resource and inspiration in education. This is an awesome interview for all educators because Kyle is so inspiring. Regardless of what you teach, I know Kyle has something for you to help you level up. Yes, he is that inspiring! This is a super-cool interview with a brilliant educational leader. You are going to love it.  Kyle Pearce is a former high school math teacher and now the K-12 Mathematics Consultant with the Greater Essex County District School Board, where he uncovers creative ways to spark curiosity and fuel sense making in mathematics. He is the co-host of the Making Math Moments That Matter Podcast [makemathmoments.com/podcast] and founder of the websites TapIntoTeenMinds.com and MathIsVisual.com.  Mentioned in this Episode:  Kyle's website: www.makemathmoments.com/podcast Kyle's other websites: TapIntoTeenMinds.com and MathIsVisual.com.  You can find Kyle on social me

In this episode, I interview Mat Pullen, an Apple Distinguished Educator from South Wales, and the creator of the popular 'So You Want To...' eBook Series. He will enchant you with his accent and blow you away with his brilliance of all things EDU. He is truly the embodiment of the everyone can create movement in education. I am excited to share my interview with Mat with you! Mat is an Apple Distinguished Educator, Class of 2013 and is also a senior lecturer in Initial Teacher Education at the University if South Wales. A physical education teacher by trade, and now works closely with future teachers and established educators. He is passionate about supporting those that education can sometimes leave behind, the ones that just need an alternative way to show what they are capable of accomplishing.  Finding the true impact of technology back in 2010 with his students, Mat now looks for creativity and problem solving approaches to support his learners and to inspire other educators. Mat is the author of a succ

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Adam Welcome, the author of Kids Deserve It! Run Like a Pirate! and Empower Our Girls! Adam is a powerful writer, a gifted speaker and an impactful educator. He has been a teacher, a principal, vice principal, Director of Innovation and now he travels the world to speak and share his important message with educators and work with schools.  Adam has been an elementary school teacher, Elementary Principal, Director of Innovation for a district with 35,000 students and enjoys pushing the envelope to always do what's best for kids! Adam was Principal of the Year for his region, a 20 To Watch for the National School Board Association, guest blogger for EdWeek, NAESP magazine, and many other publications. Adam also consults and works with many education companies as a way to improve their product for others! Adam is passionate about technology integration with all educators and a huge advocate of social media and connecting with other educators from across

In this 145th episode of the Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Dr. Courtney Orzel. Courtney is an amazing educational leader and speaker. It was an honor to present at the same What Great Educators Do Differently Conference in Houston, Texas this past October. One of my favorite lines of the podcast is when Courtney tells me, "the most important job of a superintendent is to create spaces for people to do great things!" I love that, and all that she shares. This is an amazing episode that you will love, and one that I hope you will share and leave a review. "The most important job of a superintendent is to create spaces for people to do great things!"  Dr. Courtney Orzel Dr. Courtney Orzel is in her 6th year as a superintendent serving Lemont-Bromberek SD113A.   Prior to that she held positions as middle school principal, assistant principal, and teacher.  Dr. Orzel has been honored with recognition from the AASA as a finalist for the Women in Leadership Award in February of 2019, has helped lead the IASA

In this episode of the Wired Educator Podcast, I had the privilege to sit down in person with Ray Zahab after his keynote at the Leadership and Learning Academy 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. Ray is one of my heroes. I love how he connects with educators and students. You are going to love this episode. Than you for listening! Ray Zahab is a Canadian Adventurer, ultra distance runner and Founder of non-profit impossible2Possible. A recent recipient of the Meritorious Service Cross of Canada, Ray is an Explorer in Residence of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society, and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. In 2015 Canadian Geographic recognized Ray as one of Canada’s Top Explorers. He has ran 14,000+km across the world’s deserts, and completed multiple unsupported expeditions in some of the coldest places on the planet. On November 1, 2006, former “pack a day smoker” turned ultra runner Ray Zahab and two friends, Charlie Engle and Kevin Lin, set out on an expedition to cross the Sahara Desert by foot. 111 days

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast I interview Dawn Sayre about Improving School Culture. Learn about E+R=O, putting people first, BCD, Discipline over Default, and the 10/80/10 rule. Dawn emphasizes that we should create positive events for others.  Before joining Focus 3, a team that helps organizations achieve their goals by building dynamic cultures, in July 2019,  Dawn spent 23 years in public education. She is an experienced school administrator, a former teacher, middle school principal, high school principal and curriculum director who has implemented the Focus 3 systems at an elite level with her staff, students and school community.  Dawn is a proud graduate of Otterbein (College) University where she was a member of the Women’s Basketball Team. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. She then went on to earn her Masters in Educational Leadership and Superintendent License from the University of Dayton.  Through her education and athletic experience, Dawn shares a unique pe

In this episode of the Wired Educator Podcast I read my eBook What Everyone Needs to Know About Bullying and make it an audible book, and more!  I wanted this to be available so students, parents, educators and anyone could listen to it on the bus, in the car, at lunch, on a walk, workout, or doing chores with their headphones on. This is deeply personal but can really save lives.What is your school district doing to educate students, staff, parents and the community about bullying? Every month should be 'Bullying Awareness Month', and I wanted to create a free audio recording of my popular ebook resource for educators, parents and students to help out when  a bully steps into someone's life, What Everyone Needs to Know About Bullying. So... that's what I did! This episode of the Wired Educator Podcast is me reading my eBook. I wanted this to be available so students, parents, educators and anyone could listen to it on the bus, in the car, at lunch, on a walk, workout, or doing chores with their headphones o

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Bianca Woodard, Apple Distinguished Educator and awesome educator. We talk about building connections, rapport, and relationships with students. She shares her amazing story of becoming a teacher. Bianca emphasizes the importance of being intentional about building relationships with students over anything else. This is a great interview for everyone. Bianca A. Woodard  was born on Fort Bragg, NC into a military family.   She currently lives in Augusta Georgia and teaches AP Human Geography, government, and Economics at Midland Valley High School in Graniteville SC. She’s a graduate of Augusta University’s Pamplin College of Arts and Sciences where she obtained her Bachelors degree in History.  She began her teaching career in 2015 after over 15 years in corporate America as a trainer  and manager at a Fortune 500 Appliance Company. She’s an Apple Distinguished Educator and a Microsoft Innovative Educator. She’s Literacy and Gifted and Talented endors

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I talk to educator, speaker and EDU consultant, Ken Shelton about Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in Education. Ken currently holds an M.A. in Education with a specialization in Educational Technology as well as New Media Design and Production. He has worked as an Educator for over 14 years and most recently taught technology at the Middle School level. As a part of his active involvement within the Educational Technology community, Ken is an Apple Distinguished Educator and a Google Certified Innovator. Ken has worked extensively at the policy level and was named to the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction's Education Technology Task Force. Ken regularly gives keynotes, presentations, and leads workshops, many of which are hands-on, covering a wide variety of Educational Technology, Career and Technical Education, Equity and Inclusion, Multimedia Literacy, Visual Storytelling, and Instructional Design topics. Ken is the ISTE Digital Equity PLN

In this 139th episode of the Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Jay Billy, the author of Lead with Culture. Jay offers fantastic insight to leadership and how to create a school culture where families, students and staff are excited to a part of it. Jays shares his ideas and knowledge on: Positivity Pledge, the major misconception about culture, accountability with staff, trauma informed schools, and so much more. This is an awesome interview.    Jay Billy is the proud principal of Ben Franklin Elementary School in Lawrence Township, NJ. He was awarded The Exemplary Elementary Educator Award by the State of NJ in 2016. Jay is the Author of "Lead With Culture: What Really Matters in Our Schools."   Click on any of the following books below to preview and order (affiliate links):   Mentioned in this episode:    Sponsor: Download this free Bulling Awareness resource for teachers, administrators, parents, coaches, and students: What Everyone Needs to Know About Bullying.   Learn about Jay Billy's speaking here.