The Wired Educator Podcast

Wired Educator Podcast Episode 253: The Business of You — An Interview with Authors Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio In this episode of the Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio, co-authors of The Business of You—a guide to treating yourself as the most important project you’ll ever work on. Marnie went from being a high school math teacher to becoming an EdTech leader before teaming up with Nick to run a software company. Nick started as a programmer, became an executive early in his career, and later jumped into entrepreneurship with Marnie. Together, they sold their company, co-authored the award-winning Lead it Like Lasso, and now bring their experiences and lessons to students, educators, and leaders through their newest book. In our conversation, Marnie and Nick share stories and strategies to help students and educators turn leadership lessons into real-life results. Links to Learn More About Marnie and Nick Puchase a copy of their books here: The Business of You and L

Welcome to episode 252 of The Wired Educator Podcast! In this episode, I interview Scott Borba, an inspiring education leader and author of The Leader You’re Not… and Why It’s Just as Important as the Leader You Are. This conversation will speak to your heart, sharpen your mind, and give you what you need to lead with more awareness this year. Scott and I connected deeply, and the wisdom he shares will benefit every educator committed to growth. About Scott Borba Scott is principal and superintendent of Le Grand Union Elementary School District in California. A recognized leader in education, he was named the NAESP National Distinguished Principal and the ACSA Superintendent/Principal of the Year. Scott also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Elementary School Principals. His book, The Leader You’re Not… and Why It’s Just as Important as the Leader You Are, focuses on self-awareness, growth in leadership, and building strong school communities. ⸻ Mentioned in the Podcast • The Le

This is the Wired Educator Podcast Episode 251, my interview with Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper, co-authors of The Language of Behavior: A Framework to Elevate Student Success. Charle and Joshua bring incredible insight, passion, and practical strategies to help educators and leaders transform the way we view behavior, student success, and school culture.  Our conversation covers practical strategies for addressing behavior through trauma-responsive practices, creating healthier school cultures, and empowering educators to better support students. This discussion was energizing, enlightening, and inspiring. I laughed, I learned, and I left with new tools I can put into practice right away. I know you’ll feel the same. Buckle up and enjoy this incredible conversation with Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper! Meet Charle Peck Charle Peck is a global keynote speaker, educator, and co-author of The Language of Behavior as well as Improving School Mental Health: The Thriving School Community Solution. With over 20 yea

This is the Wired Educator Podcast episode 250, my interview with Mark Trumbo, author of The Dream Factory: Designing a Life of Purpose. Mark and I talk about how he wrote an entertaining fable to teach memorable lessons on leadership and living an awesome life. My conversation with Mark hit so many levels of awesomeness, this is an amazing interview with amazing takeaways for everyone. Mark Trumbo is the author of The Dream Factory: Designing a Life of Purpose, a nationally recognized leader, speaker, and creator of The Purpose Design, a framework dedicated to helping people discover, define, and live out their true purpose. A devoted child of God, husband to Kristy, and proud father of Avery Grace, Grant Hampton, and Payton Joy, Mark's greatest joy comes from his faith and family. Mark's journey to discovering his "why" began in January 2017, shortly after the birth of his son, during a season of professional demands and personal reflection. Confronted with questions about his goals, identity, and impact, h

The Wired Educator Podcast: Episode 249 – "Becoming an Instructonal Leader" My Interview with Danny Steele This is The Wired Educator Podcast, Episode 249: My conversation with Danny Steele on instructional leadership—and so much more. Danny is a phenomenal leader, an inspiring author, and an all-around incredible human being. In this episode, we dive into his new book, explore what great instructional leadership really looks like in schools, and unpack the wisdom he’s sharing with educators everywhere. You’re going to love this episode. About Danny Steele Danny Steele worked for 31 years in education as a principal, assistant principal, teacher, coach, and assistant professor of Instructional Leadership. In 2005, Steele was recognized as the “Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year” for the state of Alabama. And in 2016, he was recognized as Alabama’s “Secondary Principal of the Year.” He has written five books, including two with Todd Whitaker, presented at numerous state and national conferences, and spo

Building Authenticity, an Interview with Todd Nesloney Listen to The Wired Educator Podcast, Episode 248 In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I sit down with one of my favorite education leaders and storytellers, Todd Nesloney. Todd returns to the show to share powerful insights from his newest book, Building Authenticity: A Blueprint for the Leader Inside You. Todd currently serves as the Director of Culture and Strategic Leadership for the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA). He is a nationally recognized educator who has been honored by the White House, John C. Maxwell, and the National School Board Association, among many others. From leading a PreK–5 campus of 775 students to co-authoring bestsellers like Kids Deserve It, Todd continues to inspire and challenge educators to lead with heart, honesty, and boldness. In this conversation, we talk about what it really means to lead authentically, how to stay rooted in your values, and why storytelling is essential for bu

This is a brand new season of The Wired Educator Podcast. I am excited to kick it off with this episode. This is the Wired Educator Podcast Episode 247This is a special solo episode, of just me, Kelly Croy, designed to help educators and leaders everywhere maximize their summer, rest with intention, and return to the school year feeling refreshed, focused, and inspired. In this episode, I share a personal and powerful summer bucket list featuring 29 ideas that will help every educator create meaningful moments, reclaim energy, and do something just for themselves. Whether you’re looking to rest, write, explore, reflect, or just feel more like yourself again, this list is for you. What You’ll Hear in This Episode Why rest isn’t just about sleep, it’s about soul care The power of small adventures and new beginnings How starting two books (just starting) can reset your mindset My favorite idea on the list and why it had to be number 29 How to make this summer more intentional and less reactionary Thi

In this episode of the Wired Educator Podcast, I had the honor of speaking with Pamela Broome, a transformative leader in education. As the founding principal and current director of UNC Charlotte’s elementary lab school, Pamela has pioneered innovative approaches to teaching and learning, focusing on trauma-informed practices, literacy advancement, and creating emotionally supportive classrooms. Her work has significantly impacted both students and educators, fostering resilience and engagement in the educational community. Joe Miller, a former student of Pamela's, joins us as cohost. Joe is an award-winning educator and founder of an amazing SEL Symposium hosted at our district. I love working with Joe and I am so happy he introduced me to Pamela. During our conversation, Pamela shared invaluable insights into the challenges and rewards of implementing trauma-informed teaching strategies, the evolving landscape of literacy education, and her vision for the future of educational leadership. Her dedication to

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast , I had the privilege of speaking with two extraordinary Apple Distinguished Educators, Rita Mortenson and Charlene Chausis. Rita and Charlene are both passionate educators who are transforming classrooms through digital creativity, particularly in the realm of digital art . From their innovative use of Procreate and the Keynote app on the iPad to their inspiring journey into creating pet portraits, these two educators share how they bring creativity and artistry into education in impactful ways. [caption id="attachment_2254" align="alignright" width="421"] If you're an educator looking to inspire creativity, incorporate cutting-edge technology, and foster collaboration and critical thinking in your classroom, this episode is a must listen! About Rita Mortenson Rita Mortenson is the Educational Technology Coach at Verona Area High School. She is an Apple Distinguished Educator, a Google Innovator, an ISTE Certified Educator, and a National Board Certified Teacher

In this episode of the Wired Educator Podcast, I had the privilege of speaking with Adeel Khan, the visionary founder of MagicSchool AI. Adeel, a former teacher and principal, has created what I believe to be the most powerful tool currently available to help educators and educational leaders. Adeel's team has shared with me what an amazing leader he is as well. If you’re an educator looking to save time, reduce stress, and focus more on what matters most—your students—this episode is a must-listen.  About MagicSchool AI MagicSchool AI’s mission is simple yet profound: to lighten the load for teachers so they can dedicate their energy to building relationships and delivering impactful instruction. Here are some highlights of what makes MagicSchool AI a game-changer for educators: Time-Saving Efficiency: MagicSchool AI can save teachers up to 10 hours per week by streamlining tedious tasks. Teacher-Centric Design: The platform is intuitive, customizable, and designed to address the realities of teaching. Teac

Kicking off a NEW season of The Wired Educator Podcast! Welcome to episode 243 of The Wired Educator Podcast! This episode is all about the importance of vision and goal-setting as we embark on a new school year. If you're an educator, administrator, or school leader, this is the perfect time to set your sights on the goals that will make this year extraordinary. In this episode, I reflect on how critical it is to establish clear goals for yourself and your students. Whether you're guiding a classroom or leading a team of teachers, a well-defined vision will ensure that you start the year with a sense of purpose. Here's what you can look forward to: I am going to give you six keys to setting your goals for the school year, achieving them, and having your best year, yet!  Your leadership and commitment to education make a difference every single day. I’m so excited for this season of The Wired Educator Podcast filled with amazing interviews, insights, and inspiration. Let's make this school year the best yet!

This is Wired Educator Podcast Episode 242: Teaching and Learning with the Magic of Artificial Intelligence, my interview with Jeni Long who has been at the forefront of educational innovation as an EdTech speaker, consultant, and author helping educators. Jeni has a new role as Senior Community Strategist at MagicSchool AI is helping educators in fascinating new ways by leveraging artificial intelligence. Dive in. You’re going to love this episode. Click here to listen to my interview with Jeni Long.  Jeni is a seasoned educator with over 25 years of experience in the field. She is a respected EdTech speaker, consultant, and author dedicated to providing unwavering support for teachers both in and out of the classroom. Jeni empathizes with the daily challenges educators encounter and strives to offer guidance, resources, and encouragement to all educators. In her role as the Senior Community Strategist at MagicSchool AI, Jeni's primary goal is to ensure that every teacher on the platform feels supported, mot

Welcome to another exciting episode of the Wired Educator Podcast, where we're dedicated to helping educators make a real difference. I'm your host, Kelly Croy, and today we have a very special episode that promises to inspire and energize. Our guest is the dynamic Ty Allan Jackson, an author, speaker, and fierce advocate for children's literacy and diversity in children's books. Ty's enthusiasm is absolutely infectious, and his commitment to teaching kids about financial literacy through his popular books like "Danny Dollar Millionaire" and "Make Your Own Money" is truly motivating. In our conversation, Ty shares the joys and challenges of his journey as an author and speaker. He opens up about the impact his work has on young minds, emphasizing the importance of having diverse characters that kids can look up to. His positivity shines through everything he does, making him a joy to follow on Instagram and a favorite among his followers. So, tune in, get inspired, and discover why this interview with Ty Alla

Welcome to the Wired Educator Podcast, Episode 240 my interview with the exceptional Chris Nesi. Chris is not only an outstanding educator but also the brilliant host of the House of EdTech podcast. Chris is someone I respect and admire.  I'm absolutely delighted to share our enlightening conversation about education podcasting and a plethora of other fascinating topics. You're going to love this episode.  Christopher J. Nesi, is a passionate educator, podcast host, and influential thought leader. With over 15 years of classroom experience, Chris has dedicated his professional journey to assisting educators in effectively and meaningfully integrating technology into their teaching practices. His engaging presentations at both local and national conferences are widely acclaimed for their practical strategies in technology implementation and their emphasis on creating student-centered learning experiences. As the host and producer of the immensely popular "House of #EdTech" podcast, Chris explores emerging tren

This is the Wired Educator podcast Episode 239, my interview with Donnie, Sorah titled “Publishing Students Through Creative Collaborations." Donnie is a  musician, educator, composer, and an associate professor of music at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise. He’s amazing and he’s going to share his story as well as inspire us all to publish students’ work in powerful and unique ways to enhance their voice, build connection and provide the best learning experience possible. This episode is perfect for teachers in any content are, teaching any age, educational leaders and YOU!  [convertkit form=1190516] Dr. Donald Sorah, Associate Professor of Music at The University of Virginia's College at Wise, boasts a diverse teaching portfolio encompassing applied high brass, conducting, music technology, composition, orchestration, and various other courses. As an Apple Distinguished Educator and recipient of the Outstanding Use of Technology in the Classroom Award (May 2022), Dr. Sorah actively supports stude

This is the Wired Educator Podcast Episode 238 my interview with Michael Hernandez, Apple Distinguished Educator, and author of the new education bestseller Storytelling with Purpose: Digital Projects to Ignite Student Curiosity. Acclaimed documentary film director Ken Burns says this about Michael's book, “Teaching is the most important profession in any democracy. Michael Hernandez has written a wonderful book that anchors storytelling in the classroom and provides a highly readable and hugely helpful guide for teachers, who each day are taking students on an intellectual journey that is critical to the well-being of our country." Wow! Now, that’s a book endorsement! In this episode, Michael and I will talk about how storytelling is perfect for your classroom despite what grade you teach and what content you teach. Storytelling is for all classrooms! You’re going to love this episode! Michael Hernandez is an international speaker, author, curriculum designer, and award-winning educator who helps individuals

This is the Wired Educator Podcast Episode 237, Teach Like a Pirate Revisited, my interview with Dave Burgess. I had the good fortune of interviewing Dave on episode 10, 227 episodes ago! Dave is the author of Teach Like a Pirate and the president and found of DBC with over 200 EDU speakers and authors. Amazing!  I worked for Dave for 4 years doing website design, maintenance, marketing, narration of a couple books, designing author pages and more. So cool to have Dave back and talk about how relevant and important his Teach Like a Pirate book still is, the impact he has had on education and more! Beautiful episode, with a beautiful human. Love Dave’s positive influence on all things EDU and how he keeps the narrative on EDU super positive and awesome. You’re going to love our interview. I am excited to share “The” Dave Burgess‘s journey with you! We are going to talk about deeply about how some of the core components of his book, Teach Like a Pirate, are not only still relevant in classrooms today, but how t

The Wired Educator Podcast kicks off 2024 with an interview with Meghan Lawson, author of the new EDU best seller, Legacy of Learning: Teaching for Lasting Impact. My colleague at Port Clinton City Schools, Joe Miller, an amazing high school English teacher and Ohio Teacher of the Year Finalist, joins me on this episode as cohost. We talk with Megan about her book, social, emotional learning, strategies for making a lasting impact, and creating awesome spaces to teach and learn. You’re going to love this episode. Meghan is a thought leader who studies and implements the conditions and systems needed for transformational change. She is the author of Legacy of Learning: Teaching for Lasting Impact. A lover of learning who believes in the goodness of people, Meghan works to cultivate spaces that honor the humanity of all people. She promotes storytelling, the exchange of ideas, and risk-taking. She is passionate about disrupting the status quo and creating kinder, forward-thinking communities of action. Meghan i

Happy New Year! This episode is not an interview with an educational leader. This episode is me reflecting on my year, the impact I made, the setbacks and success I experienced, and the lessons I learned.  One year ago I sat down with my Moleskine Journal and set a bunch of goals for 2023. One of the goals was to keep myself accountable by posting a podcast of me breaking down each goal on how I did. I set over 50 goals for 2023. Find out how I did. Perhaps you will be motivated to set some goals for yourself.  It is always difficult to hit the publish button on a blog, podcast, or post, but I always look at it from the perspective of an educator... to help others. If someone can benefit from my success or setbacks that is yet another benefit.  I do not post this podcast to brag or make excuses. I made it keep myself accountable. The process was actually quite humbling.  One of the goals of Wired Educator is to help people "level up to make a difference." Perhaps this episode will do that for others.  I tried

This is the Wired Educator Podcast Episode 234, an  interview with West Virginia Educator of the Year and Apple Distinguished Educator, Brian Casto. We focus on making class time and content engaging as well as the opportunities and challenges that arise in being recognized for our work in education. Brian Casto is an amazing educator whom I had the pleasure to meet. He is so humble and kind, but his inspiration and passion for all things education will inspire all of us. you are going to love this episode. Brian has impacted lives for more than fifteen years in education. His dedication to preserving West Virginia's history and culture has earned him accolades, including the Honorary Golden Horseshoe Award. Recently accepted into the Apple Distinguished Educator program, Brian's story is one of passion and impact. I love the animated videos he created to help his students learn about and have respect for their state. Amazing work. Brian Casto has been in the education field for fifteen years and holds a bach