Crafting Disney's Stories: Lessons in Communication from Allen Babiarz-Lira

In Season 9, Episode 18 of My Disney Class Podcast, Ryan Boeckman and Howie DiBlasi welcome special guest Allen Babiarz-Lira, a college professor of communication at Saint Xavier University. With over 10 years of teaching experience, Allen brings a wealth of knowledge to the discussion. He holds a bachelor's degree in media communication and a master's degree in communication and training from Governors State University and is currently pursuing a doctorate in communication from Regent University. Allen's teaching and research interests encompass a broad spectrum, including interpersonal communication, gender communication, leadership, Disney, and social media.

During the episode, Allen shares his expertise on how Disney utilizes storytelling and narrative techniques in their theme parks, providing valuable insights into the power of communication in creating immersive guest experiences. He also discusses his Disney Communication through Animation class, offering a glimpse into how Disney's animation techniques can be studied and applied to enhance communication skills. Additionally, Allen delves into the topic of Disney's presence in his classroom and how he utilizes Disney’s strengths to his students’ advantage. Showing them how to develop and maximize their potential. 

Outside of academia, Allen enjoys spending time with his family and friends, particularly at his favorite destination, Walt Disney World. Tune in to this engaging episode as Ryan, Howie, and Allen delve into the fascinating world of communication, Disney, and storytelling, providing listeners with valuable insights and perspectives.

In Season 9, Episode 17 of My Disney Class Podcast, co-hosts Ryan Boeckman and Howie DiBlasi embark on an intriguing exploration of the top ten urban legends about Disney and education. Delving into the realm of myth and mystery, Ryan and Howie uncover fascinating stories and rumors that have circulated within the Disney and educational communities. From supposed hidden messages in Disney films to legendary tales of innovative teaching methods inspired by Disney magic, the hosts dissect each urban legend with curiosity and insight. Drawing on their collective knowledge and expertise, Ryan and Howie offer engaging commentary and analysis, separating fact from fiction and shedding light on the truths behind these captivating tales. Throughout the episode, listeners are treated to a blend of entertainment and education as Ryan and Howie unravel the myths surrounding Disney and its influence on educational practices. Join them on this captivating journey as they debunk myths, share anecdotes, and celebrate the enduring legacy of Disney and education. Tune in to discover the truth behind the top ten urban legends about Disney and education, and prepare to be enchanted by the magic of storytelling and discovery.

We hope you enjoyed our look at urban legends at Disney and in schools. We also hope you found a few nuggets that might inspire a lesson or activity that you can do with your students dealing with urban legends. If you haven’t already, remember to join the fun and supportive community we have in our Facebook group, Educators who love Disney and don’t forget to rate and review our podcast on Apple Music. Your support and feedback will only make us better and that’s no urban legend!

In Episode 16 of Season 9, hosts Ryan Boeckman and Howie DiBlasi welcome special guest Professor Bob Abbott to My Disney Class podcast. Professor Abbott brings a wealth of experience as an instructor in Project Management, Visual Thinking, and Business Analysis at McGill University Centre for Continuing Education, with over 15 years of teaching under his belt. Additionally, he boasts over 30 years of Information and Technology expertise in the telecommunications industry, making him a seasoned enterprise Senior Project Manager and facilitator. 

Throughout the episode, Professor Abbott shares insights into the importance of visual thinking and brainstorming in project management and corporate training, drawing on his extensive experience and expertise. He discusses techniques for fostering creativity and innovation within teams, often employing humor, storytelling, and Disney to cultivate an atmosphere of trust and creative thinking during his classes. Practical examples of visual thinking and brainstorming techniques are explored, highlighting their effectiveness in problem-solving and idea generation. 

The episode concludes with Professor Abbott sharing how he uses Edmagineering Classrooms in his courses at McGill University.  Bob offers us some helpful tips for using some of the same techniques he uses and also shares how he helps his students who struggle with this approach get over some of their initial hurdles.   

Overall, Episode 16 offers valuable insights and practical strategies for fostering creativity and innovation in both project management and educational settings. We hope you enjoyed listening to Professor Abbott and we hope that you try some of the innovative approaches he has to helping students maximize their learning potential through visual learning.  If you enjoyed the show, please subscribe, leave a review, and share with fellow educators. Stay tuned for more captivating episodes as we continue our journey through the world of education and innovation, Disney style!

AI Magic: From Disney to the Classroom

  In the latest installment of Season 9, airing on March 1st hosts Howie and Ryan embark on an intriguing exploration of the role of artificial intelligence (AI) within the Disney company and its potential applications in the field of education. They begin by delving into how Disney has effectively integrated AI technologies across various facets of its operations, leveraging them to enhance guest experiences and streamline processes. From interactive chatbots providing personalized assistance to predictive algorithms optimizing theme park logistics, Disney's innovative use of AI serves as a compelling case study in the realm of customer service and engagement.

Transitioning seamlessly into the educational sphere, Ryan and Howie pivot to discuss how educators can harness the power of AI to tailor classroom instruction and cater to the individual learning needs of students. Drawing on a range of AI tools and resources, they explore options such as chat generators and adaptive learning platforms that enable teachers to create dynamic and personalized lesson experiences. Through practical examples and insightful discussions, the hosts illuminate the transformative potential of AI in education, empowering educators to enhance student engagement, facilitate differentiated instruction, and foster deeper learning outcomes. 

Whether it's leveraging AI-powered chatbots to facilitate student-teacher interactions or utilizing adaptive learning algorithms to tailor lesson content in real time, this episode offers a wealth of valuable insights and resources for educators looking to harness the power of AI in their classrooms. Tune in to discover how AI is revolutionizing both the magic of Disney and the landscape of education.

Cody Havard, Being a Fan of Disney

In this special interview episode, hosts Howie DiBlasi and Ryan Boeckman are joined by Dr. Cody Havard, a professor at The University of Memphis. Dr. Havard's diverse creative projects, ranging from comic books to podcasting, are explored, along with the launch of his latest endeavor, "Being a Fan of Disney: The Book," and "The Perspectives Files" on Kindle Vella. Listeners are encouraged to connect with Dr. Havard's work through various channels, including subscribing to his podcast, following him on social media, and visiting his website. As the interview concludes, the hosts express gratitude to Dr. Havard for sharing his expertise and insights, inviting listeners to continue exploring the fascinating world of sports rivalry and fandom through his work. Don't miss this engaging conversation that offers valuable insights and opportunities for further exploration. Make sure to subscribe to My Disney Class to stay updated on future episodes and guests.

Can You Feel The Love Tonight 

In this special February episode of My Disney Class, co-hosted by Howie DiBlasi and Ryan Boeckman, the focus is on the captivating ways Walt Disney World cast members demonstrate care towards their guests and how we can apply this to our schools. The discussion unfolds with an exploration of various customer service techniques employed by Disney cast members, from warm greetings at the park gates to creating a welcoming atmosphere that makes guests feel at home. Tying these magical gestures to the theme of Valentine's Day, the hosts draw connections between Disney's care techniques and how educators can make students feel loved in schools. The episode delves into real-life examples from Walt Disney World, showcasing instances of extraordinary guest experiences and the impact of personalized care on overall satisfaction. The hosts then translate these Disney magic moments into practical strategies for educators to implement in the classroom, emphasizing the importance of building meaningful connections with students. 

We hope you enjoyed our episode today where we bring the love to you and hopefully to our students! If you enjoyed the show, please subscribe, leave a review, and share with fellow educators. Stay tuned for more captivating episodes as we continue our journey through the world of education and innovation, Disney style!

Inspiring Magic, One Child at a Time with Emily Gathman. 0

Nov 15, 2021

In today’s Replay episode of My Disney Class Podcast, Ryan and Howie welcome Emily Gathman again.  Emily is a 6th grade Science teacher at Bussey Middle School in Garland Texas. She loves to inspire her students to be creative problem-solvers as they tackle real-world Science and engineering problems in her classroom.

 Emily was recognized in 2021 as the Bussey Middle School's, Teacher of the year which as you will see in this episode is truly well deserved! 

On the show, Emily will share with us how she has incorporated the lessons that she has learned from Disney as well as what brings her inspiration from Disney into her classroom for her students. This ranges from how she has designed physical things in her classroom to how she uses inspirational quotes. For example, Emily helps her students handle failures they encounter in her class by using the quote,” Failure is not an endpoint but a jumping-off point.” She combines this quote with stories about how Walt Disney himself overcame many failures. We think you will agree as you listen to Emily describe her classroom that she is definitely inspiring her students to be innovators, just like Uncle Walt!

We hope you enjoyed today’s REPLAY episode and as always, we would love for you to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts. If you have any feedback or would like to come on the show, please email us at [email protected], and don’t forget to join our Facebook community at Educators Who Love Disney.

Welcome back, educators and Disney enthusiasts, to another exciting episode of My Disney Class! In this episode, hosts Ryan and Howie dive into the latest happenings at Walt Disney World for the new year. Join them as they explore the plusses and minuses of the various changes and share their perspectives. Additionally, the hosts discuss New Year's resolutions for education in 2024, providing insights and goals for the upcoming academic year.

Howie and Ryan start by discussing the latest developments and changes at Walt Disney World for the new year. This includes new attractions, refurbishments, and other noteworthy updates within the parks. They look at each of these changes and give the positive and negative aspects of each. They also share their personal experiences and insights on how these changes might impact the overall guest experience.

To wrap this show and 2023 up, Ryan and Howie reflect on the past year in education and discuss the evolving landscape of our wonderful profession. They share their resolutions for the new academic year, focusing on innovative teaching methods, technology integration, and student engagement. They also discuss the importance of continuous learning and professional development for educators, like the magical P.D. Magic conference coming up this June. 

We hope you enjoyed our episode today where we looked back at 2023 to help us look forward to 2024! If you enjoyed the show, please subscribe, leave a review, and share with fellow educators. Stay tuned for more captivating episodes as we continue our journey through the world of education and innovation, Disney style!

Welcome to another magical episode of My Disney Class! In this episode, co-host Howie DiBlasi's son, Mark DiBlasi, takes the stage to delve into the exciting gaming world in the classroom. Join us as Mark shares his insights on incorporating board games into educational settings and valuable tips on building a cost-effective game library for your students.

Mark starts off the show with a brief introduction and gives us a quick background on himself which includes his connection to education and his passion for gaming. We then jump into exploring the benefits of integrating board games into the educational environment. Mark shares examples of how board games can enhance critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills among students and lists out some top choices he thinks would be good options for most classrooms.

Mark also gives us some options for finding deals on board games that can help teachers keep the cost down of bringing games into the classroom. From cost-effective alternatives and creative solutions to groups that share resources for free, Mark has some great options for all budgets. He also shares digital resources and websites to help educators discover suitable games for their classrooms and ways to navigate online platforms to find educational games that align with specific learning objectives. 

We hope you enjoyed our episode today with Mark DiBlasi and his great insights on board games in the classroom. If you enjoyed the show, please subscribe, leave a review, and share with fellow educators.

Stay tuned for more captivating episodes as we continue our journey through the world of education and innovation, Disney style! 

Wishes for Education

 Today, Howie and Ryan are looking at Disney’s newest film “Wish.” The movie unfolds in the kingdom of Rosas, where King Magnifico possesses the ability to grant wishes, collecting and protecting them until the time is right. As 17-year-old Asha aims to become Magnifico's apprentice, she discovers the king's deceptive practices and sets out to reclaim her family's wishes with the help of an anthropomorphic ball of light named Star. Howie and Ryan draw parallels between the film's narrative and their own wishes for the education system, emphasizing themes of inspiration, empowerment, and critical thinking. As Asha confronts betrayal, corruption, and the power-hungry Magnifico, the hosts analyze the lessons for educators in teamwork, empowerment, and reshaping the educational landscape.

We hope you enjoyed our episode today looking at Disney’s newest movie “Wish” and also our discussion about wishes for the educational system as a whole. Also, if you haven’t already, remember to join the fun and supportive community we have in our Facebook group, Educators who love Disney. Don’t forget to rate and review our podcast on Apple Music. Your support and feedback will only make us better!

Wishes for Education!

Today, Howie and Ryan are looking at Disney’s newest film “Wish.” The movie unfolds in the kingdom of Rosas, where King Magnifico possesses the ability to grant wishes, collecting and protecting them until the time is right. As 17-year-old Asha aims to become Magnifico's apprentice, she discovers the king's deceptive practices and sets out to reclaim her family's wishes with the help of an anthropomorphic ball of light named Star. Howie and Ryan draw parallels between the film's narrative and their own wishes for the education system, emphasizing themes of inspiration, empowerment, and critical thinking. As Asha confronts betrayal, corruption, and the power-hungry Magnifico, the hosts analyze the lessons for educators in teamwork, empowerment, and reshaping the educational landscape.

We hope you enjoyed our episode today looking at Disney’s newest movie “Wish” and also our discussion about wishes for the educational system as a whole. Also, if you haven’t already, remember to join the fun and supportive community we have in our Facebook group, Educators who love Disney. Don’t forget to rate and review our podcast on Apple Music. Your support and feedback will only make us better!