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 with an MBA. Rita also serves on the Discovery Education Network Leadership Council and the Wisconsin State Technology Advisory Board. She is passionate about integrating technology in innovative and creative ways, making learning accessible and engaging for all.

About Charlene Chausis Charlene Chausis, who describes herself as "mostly retired," has an impressive history in education. She has dedicated her career to helping educators amplify students' creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking skills. As a 2003 Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Innovator, and Google Certified Teacher, Charlene has presented at numerous national and local conferences. She continues to inspire educators through her volunteer work and passion for digital art.

Insights from My Conversation with Rita and Charlene

During our conversation, Rita and Charlene shared their journey into creating and teaching digital art and how Procreateon the iPad has transformed their creative process. They discussed their passion for pet portraits and how they use this art form to teach and inspire others. Here are some key highlights: The Journey into Digital Art : Charlene and Rita talk about how their background in education shaped their approach to digital art, incorporating apps like Explain Everything, Keynote, and Procreate. They also shared how Apple's Everyone Can Create series of eBooks inspired their work. Passion for Pet Portraits : Both Rita and Charlene fell in love with creating pet portraits through Procreate, finding unique ways to express their creativity and give back to their communities. Charlene has drawn over 40 pet portraits for The Anti Cruelty Society fundraiser, while Rita enjoys creating portraits for family, friends, and various projects. Tips for Beginners : They offer practical advice for educators and individuals looking to start their journey into digital art, emphasizing that everyone is an artist . With the right tools, like Procreate and Apple Pencil, and some inspiration, anyone can create. Memorable Moments : From challenging projects like drawing a cat blending into a fuzzy rug to creating heartfelt portraits of pets who've passed away, Rita and Charlene share the emotional and artistic impact of their work.

Try Procreate and Apple's Keynote to CreateDigital Art Rita and Charlene encourage educators to explore tools like Procreate and the Apple Teacher Learning Center's Everyone Can Create eBooks to get started on their own creative journeys. Whether you're tracing your first drawing or creating stunning pet portraits, the possibilities are endless with today's digital tools.

Final Thoughts

This episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice for educators and creators alike. Rita and Charlene exemplify how technology and art can intersect to create meaningful, engaging learning experiences. Their work with Procreate and Keynote to create digital art reminds us all that creativity knows no boundaries.

Thank you, Rita and Charlene, for sharing your passion and journey with us. Educators, this is your chance to discover how digital art can transform your teaching practice and inspire your students.

Mentioned in the Podcast: 

Carlene's Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/cchausis/, and also a link to the Anti-Cruelty Society's Pet Portrait fundraiser. https://anticruelty.org/portraits --

Thanks for taking time out of your busy week to listen to The Wired Educator Podcast.

You are awesome!

Kelly

I would like to speak at your event!

Order Kelly’s books, Along Came a Leader and Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness for your personal library.

Educator, Author, Keynote Speaker

Instagram: @kcroy Website: kellycroy.com and wirededucator.com Podcast: The Wired Educator Podcast  Twitter: @kellycroy and of course: Facebook.

Sign-up for Kelly’s newsletter here.

[convertkit form=1190516]

Do you like what you heard? Invite Kelly to speak at your school. Interested in booking Kelly for your Next Event? Yes! Let's Make it happen right HERE!  

 

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. Teachers can start using it immediately without extensive training.
• Empowering Educators: MagicSchool AI focuses on freeing up teachers’ time to enhance their direct interactions with students and families, emphasizing that great teaching is irreplaceable.

Since its launch, MagicSchool AI has seen remarkable success, with over 4 million educators signing up in just 18 months. This rapid growth underscores the platform’s effectiveness and the demand for innovative tools in education.

Insights from My Conversation with Adeel Khan

During our discussion, Adeel shared the inspiring story behind MagicSchool AI, its mission, and its incredible growth. Here are some key takeaways:

• The Vision: Adeel’s passion for education and his understanding of the challenges teachers face inspired him to create a platform tailored to their needs.
• Practical Applications: MagicSchool AI helps educators with everyday tasks, from lesson planning to administrative duties, giving them more time to focus on teaching and student engagement.
• Looking Ahead: Adeel shares exciting plans for MagicSchool AI in 2025, including new features and updates designed to further empower educators and enhance student outcomes.
•  The Book Adeel's read 10-20 times! We also learn the most influential book in Adeel's life, and he's read it more than ten times! essentialism and he is currently using the essentialism planner, both by Greg McKeown. I am adding both to my cart and reading and using this year! Wow! And of course you could listen to it on Audible. 

Try MagicSchool AI

If you’re intrigued by the possibilities MagicSchool AI offers, I encourage you to explore it for yourself. Visit MagicSchool.ai to learn more and sign up for a free trial. Experience firsthand how this transformative tool can revolutionize your teaching practice.

Final Thoughts

This episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and practical advice for educators. Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or educational leader, MagicSchool AI is a tool you need to know about.

Thank you, Adeel, for sharing your journey and the magic behind MagicSchool AI. Teachers and administrators, now is the time to discover why this platform is reshaping education.

As always, thank you for listening to the Wired Educator Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a colleague, leave a review, and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Let’s make 2025 a transformative year for education.

For more episodes, resources, and tools, visit WiredEducator.com.

Looking for a dynamic speaker to inspire your school or organization? Visit KellyCroy.com and let’s make it happen.

Thanks for taking time out of your busy week to listen to The Wired Educator Podcast.

You are awesome!

Kelly

I would like to speak at your event!

Order Kelly’s books, Along Came a Leader and Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness for your personal library.

Educator, Author, Keynote Speaker

Instagram: @kcroy Website: kellycroy.com and wirededucator.com Podcast: The Wired Educator Podcast  Twitter: @kellycroy and of course: Facebook.

Sign-up for Kelly’s newsletter here.

[convertkit form=1190516]

Do you like what you heard? Invite Kelly to speak at your school. Interested in booking Kelly for your Next Event? Yes! Let's Make it happen right HERE!

 

 

 

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!

 

Thanks for taking time out of your busy week to listen to The Wired Educator Podcast.

You are awesome!

Kelly

I would like to speak at your event!

Order Kelly’s books, Along Came a Leader and Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness for your personal library.

Educator, Author, Keynote Speaker Twitter: @kellycroy Instagram: @kcroy Website: kellycroy.com and wirededucator.com Podcast: The Wired Educator Podcast and of course: Facebook.

Sign-up for Kelly’s newsletter here.

[convertkit form=1190516]

Do you like what you heard? Invite Kelly to speak at your school. Interested in booking Kelly for your Next Event? Yes! Let's Make it happen right HERE!  

 

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, motivated, and empowered to positively impact their students' lives. She strongly believes in the strength of community and understands that collective collaboration among teachers can foster magic within classrooms. Jeni is actively engaged in organizing events, delivering professional development sessions, fostering community growth, and establishing partnerships with school districts in collaboration with MagicSchool.

Mentioned in this Episode: 

StreamYard: Our sponsor for this episode. This is the app I use to record interviews with my guests. It's the best way to record audio and video. Go to www.StreamYard.com and turn your browser into an awesome recording studio. 

Wired Wednesday Chat and Live Stream: Follow @wirededucator @kellycroy #wiredwednesday and the entire squad for a unique video live stream and Twitter chat on Wednesday at 9PM. 

Magic School AI: This is where Jeni works and it is an amazing tool for using Artificial Intelligence as an educator. More to come on this, but I must say... I am so impressed by Magic School. Check it out. 

Here's the link to ALL of Jeni Long's social media, website and information: https://www.canva.com/design/DAEbRxl2tN4/AFSz0bNzL9PrPIOVJNod9Q/view

Thanks for taking time out of your busy week to listen to The Wired Educator Podcast.

You are awesome!

Kelly

I would like to speak at your event!

Order Kelly’s books, Along Came a Leader and Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness for your personal library.

Educator, Author, Keynote Speaker Twitter: @kellycroy Instagram: @kcroy Website: kellycroy.com and wirededucator.com Podcast: The Wired Educator Podcast and of course: Facebook.

Sign-up for Kelly’s newsletter here.

[convertkit form=1190516]

Do you like what you heard? Invite Kelly to speak at your school. Interested in booking Kelly for your Next Event? Yes! Let's Make it happen right HERE!

[fusebox_full_player social_twitter="true" social_facebook="true" social_linkedin="true" social_pinterest="true" social_email="true" ]

 

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 Allan Jackson is an absolute must-listen for anyone passionate about education and making a difference in the lives of young learners.

Ty is an award-winning children’s book author, literacy advocate, captivating motivational speaker, and honorary Doctorate recipient. In 2011 he founded Big Head Books, LLC (now Ty Allan Jackson, LLC,) a literacy organization that aims to introduce children to the joys of reading. Ty travels around the country (or, nowadays, does virtual visits via Zoom from the comfort of his couch) inspiring children and educating adults about the impacts of illiteracy.  A three-time TedX presenter, Ty believes that literacy is the foundation for a successful life and promotes it with humor and enthusiasm. Awards and Recognition In 2021, Ty received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts for his work as an author and community leader. Ty’s work as an author and literacy advocate also earned him the Massachusetts inaugural Martin Luther King Jr. Content of Character Award, as well as citations from the Massachusetts Governor, Senator, and the House of Representatives. Ty’s books have been featured on Good Morning America, Disney+, CNN, NBC Nightly News, The Steve Harvey Show, PBS. In 2012, Ty’s books were gifted to former First Lady Michelle Obama by his hometown mayor.  Projects Ty is the co-founder of READ OR ELSE™, a literacy movement that was created to shine a light on the impacts of illiteracy. In collaboration with Northern Kentucky University, Ty also co-founded Danny Dollar Academy, a revolutionary financial literacy program created for elementary school students to learn the basics of Finance, Entrepreneurship, and Economics.

Mentioned in this episode: 

www.TyAllanJackson.com

Follow Ty on • Facebook • Instagram • Twitter• LinkedIn

Ty's Books: 

• Danny Dollar Millionaire Extraordinaire: The Lemonade Escapade • The Supadupa Kid • The Supadupa Kid 2: MOVE • When I Close My Eyes• You Are Amazing/I Am Amazing • Make Your Own Money: How Kids Can Earn It, Save It, Spent It, and Dream Big, with Danny Dollar, the King of Cha-Ching

Thanks for taking time out of your busy week to listen to The Wired Educator Podcast.

You are awesome!

Kelly

I would like to speak at your event!

Order Kelly’s books, Along Came a Leader and Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness for your personal library.

Educator, Author, Keynote Speaker Twitter: @kellycroy Instagram: @kcroy Website: kellycroy.com and wirededucator.com Podcast: The Wired Educator Podcast and of course: Facebook.

Sign-up for Kelly’s newsletter here.

[convertkit form=1190516]

Do you like what you heard? Invite Kelly to speak at your school. Interested in booking Kelly for your Next Event? Yes! Let's Make it happen right HERE!

 

 

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 trends and conducts insightful interviews with influential figures in education and technology from around the world. His authenticity and genuine leadership shine through in every episode, making him an invaluable resource for educators seeking inspiration and guidance.

Throughout our conversation, I was reminded of why Chris has earned my admiration. His unwavering dedication to empowering educators and utilizing technology to shape the future of education is truly inspiring. I strongly encourage listeners to tune in to his podcast and engage with him on social media, as his insights are truly invaluable. It's a true honor and privilege to introduce you to the remarkable Chris Nesi.

Chris's Links:

•  https://chrisnesi.com
• The Pod Journal
• I Like to Podcast and You Will Too!: A House of #EdTech Guide to Podcasting
• PodcastPD
• Education Podcast Network

Thanks for taking time out of your busy week to listen to The Wired Educator Podcast.

You are awesome!

Kelly

I would like to speak at your event!

Order Kelly’s books, Along Came a Leader and Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness for your personal library.

Educator, Author, Keynote Speaker Twitter: @kellycroy Instagram: @kcroy Website: kellycroy.com and wirededucator.com Podcast: The Wired Educator Podcast and of course: Facebook.

Sign-up for Kelly’s newsletter here.

Do you like what you heard? Invite Kelly to speak at your school. Interested in booking Kelly for your Next Event? Yes! Let's Make it happen right HERE!

 

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 students and colleagues as an Apple Learning Coach at UVA Wise, an Apple Distinguished School.

Under his guidance, the college achieved initial accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music in 2019. Beyond UVA Wise, Dr. Sorah has served as Associate Adjunct Instructor at Mountain Empire Community College since 1999 and previously taught at J.J. Kelly High School and L.F. Addington Middle School in Wise, Virginia.

As the Associate Director of the Spirit of America National Honor Band, he conducted and performed as a trumpet soloist across Europe. He co-founded the Guayaquil Summer Music Academy in Ecuador, where he engaged in performances, lectures, and trumpet instruction. Recent teaching and research ventures have taken him to Chile and Spain.

Sorah is a member of the Symphony of the Mountains and the Johnson City Symphony. In 2006, he founded the Winds of the Mountain Empire, a regional wind ensemble comprised mainly of music educators and is a champion for new works, presenting numerous premieres and commissions.

As a prolific composer, Dr. Sorah has crafted works for various ensembles, including piano, organ, chamber groups, wind ensemble, and orchestra. His compositions have been performed by The University of Louisville Symphonic Band, University of Florida Symphonic Band, Nicholls State University Symphonic Band, and Madison Concert Band. Most recently, his orchestral work Rhapsody on In the Bleak Midwinter was featured at the 2023 Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois.

As an advocate for proving free high-quality educational resources for his students he has published four books on Apple Books including Composing with Found Sounds in GarageBand, Everyone Can Create Music With iPad Curriculum Guide, Book of Rhythms and Melodies Vol. 1, and Book of Rhythms and Melodies Vol. 2. Under his leadership, students in his music appreciation course published five introductory books covering eras of classical music.

Dr. Sorah earned his Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Music Education from The Florida State University and holds master's and bachelor's degrees from Morehead State University (KY). He resides in Wise, Virginia, with his wife Kelly, son Brennan, and dog Roamer.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Mentioned in this Episode: 

• Donald W. Sorah, Ph.D. Musician • Educator • Composer, Associate Professor of Music, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise,  Distinguished Educator
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DonaldSorah
• Twitter/X: dsorah
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dsorah/
• SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/KHjRp
• ADE Application Video - https://youtu.be/a_1dYkdXJJ8?si=MKOko9rtAxZBhWns
• Institute Reflections (presented to UVA Wise Administration) - https://youtu.be/p7etYKV_hqg?si=A90EG05O7vQqHTRz
• Year in Review Video - https://youtu.be/CjCbBa0XiIY?si=3peCrTY-4r1rZolA
• Donnie's Everyone Can Create Music With iPad course - https://youtu.be/QTrmauafu3k?si=dQndZtrVSozrFjKk
• Donnie's Apple Books
  • Composing with Found Sounds in GarageBand - https://books.apple.com/us/book/composing-with-found-sounds-in-garageband/id6446335882
  • Everyone Can Create Music With iPad Curriculum Guide - https://books.apple.com/us/book/everyone-can-create-music-with-ipad-curriculum-guide/id6469569998
  • Book of Rhythms and Melodies Vol. 1 - https://books.apple.com/us/book/book-of-rhythms-and-melodies-volume-1/id6458742968
  • Book of Rhythms and Melodies Vol. 2 - https://books.apple.com/us/book/book-of-rhythms-and-melodies-volume-2/id6475354723
• Music Appreciation Class Challenge Based Learning - Twitter/X #MusAppBk - https://youtu.be/zDXPJWVhDUc?si=r5Fetwv2eiaYjjpK
  • Team Building
  • Alternative Assessments
  • Book Creation (class created five books available on Apple Books) - https://books.apple.com/us/book-series/music-appreciation-textbook-series/id1721184559
    • An ongoing project
• Music Albums
  • Everyone Can Create Music With iPad (6 albums) - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/the-university-of-virginias-college-at-wise/1537518067
  • Pandemic Sketches (personal album good for musical creative writing prompts) - https://music.apple.com/us/album/pandemic-sketches/1699298689

Thanks for Listening to The Wired Educator Podcast

Kelly

I would like to speak at your event!

Order Kelly’s books, Along Came a Leader and Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness for your personal library.

Educator, Author, Keynote Speaker Twitter: @kellycroy Instagram: @kcroy Website: kellycroy.com and wirededucator.com Podcast: The Wired Educator Podcast and of course: Facebook.

Sign-up for Kelly’s newsletter here.

[convertkit form=1190516]

Do you like what you heard? Invite Kelly to speak at your school. Interested in booking Kelly for your Next Event? Yes! Let's Make it happen right HERE!

Order Kelly’s books, Along Came a Leader and Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness for your personal library.

[fusebox_full_player social_twitter="true" social_facebook="true" social_linkedin="true" social_pinterest="true" social_email="true" ]

 

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 and organizations discover and share authentic stories that matter. I’ve been featured in Forbes, Edutopia, PBS, NPR, and #SXSWEDU.

As a trusted consultant and community manager, he helps tech startups, non-profits, and corporations develop their brand and engage their stakeholders. Clients include Apple, Adobe, Google, and National Geographic. His monthly newsletter, Change The Narrative, shares resources and inspiration around innovation, tech, education, and leadership.

Michael is an Apple Distinguished Educator, Adobe Education Leader, PBS Digital Innovator, and Lindblad/National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow.

We talk about how his book helps with: 

• Uncheatable Assessments
• How to use storytelling projects for assessment
• How digital story projects support literacy, civics
• How non-fiction storytelling projects are like science and design thinking.
• How story projects leverage student passion and curiosity to increase engagement

Award-winning educator and speaker Michael Hernandez brings together over 20 years of in-the-classroom experience to help solve some of our most existential challenges in education today: artificial intelligence, steep declines in student engagement, and the need for authentic learning experiences. The solution: digital storytelling as a framework for learning.

Rather than viewing storytelling as a nice-to-have reward for students after their ‘real work’ has been completed, this book shows educators how to use story projects–from data visualizations to social media posts, to podcasts and video documentaries– as the scaffold upon which we can position our curricular skills and knowledge. The process helps students make interdisciplinary connections, activates higher level thinking and critical analysis skills, and provides multimodal learning opportunities for all students.

This book is perfect for learning coaches, classroom teachers, and education leaders seeking practical ways to elevate teaching and learning in every grade level and subject area. The book focuses on student-centered, project-based learning experiences that use digital tools to:

• Create uncheatable, authentic assessments
• Leverage curiosity as the engine for learning
• Provide purpose for the skills and knowledge central to our curriculum
• Develop a mindset of collaboration, mental agility and resilience
• Cultivate digital literacy skills and ethical mindsets
• Bring purpose and joy back to learning

With practical advice, case studies, and examples of how to plan, create, publish and assess student stories, this book offers a fresh approach to digital storytelling. And it includes guidance on how to provide students with the tools and structure they need to develop a mindset of curiosity, agency and purpose.

More than a practical edtech guide, this book explores the why behind digital storytelling as much as the how. Educators will learn how to help students explore cultural and historical context, develop social emotional resiliency, and develop the skills they need to become engaged global citizens.

Originally determined to become a filmmaker, Michael quickly realized the power that narrative has to change minds, and the potential it has to make a positive impact on the world. Right out of film school, he took a job teaching journalism and film production, making it his five year plan before he returned to a ‘real job’ in filmmaking. He quickly fell in love with teaching, and embraced the noble work of helping young people find their voice to tell stories that make a difference. 

Since taking the leap into education, Michael has become an award-winning teacher, international speaker, author, and curriculum designer who helps individuals and organizations discover and share authentic stories that matter. He has been featured in Forbes, Edutopia, PBS, NPR, and SXSW EDU. Some of his most memorable teaching experiences include moderating conversations with Ken Burns, Dolores Huerta, and teaching his daughter Maya, who was one of his high school journalism students.

As a trusted expert, he has worked with schools, tech startups, non-profits, and corporations to develop their brand and engage their stakeholders. Clients include Apple, Adobe, Google, and National Geographic. His podcast and monthly newsletter, Change The Narrative, has a global audience of thousands.

Michael is an Apple Distinguished Educator, PBS Digital Innovator, and National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow. Follow him on these social platforms:

Mentioned in this Episode:

Kelly's two books:

• Along Came a Leader: A Personal and Professional Guide to Leadership
• Unthink Before Bed: A Children's Book on Mindfulness & Anxiety

Michael's book: Storytelling with Purpose: Digital Projects to Ignite Student Curiosity

Follow Michael on: 

Instagram: @Changing.The.Narrative 

Change The Narrative Newsletter

www.michael-hernandez.net

Twitter: @cinehead 

Linked In: https://bit.ly/MichaelHernandezLinkedIn

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day and week to listen to the Wired Educator podcast to level up and make a difference in the lives of others.

Always forward,

Kelly

------------------------------------------------------------

Do you like what you heard? Invite Kelly to speak at your school. Interested in booking Kelly for your Next Event? Yes! Let's Make it happen right HERE!

Order Kelly’s books, Along Came a Leader and Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness for your personal library.

Educator, Author, Keynote Speaker Twitter: @kellycroy Instagram: @kcroy Website: kellycroy.com and wirededucator.com Podcast: The Wired Educator Podcast and of course: Facebook.

Sign-up for Kelly’s newsletter here.

 

 

 

 

 

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 they are saving teacher’s careers from exhaustion, burnout and engagement. Dave is one of the most wonderful humans and educators I have had the pleasure to meet. He came into my life at such a great time and really helped me and my family! I’m excited to reconnect with him and share his important work with you today, Teach Like a Pirate!

Thank you for all you do in education. I am so proud of you. Thank you for taking time out of your busy week, your busy day to listen to The Wired Educator Podcast. You’re awesome.

Dave Burgess is the New York Times Best-Selling author of Teach Like a PIRATE, co-author of P is for PIRATE, and the president of Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc. which delivers powerful, inspirational, and innovative books, keynotes, and professional development.

He specializes in teaching hard-to-reach, hard-to-motivate students with techniques that incorporate showmanship and creativity.  At a recent ceremony in Washington, D.C., he was awarded the BAMMY for Secondary School Teacher of the Year by the Academy of Education Arts and Sciences.

Dave delivers the ultimate professional development experience for your teachers that is perfect for all circumstances from truly inspirational opening keynotes to full-day hands-on workshops.  It is a high-energy, interactive, and entertaining experience that will leave your staff unbelievably inspired, motivated, and with the practical skills to dramatically increase student engagement.

His presentations are a unique blend of outrageously energetic performance art and magic, mixed with an inspirational message of how and why to become more passionate in the classroom. All techniques and methods are modeled and fully explained so as to leave no doubt about how to apply the methods in the real-world. Participants will leave with a tool-box full of dynamic presentational ideas that they can immediately use to improve their lessons.

As a teacher in San Diego, California, he was a 2001 and 2012 Golden Apple winner in the Grossmont Union High School District and the 2007-2008 Teacher of the Year at West Hills High School. He was voted a faculty standout for 17 consecutive years in categories such as Most Entertaining, Most Energetic, and Most Dramatic.

Mentioned in this Episode: 

Dave's Book, Teach Like a Pirate! Grab your copy of Dave's book here. (This is the book I have gifted in EDU more than any other book.)

Dave's website: www.daveburgess.com

Dave's other website: www.daveburgessconsulting.com

Dave's Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dave-burgess-show/id1550396352

Follow Dave on Twitter: @burgessdave

Unthink Before Bed: A Children's Book on Mindfulness & Anxiety: Grab a copy of my children's book, Unthink Before Bed: Click here to order!

Grow Your Own Leaders: Free Course: Join our FREE leadership class, Grow Your Own Leaders. Closing Wednesday, January 31 at noon. Small number of participant. Closing VERY soon. Click this link to join: wirededucator.com/growleaders

Grow Your Own Leaders: Free Course: Seriously, if you think at any point in your career you might want to be an educational leader at any level, director of something, principal, assistant, superintendent, whatever, hit paus on this podcast, pull over and go to wirededucator.com/growleaders and sign up. It’s 100% free. Six weeks. You have everything to gain. The door to this opportunity is closing.

Looking for someone who is expert in VR with Pico headset to help me find content for other content areas. Good in math and science. Reach out to me. 

Storytelling with Purpose by Michael Hernandez. I recently interviewed Michael Hernandez and Apple Distinguished Educator and author of a brand new amazing book, titled Storytelling with Purpose. This is an amazing book that’s going to help educators in any grade level in any Contant area anywhere in the world tackle their biggest challenges in teaching. It’s a bold statement, but a big promise for me. I love this book. Stay tuned for this interview coming at you next week.

Lego Set Update! Wow! This is the Lego Set of Darth Vader's Helmet I received as a gift from a listener. I will post progress in an upcoming newsletter. I will pay this forward. Tracy in Coppell, Texas... you are a legend. Two of my books are headed your way!  I am hoping Legos settle my active brain in a good way... and they're fun. I am saving up for this beauty! Whoa! I never knew Lego kits like this existed. Seriously! Not sure how to explain this one to Lori when I make it. Ha! 

I shared this image on Instagram about how we talk about our year's in education: 

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day and week to listen to the Wired Educator podcast to level up and make a difference in the lives of others.

Always forward,

Kelly

------------------------------------------------------------

Do you like what you heard? Invite Kelly to speak at your school. Interested in booking Kelly for your Next Event? Yes! Let's Make it happen right HERE!

Order Kelly’s books, Along Came a Leader and Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness for your personal library.

Educator, Author, Keynote Speaker Twitter: @kellycroy Instagram: @kcroy Website: kellycroy.com and wirededucator.com Podcast: The Wired Educator Podcast and of course: Facebook.

Sign-up for Kelly’s newsletter here.

 

 

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 is also intensely curious about how to enhance the customer experience in schools. Meghan began her career in the English Language Arts classroom. So, inevitably, her mantra is “Words matter”. She has worked in all levels of K–12 education as a teacher, school administrator, district administrator, and educational consultant.

Mentioned in this episode: 

Meghan Lawson's website: https://meghanlawson.com/

Order a copy of Meghan's book: Legacy of Learning: Teaching for Lasting Impact.

Joe Miller, finalist for Ohio Teacher of the Year. Read about Joe's accomplishment here:https://hs.pccsd.net/apps/news/show_news.jsp?REC_ID=860338&id=0

Check out last week's Wired Educator Episode 235: My Reflection and Review of My Personal and Professional Goals for 2023. This was my last episode where I hold myself accountable on how I did in 2023. Now, I will soon be publishing an episode on the goals I am setting for 2023. I hope you will check it out and set some goals of your own.

I was on George Couros's Podcast: Watch it on YouTube. • Listen to it on Apple Podcasts. • Listen to it on Spotify. I made it on his highlights of 2023 episode too! Very cool. Thank you, George.

Find Your Joy! Thinking of asking my youngest, Jillyan to assemble a BIG Lego set like this one or a big car or something like it in 2024. Anyone know anything about Lego kits like this? Give me your expert opinion. Having some stick shock to be honest. I am trying to find a project with her that we can get lost in and have some fun.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day and week to listen to the Wired Educator podcast to level up and make a difference in the lives of others.

Always forward,

Kelly

------------------------------------------------------------

Do you like what you heard? Invite Kelly to speak at your school. Interested in booking Kelly for your Next Event? Yes! Let's Make it happen right HERE!

Order Kelly’s books, Along Came a Leader and Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness for your personal library.

Educator, Author, Keynote Speaker Twitter: @kellycroy Instagram: @kcroy Website: kellycroy.com and wirededucator.com Podcast: The Wired Educator Podcast and of course: Facebook.

Sign-up for Kelly’s newsletter here.

 

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 my best to make this episode fun.

I'm a gig goal setter. I love it. I must admit though, I learned I set way too many goals. I made a ton of progress, but the finish line escaped me for many. 

I also tried to share some of the tools and systems I use to set goals. I will post on www.kellycroy.com on that in the next few days. 

I do believe I am going to make this an annual event. It was hard to admit that I didn't make the big three goals I set. That stung. Hopefully that will motivate me. 

In this episode:

• I review my major accomplishments. 
• I review each goal one by one.
• I share lessons I learned. 
• Also, if you would I'm offering a Limited Coaching Opportunity: Want to start a podcast, speak on stage, publish a book, build a website, start a blog, become a better leader, complete the goal of your dreams? I have helped many educators publish books, start podcasts, and begin their service as keynote speakers and EDU consultants. I haven't offered this in a while, and I am only going to keep this link open for a short time. I ONLY work with three people a year. If you are serious about moving forward complete the following form. Click here to learn about a paid coaching opportunity with Kelly: https://forms.gle/S3PK5194CyEGqT3o6
• Tools I use: On my iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch I use the following apps to help me stay organized, each of these are awesome and sync with one another:
  • Day One Journal App
  • Good Notes 5
  • Things (to-do list)
  • Drafts

  Moleskine Journal: If it’s worth writing down, put it in your Moleskine. Don’t use napkins, sticky notes, or scraps of paper. Put it where you can find it. This is the exact notebook I use as my day to day journal.  I love absolutely everything about it.  This is where I record my ideas and anything of importance.  If you read my posts and hear me speak, you know how important a journal is to my lifestyle and productivity. I don’t go anywhere without my Moleskine.

------------------------------------------------------------

Do you like what you heard? Invite Kelly to speak at your school. Interested in booking Kelly for your Next Event? Yes! Let's Make it happen right HERE!

Order Kelly’s books, Along Came a Leader and Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness for your personal library.

Educator, Author, Keynote Speaker Twitter: @kellycroy Instagram: @kcroy Website: kellycroy.com and wirededucator.com Podcast: The Wired Educator Podcast and of course: Facebook.

Sign-up for Kelly’s newsletter here.