Flipboard EDU Podcast
By William Jeffery
Flipboard EDU PodcastOct 16, 2020
Episode 80: Unlocking the Future of Education with Samsung’s Sukhmani Mohta
In this episode, Sukhmani Mohta of Samsung Electronics' Display Division reveals the innovative display technology that she credits with elevating student learning, engagement, and safety, despite the challenges of the pandemic.
You will learn:
1. How Samsung Electronics Display Division is revolutionizing the classroom with interactive displays.
2. How Samsung is helping to reengage students in the classroom with their technology.
3. How Samsung is providing solutions to keep students safe and secure in the classroom.
Sukhmani Mohta is the Head of Marketing for Samsung Electronics Display Division in the US. She is responsible for marketing to both businesses and consumers, as well as managing the channel ecosystem.
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Episode 79: Discipline and Recidivism Among Minority Male Students with Kendrick Thomas
Discipline can be the difference between success and failure for male students of color in our education system. Suspensions, expulsions, or other forms of discipline can disrupt their education journey and put them at greater risk of dropping out or being involved with law enforcement — a cycle that disproportionately affects these communities.
Kendrick Thomas, an assistant principal in Alief ISD, is changing the narrative. He has been in education for 10 years and is a graduate of the University of Houston. Kendrick started his career as a paraprofessional, then moved on to being a teacher and football coach, and assistant principal in an elementary school.
Kendrick, aka KTTEEV, is also the host of the Education Unleashed Podcast, where he brings on guests who are making waves in the field of education. His book about education for male students of color and other minorities is set to be released soon. Kendrick has had a unique journey, growing up without a father, moving in with his grandmother, and going back to school later in life, earning his undergraduate and master's degrees. Now he’s working at inner-city schools with some of the most challenging students.
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Episode 78: The Benefits of Movement for Student Learning With Nicole Biscotti
In this episode, Nicole Biscotti shares her experience as a teacher, an author, and a speaker specializing in ADHD and how to accommodate all learners.
In this podcast, you will learn:
1. How Nicole Biscotti, a teacher, author, and speaker, came to write a book with her then
2. At the time her 9-year-old son about ADHD and going to school
3. How Nicole Biscotti's experience living in Mexicali, Baja, California, and teaching in California gives her a unique perspective on educating students with ADHD who also have language and cultural barriers
4. How kinesthetic learning and whole-class accommodations can be used to help students with ADHD learn more effectively
5 . Purchase Nicoles Book Here: https://www.amazon.com/Can-Learn-When-Im-Moving/dp/1953852106
Resources:
Follow us everywhere you listen to podcasts.
Connect with me:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachjeffery/
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Coachjeezy/
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachjeffery/
Website: https://coachjeffery.flipedupodcast.com/
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Episode 77: Slumberkins with Callie Christensen and Kelly Oriard
As parents, teachers, and educators, our goal is to provide a strong foundation for lifelong emotional wellness in all children. Since the pandemic, educators have noticed a need to help students adjust to going to school again. To do this, educators have scrambled for resources that emphasize positivity, connection, and authenticity. Meet Callie Christensen and Kelly Oriard—the creators of Slumberkins. Through their innovative products and programs, Slumberkins has become a movement committed to helping kids build social-emotional skills.
Kelly and Callie recognized the need while they were both working as educators in the school system before the pandemic. They saw a disconnect between home and school and felt that there were not enough resources available to parents to help them support their children’s emotional development. They also saw a need for more socially and emotionally supportive resources for children in the classroom. Teachersr can use Slumberkins when working with younger students who are struggling with social and emotional issues.
In this episode Kelly and Callie talk with me about Slumberkins and the way their products benefit children and adults alike. We also discuss how these former educators are continuing to serve their communities, teachers and parents developing emotional intelligence skills such as empathy, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, resilience, and more.
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Episode 76: Cool Tools for Schools Gamifying IEPs with Kinems
Micheal Boloudakis is a computer scientist who has dedicated his life to improving education outcomes for all students. He is the co-founder of a company called Kinem, which creates interactive simulations and games for students to learn in a fun and engaging way. Kinem's games are designed to help students with special needs, but they can be beneficial for all students. Micheal and his team have worked with 150 schools and 8 states so far, and they are constantly expanding. The games are designed to be accessible to all students, regardless of their ability level. The games focus on subjects like math, language, and social-emotional skills. The company provides data and reports to teachers and therapists to help measure each student's progress. This data is captured through kinesthetic analytics, which tracks a student's body movement. The goal is to help every child reach their full potential, regardless of their circumstances.
Here are the steps you need to follow to also get better learning outcomes.:
1. Use technology to enhance learning outcomes
2. Use body movement to help with academics
3. Use data to help improve IEPs
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Episode 75: ISTE Cool Tools for Schools Text Help and Territorium
am highlighting several tools from my time at ISTE. In my second installment, I want to introduce you to Texthelp and Territorium. First, teachers are always looking for ways to engage their students and provide them with opportunities to show their mastery of the material. One way to do this is through the use of technology, Texthelp, and Equatio. Tinashe Blanchet and Kori Perkins explain why these are two great tools that can help teachers achieve this goal. Tinashe and Kori express that with Equatio, students can speak, draw, or type their problems and equations directly onto their devices. This allows them to work through the problem in a way that best suits them, and it also gives teachers the ability to see how each student is approaching the material. Equatio allows students to type in their equations and then see a visual representation of the equation. This can be a helpful tool for students who are struggling to understand the concept of solving equations in math. Both of these tools are great additions to any school's lesson cycle, and they give teachers another way to assess their student's understanding of the material.
Secondly, Keith Look of Territorium explains why it has quickly become a global education technology solutions provider, with teachers, students, and schools using its products in over 180 countries. The company's goal is to make learning and skills acquisition more accessible and measurable. Keith informs us that Territorium's solutions enable educators and companies to deliver, test, measure, and record learning in the 21st century. Territorium's use of Blockchain technology solidifies credentialing in education providing an alternative to traditional education portfolios. As a result, the company's products are helping to transform the way teachers teach and students learn.
In this episode, we speak to Tinashe Blanchet, Kori Perkins of Text Help/Equatio, and Keith Look of Territorium. These innovative companies are using technology to help students and educators in amazing ways since the pandemic.
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Episode 74: ISTE Cool Tools for Schools: Creating with Wacom Technology
Wacom is your harmony between humans and technology.
"Our products are very easy to use. They're very simple teachers that are flipping their classrooms. So those teachers that are concentrating on doing more homework in the classroom and helping their students out, the tablet becomes an indispensable product."
Douglas Little is the head of PR for Wacom and has been working with the company for 18 years. Wacom is a Japanese company that specializes in input devices for creative disciplines such as animation, illustration, and photo editing.
This is Douglas Little's story...
It is a great honor to work for Wacom and be a part of making the world more creative. Wacom has been around since 1983 and its products are very durable and easy to use. The company has a focus on education and its products are being used in more and more schools. Wacom is constantly innovating and improving their products to make them even more user-friendly and accessible.
In this episode, you will learn the following:
1. Wacom's history and how the company got its name.
2. The durability of Wacom's products and how they can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
3. The versatility of Wacom's products and how they can be used with any type of computer.
Resources:
https://www.wacom.com/en-us/education
Chapter Summaries:
[00:00:00] - Douglas Little is the head of PR for Wacom. Jeffrey is happy to have him on the show. Douglas has been working as a PR at WACAM for 18 years. William's Power went out and he didn't introduce Douglas to the listening audience.
[00:00:56] - Wacom was founded in Tokyo in 1983. Its products were used in CAD and then as products like Mac Paint and Fractal Design came out in the early 90s. Wacom's technology has been recognized for what it can do in remote learning and kids working from home. The Intuos Small is a four x six-inch tablet that can connect to any computer. Intuos one is an interactive pen display. Intuos is a small opaque tablet that connects to any Mac, PC or Chromebook. Intuos is a product for school. Intuos. It has a Google Chromebook certification.
[00:05:36] - Some elite schools are using Intuos input devices in their classrooms. They are teaching animation, illustration, industrial design, game development, and other high-end subjects. They need to get hands-on experience in the classroom before they go on to be a professional.
[00:08:12] - The principal of a Texas high school wants to build out and encourage career and technology programs that are close to the industry. Wacom builds the Samsung Pen. Sony, Sony Toshiba, HP, Dell, and others have had Waka technology on their devices.
[00:10:20] - Wacom's products work with PC, Macs, and Chromebooks. Wacom is proud of its ability to serve the education market from here to eternity. William thinks the company's products are beneficial because they are durable and they work with all devices.
[00:11:34] - Doug is selling his products on Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Staples, Staples, and B and H on 34th street and 9th Avenue in New York City and on Wacom.com, Doug and William. Hope to meet someday. William has some old products that he needs to replace.
Other episodes you'll enjoy:
https://about.flipboard.com/educators/flipboard-edu-podcast-73/
https://about.flipboard.com/educators/flipboard-edu-podcast-episode-72-mandy-froehlich-and-meeting-teachers-needs/
https://about.flipboard.com/educators/episode-71-bia-valles-bilingual-clubhouse-and-flipboard/
Connect with me:
https://flip.it/XU7M5g
Episode 73: Identity Management in Education
While at ISTE’s conference in New Orleans, I had the pleasure of meeting Diana McGhee, Jaime Donally, and Marialice Curran. They were there to educate school leaders about the types of threats schools face. Diana is a former technology director from Covington, Ky., who shed light on school districts’ responsibilities for protecting sensitive data. She explained to me that the amount of data shared between platforms is much larger than most people expect or realize. Jaime is known internationally for teaching teachers how to incorporate augmented and virtual reality into educational activities. She is an author, keynote speaker, and advocate for responsible identity management in education. As the founder of Digital Citizenship Institute, Maryalice offers a different take on cybersecurity. She explains how teaching students to be safe and responsible users of technology must be a component of today's education.
In this episode, I speak with these experts about identity management, blockchain in education, and how the latter can support a school's ability to increase access to secure technology, provide opportunities for learning, and promote security in education.
Episode 72: Mandy Froehlich and Meeting Teacher's Needs
It's no secret that teachers are leaving education in droves. So much so that it's causing drastic shifts in the ways schools will need to operate this fall. Some large school districts have as many as one thousand teacher job openings and this issue is only getting worse as post-pandemic educators are facing low wages, rising benefits costs, extreme student discipline problems, and polarizing politics. This is a crisis that has surpassed the traditional definition of a shortage. I have talked with several thought leaders about this issue, including Mandy Froehlich, who I met during one of Nicole Biscotti’s Coffee Conversations on Zoom.
Mandy Froehlich is a former elementary teacher, technology integration specialist, and director of innovation and technology for a number of schools in Wisconsin. She is currently an educational consultant, an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, and the chief operating officer of EduMatch Publishing. Mandy has written four books: The Fire Within, Reignite the Flames, Divergent EDU, and the Educators Matchbook.
In this episode, we speak to Mandy about meeting teachers’ basic needs, mental health support for educators, and recommendations for how leadership can support current workloads in education.
Episode 71: Bia Valle’s Bilingual Clubhouse and Flipboard
Her rooms are trendy in countries that are hungry to practice English as a second language exercising speaking and listening skills. Bia is however an avid Flipboard user like myself and she requires her students to create, curate and share Flipboard magazines. What better way to collaborate with adults than to use Flipboard’s curation tools? She masterfully conducts her classroom, even empowering several of her students to host the Clubhouse room while she moderates.
Bia then allows students to collaborate on group magazines, sharing important aspects of their own cultures as they learn English. Bia manages her community with themes and other events as students gain cross-cultural awareness while learning. It's an amazing event to witness and be a part of.
In this episode, we discuss Bia’s passion for Flipboard, how she uses it as a learning management system with various students, and her class on Clubhouse.
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Episode 70: Jim Thompson Stop, Drop, and Roll
Teacher burnout is a real and growing problem in K-12 education. Years of budget cuts and mounting pressure to improve test scores have taken their toll on teachers, leading to increased levels of stress and feeling burned out. According to a recent study by National Education Association (NEA), nearly 60% of K-12 teachers are experiencing symptoms of burnout, including fatigue, cynicism, and a loss of enthusiasm for teaching.
A good friend of the show Jim Thompson, former national distinguished principal and New York State Elementary Principal of the Year for the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) says we need to “stop, drop, and roll.” Much like the fire safety technique students learn, educators in the post-COVID-19 era need to stop doing things that are unproductive, drop some things that are not growing students and roll with positivity and support from leaders and colleagues.
In this episode, we explore how Jim’s stop, drop, and roll approach can help us to focus on what is important and help combat teacher burnout. We discuss ways to rethink the approach to traditional education, which is currently not conducive to teacher professional development.
Episode 69: Melvin Miller and Critical Race Theory in Education
Recently a new buzzword has surfaced in education stemming from the popularity of the 1619 Project, which its creators intended as a curriculum supplement for educators to use in the classroom. Initially met with praise, the 1619 Project has become divisive as it looks into the structures that separated enslaved African Americans from the free white Americans in this nation’s history.
The buzzword is critical race theory and its very mention has many communities at odds with how the American education system teaches students about the darker moments of American History. Opponents of the 1619 Project have been vocal about its use in K-12 curricula. Some states, like Georgia and Idaho, have gone as far as to ban teachers from talking about critical race theory in classrooms from college to elementary school. The consequence for school districts that use the material in their curricula will have their funds cut as a result of recently passed bills in these states.
Melvin Miller is a veteran and a high school teacher who grew up in the segregated south and served his country in the newly integrated military. Melvin provides a generational perspective that may be lost if America's true history is swept under the rug. During this interview, I couldn't help but think how so many people's experiences may become minimized if parts of our history are lumped in with critical race theory, and recounting our own experiences might simply be outlawed.
In this episode, I will explore what critical race theory is, and talk about how it, along with states trying to redact history, maybe further divide America. I also examine why states are introducing legislation to prevent students from learning about institutionalized racism, Melvin's experiences in desegregation in the American military, and why Melvin Miller chose to become a history teacher.
Episode 68: Reese Jeffery and AHA Teens of Impact
The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke in the United States. A shared focus on cardiovascular health unites its more-than 40-million volunteers. My son Reese, a sixth-grader, is one of them. Imagine my surprise when he was chosen to be a 2022 Teen of Impact South West Region by the association. This honor was bestowed upon 20 teens who will compete with their teams to raise money and awareness of heart disease.
Despite his young age, Reese is passionate about the association’s goals, and he and his team are doing everything they can to help promote heart health awareness.
For an eight-week period, which began February 4 and will end on April 7, he and his fundraising team will compete for points to earn the national title of 2022 Teen of Impact for the American Heart Association. Joining the Teen of Impact initiative provides him with the opportunity to join fellow changemakers and use his voice to make a difference. Each week there is a different topic, such as movement, vaping and mental well-being. Through this, he is learning to teach, take charge and advocate for his health and that of others, and change policy. He is also gaining experience, skills, and connections in fields like healthcare, business, finance, leadership, nonprofit and social media that will set him apart in college and his future career.
Reese and his team have created a fundraising page, and they are asking people to donate to the American Heart Association. They are also planning a variety of events to raise money and awareness by texting REESETOI71777. He is a remarkable young person who is already making a real difference in the world.
In this episode, I speak with Reese about the American Heart Association and the Teens of Impact program. We also talk about why he chose to be a part of this program and what he hopes to accomplish.
Episode 67: Brenda George and S.T.O.P Global
Emergency room visits for suspected suicide attempts rose during the pandemic among adolescents. People of all ages are feeling the strain of social isolation and anxiety. For teenagers, these feelings can be compounded by bullying, which can lead to suicide. It is important for adults to be aware of the signs students display when contemplating suicide so they can get help.
Some of the most common symptoms of suicidal ideation in teens include: talking about wanting to die or hurting oneself, expressing feelings of hopelessness, talking about being a burden to others, increased alcohol or drug abuse, withdrawing from friends and activities, abnormal mood swings, and giving away prized possessions. If you notice that a teen you know is exhibiting any of these signs, it is important to talk to them and get them help. But where would you turn?
Registered nurse Brenda George is the co-founder of S.T.O.P. (Stop.Talk.Overcome.Pain), an initiative she started with her husband BL. They were inspired to create this because a friend's daughter attempted suicide. Brenda came to realize that the suicide rate in Brazoria County, Texas increased by 30%. In Texas, suicide is the second leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10 and 24. Brenda and BL also saw this trend occurring throughout the country.
The Georges created an educator-approved campaign in collaboration with more than 35 local agencies in Brazoria County, hosting youth rallies and school events that focus on suicide prevention, anti-bullying, cyber-bullying awareness, and intervention.
In this episode, we speak to Brenda about suicide prevention in youths, how to identify suicide risk factors, how bullying and cyberbullying contribute to suicide rates, and what her organization is doing to make a difference.
Episode 66: Joel Garrett and Seizing Opportunity
Burnout is a real thing in 2022. COVID-19 has taken its toll on our profession since its onset in 2019. The pandemic has shifted education in more ways than anyone can fathom. What started as an opportunity for educators to gain 21st-century skills has morphed into educators finding new professions. A new survey by the National Education Association says the COVID-19 pandemic is causing long-term problems with shortages and burnout in the teaching profession.
Joel graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor's in business administration and from Lamar University with a master's in educational administration. He has been a teacher, assistant principal, and career and technology education (CTE) director. Joel and I worked in the same school district, where he managed the career education program. Taking a page from his own book, Joel decided to switch careers and go after his current passion for financial management. This is one of those life choices that educators often don't think about until it’s either time to retire or when they start looking to change careers.
In this conversation, we speak about changing careers during the pandemic and what educators can look for if they decide to switch professions. We also talk about how his role as a CTE director prepared him to be open to new opportunities outside education.
Episode 65: She’Nee and Andrea Young about HAABSE
The Houston Area Alliance of Black School Educators (HAABSE) is a professional organization that is dedicated to ensuring all students have access to an excellent education. Through its initiatives and services, it provides the tools and strategies to help institutions, agencies, and communities create a more equitable learning environment for marginalized students. Through this collaboration, it strives for excellence in student achievement and creating better educational opportunities for all.
I had the pleasure of interviewing She’Nee Young and Andrea Young, educators, and cousins, who are active members of HAABSE. She’Nee is the principal of an elementary campus in Fort Bend ISD and has a background in school psychology. Andrea has been a teacher for 14 years and is a recent graduate with a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Houston, working in Katy ISD as an elementary teacher.
During our discussion, they elaborated on what HAABSE means to them and their vision for the future of the organization. They both had a lot to say. She’Nee shared that the organization provides her with professional development opportunities and networking connections that she wouldn't have otherwise. Andrea added that through HAABSE she's been able to connect with other educators who share the same values and aspirations. She’Nee and Andrea are also the masterminds of a student empowerment group for youths from the Houston Area who learn leadership and networking skills. My own daughter is being mentored in this program and I can see its positive impact on her.
Flipboard EDU Podcast Episode 64: Victoria Tow and Flipboard Design
In a world of Google Classroom, digital textbooks, and educational apps, it can be hard to keep up with the latest technology trends in education. One tool that is worth looking into is Flipboard: a social magazine platform that allows users to collect articles, images, and videos from across the web into customizable magazines. In fact, after using it myself for years, it inspired me to create this podcast. Flipboard can be used in the classroom and the school administrator's office in a variety of ways. Here are just a few ideas: Creating class magazines on current events or topics of study, collaboratively creating magazines about school life or memories, as a reading resource for schools, for monitoring student interests and curating content specific to them, and lastly flipping through content for professional development.
Victoria Tow is one of the senior product designers at Flipboard where she designs a lot of the app experience for both Android and iOS devices. She joined me on the show to talk about how and why Flipboard fits the needs of everyone. From building recipe books to curating classroom magazines, Flipboard is the Swiss Army Knife of applications for mobile devices. Victoria shares with us that her job is “really to solve user problems and create solutions to those problems through design.” That’s a powerful statement to me because that’s what I believe teachers do as well.
In this episode, we speak to Victoria about working at Flipboard and designing the world’s best app. We also discuss her involvement with coding clubs and supporting educators early in her career and how that translates into what she does at Flipboard. She also gives us insight into how Flipboard’s latest updates lets you curate topics of interest.
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Episode 63: Sam Kary and Thom Gibson with New EdTech Classroom
I love talking with educators who are passionate about what they do for teachers and students. When I first saw a video from Sam Kary and Thom Gibson’s New EdTech Classroom, I was immediately hooked on how well they worked for educators, I started to follow them and collect their Instagram videos and TikToks, which share really cool websites for teachers and students. The New EdTech Classroom is my go-to resource for anything Google Education-related. Not only are Sam and Thom constantly updating their site, posting great resources and screencasts, they also have incredible videos that I collect in my Flipboard magazine.
I had an exploratory interview with them about what got them started in EdTech, how they work together, and where their love of Google Education began. Our conversation went deep into how they work from home, the devices they use, and how their different organizational strategies work together. They provide great insight into how to engage students using technology.
In episode 63 of the Flipboard EDU Podcast, Sam and Thom of the EdTech Classroom discuss how they use technology to enhance their teaching and to support others in their teaching.
Episode 62: Robyn Hrivnatz and Microsoft
During the pandemic, Microsoft Education was extremely responsive to the needs of educators,. With inclusion and equity at the center of their education initiatives, Microsoft delivered game-changing products for teachers and students.
Tools like Microsoft Teams for Education, Microsoft Sway, and Microsoft Powerpoint evolved to meet the needs of remote educators and learners at break-neck speeds thanks to the constant collaboration and responsiveness to feedback.
Robyn Hrivnatz is the director of Microsoft Education’s US EDU industry team. Along with the Microsoft team of engineers and Microsoft Innovative Educators, they were on the front lines and played a key role in shaping Microsoft Education. Robyn is an award-winning education professional with 21 years of experience serving as an educator, school leader, student advocate, and corporate partner. Robyn joined Microsoft in 2014 after dedicating 14 years in public K-12 education as a classroom teacher, instructional technologist, and district leader. She has built robust learning platforms and communities and led trainers and consultants as part of Microsoft's mission to transform education and support educators.
In this episode, we speak with Robyn about Microsoft Education and its suite of tools that are free for teachers and students. We talk about how inclusion and equity are at the forefront of what Microsoft does to meet the needs of students. We also speak about social-emotional support that is built into platforms like Microsoft Teams, and how students can use the cross-platform tool Immersive Reader to improve literacy, fluency, and comprehension.
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Copyright Chillhop Music - https://chll.to/b9bb917b
Copyright Chillhop Music - https://chll.to/6cd0b356
Copyright Chillhop Music - https://chll.to/fae889b3
https://uppbeat.io/t/sensho/double-take
License code: ZQLKLMU6EZ4EZUVM
https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/take-action
License code: 9OMFXRUMARMT10IP
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/pryces/music-is
License code: WO9N7QDIM5PFELOF
Episode 61: Josh Allen and Curation
Josh Allen is the technology integration specialist and unofficial communication specialist at Lewis Central. He is a former president of the Nebraska Educational Technology Association, Nebraska’s ISTE affiliate, and an ISTE Making It Happen Award winner. He is an avid Flipboard user like myself and uses it in many unconventional ways, including teachers’ professional development, school-to-community communication, and curating exceptional content to share with students.
In this episode, we speak to Josh about using Flipboard as an educator. We discuss how it allows him to share and curate useful content from across the web. We also speak about his Oreo Stuff Podcast and family activities, which are also easily shared on Flipboard. Lastly, we discuss how effective Flipboard is for educators during the pandemic.
Podcast Planner for Teachers and Students
Copyright Chillhop Music - https://chll.to/b9bb917b
Copyright Chillhop Music - https://chll.to/6cd0b356
Copyright Chillhop Music - https://chll.to/fae889b3
https://uppbeat.io/t/sensho/double-take
License code: ZQLKLMU6EZ4EZUVM
https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/take-action
License code: 9OMFXRUMARMT10IP
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/pryces/music-is
License code: WO9N7QDIM5PFELOF
Episode 60: Victoria Ransom and Prisma
Before remote learning was a thing, tailoring instruction to fit the needs of individual students was a daunting task for teachers. In a perfect world teachers would do this automatically because, in that world, every student has an understanding of what he or she doesn't know. However, in the real world teachers personalize the lesson plan for each student by incorporating technology into instruction. During COVID-19, new opportunities for schools arose to do this while relieving much of that stress off of the teacher’s shoulders. Victoria Ransom, the CEO of Prisma, has developed a 21st century school that’s on a mission to change the way students learn.
Contrary to the narrative that all students struggled with remote learning during COVID-19 Prisma’s success is proving the contrary. In this episode, we speak to Victoria about Prisma and its role in education during COVID-19. She details why a school is an excellent option for learners in the 21st century and why student collaboration is key to its approach.
Podcast Planner for Teachers and Students
Copyright Chillhop Music - https://chll.to/b9bb917b
Copyright Chillhop Music - https://chll.to/6cd0b356
Copyright Chillhop Music - https://chll.to/fae889b3
https://uppbeat.io/t/sensho/double-take
License code: ZQLKLMU6EZ4EZUVM
https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/take-action
License code: 9OMFXRUMARMT10IP
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
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Episode 59: Simma Lieberman on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
In the past year, many educators have been facing a tough time. Issues that have traditionally been left out of conversations continue to be an elephant in almost every educator’s room. I am talking about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) among students as well as teachers on all levels; an issue often exacerbated by external pressures from parents and experts! Many believe the pressures of COVID-19 to be over but educators are feeling the different results on a daily basis.
Fortunately, I have a friend who introduced me to someone who has worked tirelessly for DEI her whole life: Simma Lieberman. Simma is internationally known as "The Inclusionist," because she creates inclusive workplaces where employees love doing their best work and promoting equity among organizations.
She is a DEI educator and author who has been working in the field for over 30 years. Her work has focused on promoting DEI in Fortune 500 companies, including Applied Materials, Intel, Diageo, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, and Boeing. An expert in reducing racial tension in organizations and communities, Simma founded her own consulting firm that works with organizations on racial equity initiatives.
She is a member of the editorial board for two diversity think tanks and the former chairperson and co-founder of San Francisco's regional chapter of Out & Equal as well as being inducted into their hall of fame. Simma’s articles have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Fast Company.
In this episode of the Flipboard EDU Podcast, we speak to Simma about how her work is going after the George Floyd murder and how diversity can affect classroom dynamics. We discuss why it's important for educators to be aware of their own biases; what strategies educators can use to help students understand other cultures better; and how to foster understanding between different groups at schools such as LGBTQ+ students or other marginalized groups.
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Episode 58: The Devious Licks Challenges
“Devious Licks” is the newest trend to hit the social media platform TikTok this school year. Like most viral crazes this one took off with youth, mainly boys, but definitely in the wrong direction. The term “ hitting a lick” means to successfully steal or rob someone without repercussions or retaliation. Students hit licks by stealing or vandalizing items from schools, like trashing bathrooms, stealing soap dispensers, and taking things off teacher’s or principal’s desks without their permission. They would then post their successful lick on TikTok using the hashtag #deviouslicks.
TikTok has removed the challenge from its platform and denounces any videos associated with the hashtag #DeviousLicks. In a statement to Newsweek, a spokesperson for TikTok said: "We expect our community to stay safe and create responsibly, and we do not allow content that promotes or enables criminal activities. We are removing this content and redirecting hashtags and search results to our Community Guidelines to discourage such behavior."
Students are being arrested and or suspended for vandalism of public property. Schools are cracking down on this trend, which is going strong even after it was removed from TikTok. Observing the challenge has given me two powerful insights. Number one: Students are influenced by social media more than we in education are able to address. Number two: Students are motivated to commit a crime and post it on social media for social recognition. In my opinion, this trend is another result of the pandemic and it may shift into its own variant.
In this episode, I speak to my former student and NFL Wide Reciever Jerrell Jackson and current owner of API Fitness, along with his friends former NFL Wide Reciever T.J. Moe now Real Estate Investor, along with NABC Hall of Fame basketball player Devin Griffin. We discuss ways to educate students about social media, digital citizenship, and how to stop these trends from taking off.
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Episode 57: La’Mond Hall and Special Education During COVID-19
Some of the most successful schools in COVID-19 are those that have made it a priority to meet all their students' needs. These schools recognize that, while they may not be able to help reach every student's potential, they can at least ensure that each and every student has the opportunity to succeed. This is traditionally achieved by providing teachers adequate resources; supporting students with disabilities, and ensuring that school policies align with state and federal law.
La’Mond Hall is a three-time graduate of Prairie View A & M University. La'Mond earned a BA in social work, a Master’s degree in counseling, and a Master’s degree in special education. He also holds an educational diagnostician certification.
In this episode, I speak to LaMond about being a self-contained behavioral teacher during COVID-19. We also discuss how children in special education now have to adjust to the second year of going to school with COVID-19 and how teachers can support their adjustment to the structure of a new year.
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Episode 56: TaRael Kee and The Kee to Success
In the midst of this pandemic, many educators jumped at the chance to podcast, including yours sincerely. Podcasting became a way for teachers to connect with each other and share ideas for how best to educate their students in these unique times. There are many great educational podcasts available today, including Leader of Learning hosted by Dr. Dan Kreiness, Teachers of Fire hosted by Tim Cavey, and the Flipboard EDU Podcast, if I say so myself. Fun fact: both fellow podcasters are also assistant principals.
What I am most proud of in the educator podcast community is the representation of Black male voices. These perspectives can be very different from mainstream experiences. The Liberated Educator Podcasts hosted by Ken Shelton, Dee Lanier, and Brian Romero-Smith Sr., Educating While Black Podcast hosted by Mahlon Evans-Sinclair are great examples in America and Canada.
Joining this group of podcasters is a friend of the show TaRael Key, president of the Illinois School Counselor Association, new assistant principal, and guest of Episode 26: Tackling the Achievement Gap. On his new podcast, called The Kee to Success, he discusses educating youth and shares his experiences as an educator in the COVID-19 era. I invited TaRael back to tell us more about his podcast, his reason for starting it now, and what his platform will be. We discuss the importance of sharing the perspective of Black men in education and how our contributions matter in the larger conversation of education.
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Episode 55: Jim Thompson and Video Coaching with Grace
According to a recent study, 75 percent of teachers have used videos for their own professional development in the past year. What does improvement look like for teachers? This is a question Jim Thompson has been vigorously researching for the last twelve years.
Jim, a former social studies teacher, prides himself on the teaching experience that has propelled him into successful school administration and educational mentoring careers. With more than 30 years of working in various administrative and teaching roles, he has taught at elementary, middle school, high school levels, as well as undergraduate and graduate-level students. Jim was even National Distinguished Principal and New York State Elementary Principal of the Year for the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) before retiring from that career. He currently serves as the executive director of video coaching for the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership. He also co-authored a book with Dr. Casey Kosiorek titled A Quick Guide To Video Coaching.
In this episode, we discuss video as a way for teachers to expand their knowledge, create connections, and explore new ways to teach. We also discuss why it's important for educators who are interested in using videos as part of their teaching practice to understand the benefits and challenges associated with this form of professional development. Lastly, we discuss the importance of extending grace in this second round of COVID-19.
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Episode 54: Starting School with COVID-19 in 2021
In a perfect world, there would be no sickness and especially no COVID-19. But just as I was looking forward to the end of the pandemic, the delta variant reared its ugly head. It is nearly twice as contagious as previous strains of the virus. In studies from Canada and Scotland, patients infected with the delta variant were more likely to be hospitalized than people infected with the original virus strains.
As of August 18, 2021, the CDC recommends that children over the age of 12 be vaccinated. “More than 98% of US residents now live in an area with a “high” or “substantial” risk of COVID-19 community transmission — up from only 19% a month ago,” CNN reports.
In this episode, we speak to the education community about starting school with COVID-19 in 2021. We ask various educators to share their thoughts on masks, vaccinations, and their hopes for the school year.
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Disability rights group sues Texas governor over ban on school mask mandates. (2021, August 18). Msn.com; Disability rights group sues Texas governor over ban on school mask mandates. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/disability-rights-group-sues-texas-governor-over-ban-on-school-mask-mandates/ar-AANsSoW?ocid=BingNewsSearch
Local Leaders In Texas Are Defying The Governor’s Ban On Mask Mandates. (2021, August 17). NPR.org. https://www.npr.org/2021/08/17/1028542833/local-leaders-in-texas-are-defying-the-governors-ban-on-mask-mandates
Treisman, R. (2021, August 18). A Texas School Made Masks Part Of Its Dress Code To Get Around Gov. Abbott’s Ban. NPR.org. https://www.npr.org/sections/back-to-school-live-updates/2021/08/18/1028760318/paris-texas-school-district-mandate-masks-dress-code-gov-abbott-ban
Episode 53: Shaina Glass and Supporting Computer Science
When I was first introduced to computer programming in 7th grade, we learned to code in MS-DOS. I programmed a snake squirming across the screen, and then I knew I was destined for greatness. Even though I stole the code from a classmate, it was a great feeling. Today’s youth is learning programming languages such as Scratch, Python, and Swift to name a few. These whizkids are building amazing apps and programs in virtual and augmented reality. Shaina Glass takes pride in building the infrastructure to support and grow our future app creators.
Shaina is passionate about incorporating computer science into K-12 education. As well as the CSTA, Shaina is involved in many initiatives such as Code.org that are designed to bring computer programming to underserved populations. Today’s episode discusses why learning computer science is necessary for all students and how any teacher can start teaching this subject. We also discuss the difference between S.T.E.M and S.T.E.A.M and how art and creativity are embedded in basic computer science education.
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Episode 52: Mike Olson and Acton Academy
Mike Olson was a mentor and English teacher at the Title One high school I began teaching at in Houston Texas. Now Mike is the CEO of Acton Academy in Northwest Houston with over 250 private schools worldwide. He’s a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Lacross with a bachelor of English and has an MBA from Rice University Jones Business School.
Innovation is Mike’s middle name. He has pioneered the micro-school model, an approach that rethinks traditional education transition as an alternate but equal form of k-12 education. The very definition of school discipline, attendance, and student achievement has been redefined by encouraging student’s education through the lens of a Heros Journey at Acton Academy Champions. Acton Academy introduces students to the latest in technology and socio-emotional learning while moving beyond the traditional tools of lectures, homework, high-stakes tests, and grades.
In this episode, we speak to Mike about collaborative classrooms of multi-age learners. We discuss how students manage their own discipline by protecting their culture, which they agreed to uphold. We also discuss the Heros Journey Method and why building character is very important for his student’s future.
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Episode 49: Teaching Excellence with Sherman Batiste
Sherman Batiste is Fort Bend ISD’s Teacher of the Year. Sherman graduated from Texas A&M University Kingsville with a Master’s Degree in sociology. He is also a graduate of Fort Bend Marshall High School and received a scholarship to play football at his alma mater. Although you might think this phenomenal teacher is ordinary up to this point in the story, he faced adversity as he experienced one of our country’s largest natural disasters in recent history and ensuing displacement.
Sherman was one of the students, who came to Texas. He overcame poverty and adversity as he found support from principals and coaches to complete his education. Before social-emotional education was a buzzword, his varsity football coach and mentor Dennis Brantly applied some of the same techniques, which Sherman credits for his current success in teaching.
In this episode, we discuss how relationship-building is at the core of teaching and learning. We also discuss how facing adversity can be transformed into a motivation to strive for excellence in teaching.
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Episode 51: Kazoobadoo and Sherry Gunther Shugerman
Students can now enjoy a fun and exciting way of learning thanks to Sherry Gunther Shugerman. Educators are always looking for ways to immerse students into curricular content while keeping everyone entertained at the same time. Sherry has just released a new educational platform that aims to make learning fun. The KazooBadoo app is an immersive, fantastical world where kids can play and learn simultaneously. Kazoobadoo not only excites students but also gives them the opportunity to learn from this technology-driven platform. Engaging students is not only a passion for Sherry but she also is an adjunct professor teaching a graduate-level business class in media and entrepreneurship at USC. Sherry has a BS from UCLA and an MBA from USC.
Sherry is and has been a studio executive and serial entrepreneur, with an unparalleled track record producing and creating television's top hits for the past 3 decades. Sherry was the original producer of 'The Simpsons', 'Family Guy, 'Rugrats', to name a few. Sherry lead studio production divisions for Fox, Warner Bros., Nickelodeon, and Klasky Csupo. Sherry was also part of the team that launched The Cartoon Network. With two Emmy Awards under her belt, as well as an impeccable track record in producing engaging children’s television's top hits for 3 decades, educators will really benefit from a “creative” like Sherry.
In this episode, we discuss the engaging App Kazoobadoo. We also discuss Sherry’s motivation for making an app for educators, and how it supports Social-emotional well-being for students as they learn. We also discuss how teachers can submit lessons for students and how teachers can potentially make some extra money exchanging lessons on this platform.
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Episode 50: Leading the Way with Vernon Wright
As we look forward to the new school year with enthusiasm and fresh hope of returning to normal schooling, we will need even more leadership from our school leaders. Students, teachers, and parents faced an unprecedented shift in education last year which will no, undoubtedly over the next couple of years. We will have to call upon leadership for guidance in areas of social and emotional intelligence and mental-health fitness in the post-COVID-19era.
In this episode, we speak to Vernon about his journey into school and district leadership, why he is passionate about education leadership, and his success model, which he describes as Believe. Study. Hustle. Manifest. Repeat. We also speak about the chapter he wrote for the book 100 No-Nonsense Things that ALL Teachers Should STOP Doing
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Episode 48: Coaching Basketball during COVID-19 with Marcus Gabriel
As the NBA playoffs began this past week I just can’t help but think about the challenges coaches and players are experiencing due to COVID-19. I watched my daughter play junior varsity basketball while wearing a mask, sitting six feet away from the nearest teammate when she wasn't on the court. As a former basketball coach, I can only imagine the difficulties associated with motivating youth during this pandemic.
One of my best friends and colleagues, Coach Marcus Gabriel, joins us for this episode as we discuss another aspect of student engagement: extracurricular activities. Although basketball may see a small portion of student body participation, it can be the main attraction in some communities in the American education system.
This episode discusses coaching basketball in the COVID-19 era and how the pandemic has affected competition, camaraderie, and school morale. We also discuss how students adjusted to the COVID-19 protocols during competition and talked about how we became friends as coaches and the importance of building relationships with fellow coaches and players.
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Episode 47: Librarian Experiences During COVID-19
When thinking about the makeup of K-12 schools, teachers, students, and principals might come to mind first. Too often, the forgotten soldiers of education are librarians. These unsung, multiskilled individuals are sometimes the backbone of a school. During COVID-19 these specialized educators faced tremendous adversity as they were forced to advocate for literacy via video conferences or socially distanced library visits.
In this episode, we speak with these remarkable librarians about obstacles they faced and figured out, virtual support for remote learning, virtual maker spaces, and curbside library book check-out. We also discuss the challenges and triumphs that COVID-19 has presented in the library as well as their profession. Lastly, we talk about the power of a PLN and how it has strengthened our guests’ effectiveness in their schools.
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Episode 46: Is Learning Loss Real?
Graduation is one of the most celebrated events in the American school system. Students, parents, teachers, and principals all look forward to the day when they can collectively celebrate the culmination of students’ learning. However, a new term has surfaced during the pandemic: learning loss — the loss of academic progress that may lead to students not graduating due to low test scores.
If standardized testing is not a good reflection of a student’s development and growth, and a growing number of colleges and universities are eliminating exam requirements, are there other factors that are driving standardized testing in education? A surprising connection to the real estate market and education. Real Estate firms heavily rely on data from tests to sell and construct homes across the country.
For this episode, we spoke with educators on Clubhouse about learning loss, its connection to the pandemic, standardized testing, real estate, and other factors. We also discussed what skills students need to gain in order to be successful.
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Episode 45: Thinking About Teaching with Casey Jakubowski
This week marks one year of this podcast’s trek in building a viable resource for teaching and learning during this pandemic. We strive to highlight teachers, administrators, students, and parents who are thriving in the era of remote learning. We have been extremely lucky to have amazing educators share their recipe for success or excellence.
Casey Jakubowski is an excellent addition to the catalog of scholars who share best practices during COVID-19. I met Casey two years ago when we were both guests on an EduMatch Podcast with Sarah Thomas. His passion for education impressed me and I learned a lot from his perspective as an educator in a rural environment. I had hardly considered the plight of rural educators as they often face separate but equal challenges in educating various student groups. It was eye-opening to hear about the difficulties they face in maintaining viable resources and preparing students for standardized tests, especially in comparison with their urban counterparts.
In this episode, we speak with Casey about Thinking About Teaching and its application during the pandemic. We discuss ways to improve teaching to tailor it to the needs of all learners, especially those who need hands-on experiences. Casey explains why teaching civics is critical to the sovereignty of the nation and a viable educational system.
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Episode 44: Meaningful Teaching with Rhonda Finley
Rhonda Finely is one of the best instructional coaches I know. She supports teachers and students in one of the most innovative middle school learning labs in southeast Texas. Rhonda is a graduate of Houston Baptist University with a master’s degree in educational counseling and a bachelor’s in psychology. She taught me about MakerSpaces, Genius Hours, and a plethora of other instructional strategies that support high-quality instruction. She also played a key role in securing a grant from Verizon to design a state-of-the-art learning lab. Verizon Innovative Learning Schools are designed to address equity for under-resourced communities that lack access to technology and internet connectivity.
In this episode, we speak to Rhonda about digital inclusivity, STEM, and technology integration opportunities that address equity. We also discuss how remote learning resources and teacher training pathways enhance instruction during COVID-19. Lastly, Rhonda shares how educators can apply for a Verizon Learning Lab for your school.
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Episode 43: Education, Basketball and Some Trash Talk
I really don’t know why basketball and education go hand in hand — they just do. It’s as if learning about basketball is an unwritten rule of the American educational system. Some of us educators love basketball so much that we coach it, create NCAA tournament brackets, and even repeat this process during the NBA playoffs. Basketball is ingrained in the fabric of the American educational system.
This week I invited Aaron Meyer, George Couros and David Preston for a conversation on equity and other values basketball teaches students and educators. Aaron, an assistant principal at Washington Middle School in Evansville, is the “rookie guest” on this episode. He is also the host of 19Nine | Hardwood History | College Basketball, a college basketball podcast.
George joins us for the second time as he talks with us about Canada’s relationship with basketball and its contribution to education. He is the author of The Innovators Mindset and Innovate Inside of the Box, and host of The Innovator's Mindset podcast. George’s perspective on basketball is as insightful as his books about education.
David returns to the show to share the insights he got from Hall of Fame basketball coach, the late John Wooden. Coach Wooden was David’s mentor as he grew up near UCLA and worked his basketball camps there. The author of Academy of One, David works as a consultant and teacher. He leads conversations about equity, equality, and open-sourced learning coupled with a love of basketball.
Our shared love for basketball is apparent in this episode, as we discuss the NCAA Men's and Women’s Division I Basketball Tournament, and its role in equity and equality. We also get into some friendly trash talk as we root for our favorite college team in the tournament.
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Episode 42: Teaching with Prezi Video and Rob Bayuk
For over a year now we all have been teaching with video. Quite frankly, teaching with video is a craft that needs to be developed, especially if you want to get your point across. I can honestly say that I believe video in education is here to stay. I’ll go further and say that in education, COVID-19 will be remembered as a catalyst for improving instruction.
Former high school teacher Rob Bayuk understands how important video is to education. He has worked with the Microsoft Innovative Experts and served as general manager of the Teaching Channel. Rob is currently senior education marketing lead at Prezi, where he and his team develop innovative ways to support the “flipped classroom” model, virtual teaching, virtual assignments, test preparations, and school-to-home communication.
In this episode, we speak with Rob about how the pandemic has changed the use of video in classrooms. We also discuss creativity tools like Prezi Design, a Canva-like platform that allows teachers to create interactive graphs, presentations, and video templates that enhance student understanding.
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Episode 41: Datacasting with Stacey Fitzsimmons and Stephanie Frazier
One of the prevalent problems in the COVID-19 era is the lack of digital access for students. Parents, students, and teachers know this problem all too well and it has led to disparities in education that manifest in multiple ways. The most significant of these is that teachers and schools have struggled to get students to show up for online classes and interact with them using technology at the same rate as face-to-face instruction.
Cari Kozicki Dr. Stephanie Frazier, Salandra Bowman, and Stacy Fitzsimmons addressed this problem recently at SXSW EDU. In the session “EduCast: Legacy Tech Is a Bridge to Broadband,” they shared how they are serving multiple communities without access to the internet using legacy technology. It simply blew me away.
In this episode, Dr. Stephanie Frazier of SCETV in South Carolina and Stacy Fitzsimmons of SNF Writing Solutions in Indiana are our guests.
We speak about the way states like South Carolina, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Kentucky, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Virginia, Michigan, and Idaho are collaborating on bringing digital access to students without an internet connection. We also talk about equity and improving access for all students, regardless of their socio-economic background.
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Episode 40: Thank You, Flipboard
I am a firm believer in giving credit where credit is due. When COVID-19 broke loose last year I was looking for a resource to prepare our teachers for what I thought was coming. I had no idea at this time last year that I would write 40 articles and episodes about education because of a pandemic. Even more surprising to me is that Flipboard has supported me to do it!
I dedicate this episode to Flipboard and its employees who support educators. They have been amazingly supportive through this journey. This year has been a doozy and I couldn’t have done it without the support of this group of people.
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Episode 39: Masks Off… Or On?
On March 2, 2021, Texas Governor Gregory Abbott, along with Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, decided to waive mask requirements for their respective states. Face masks had become our “new normal” in the COVID-19 pandemic since they were quickly required to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Moreover, public health experts say masks are key in ensuring schools are safe for students and staff.
This plan was shared with all stakeholders simultaneously as a newscast, without a mention of a strategy for the safe return of students and teachers, or guidance for transportation, extracurricular competitions, and special events such as proms and graduations that happen in the spring.
In this episode, I share the mic with fellow educators to explore the pros and cons of decision-making from an educational standpoint. We cover the impact of the decision on students and teachers and talk about the push to fully open up as the fourth largest city in the nation grapples with four virulent strains of the coronavirus.
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Episode 38: The Impact of Greatness on Black History Education
On October 26, 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. surprised students of Barratt Junior High School in Philadelphia as he made a pitstop to talk with them about their life’s blueprint.
He gave this speech six months before his untimely death. In my estimation, this speech affected America profoundly as it exposed racial injustice in the American education system. To understand the breadth and depth of the impact this single 20-minute speech has had, you need to understand why it was pivotal to students. Tensions had been brewing for some time in Philadelphia due to the lack of diversity in the city’s employment. Students complained that their teachers were insensitive, and they noticed a lack of diversity and inequality on the school board and in the school system as well.
In this episode, I will explore the impact of Dr. King’s greatness on students and teachers. I also examine why Dr. King spoke to these students and what the lasting impressions of this talk have been on students. Lastly, I discuss why it’s important to assist students with discovering who they will become. This is the final podcast episode in a series of three that looks at what educators can do better when teaching Black history.
Flipboard Education Resources for Black History Month
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Episode 37: The Academy of One with David Preston
We all know that the future of education has changed since COVID-19 but what that future looks like for students and teachers is a clear as mud. Educators know that at the core of that change in education is a collaboration with peers and amongst teachers and incorporating meaningful critical thinking exercises for students to learn from. That future also entails a thrust for creativity to be inserted into teacher’s lessons requiring students to use creativity to show mastery of those lessons, and for all stakeholders to communicate effectively using 21st-century tools like personalized and audio and video.
David Preston the author of Academy of One: The Power and Promise of Open-Source Learning. David is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles where he received a B.A. in Communication Studies and a master’s degree in Teacher Education and completed a Ph.D. in Education Policy from the UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information studies. David began his educational career at UCLA and taught there for eleven years. Being challenged by a high school principal stating that research doesn’t always equate to teaching practice David took him up on his offer.
In this episode, we talk with David about open-source learning and why education is more than books and tests. We also talk to David about why it’s essential to teach students to use tools like the internet to collaborate and communicate effectively with their peers, as classroom assignments. We also discuss training and professional developments he offers to teachers and schools to incorporate the Academy of One into their curriculums.
Flipboard Education Resources for Black History Month
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Episode 36: Teaching Black History with Michelle Ellis and Yvette Blake
I have had many discussions with my peers in the last year about race, equity and culture as well as what it means to be Black in America. We discuss how ingrained racism is in this country and its education system. One conversation in particular that has continued to surface is how the celebration of Black History Month has rested in the hands of educators. I can honestly say that my peers, who are as diverse as the United Nations, have been appalled at how some of the ways Black history is taught and introduced to students. Michelle Ellis tweeted an example, which caught my eye as it began with “Somebody is ALREADY MESSING up Black History Month.”
It dawned on me, many educators may not know what is culturally appropriate or be aware of biased practices embedded in Black history lessons. For the podcast, I spoke with Michelle Ellis and Yvette Blake Ed.D, my mentor, about the way we celebrate Black History Month in American schools. These two brave educators didn’t hesitate to share their knowledge and expertise on the subject.
In this episode, Michelle, Yvette, and I discuss Black History Month, exploring ways Black history can be incorporated into curriculums with fidelity. We also review resources for teachers teaching Black history and provide suggestions for ways to do this purposefully and meaningfully.
Flipboard Education Resources for Black History Month
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Episode 35: Mentoring Black Students With Ricardo Bates
During the month of February, we will be highlighting conversations that I feel are necessary for educators as well as the recognition of Black History Month. These conversations are sparked by photos and articles I’ve seen on Twitter about How Not To Celebrate Black History. The gist: for anyone’s participation in Black History Month to not come across as performative it’s important to understand the culture and experience of Black people in America. As some educators begin to celebrate Black history during the month of February, African American males continue to face a bleak future in 2021. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, one in three Black men can expect to go to prison in his lifetime.
Our guest, assistant principal Ricardo Bates, works extensively to change this narrative. Ricardo is passionate about mentoring students of all cultures but understands that reaching Black youth during COVID-19 is a priority. He has spent six years in education advancing the ranks from his start as an English teacher to his current role. He played college football at the University of Houston, where he discovered a passion for filmmaking and storytelling. In his films, Ricardo depicts the struggles that young Black men face and overcome through sports and teamwork, and their victories.
In this episode, we speak with Ricardo about his experience with mentoring African American youths. We also discuss how students thrive when teachers build relationships with them and create authentic learning experiences. I also asked him about his film The Prattville Way, his production company The BateHouse, and his newest movie “Fruit”.
Episode 34: Creating Creatives with Humberto Perez
During this pandemic, we have highlighted the way teachers can enhance their careers through collaboration with other successful educators. We believe that connecting teachers with other teachers will foster creativity and collaboration in ways that will enhance student achievement. Humberto Perez of E4 Youth takes that collaborative mindset to a whole other level.
E4 Youth is a nonprofit organization that develops and mentors marginalized youths into creative professionals and Humberto Perez is its education director using the arts, sciences, and technology, the E4 Youth team mentors high school and college students to explore career pathways in the film and graphic arts community. The organization also offers hands-on training and exposure to real-world opportunities.
In this episode, we speak to Humberto about mentoring high school and college students on building a solid foundation in the film and graphic arts industry. We discuss how COVID-19 has affected his work with E4 Youth and spent some time reviewing his resources for filmmaking.
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Episode 33: Teaching Truth Seeking with Jonathan Rogers
Teaching students to be critical thinkers during this pandemic is at the forefront of most teachers' minds. Teaching students to be truth-seekers may be one of the most essential objectives for educators during the COVID-19 pandemic. Combating misinformation and citing credible sources can make all the difference when getting information online.
Jonathan Rogers is an award-winning journalism adviser at Iowa City High School, where he was a former Journalism Teacher of the Year in Iowa. Jonathan speaks nationally at education and technology conferences and is a contributing writer for Media Shift, JEADigitalMedia.org, the English in Texas journal, and blogs about education on Medium.
In this episode, we discuss the importance of students becoming critical thinkers and managers of their social media accounts, as well as the relevance of media literacy. Jonathan also shares his insights on multiculturalism in the media and the importance of cultural diversity.
Episode 32: “Edumagic” with Samantha Fecich
Preparing the next generation of teachers is a daunting task. The incorporation of mobile technology has led to many changes in education in the last five years, and the pandemic has accelerated the need to embrace these changes. New teachers need to know how to build relationships virtually, deliver engaging lessons using the best tools available, and communicate with parents to monitor students' progress. How will preservice teachers know where to start? These trends inspired Samantha Fecich to publish EduMagic, a book that helps prepare teachers to hone their digital presence and create activities with technology tools.
In this episode of the Flipboard EDU Podcast, we speak with Samantha about the challenges pre-service teachers face during the pandemic. We detail how to build relationships virtually with college students and how pre-service teachers will use technology in their classes as teachers. We also talk about the importance of maintaining a positive presence as a teacher on various forms of social media.
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Episode 31: Building Engaging Learning Experiences with Evin Schwartz
What if the taught-and-tested curriculum in schools could foster really engaging learning experiences? If this pandemic has taught us anything, it is that the standards-based curriculum in school will have to evolve, along with expectations placed on teachers.
Evin Schwartz, CEO of Belouga, was well aware of this paradigm shift when he started his curriculum supplement company four years ago. Think of Belouga as an on-demand video service that supports what students need today to build a better tomorrow. Videos curated by this platform allow topics taught in school to be applied to real-world scenarios in various content areas. Common Sense Selection describes Belouga as an “impressive cross-curriculum platform that establishes global connections.” That might explain why Belouga excels in advocacy and grassroots movements with global projects through the United Nations and UNICF to name a few.
In this episode, Evin also speaks about students having access to a viable, self-directed curriculum for student achievement. We discuss the importance of storytelling, as well as student voice and choice during COVID-19. We also detail how Belouga is tailored to support 21st-century learning and student advocacy.
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