Moments of Inspiration

Join the MOI crew as we hear from Lake Norman Charter School's high school ITF Jamie Lord and middle school ITF Marianne Rogowski.  They share their "Focus 5" tips including keeping students engaged on Zoom, lesson ideas for asynchronous learning, minimizing grading time, things you didn't know you could do, and using Jamboard as a collaborative whiteboard.

Join the MOI team as we chat with Librarian Angie Moore all the way from Michigan!  Listen as she shares her experiences starting at a new school during COVID and how she has adapted and shined through all of the challenges she's faced.  As a bonus she shares some great titles for you to add to your summer reading list!

Jo Watson Hackl is the author of Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe, published by Random House Children’s Books.  It was awarded the Southern Book Prize and is an Indie Next and Okra pick. It’s also been recently featured on the NC School Library Media Association EBOB list!  Listen in as we speak with Jo about how she collaborates with educators across the country and how the pandemic has affected the way she interacts with teachers, librarians, and students.

Listen in as we chat with Carrie Robledo, Digital Integration Facilitator for Moore County Schools.  This conversation aired live on Twitter on Digital Learning Day, February 25th, 2021.  Carrie is a Digital Integration Facilitator for Moore County Schools, where

she integrates robotics, engineering, and coding at Highfalls K-8, Elise

Middle, and Robbins Elementary.  She is the 2020 NCTIES Outstanding

Teacher of the Year, a 2020-2021 #IAmCS Ambassador, the 2019-2020

Moore County Schools Teacher of the Year, and a 2018-2019 Kenan

Fellow.  We discuss with her how she has moved robotics virtual this year and the "special" things she has done with students in regard to the recent Mars Perseverence Landing.

In this episode we'll hear from Casey Rimmer, Director of Innovation and EdTech for Union County Schools in NC.  She is with us to discuss the many ways they've been supporting teachers, students, and parents from the very beginning of the COVID shutdown.  What's really interesting is how they have developed personalized PD for their teachers that has evolved from basic skills to broader instructional concepts.

The "Focus 5" series seeks to highlight 5 great things happening in a school district at any given time.  On this episode we are featuring several Dare County Schools' Librarians as they discuss what's going in their Media Centers and beyond. Take the time to listen, you'll be happy you did!

We were contacted by Dr. Lisa Hervey to do a follow up episode to the "What Do You Mean I'm An Orange" episode.  Since it's release she has become officially certified as a True Colors Facilitator and is excited to share some more insights into how beneficial this assessment can be and is.  She also wants to go back and reframe some ideas discussed before.  As Stacy likes to say, "Know Better, Do Better"!

Join us as we spend some time talking with Dr. Lisa Hervey as she explains how the True Colors assessment has made a true impact on her life.  Listen as she describes how her understanding of others has been transformed by this tool and how she displays the results with pride.

In this episode we discuss the importance of encouraging the creative abilities in our students.  Whether remote or in person, it's important to remember that allowing for creativity is crucial for not only our students, but for teachers as well.  To that end, we hear from Mari Beth LaRose, Art Teacher at Kitty Hawk Elementary in Dare County as she tells us about some of the activities she uses with her students to push them creatively.  We also speak with Kristen Springle, Art Teacher at Beaufort Middle School in Cartaret County.  She shares an amazing project she did with her students and how she incorporates mindfulness strategies to help them lower stress and encourage their creativity.

Dana Page, who has transitioned this year from high school math teacher to elementary school assistant principal, joins the MOI crew in this episode.  We talk about her experiences and her journey in education.  She also shares some great things going on at her school and how excited they are to get the kids back in the building.

Join us as we chat with some outstanding educators from New Hanover County Schools as they discuss the ways they have adjusted and re-adjusted their teaching styles from the Spring until now.  We'll hear from PE teacher Chris Walters as well as Media Coordinator Gretchen Parker.  There's even some "surprise" appearances at the end of the episode, so make sure you stay tuned!

Welcome to Season 2 Episode 1 of MOI!  To kick things off, in this episode Chris sits down (virtually of course) with some White Oak High School's best to discuss why their model of hybrid learning during "Plan B" in Onslow County is working so well.  We'll hear from Principal Dr. Christopher Barnes, Tech Facilitator Christy Torres, Science Teacher Tanya Larose, as well as two seniors Nyla Ayeli and Allison McGovern.  They will share their perspectives, opinions, and hopes for this school year as we all adjust to the "new normal".

In our Season 1 Finale we hear from educators across North and South Carolina who share their recommendations for great Summer reads.  We have some return guests, some brand new guests, and even some little ones giving us some great suggestions on a wide range of books for you to consider.  Thanks for your support of Season 1 and be on the lookout for updates on Season 2 coming soon!

This week we hear from three amazing educators; a first year teacher, a retiring teacher, and a retiring administrator as they discuss their experiences with the COVID-19 crisis, remote learning, and how they are handling the challenges.  Their perspective and wisdom is second to none so listen, share and enjoy!

This week we hear from two amazing Exceptional Children's Teachers. Mattamuskeet Campus' Callie Luker from Hyde County, NC and Hunt High School's Riley Bane from Wilson, NC.  They share with us how they were able to take learning from the classroom to their students' homes and made it relevant, engaging, and fun!  

Meredith Harris and Katie Hardt are not only rival PE teachers in Dare County, NC.  They are also the best of friends.  So when Katie had an idea to get their students up and moving while in quarantine, Meredith never hesitated to get involved.  What resulted was nothing short of amazing.  Listen in as we discuss their project, how it spread, and what it has taught them and us about engaging our learners.

In honor of the fact that so many graduates are having to miss their "traditional" ceremony this year we decided to reach out to some old friends who are experiencing this first hand and get their perspective on how it affects them.  We reach far and wide, even going all the way to Michigan to hear some great stories!  So please join us as Olivia, Angie, and Joan share their thoughts!

Our guests this week are both educators at Githens Middle School in Durham, NC.  Barbara Berry is the Media Coordinator and Kate Murphy is the 7th Grade Counselor.  This year they have teamed up to work with students and staff to incorporate mindfulness strategies into their everyday routine.  We discuss with them how they've done this, some of the changes that were necessary moving to remote instruction and the results they have seen since implementing their plan.

In this episode we look at how we can reach our students and colleagues "beyond the walls" of the school building.  We have several guests this week including Jill Darrough from NCDPI's Digital Teaching and Learning Division, Corey Tyler Director of Technology for Northampton County Schools, and Elizabeth Matrejek a Math Teacher at Independence High School in Mecklenburg County.  

This week's guest inspires Stacy, Mollee, and Chris to reflect on what it was like to be a first year teacher and how that experience applies to what we are facing right now.  

In this episode Stacy, Mollee, and Chris discuss the idea of "reaching out" to others when we can.  We have three guests this week, Krista and Blair Allred from Hickory N.C. and Christine MItchell from Wilson, N.C. who will also share their thoughts.  Thanks for listening and please share!

This week Mollee, Stacy, and Chris discuss the concept of "change" in what we do as educators and how we are currently adapting to the "new normal".  Our first guest is Kelly Burbage, a Media Specialist from Charleston S.C.  Next we have Carrie Robledo, a Digital Integration Facilitator from Moore County Schools in N.C.  So, please take a few minutes, turn up the volume and join us because remember, we're all on this road together!

Who are Mollee, Stacy, and Chris?  What is a moment of inspiration?  What makes this podcast different?  Give us 10 minutes and we'll answer these questions and more as well tell you how you can "come along for the ride" with us!