Category Archives: blog

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Overcoming Adversity: A Story of a Resilient Student and The Power of Relationships

Overcoming Adversity: A Story of a Resilient Student and The Power of Relationships

A Guest Post by Heather Loomis

“According to the American Psychological Association, 17% of teenagers engage in self-harm. This staggering statistic reflects the silent struggles many of our students face, often unnoticed.

Image created using Chat GPT 4.0 based on this post’s content and prompts.

One such student in my class taught me an invaluable lesson about resilience and the power of relationships.” When we encounter these students we need to assume that no one is checking in on them, that they are not receiving support, or that they are continuing with the things they need to do to stay mentally well.  They are middle school students who don’t necessarily have the skills to navigate difficult roads and can take care of themselves.  As teachers and human beings, it is our responsibility to be kind and open the door for those students to walk into and help when we can.  

One year, a new student, taught me a powerful lesson about relationships and the ability to bounce back. She was a very beautiful girl who was quiet and had a kind heart.  She started at the middle school as a new student, knowing no one, had no friends, and was so shy that I was truly worried about her both socially and academically.  

I looked out for her throughout the year.  I spoke with her daily and checked in just to see how she was doing.  We both got to know each other and she would tell me things about her life at school and home.  She was split between her parents because they were divorced.  Which is difficult for both her and her parents and the relationships seem rocky at best.

As the year went on she started to blossom.  She gained friends, started to smile, and actually sat with other students at lunch.  Her grades were stellar and she was academically ahead of most of the students in that class.  I still checked in with her and saw the counselor regularly and all seemed well in her world.  

Then the tears started.  Her grades were still good, but she started missing school.  She still had friends and even a boyfriend, but she was turning inward and just wasn’t herself.  I wasn’t quite sure what was going on.  There was no new information or concerns, but something was definitely off.  I’m always careful not to push or ask too many questions.  If a student wants to share most of the time they will.  She wasn’t, tears in her eyes, I finally asked, “What’s going on?”  She claimed she was fine, but I told her that if she needed to talk we could or I could get the counselor.  She stood there with tears in her eyes and told me her story.  There were more issues with the family and now the courts were involved. She was devastated and didn’t feel heard by either side.  They never asked her what she wanted.  She felt alone and powerless.

After listening and supporting I asked if there was anything I could do to help her.  She said, “I’m 14 days clean”.  Completely thrown off I said, “That’s great, what are you clean from?  She said, “cutting”.  I looked at her and told her how proud I was of her and that just because she was having a bad day was no need to break her 14-day streak.  She agreed and went on to her next class.  I immediately contacted the counselor and let her know everything. She needed help and more than I could give her. The counselor contacted the student’s mother and let her know what we had learned.  At that time I had no idea how things were going with the family.  Hoping she is okay and that whatever happens, she will be able to work through it all.  Feeling powerless but knowing I did the right thing in getting her help and having the counselor contact her mom was best.

Relationships are everything!  Between the counselor and my care for her,  we had at least been able to intervene and get her some help and support along this journey.  We only had a short time left in that school year.  My hopes were that there would be support in place before all was said and done.  God Willing!

Before that year ended I received a note from this beautiful young woman.  Thanking me for being there and listening.  She was back on her streak of days not cutting and was smiling again.  That year it was hard to say goodbye.  I still have her note in my box of special things and I will treasure it always.

What are some things I have learned from this experience?  Put building relationships above everything else!  Always be willing to listen and sometimes you need to ask if they need help.  Some students just can’t verbalize what they are going through. Students are resilient and can bounce back once they have the support they need. 

Last, but certainly not least make sure that either you or the school counselor are in touch with the parents.  Communication with home is key.  If you don’t have that then nothing can get better.

~ Heather Loomis

Follow Heather on Twitter (X) at: Loomis_h

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Thank you, Heather, for another wonderful post. The power of building authentic relationships can never be underestimated. Heaather’s approach to take on the genuine and tough situations that occur every day in our schools is to be commended, and the advice she is offering current and future educators should be valued and applied. This particular situation is one I personally would have had great difficulty facing. Heather’s courage and experience is incredibly helpful and appreciated.

Kelly

If you’d like to blog for Wired Educator, please send us a short bio and writing sample/idea for consideration. Include your role in education, school and the driving purpose behind your post. Thank you for supporting educators. 

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
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Why Every School District Should Kick Off the Year with an Opening Day Speaker

Is Your District Ready for Opening Day with Staff?

Why Every School District Should Kick Off the Year with an Opening Day Speaker

As one school year concludes, the groundwork for an exceptional 2024-2025 school year begins.

Everyone needs some summertime to relax and rejuvenate, especially educators, but the planning for an awesome next year can’t be completely put off. There’s one event that can set the tone for an entire year: an inspiring, energizing, and unifying opening-day speaker.

A great opening day speaker should do three things:

1. Celebrate Every Role

Let’s face it, the magic of a school year doesn’t happen without a great team. Teachers are legends, and they need to be celebrated! They need to feel the support and appreciation for their work. While doing this, let’s not forget the unsung heroes of the EDU team. From the bus drivers who ensure our students arrive safely, to the cafeteria staff who provide nutritious meals, to the maintenance crew who keep our schools running smoothly, our counselors, secretaries, and EVERY single position. An opening day speaker can spotlight these contributions, making each member of the staff feel seen, valued, and integral to the school’s success. It’s a powerful way to honor and celebrate the work that often goes unnoticed. A great opening day speaker makes everyone feel proud to be on the team and feel valued.

2. Set a Positive Tone

There’s something electrifying about a well-delivered presentation from a passionate, veteran educator who wants to help others make a difference. A great opening day speaker can get everyone excited and set a positive, collaborative tone for the year. A great speaker can ignite passion, inspire new perspectives, and renew a sense of purpose (as well as get people laughing and see the joy, purpose, and fulfillment of their important roles). It’s a chance to remind educators why they chose this noble profession and to reignite their commitment to making a difference in students’ lives. Starting the year with a burst of inspiration can have a lasting impact, fostering a supportive and enthusiastic school culture.

3. Build Unity and Morale

A school is much more than a collection of classrooms and offices; it’s a community. An opening day speaker can bridge gaps between departments, bringing everyone together under a common goal. Whether you’re in transportation, maintenance, the cafeteria, counseling, or administration, everyone plays a pivotal role in the educational journey. Celebrating this unity and reinforcing the importance of each department’s contributions can boost morale and create a more cohesive and motivated team.

At the end of the day, investing in an opening day speaker is investing in the heart and soul of your school district. It’s a chance to show appreciation, inspire greatness, and foster unity. And who better to deliver this impactful message than someone who has lived and breathed education?

Bonus: Practical Skills for Life and Work

One of the hidden gems of having an opening day speaker is the chance for everyone to learn a skill or two that they can actually use in their work and their life. Imagine the power of gaining insights that help you better approach challenges, both in and out of the classroom. The opening day speaker isn’t just about motivation; they offer excellent leadership training because we are all leaders somewhere in the district. Whether you’re guiding students, managing a team, or supporting your colleagues, the practical benefits you gain from an inspiring speaker can enhance your effectiveness and enrich your daily interactions.

Meet Kelly Croy

Kelly Croy is a seasoned educator, renowned speaker, and author who has dedicated his career to uplifting and empowering educators. With a unique blend of humor, insight, and heartfelt stories, Kelly has the ability to connect with audiences and leave them feeling inspired and appreciated. Interested in making your school year unforgettable? Reach out to Kelly Croy at www.kellycroy.com and bring the spark of inspiration to your opening day.

Let’s make this upcoming school year the best one yet by celebrating every hand that contributes to shaping the future. Here’s to a year filled with joy, unity, and relentless passion for education!

Kelly Croy is the Director of Innovation and Instruction for Port Clinton City Schools and the host of the popular Wired Educator Podcast. He has author Along Came a Leader:  A Personal and Professional Guide to Leadership and he is the author and illustrator of Unthink Before Bed a children’s book on anxiety that teaches students skills in coping with anxiety, preparing for the next day, and getting a good night’s sleep. Kelly taught ELA 7 for 26 years and has been the Director of Innovation & Instruction for the past seven years. He has spoken to over 100 schools/conferences around the globe.

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.

Interested in booking Kelly for your Next Event?
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Leveraging the Holiday Season to Empower Educators with Technology

Guest Post by Jason Kathman

The holiday season isn’t just a time for festive cheer and joyful celebrations.  It’s also a great opportunity for educators to infuse their classrooms with the magic of technology. As teachers, embracing this seasonal spirit can pave the way for innovative and engaging teaching practices, ultimately benefiting educators and students.

The holiday season presents an opportunity for educators to embrace technology in the classroom, fostering innovation, engagement, and collaboration. By leveraging the spirit of the holidays, teachers can not only enrich their teaching practices but also empower students with valuable digital skills and a love for learning that transcends the festive season.

As an instructional coach for technology, I am always looking for opportunities to get students to create with technology.  In Jamestown, we are 1:1 with iPad so the options to be creative are limitless.  Occasionally, as in any district, some educators are apprehensive about leveraging technology for learning.  “It takes too much time,” “I don’t have the time to learn how the tech works so I can’t use it with my students,” and “Kids are too distracted on the iPad for learning to happen” are phrases that I hear from fellow educators.  If I can get those teachers to have students use tech in ways that don’t deal directly with their content, then more times than not, they can see how engaged and excited students are when asked to be creative with technology.

Below are a few holiday resources that I use with educators in my district to get them to use iPads in creative ways in their classrooms.  Most resources are iPad-specific but all can be adjusted for any device.  

  1. 12 Projects for the Holidays:  My colleague and fellow Tech Integrator, Jeff Kresge and I built this website.  It asks students to create different holiday-themed products.  Students follow video tutorials to help them along the way.
  2. Susan Maynor’s Imaginarium:  Susan is an extremely creative educator and her monthly Imaginariums show that creativity.  Her December Imaginarium is a 30-page Pages (or pdf) document that is beautifully designed.  Each page represents a task for students to show off their creative genius.
  3. 12 Days of Creativity Series:  This four-volume series is packed full of ideas and resources!!  The genius educators who authored these books give you everything you (and your students) need to complete each task.  This is such a valuable resource!

As educators, let’s unwrap the gift of technology this holiday season and embark on a journey toward a tech-infused, dynamic learning experience for all!

Happy holidays and tech-filled teaching adventures!

 

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WEP 229: SEEing to Lead, an Interview with Chris Jones

SEE: Support, Engage and Empower

In this 229th episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I have the pleasure of interviewing an amazing educational leader named Chris Jones. Chris is the author of a really powerful, leadership book titled Seeing to Lead. I had so much fun talking with Christ and I learned a ton. He delivers actionable steps to help anyone improve and I love his authenticity and fun spirit. This is a great interview for anyone in education that wants a bit of refreshing inspiration, encouragement and some golden nuggets to level up and make a difference.

Click here to listen to my interview with Chris.

Dr. Chris Jones has been an educator in Massachusetts for 22 years. His experience in the classroom ranged from 8th – 11th grade working in an urban setting. A portion of this was spent opening a high school division for an expanding charter school. He has just finished his 14th year as a building administrator. Chris is also the Vice President of the Massachusetts State Administrators Association (MSAA). True to his “why” of improving the educational experience for as many people as possible, he is currently the Principal of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School in Whitman, Massachusetts. He is the author of SEEingtoLead, a book that provides strategies for how modern leaders can and must support, engage, and empower their teachers to elevate student success. Chris vlogs weekly about continuous improvement and is also the host of the podcast SEEing to Lead as a way to amplify teachers’ voices in an effort to improve education as a whole. His overarching goal is to positively model continuous improvement in all facets of life by being purposeful, acting with integrity, and building character.

Chris is passionate about continuous improvement and the idea that success is not a destination, but a process. Chris is a teacher centered principal and his beliefs around the importance of a positive work environment, continuous growth, and a healthy family work-life integration can be seen in the presentations and workshops he has given for the Massachusetts School Administrators Association (MSAA), Massachusetts Computer Using Educators (MassCUE), Massachusetts Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (MASCD), the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP); and his participation in the Better Leaders Better Schools Mastermind group.

A finalist for the Massachusetts School Administrators Association’s Principal of the Year award and named the 2022 Massachusetts School Counselors Associaltion’s (MASCA) Administrator of the Year, Chris is described by his past Superintendent as being “…wholly invested in the success of the school…a creative problem-solver who is able to deliberate yet be decisive, be creative yet accountable…calm and clear-headed even under the most trying of times…has built a strong collaborative and collegial school culture…he is a positive influence on teachers, teaching, and learning.”

Chris’ education includes a BA from Bridgewater State University, an MA from Salem State University, and a Doctorate from Northeastern University. He currently resides in Southeastern Massachusetts with his wife, Mary (Bella) and two boys, Tommy and Scotty.

Mentioned in this podcast:

The World Education Summit: https://www.worldedsummit.com/
Chris’s Podcast: SEEing to Lead
Chris’s Book: SEEing to Lead
Follow Christ onTwitter: @DrCSJones
(We’re proud affiliates for some of these tools, meaning if you click a link for a tool and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)

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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.

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WEP 220: The Minimalist Teacher an interview with Tammy Musiowsky-Borneman and Christine Arnold

An interview with Tammy Musiowsky-Borneman and Christine Arnold

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Frustrated? Is your district enduring initiative fatigue? My two guests today are from Hawaii and the Netherlands, and they co-authored a book titled The Minimalist Teacher which can help all of us create a better work environment no matter what our role is an education may be. You are going to love

Click Here to listen to this episode with Tammy and Christine.

We talk about:

Why minimalism is needed in our educational lives and school culture.

The benefits of minimalism, and why it’s necessary, and how to employ these techniques.

How to advocate for this minimalist approach?

 I hosted the podcast in Ohio and Tami joined us from Hawaii and Christine from the Netherlands so in this recording we literally span across the planet. Pretty cool. We had a lot of fun.  I can’t wait for you to hear how this episode is going to change your life.

Tammy Musiowsky-Borneman is the founder of and professional learning facilitator at Plan Z Professional Learning Services, an elementary teacher, and ASCD author. She has experience teaching and leading in Hawai’i, Singapore, New York City, and Edmonton, Canada. She is an active member of ASCD and is an ASCD Emerging Leader Alumni. Tammy and co-author, C.Y. Arnold wrote the recently published ASCD book, The Minimalist Teacher, as well as other digital publications for ASCD. Tammy has written several guest blogs for ASCD Inservice, Express, EdWeek Teacher blog, and Achieve the Core. She writes on topics such as creating cultures of learning, student engagement, inclusivity, and student agency. 

C. Y. Arnold is an Australian educator with experience at home and abroad. She has worked in Australia, Japan, Singapore, Belgium, and The Netherlands as a teacher, coach, mentor, co-teacher, coordinator, tutor, and supervisor from early childhood education to adult education. Her dedication to teaching has led her to serve on the board of the Singapore chapter of SENIA, publish educational articles, and present at various international and Australian conferences. Her interests in education include exploring research-based pedagogy and practice, inclusive education, quality early childhood education, inquiry, and promoting well-being for students and colleagues. 

Mentioned in the episode: 

Tammy and Christine’s book The Minimalist Teacher.

Rich Czyz’s book Rogue Leader: Make the Rule, Inspire Others and Take Control of Your Own Professional Development Destiny

Kelly will be keynoting the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators Conference on June 17 In Columbus, Ohio.

Apple Learning Coach

The Wired Educator #WiredWednesday 30-Minute Twitter Chat for everyone in education. Wednesday’s at 9PM Eastern.

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Do you like what you heard? Invite Kelly to speak at your school.
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Sign-up for Kelly’s newsletter here. Kelly Croy is an author, speaker, and educator. If you’d like to learn more about Kelly or invite him to your school or conference to speak please send him an email.  Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with 220 episodes of interviews and professional development. • Visit Kelly’s website at www.KellyCroy.com. • Looking for a dynamic speaker for your school’s opening day? • Consider Kelly Croy at www.KellyCroy.com • Order Kelly’s books, Along Came a Leaderand Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness for your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

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WEP 219: Survival Guide to The Classroom Apocalypse an Interview with Amanda Fox

An Interview with Amanda Fox

This is the wired educator podcast episode 219. My interview with Amanda Fox and her books Teachingland: A Teachers Survival Guide to the Classroom Apocalypse and MarkerTown, an awesome children’s book. We talk about Canva, virtual reality, augmented reality,  book publishing, creation in the classroom and her amazing story of becoming an educator and more. Get ready to be inspired and learn in this awesome interview.

Click here to listen to my interview with Amanda Fox. 

Amanda is the author of several books including: Teachingland: A Teachers Survival Guide to the Classroom Apocalypse and MarkerTown.

Amanda Fox, is an educator, author, and technology enthusiast currently living in Louisville, Kentucky. She is the Director of Education for QuiverVision, and the founder of Metainkbooks, a publishing company that leverages augmented reality to improve literacy. She has taught English Language Arts, Social Studies, Film, Journalism, and enjoys writing, illustrating, and cooking in her free time. Recipient of the 2016 ISTE Emerging Leader Award, recognized as a PBS Digital innovator for her initiatives in enhancing student learning with technology, Fox has also served as President of the Young Educator Network for ISTE, and received the President’s Volunteer Award in 2018. She is the author of Teachingland: A Teacher’s Survival Guide to the Classroom Apocalypse, Zom-Be A Design Thinker,  Markertown, and The Canva Classroom. She is currently working on a followup book to Markertown. Learn more or connect with Amanda on Twitter @AmandaFoxSTEM

For more information on booking Amanda for keynotes, workshops, design thinking led sessions, or video conferencing/virtual book readings with your class or school go to the contact page.

Amanda Fox, is an educator, author, and technology enthusiast currently living in Louisville, Kentucky. She is the Director of Education for QuiverVision, and the founder of Metainkbooks, a publishing company that leverages augmented reality to improve literacy. She has taught English Language Arts, Social Studies, Film, Journalism, and enjoys writing, illustrating, and cooking in her free time. Recipient of the 2016 ISTE Emerging Leader Award, recognized as a PBS Digital innovator for her initiatives in enhancing student learning with technology, Fox has also served as President of the Young Educator Network for ISTE, and received the President’s Volunteer Award in 2018. She is the author of Teachingland: A Teacher’s Survival Guide to the Classroom Apocalypse, Zom-Be A Design Thinker,  Markertown, and The Canva Classroom. She is currently working on a followup book to Markertown. Learn more or connect with Amanda on Twitter @AmandaFoxSTEM

For more information on booking Amanda for keynotes, workshops, design thinking led sessions, or video conferencing/virtual book readings with your class or school go to the contact page.

Mentioned in this episode: 

Amanda’s book Teachingland: A Survival Guide to the Classroom Apocalypse

Amanda’s book: MakerTown

Amanda’s book: Zom-Be a Design Thinker

Canva Youtube Playlist

TWITTER
Canva Template Links
Wordle Template
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Sign-up for Kelly’s newsletter here. Kelly Croy is an author, speaker, and educator. If you’d like to learn more about Kelly or invite him to your school or conference to speak please send him an email.  Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with 218 episodes of interviews and professional development. • Visit Kelly’s website at www.KellyCroy.com. • Looking for a dynamic speaker for your school’s opening day? • Consider Kelly Croy at www.KellyCroy.com • Order Kelly’s books, Along Came a Leaderand Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness for your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

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WEP 218 Safe, Seen and Stretched in the Classroom an Interview with Julie Schmidt Hasson

WEP 218 Safe, Seen and Stretched in the Classroom an Interview with Julie Schmidt Hasson

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast I interview Julie Schmidt Hasson about her new book Safe, Seen and Stretched in the Classroom. It is all about her research on the impact of teachers. I first interviewed Julie a few years ago for episode 98, and now she is back. What a fun interview. You are going to love her book.

Click here to listen to my interview with Julie. 

Julie Schmidt Hasson, Ed.D. is a professor in the Reich College of Education at Appalachian State University. Julie’s research on the impact of a teacher is the topic of a TEDx talk and is the focus of her engaging professional development programs. She founded the Chalk and Chances project, a vehicle for elevating and celebrating teachers, in 2017. Julie’s latest book, Safe, Seen, and Stretched in the Classroom was released in November 2021.

Mentioned in this episode: 

Julie’s book: Safe, Seen and Stretched in the Classroom

Julie’s website: https://www.julieschmidthasson.com

Julie’s blog: https://www.chalkandchances.com/about

Julie’s TedX Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmwy6r26vQY

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Sign-up for Kelly’s newsletter here. Kelly Croy is an author, speaker, and educator. If you’d like to learn more about Kelly or invite him to your school or conference to speak please send him an email.  Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with 218 episodes of interviews and professional development. • Visit Kelly’s website at www.KellyCroy.com. • Looking for a dynamic speaker for your school’s opening day? • Consider Kelly Croy at www.KellyCroy.com • Order Kelly’s books, Along Came a Leaderand Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness for your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

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WEP 215: 3DU: 3D Printing in Every Classroom, An Interview with Keven Rinaman

An Interview with Keven Rinaman

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Keven Rinaman about his new book, 3DU: A Guide to 3D Printing in Every Classroom published by Wired Educator.

Keven is an educator, administrator, podcaster, blogger, author and an important voice in education.

You’re going to love this episode.

Click here to listen to my interview with Keven Rinaman. 

Keven Rinaman is an educator and author. 

He has taught history, math, and technology at middle and high school grades, and has served as the technology director and Dean of Students for his district. Keven has coached numerous sports including: wrestling, golf, baseball and esports. He is a graduate of Heidelberg University and Western Governors University, earning both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Tiffin University. 

Keven is the author of 3DU: A Guide to 3D Printing in Every Classroom, the host of an educational podcast titled, Magic Potion EDU, and blogs at TeachersTechToolbox.com. Keven has spoken at numerous national and regional conferences including FETC and OETC. 

Keven lives with his wife Katie, and son, Cooper in Tiffin, Ohio. 

“Layer by layer, Keven Rinaman’s 3DU walks you through everything an educator could ever need in learning the practical, creative possibilities that await our classrooms thanks to the power of 3D printing. Far beyond mere trinkets and disposable doodads, 3DU is loaded with inspiring stories of how this powerful next-generation technology is quite literally helping our students build a better world. From scale replicas of famous attractions to practical solutions that run the gamut from prosthetics to Parkinson’s research, this is the kind of book that goes beyond a ho-hum “how to” and challenges us to learn the why, too. It’s a joy to imagine what incredible things might come from seeing the lessons from this book put into play.”

John Meehan, Teacher, author, and cofounder of EMC2 Learning

Mentioned in this episode: 

Keven’s book: 3DU: A Guide to 3D Printing in Every Classroom

Keven’s podcast: Magic Potion EDU

Keven’s blog: www.TeachersTechToolbox.com

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Sign-up for Kelly’s newsletter here. Kelly Croy is an author, speaker, and educator. If you’d like to learn more about Kelly or invite him to your school or conference to speak please send him an email.  Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with 215 episodes of interviews and professional development. • Visit Kelly’s website at www.KellyCroy.com. • Looking for a dynamic speaker for your school’s opening day? • Consider Kelly Croy at www.KellyCroy.com • Order Kelly’s books, Along Came a Leaderand Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness for your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

 

 

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3 Quarantine Teaching Examples I Will Always Remember; What’s Yours?

What positive memory do you have from quarantine emergency teaching?

For the most part, I look at life’s positive side. It enchants and inspires some and annoys others.

Every teacher on the planet should hold their head high and be proud of how they leveled-up and continued to make a difference while teaching in quarantine, from quarantine, to quarantine, and remote, and every other possible scenario the last couple of years.

Every single example an individual heroic memory. Or at least it should have been. Too often teachers compare themselves to other teachers  and beat themselves up too much about the emergency teaching that had to occur. Everyone did their best and impacted lives. No one was perfect. Everyone tried. We should all be proud.

Still there are three stories I will always remember most from our teaching in quarantine:

  1. Jon Jarc collecting students’ 3-D designs remotely, printing them from his house and shipping them to his students’ homes. Whoa!
  2. Jen Davis, Port Clinton Middle School art teacher, hosting a virtual art show for students in quarantine. Go Jen!
  3. Keven Rinaman 3-D printing medical safety shields for hospitals. (The story is in his new book 3DU: A Guide to 3D Printing in Every Classroom.) Congrats Keven!

It’s unfair for me to name just three. There are hundreds in my own district. There are millions of awesome examples from around the world, but for whatever reason, these three resonate with me and will forever be remembered. I really do hope you will add your memory and example in the comments below so others can see them. Thanks for considering.

~Kelly

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Sign-up for Kelly’s newsletter here. Kelly Croy is an author, speaker, and educator. If you’d like to learn more about Kelly or invite him to your school or conference to speak please send him an email.  Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with 213 episodes of interviews and professional development. • Visit Kelly’s website at www.KellyCroy.com. • Looking for a dynamic speaker for your school’s opening day? • Consider Kelly Croy at www.KellyCroy.com • Order Kelly’s books, Along Came a Leaderand Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness for your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

 

 

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Boom! Deliver Awesome Feedback, an Interview with Ben Kalb

An Interview with Ben Kalb

This is episode 210 of The Wired Educator Podcast, and I have the privilege to share with you the awesomeness of Ben Kalb.

Ben is an amazing educator and we are both members of The Apple Distinguished Educator Community.

Ben teaches some important things we need to know about delivering awesome feedback. We also have a great conversation about deficit thinking and the power of storytelling in education.

Click here to listen to this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast.

Ben Kalb is the Director of Communication for the Muskegon Area ISD in Muskegon Michigan. As a former classroom teacher he is a passionate advocate for Public Schools. Ben is an Apple Distinguished Educator and was the cohost of another top ranked education podcast. Throughout 4 seasons of Vrain Waves, teachers were informed, inspired, and connected through the advice of giants in education. Although his podcast wasn’t as prolific as this one, over the course of 4 seasons he and his co-host Becky interviewed dozens of New York Times Best selling authors including Dan Heath, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Daniel Pink and more.

Mentioned in this episode: 

I am excited to announce that Wired Educator has published its first book, 3DU: A Guide to 3D Printing in Every Classroom, written by Keven Rinaman.

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