Category Archives: interview

Posted on

WEP 176 Leader of Learning, an interview with Dan Kreiness

In this 176th episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Dan Kreiness, host of the Leader of Learning podcast, an extraordinary educational leader and instructional coach in Connecticut. Dan just finished his doctorate in Educational Leadership with a focus on the topic of growth mindset. I enjoy Dan‘s podcast, and I’m excited to have him on the show. We talk about the return to school in all of the different models, growth mindset, remote learning, and instructional coaching.  Dan is a brilliant educational leader. This podcast will help you level-up to make a difference in the lives of students. Let’s go!

Click here to listen to the podcast.

Thank you for choosing this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast! You are awesome!

Dan and I talk about:

  • Dan’s SCOPE acronym for what makes coaching growth mindset
  • a medical doctor’s opinion on which learning model is best for students (an interesting discussion)
  • transformational leadership to inspire growth mindsets in teachers
  • maintaining a growth mindset around school reopening
  • instructional coaching and leading by coaching
  • differentiating and personalizing learning during hybrid/distance learning
  • and more!

Dr. Dan Kreiness is an instructional leader and podcast host who constantly searches for the most effective ways to advance education and produce high student achievement. Dan began his teaching career by spending nearly eight years in the New York City Department of Education as an eighth grade English language arts teacher, academic intervention specialist, and middle level literacy coach, then spent nearly five years at Derby Middle School in Derby, Connecticut as a reading teacher and instructional coach. He is currently an ELA Instructional Coach in the Norwalk Public School District in Norwalk, Connecticut. Dan holds master’s degrees in adolescent education and educational leadership and a doctorate in educational leadership. His dissertation and original research were titled, “Transformational Leadership to Inspire Growth Mindset in Classroom Teachers.” Dan was named to the 2017 class of ASCD Emerging Leaders. He is also a Google Certified Educator, Nearpod PioNear, Flipgrid Ambassador, and Wakelet Ambassador.

Dan hosts the popular Leader of Learning podcast which can be found on music streaming services such as Spotify, iTunes and Apple Podcasts, Google Play and Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, and TuneIn, or on any podcast catcher. Dan has been a recurring host and panelist on the EduMatch Tweet and Talk podcast series. He is also an author who features his writing the “Leader of Learning” blog and has contributed guest blogs to The EduCal Blog, Your Instructional Coach, and TeachBoost. In addition to blogging, he also has published works as a contributor to the Edumatch Snapshot in Education (2017) Volume 2: Professional Practice and The EduMatch Teacher’s Recipe Guide: Survive and Thrive in the Kitchen and Beyond.

Dan is emerging as an expert presenter at educational conferences, trainings, and EdCamps on topics including leadership, growth mindset, podcasting, student engagement, various instructional technologies, and using social media in education. Dan was the creator of the #growthmindsetEDU Twitter chat and Voxer group after his interest in growth mindset was sparked as he studied how to be an effective instructional coach. His specific educational interests include leadership, educational technology, and student engagement.

Mentioned in this podcast: 

Kelly’s new book: Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness

Dan’s website: https://leaderoflearning.com

Follow Dan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dr_kreiness

Follow Dan on Instagram: https://instagram.com/dr_kreiness

Follow Dan on his Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/leaderoflearning

One of Dan’s favortite reads is the book Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard by Chip Heath.

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. • Listen to Kelly’s other podcast, The Future Focused Podcast and subscribe. • Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 176 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 book, Along Came a Leader for a school book study or your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

 

Posted on

WEP 175 Anything is Possible in a Remote Classroom, an Interview with Jon Jarc

WEP 175 Anything is Possible in a Remote Classroom, an Interview with Jon Jarc

In this episode of the Wired Educator Podcast, I have an amazing conversation with Apple Distinguished Educator and STEM/Art teacher, Jon Jarc about teaching in a remote environment. How can you teach an essential class with so many hands-on tools and supplies like STEM and Art while completely remote? Well, Jon did, and he did it amazingly well. He is an amazing educator. We go in many directions in this interview. You are going to love this episode. 

Click here to listen to the podcast.

Jon is an Apple Distinguished Educator. He is a teacher and technologist at St. Ignatius High School, the Jesuit preparatory school in Cleveland, Ohio. Jon works with teachers integrating technology to their classrooms. 

I interviewed Jon way back on episode 59 of this podcast. He inspires me. He is an amazingly caring human and a talented educator. In one of my darkest hours, Jon looked out for me in my family. During quarantine Jon 3D printed projects his students made and shipped them to his students, and he 3D printed medical supplies for hospitals. 

He supports student learning and faculty professional development across the curriculum. He works with both IT staff and school administration to offer sound technology advice on planning and integration projects throughout our camps as well as conducting ongoing professional development. 

With a wide range of IT experiences and a Masters Degree in Educational Technology, finding solutions to specific teachers’ needs is his specialty.

Jon is an amazing educator and friend and I am proud to share a small piece of his story and expertise with you in this interview 

Mentioned in this interview: 

Great Article with Jon Jarc: https://www.cleveland19.com/2020/04/13/st-ignatius-teacher-using-d-printer-help-make-medical-supplies-out-his-home-north-olmsted/

MakerGear 3D Printers

Here’s a link to my new children’s book, it’s the perfect back-to-school bedtime book:

Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness

Have a great school year. Please subscribe to my newsletter and podcast.

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. • Listen to Kelly’s other podcast, The Future Focused Podcast and subscribe. • Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 175 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 book, Along Came a Leader for a school book study or your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

 

Posted on

WEP 174: Serendipity, An Interview with Allyson Apsey

In this 174th episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I interview an amazing educational leader, author of four best selling educational books, and difference-maker, Allyson Apsey.

Allyson Apsey is passionate about students and staff and leads others through their strengths. In her role as an elementary principal, she tries to be transparent, vulnerable, and supportive. She is an author, national speaker, and mom to two boys.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

Despite the fact that she never wanted to set foot in a school again after high school graduation, there is nowhere else she’d rather spend her days than in classrooms. In fact, she doesn’t even have a chair at her desk because she is moving around the school all day long. The challenges and delights of being a principal fill her days with joy. She enjoys nothing more than helping others be the very best they can be.

She is so proud of her school district and the Zeeland, MI community, and she loves being the principal of Quincy Elementary. She cannot imagine a more dedicated, passionate, and skilled group of teachers. They elicit wonder, excitement and a love for learning in their students. 

Recognizing the significant impact trauma has had on many of our students, staff, and families, Allyson became a Certified Trauma Practitioner in Education. The support students affected by trauma need are beneficial to all students because they are grounded in a foundational core of strong, positive relationships based on trust.

She is honored to serve on the Executive Board of Directors for MEMSPA (Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association) as State and Federal Relations Co-coordinator. 

Allyson writes on a blog called Serendipity in Education and has authored several books—The Path to Serendipity, Through the Lens of Serendipity: Helping Others Discover the Best in Themselves, the picture book The Princes of Serendip, and a middle-grade chapter book called The Serendipity Journal. She also loves speaking to passionate groups of educators as everyone works to be happy and effective people for the benefit of everyone.

She is married to Jim and has two amazing sons with him, Laine and Tyson.

She is blessed.

Mentioned in this Podcast: 

Allyson’s website: allysonapsey.com

Allyson’s books: You can find all of her books at this link.

Here’s a link to my new children’s book, it’s the perfect back-to-school bedtime book:

Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness

Have a great school year. Please subscribe to my newsletter and podcast.

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. • Listen to Kelly’s other podcast, The Future Focused Podcast and subscribe. • Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 174 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 book, Along Came a Leader for a school book study or your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

 

 

 

Posted on

WEP 173: Inquiry Mindset, an Interview with Trevor MacKenzie

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Trevor MacKenzie. Trevor is brilliant and has much to offer us as we prepare for this new school year. His knowledge and creative ideas on how to bring inquiry into any learning environment, whether it be remote, hybrid, or traditional is just the instructional practice we need.

Trevor MacKenzie is an award-winning English teacher at Oak Bay High School in Victoria, BC, Canada, who believes that it is a magical time to be an educator.  By increasing student agency over learning, weaving in strong pedagogy, transformative tech use, and sharing learning to a public audience, Trevor’s learners are ready to take on important roles in the 21st century.

Trevor is the author of Dive into Inquiry: Amplify Learning and Empower Student Voice as well as Inquiry Mindset: Nurturing the Dreams, Wonders and Curiosities of our Youngest Learners .

Follow Trevor on Twitter at: @trev_mackenzie

Visti Trevor’s website at: www.trevormackenzie.com and on Facebook.

Read Trevor’s books: Dive into Inquiry: Amplify Learning and Empower Student Voice as well as Inquiry Mindset: Nurturing the Dreams, Wonders and Curiosities of our Youngest Learners.

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. • Listen to Kelly’s other podcast, The Future Focused Podcast and subscribe. • Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 173 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 book, Along Came a Leader for a school book study or your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

 

 

Posted on

WEP 170 Teach Better with Jeff Gargas

Thanks for Leveling-Up and Making a Difference in the Lives of Students!

This episode of The Wired Educator Podcast is an awesome interview with Jeff Gargas.

Jeff Gargas is the COO and Co-founder of the Teach Better Team and co-author of Teach Better. He works with educators to increase student engagement and improve student success. He also offers 1-on-1 coaching for teachers who have a product or idea they want to share with others to better education.

Jeff Gargas is the COO and Co-founder of the Teach Better Team (Creators of www.teachbetter.com, The Grid Method, and Teach Further) and co-author of the book, Teach Better. He works with educators to increase student engagement and improve student success. He also offers 1-on-1 coaching for teachers who have a product or idea they want to share with others to better education.

Prior to co-founding Teach Better, Jeff was the owner of ENI Multimedia, an online marketing firm, where he worked with entrepreneurs and small businesses, assisting them with web design, social media, content marketing, and brand awareness.

Prior to all of this, Jeff was an adjunctive professor at Kent State University and spent 10+ years in the music industry. He has spoken at conferences around the country, and has successfully promoted more than 500 events and launched 7 businesses in a variety of industries.

Jeff is passionate about music and enjoys spending time with his family as often as possible.

Here is a direct link to this podcast: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/wirededucator/WEP_170_Teach_Better_with_Jeff_Gargas.mp3

Mentioned in this episode: 

StartSole.org

The Marshall Memo

The Future Focused Podcast

Interested in having Kelly work with your district remotely or in-person: www.KellyCroy.com

Jeff’s links:

Social Media Handles:

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. • Listen to Kelly’s other podcast, The Future Focused Podcast and subscribe. • Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 169 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 book, Along Came a Leader for a school book study or your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

 

Posted on

WEP 169: Education is Over, an Interview with Bill Rankin

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Bill Rankin. He is an amazing educator, and someone I deeply respect and admire. Dr. Rankin was the worldwide Director of Learning at Apple from 2013 through 2016. He is an academic with more than 25 years of classroom experience, and interviews with Rankin have appeared in Wired, The Guardian, The Times of London, Businessweek. He has recently written a fascinating article titled Education is Over. You are going to love it!

Dr. William Rankin is a learning-experience and learning-frameworks designer and educational theorist who served as worldwide Director of Learning at Apple from 2013 through 2016. An academic with more than 25 years of classroom experience, Rankin helped design the world’s first smartphone-based one-to-one learning program for higher education, for which he was named Campus Technology magazine’s Innovator of the Year for mobile learning in 2008. In 2009, he was named an Apple Distinguished Educator, and in 2010, he began a three-year tenure on the US Board of Apple’s Distinguished Educators program.

Interviews with Rankin have appeared in Wired, The Guardian, The Times of London, Businessweek, The New York Times and The Chronicle for Higher Education and at online sites including InsideHigherEd, Ars Technica, and Open Culture. Rankin has spoken at TEDxDubai and was a featured presenter at London’s Bett Show in 2018 and 2019. He has worked with schools, governments, and learning organizations in more than 30 countries to design, develop, and implement innovative learning and is an expert in mobile- and technology-enhanced learning and constructionism.

Mentioned in this episode: 

Bill’s article, “Education is Over.”

Willaim Rankin on TEDxDubai 2011

One of Bill’s choices for most influential book: End of Average by Todd Rose

Here is a link to this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast: http://traffic.libsyn.com/wirededucator/WEP_169_Education_is_Over_An_Interview_with_Bill_Rankin.mp3

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. • Listen to Kelly’s other podcast, The Future Focused Podcast and subscribe. • Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 169 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 book, Along Came a Leader for a school book study or your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

 

 

Posted on

WEP 168: The Teacher and The Admin: Making Schools Better for Kids, an Interview with Kris Felicello

An Interview with Kris Felicello

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Kris Felicello, co-author of The Teacher and The Admin: Making Schools Better for Kids. Kris has such rich and diverse experiences in educational leadership experiences. He is brilliant and a lot of fun. You will love our conversation.

Dr. Kris Felicello has been in the field of education for over 25 years as a Teacher, Coach, Athletic Director, Assistant Principal, Principal, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, and he is currently the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services in the North Rockland Central School District in Rockland County, New York.  Kris obtained his Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership from St. John’s University in 2011.

Dr. Felicello is a leader who wants to make schools a better place for students.  He firmly believes that it is essential to build relationships and foster students’ social-emotional development to ensure a positive and productive educational experience for all students.  Throughout his career, Dr. Felicello has embraced technology as a means to improve schools, however, he cautions that technology should be utilized only when it supports positive instructional practices.

Dr. Felicello is a presenter, TEDx speaker, and co-author of the best selling educational book The Teacher and The Admin: Making Schools Better for Kids.  Kris and his writing partner Gary Armidia are the founders of The Teacher and The Admin Blog.  Kris has also served as an adjunct professor, professional development leader, and continues to be a student of the latest trends in education.

Although Dr. Felicello is passionate about his career and improving our education system, his first priority is his family.  He enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife Rebecca and 3 sons Justin (19), Andrew (17), and Scott (15).

Mentioned in this episode: 

Follow Kris on Twitter- @kfelicello @teacherandadmin 

Kris’s book: The Teacher and the Admin: Making Schools Better for Kids

Kris’s favorite book: The Godfather

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. • Listen to Kelly’s other podcast, The Future Focused Podcast and subscribe. • Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 168 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 book, Along Came a Leader for a school book study or your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

 

 

 

Posted on

WEP 167: Teach Better with The Grid Method, An Interview with Chad Ostrowski

An Interview with Chad Ostrowski

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Chad Ostrowski. Chad is the co-author of an awesome new book titled Teach Better, he is the creator of an amazing system to help you become a better educator, called The Grid Method, and he is a member of the Teach Better Team, they create awesome resources for educators.  Chad and I really connect in this interview. It’s a lot of fun and it’s full of value. Buckle-up.

Chad was Former MS Science teacher in a high needs economically disadvantaged school district. He Developed and created The Grid Method to reach ALL of his students regardless of need. In 2015 Chad founded the Teach Better Team with Jeff Gargas and now works with school districts, schools, and teachers across the country to help them reach more students. As a published author, trainer, and keynote speaker he has helped schools improve student outcomes across the country.

Chad and I talk about:  Instruction, Assessment, Mastery Learning, Self-paced learning, student-centered learning, Classroom Management, Student-Ownership, and more! Mentioned in this episode: 

Send Kelly a 90-second voicemail. Ask a question, leave a comment, or answer these, “What struggles are you facing as an educator during remote learning? What solutions have you created? How will you celebrate and end your year remotely? To leave your voicemail, just click here: https://wirededucator.com/ask-kelly/

Order a copy of Chad’s awesome new book,Teach Better.

Visit Chad’s blog: www.teachbetter.com/blog

Check out his website full of amazing resources:  www.teachbetter.com

Listen to The Teach Better Talk – Podcast

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. • Listen to Kelly’s other podcast, The Future Focused Podcast and subscribe. • Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 150 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 book, Along Came a Leader for a school book study or your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

Posted on

WEP 166: Building A Culture of Leadership, An Interview with Pat Adkins

An Interview with Pat Adkins, Superintendent of Port Clinton City Schools

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Pat Adkins, a veteran superintendent whose leadership, culture work, and views on education are sought out by educational leaders across the nation. Pat and I talk about leading a school district in a time of crisis, such as this pandemic, the importance of building a maintaining a dynamic culture and coaching others to become better leaders. This is a fun and worthy episode I know you will enjoy and benefit from. 

Pat Adkins is the Superintendent of the Port Clinton City Schools in Port Clinton, Ohio.  Port Clinton Schools have been recognized as a National Forum School to Watch and selected as a Model School by the International Center for Leadership.  Pat’s thirty years in education include roles as a high school teacher, director of technology, coach, building principal, and Superintendent. He has not only survived but has thrived as Superintendent in Port Clinton for 15 years. He is an adjunct professor for Ashland University where he teaches administrative leadership courses. Pat has spoken at schools and conferences across the country about building dynamic school culture and was a featured speaker at the What Great Educators Do Differently conference in Houston, Texas this past October.

Pat serves as a mentor and coach to new Superintendents and school leaders and has been recognized for his work in creating an elite culture that invests in people over programs.  Pat also provides coaching and consulting to school districts, and individuals, seeking disciplined strategies to help them achieve an elite culture and get results. Pat has been recognized as Port Clinton’s Citizen of the Year and OMEA’s Outstanding Administrator of the Year. 

Great Educators Build Dynamic Cultures by Investing in People First!

~Pat Adkins

Learn how to build an elite culture by investing in people every day. Every school budgets for textbooks, online programs, and technology initiatives. Every calendar schedules time for professional development and data meetings.  However, the crucial interpersonal connections and bond-building are an afterthought for many. It is relationship building and intentional focus on the culture that drives the success of any district. You win with people when you put people first. Don’t let your culture be built by chance, learn how to build it day by day with intention. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out Pat’s blog, where he shares insight and culture, leadership and education: www.patadkins.com

Follow Pat on Twitter at @PCsupt

Focus 3: www.focus3.com

One of the most influential reads Pat shares is the book The Servant by James Hunter, and he is currently reading Live Your Excellence: Bring Your Best Self to School Every Day by Jimmy Casas.

Check out Kelly being interviewed on The Leader of Learning Podcast, episode 73: Authentic Innovation and Leadership, hosted by Dan Kreiness, that was just published.

Listen to Kelly being interviewed this past week on the Ashland University Professional Learning Podcast, Pandemic Response for Education Series

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. • Listen to Kelly’s other podcast, The Future Focused Podcast and subscribe. • Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 150 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 book, Along Came a Leader for a school book study or your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

Posted on

WEP 165: It’s Okay to Say They, an Interview with Christina Whittlesey

An Interview with Christina Whittlesey: Tips for Educator Allies of Transgender and Non-Binary Students

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I  interview Christy Whittlesey, author of the Dave Burgess Publishing book, It’s Ok to Say “They”: Tips for Educator Allies of Transgender and Non-Binary Students. This is a powerful conversation between two educators about doing whatever you can to teach, care and help every student.

What is a gender-friendly school? What changes should school districts make? What should school districts be thinking about and considering?

Christy Whittlesey, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) has been an educator in settings ranging from PreK-higher education for the past 17 years, and is currently a PreK-12 Fine and Performing Arts Administrator and a Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Arts Ambassador in Massachusetts. In addition to her work in the arts, Dr. Whittlesey regularly collaborates with school districts and organizations to update policy and lead professional development to create gender-friendly schools where all students can thrive, regardless of gender.

Christy received an undergraduate degree from Berklee College of Music (2004), a master’s degree in Music Education from Boston University (2009), and a Ph.D. with a focus on  Educational Research and Evaluation from the University of Massachusetts Lowell (2019), where she was awarded the Education Department’s “Outstanding Dissertation Award” for her work researching the educational experiences of transgender and non-binary students. She has presented her work at many national and international conferences, has co-authored work presented at the American Educational Research Association, and is a 2020 Boston Ed Talk Fellow.

Her book, It’s Ok to Say “They”: Tips for Educator Allies of Transgender and Non-Binary Students, is published by Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc., and is available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Christy’s book: It’s Ok to Say “They”: Tips for Educator Allies of Transgender and Non-Binary Students, is published by Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc.

Christy’s Website: www.christywhittlesey.com

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. • Listen to Kelly’s other podcast, The Future Focused Podcast and subscribe. • Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 160 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 book, Along Came a Leader for a school book study or your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram