This is the Wired Educator Podcast Episode 234, an  interview with West Virginia Educator of the Year and Apple Distinguished Educator, Brian Casto.

Click here to listen to Kelly interview Brian.  

We focus on making class time and content engaging as well as the opportunities and challenges that arise in being recognized for our work in education. Brian Casto is an amazing educator whom I had the pleasure to meet. He is so humble and kind, but his inspiration and passion for all things education will inspire all of us. you are going to love this episode. 

Brian has impacted lives for more than fifteen years in education. His dedication to preserving West Virginia’s history and culture has earned him accolades, including the Honorary Golden Horseshoe Award. Recently accepted into the Apple Distinguished Educator program, Brian’s story is one of passion and impact. I love the animated videos he created to help his students learn about and have respect for their state. Amazing work.

Brian Casto has been in the education field for fifteen years and holds a bachelor’s degree in social studies, grades 5-12, from Marshall University.  After teaching in both middle and high school for 14 years, he now serves as a New Teacher Specialist in his district.  Mr. Casto received an Honorary Golden Horseshoe Award June 25, 2021, for his two-minute animated videos that preserve the history and culture of West Virginia.  He created these videos for educators across the state in his spare time because there are only a few videos available for West Virginia Studies. He also works with the West Virginia Department of Tourism through his Where in West Virginia is Mr. Casto video series that explores the history, culture, and sites of the state. He is the 2022 West Virginia Teacher of the Year and presently serves on a council of teachers of the year with his state department of education. In 2023, he was accepted into the Apple Distinguished Educator program for his innovative use of technology in and out of the classroom.

From Brian: 

“I love thinking of creative ways students and teachers can utilize technology to engage in learning. I especially love using Clips, Keynote, and iMovie in the learning process. I’ve really enjoyed taking what I have learned from working with these programs on my own and incorporating them into the classroom. As with most things, I was a novice when I first began making animated videos and have worked hard in the past 3 years to learn graphic design, video editing, video producing, animation storyboarding, and script writing to tell the story of West Virginia. I believe it was my use of these videos in and out of class that resonated with Apple’s Distinguished Educator Program. When I first started making them, there were very few good media resources available for West Virginia Studies. As an educator, I felt that it was my job to get students excited about topics in class. As I started making and sharing these with my students, covid happened. All of the sudden these engaging videos became a source of engagement for teachers to use across the state. The West Virginia Department of Education began using them in their virtual school program and countless teachers , parents who homeschool, and even students began reaching out to me to express how much they enjoy them. Since then I have worked with the Department of Tourism, Civil War Trails Inc., the Jewish American Military Historical Society, and many others on projects that highlight the importance of preserving history, culture, and sites around my home state.”

West Virginia History in 2 Minutes or Less

Where in West Virginia is Mr. Casto? 

Mentioned in this podcast:

• Grow Leaders Course with Pat Adkins and Kelly Croy. We are taking applications for this free course to anyone interested in becoming a school leader in school administration. Pat is an expert who wants to help the shortage of teachers going into administration. I will be assisting Pat, but he is leading this course. This is a free course. You can apply here: https://forms.gle/WX2Comwk285aLgBc8 Learn more at: www.WiredEducator.com/growleaders  This course is limited in both number of acceptance of applicants and duration we will be accepting applicants. Apply now!

• Next Podcast is with Meghan Lawson about her book, Legacy of Learning: Teaching for Lasting Impact. Grab a copy of her book here. Joe Miller, a colleague of mine and high school ELA teacher extraordinaire cohosts my interview with Meghan. She is coming to our school in March to speak. We are excited.

• Limited Coaching Opportunity: Want to start a podcast, speak on stage, publish a book, build a website, start a blog, become a better leader, complete the goal of your dreams? I have helped many educators publish books, start podcasts, and begin their service as keynote speakers and EDU consultants. I haven’t offered this in a while, and I am only going to keep this link open for a short time. I ONLY work with three people a year. If you are serious about moving forward complete the following form. Click here to learn about a paid coaching opportunity with Kelly: https://forms.gle/S3PK5194CyEGqT3o6

• Love this Review of The Podcast by a listener: 

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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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Welcome to the eighth season of The Wired Educator Podcast!

In this 226th episode of the Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Karen Robey. Karen is an amazing educational leader and innovator. She is one of my immediate go-to’s when I need help, inspiration, an innovative perspective or honest feedback. She is a brilliant and kind. I am so excited to share her message with you!

In this episode Karen refers to curriculum as a bridge. Wait until you hear it and what it means. I love this metaphor!

Click here to listen to this episode.

Karen Robey is the Director of Teaching and Learning at Gibsonburg Schools and brings over two decades of educational experience in Ohio public schools. She holds a Bachelor and Master of Early Childhood Education as well as a Master of Educational Administration. She is passionate about creating a culture of collaborative learning and growth and enjoys planning meaningful professional learning. One accomplishment she is most proud of was being a member of a district team who led a professional learning session hosted by The Ohio Department of Education during the pandemic. Karen is a family girl to her core and the proud mom of three children, ages 17, 13, and 11. During her personal time, you’ll find her at the ball diamond watching her children’s games or winding down at the lake in Port Clinton.

Karen is a leader and expert in: Culture and Relationships, Positivity, Growth Mindset, Power of networking, Curriculum, and Professional Learning.

I took some time off hosting the Wired Educator Podcast. Now I’m back. My mission is to help everyone level-up and make a difference in the lives of students.

Taking a break from podcasting and my other creative outlets was one of the hardest things, and one of the best things I have ever done in my life.

I’m excited for this 8th season. I am excited for you to hear from great educational leaders, like Karen.

Thank you for your support and encouragement.

Kelly

Two things to share: I just finished reading this book by one of my favorite authors; don’t let the title shock you, and I just added this to about everything of value to me, including my dog. Add to cart!

(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. Our recommendations are based on deep experience with and knowledge of these companies and their products, and we recommend them because they are genuinely helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we may receive. Please don’t spend any money on
these products unless you believe they will help you achieve your goals.) Have a great week.

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Do you like what you heard? Invite Kelly to speak at your school.

Join our #WiredWednesday 30-Minute Twitter chats on Wednesdays at 9PM Eastern. They are awesome and fun.

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.

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In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast I talk with the legend Ken Williams about Equity, What makes a successful PLC, the misconceptions and dangers of ability groupings, reaching the disengaged, and his new book Ruthless Equity. I love this interview and you will too.

Click here to listen to my interview with Ken Williams.

Kenneth C. Williams shares his experience and expertise as a nationally recognized trainer, speaker, coach and consultant in leadership and school culture. A practitioner for nearly three decades, Ken led the improvement efforts at two schools by leveraging the Professional Learning Communities at Work process. Skilled in joining the why of the work to the how of the work, Ken is known for his powerful and engaging combinations of “heart, humor, and hammer.” He is an expert at helping schools build capacity in the collective commitments required of learning for all cultures.

Ken is the former principal of The Learning Academy at E. J. Swint in Jonesboro, Georgia, and Damascus Elementary School in Damascus, Maryland. His firsthand experience with transforming challenged schools translates into action-oriented presentations that inspire hope, create a clear vision, and offer practical strategies to those overwhelmed by challenges.

Ken earned a Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse College, and a Master of Science from the University of Bridgeport. He is the co-author of the bestseller, Starting A Movement: Building Culture from the Inside-Out in Professional Learning Communities, Creating Physical and Emotional Safety In Schools, and a contributing author of Beyond Conversations About Race.

Mentioned in this podcast: 

Ken’s new book: Ruthless Equity <Coming soon to Amazon in May>

 visit Ken’s website: Unfold The Soul online at www.unfoldthesoul.com

@unfoldthesoul on Twitter

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Join our #WiredWednesday 30-Minute Twitter chats on Wednesdays at 9PM Eastern. They are awesome and fun.

Invite Kelly to be your keynote speaker at your school.

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.

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In this 223rd episode of The Wired Educator Podcast I interview Dawn Harris about her new book, Plan Like a Pirate.

Click here to listen to my interview with Dawn. 

I absolutely love our conversation on designing meaningful experience for students, curriculum, fitting everything needed into education, what CRT is and isn’t, and most importantly how to impact the lives of students. Dawn is brilliant and this episode will inspire and enchant you to become your personal best and deliver to students. I love it and you will too. Order a copy of her book: Dawn’s Book: Plan Like a Pirate: Designing Extraordinary Learning Journeys for Every Student

Dawn Harris is a passionate and energetic educator who lives by the motto, “Relationships First.” Her enthusiasm for creating connections is infectious and she thrives on the opportunity to learn about the things that motivate and inspire teachers and students alike.

In her roles as a secondary English Language Arts Educator, Gifted and Talented Teacher, and Associate Professor of Teacher Education, Dawn continually strives to bring authentic and engaging learning experiences to students of all ages.

Throughout her career as an educator, Dawn has taught in urban, rural, and suburban districts meeting the needs of children from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. In addition to general ELA coursework, Dawn’s classroom teaching experience also includes teaching English as a second language, creative writing, film studies, and response to intervention instruction. Dawn’s professional teaching experiences have been showcased in scholarly journals and at local, regional, national, and international conferences.

Scott is an energetic ELA teacher turned and EDU tech coach consultant and now a district engagement advocate for Canva! I love Scott’s work in education and especially in the areas of design, project based learning and all the creative work he’s doing with technology. He’s a podcaster and a promoter of all things positive in education. This interview was so much fun. You’re going to leave this podcast inspired and full of great ideas on how to bring creation into your classroom. Buckle up.

Click here to listen to my interview with Scott.

Scott Nunes is an energetic ELA Teacher turned Edtech Coach, Consultant, and now district Engagement Advocate for Canva! This aspiring author has zeal for Design, AR/VR, 3D Printing, and PBL. He builds on his 20+ years as a freelance Graphic Designer to bring real world relevance to classrooms around the world. When he isn’t busy podcasting (Education Today) he can be found sharing on Social media (@MrNunesTeach). Scott is all about building relationships and uplifting teacher and student voices while advocating for belonging, choice, and creating positive work cultures that empower stakeholders to achieve a unifying vision.

Mentioned in this episode:

Follow Scott Nunes on Twitter at @MrNunesTeach

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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.

Join the Wired Educator Squad Wednesdays for a 30-minute Twitter Chat. Follow the hashtag #WiredWednesday

Follow Wired Educator on Facebook and Twitter to join in our LIVE video chats.

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In this 209th episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, Kevin Honeycutt and I talk about the courage of teachers making a difference, the importance of creativity, why educators must build strong relationships with parents, and so much more. 

Click here to listen to this episode with Kevin. 

Kevin Honeycutt is a technology integrationist, staff developer and keynote speaker  from Colorado Springs. He spent 13 years teaching K-12 art. Since then he’s spent 17+ years becoming a presenter and change maker with worldwide reach. With his live presentations limited by the pandemic, he pivoted and brought his focus to bear largely online. Now he’s back out there and thrilled to be back in the “live” inspiration game. He’s an art teacher, musician, former school board member and published author as well as an an Apple Distinguished Educator who received the Making It Happen Award for his tech leadership in the classroom. Through all of his networks and associations he communicates with over 100,000 people each day.

Mentioned in this interview: 

Join the Wired Educator Squad Wednesdays for a 30-minute Twitter Chat. Follow the hashtag #WiredWednesday

Learn more about Kevin and follow his work with these links:

• http://kevinhoneycutt.org
• https://twitter.com/kevinhoneycutt
• https://www.instagram.com/kevin_honeycutt 
• https://www.facebook.com/kevin.honeycutt/ 
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinhoneycutt/

Vanquish the Myth of The Digital Native Learner: What Every Educator Needs to Know About Teaching and Learning with Technology!

In this 208th episode of The Wired Educator Podcast I share what every educator needs to know about teaching and learning with technology.

Click here to listen to this episode.

In this episode Kelly presents solutions to many of the challenges and obstacles teachers and school districts face when implementing good instructional practice with technology. Our problems are never really about funding, the number of devices, the WiFi, professional learning, nor the devices themselves, but rather the correct mindset, culture and practice needed.

This episode addresses the following questions: 

What do we do to counter and correct the myth that students know how to use technology to learn?

What kind of environment do we need to create in our classrooms about learning with technology?

What should the culture of our schools be with technology?

What should we really be teaching students do with technology?

How should we approach professional learning?

What can a school learn from a hospital about the use of technology?

What is permanent beta and why should I embrace it as my teaching philosophy?

And more!

You are going to love this episode. Be sure to leave a review and share it out.

A Big Thank-You to our sponsor www.Planbook.com – Enter code “Wired” at sign-up

Planbook has been the established leader in online lesson planning since 2010, offering collaborative lesson sharing, flexible administrator access, and even student view tools for just $15 a year. Using Planbook, educators can build customized school years, classes, and lessons 100% online, directly inputting class materials and up-to-date standards from all over the world. Enter code “Wired” at sign-up to join over 800,000 Planbook teachers today and get your first year for only $5!

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I have the privilege of interviewing one of my all-time educational heroes, Rick Wormeli. He’s the Mick Jagger of Education. He tackles the big questions in education and explores every strategy and method and puts it to the test. He will make you laugh. He will make you think. He will challenge the way teach. He’ll inspire you in so many ways! Rick isn’t just a legend, he’s one of the most authentic voices in education. We dive in so many areas including assessments, grading, rubrics, literacy, preparing for the new year, starting new initiatives and more.  I think think this may be the greatest interview with Rick ever recorded but I am biased. Buckle up.

Click here to listen to this interview with Rick Wormeli on The Wired Educator Podcast. 

One of the first Nationally Board Certified teachers in America, Rick brings innovation, energy, validity and high standards to both his presentations and his instructional practice, which include 39 years teaching math, science, English, physical education, health, and history, as well as coaching teachers and principals. Rick’s work has been reported in numerous media, including ABC’s Good Morning America, Hardball with Chris Matthews, National Geographic and Good Housekeeping magazines, What Matters Most: Teaching for the 21st Century, and the Washington Post. He is a columnist for AMLE Magazine and a frequent contributor to ASCD’s Education Leadership magazine. He is the author of the award-winning book Meet Me in the Middle as well as the best-selling books Day One and Beyond, Fair Isn’t Always Equal: Assessment and Grading in the Differentiated Classroom (Second Edition), Differentiation: From Planning to Practice and Metaphors & Analogies: Power Tools for Teaching any Subject, all five from Stenhouse Publishers, as well as Summarization in any Subject: 60 Innovative and Tech-Infused Strategies for Deeper Student Learning (releasing in fall 2018) published by ASCD.  His book, The Collected Writings (So Far) of Rick Wormeli: Crazy Good Stuff I Learned about Teaching Along the Way, is collection of his published articles, guest blogs and more through 2013. His classroom practice is a showcase for ASCD’s best-selling series, At Work in the Differentiated Classroom.

With his substantive presentations, sense of humor and unconventional approaches, he has been asked to present to teachers and administrators in all 50 states, Canada, China, Europe, Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, Australia the Middle East, and at the White House. He is a seasoned veteran of many international webcasts, and he is Disney’s American Teacher Awards 1996 Outstanding English Teacher of the Nation. He won the 2008 James P. Garvin award from the New England League of Middle Schools for Teaching Excellence, Service and Leadership, and he has been a consultant for National Public Radio, USA Today, Court TV and the Smithsonian Institution’s Natural Partners Program and their search for the giant squid. Rick lives in Herndon, Virginia, with his wife, Kelly, and both are proud of recently launching the last of their children into adulthood. With the kids’ college years now behind them, Rick and Kelly are now eagerly spending their childrens’ inheritance while Rick works on his first young adult fiction novel and a new book on changing the culture of a school for ethical grading practices.

Mentioned in this episode:

Please support our sponsor: www.PlanBook.com

Rick’s website: www.rockwormeli.com

Some of my favorite Rick Wormeli book:

Fair Isn’t Always Equal: Assessment and Grading in the Differentiated Classroom

The Collected Writings (so far): Crazy Good Stuff I’ve Learned About Teaching Along the Way of Rick Wormeli

A Big Thank-You to our sponsor www.Planbook.com – Enter code “Wired” at sign-up

Planbook has been the established leader in online lesson planning since 2010, offering collaborative lesson sharing, flexible administrator access, and even student view tools for just $15 a year. Using Planbook, educators can build customized school years, classes, and lessons 100% online, directly inputting class materials and up-to-date standards from all over the world. Enter code “Wired” at sign-up to join over 800,000 Planbook teachers today and get your first year for only $5!

Personal Leadership an interview with President Jim Tressel.

This is the Wired Educator Podcast, Episode 205 “Personal Leadership” an Interview with President Jim Tressel. Jim Tressel is one of my all-time heroes. I admire him for his faith, his character, his success on the football field as a coach, and as an academic leader as President of Youngstown State University. In this episode we focus primarily on academics. (I snuck in a couple football questions. They’re good ones.) I really want to focus on what is it what it takes to be a great educational leader, especially a college president, how can we help students better prepare for college, his advice to teachers, students and administrators as we head back to school, and of course how we can each become better leaders. Jim’s character and Integrity shines through as always. I love this interview. You will too.

Click here to listen to Episode 205 “Personal Leadership” an Interview with President Jim Tressel on The Wired Educator Podcast.

James P. Tressel became the ninth president of Youngstown State University in 2014 and has been busy moving the campus forward on many fronts ever since.

Under President Tressel’s leadership, enrollment increased for the first time in five years, the academic quality of freshmen classes has continued upward, student retention is up and the university has solidly focused on student success – graduating on time, with little or no debt and with a job.  In addition, the university is hitting record fund-raising levels, keeping the lid on tuition costs, expanding scholarship opportunities and increasing both university and private housing options across campus.

Prior to becoming YSU president, Tressel was executive vice president for Student Success at the University of Akron, head football coach at Ohio State University (winning the national championship in 2002) and head football coach and executive director of Intercollegiate Athletics at YSU (winning four national championships).

Mentioned in this Episode: 

Youngstown State University

Order a copy of Jim’s book The Winner’s Manual: For The Game of Life

A Big Thank-You to our sponsor www.Planbook.com – Enter code “Wired” at sign-up

Planbook has been the established leader in online lesson planning since 2010, offering collaborative lesson sharing, flexible administrator access, and even student view tools for just $15 a year. Using Planbook, educators can build customized school years, classes, and lessons 100% online, directly inputting class materials and up-to-date standards from all over the world. Enter code “Wired” at sign-up to join over 800,000 Planbook teachers today and get your first year for only $5!