Category Archives: podcast

Posted on

WEP 183: Thrive in EDU, an Interview with Rachelle Dene Poth

In this 183rd episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Rachelle Dene Poth.

Rachelle Dene Poth is an edtech consultant, presenter, attorney, author, and teacher. Rachelle teaches Spanish and STEAM: What’s nExT in Emerging Technology at Riverview Junior Senior High School in Oakmont, PA. Rachelle has a Juris Doctor degree from Duquesne University School of Law and a Master’s in Instructional Technology. She is a Consultant and Speaker, owner of ThriveinEDU LLC Consulting. She serves as the past-president of the ISTE Teacher Education Network and serves on the Leadership team of the Mobile Learning Network. At ISTE19, she received the Making IT Happen Award and a Presidential Gold Award for volunteer service to education. She is also a Buncee Ambassador, Nearpod PioNear and Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert.

Rachelle is the author of four books, ‘In Other Words: Quotes That Push Our Thinking,” “Unconventional Ways to Thrive in EDU” (EduMatch) and “The Future is Now: Looking Back to Move Ahead,” Rachelle Dene’s latest book is with ISTE “Chart A New Course: A Guide to Teaching Essential Skills for Tomorrow’s World.” Rachelle is a blogger for Getting  Smart, Defined Learning, District Administration, NEO LMS, and the  STEM Informer with Newsweek.

Mentioned in this episode: 

Order a copy of Kelly’s book: Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness

Complete this form if you would like to order a customized, signed copy of Kelly’s book: https://forms.gle/oq6iizcP2XoL6BQA7

Complete this form if you would like to receive a free Wired Educator Podcast sticker: https://forms.gle/RsEBuVwkapeGTc9D6

Follow Rachelle on Twitter @Rdene915 and on Instagram @Rdene915. Rachelle has a podcast, ThriveinEDU available at https://anchor.fm/rdene915
Her books are available at bit.ly/Pothbooks
She has a weekly show on LearningRevolution.com, ThriveinEDU
Here is the link to my THRIVEinEDU Facebook Community  https://www.facebook.com/groups/THRIVEinEDU
Rachelle’s website: www.Rdene915.com and her podcast: on Apple podcasts:

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 to the more than 40 episodes to help you level-up your leadership and design a more dynamic life. • Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 180 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 Leader and 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 

Posted on

WEP 182: Award Winning Culture, An Interview with Hans Appel

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Hans Appel.

Hans Appel is an educator, speaker, and writer deeply committed to inspiring the whole child.  He’s the author of, Award Winning Culture: Building School-Wide Intentionality and Action Through Character, Excellence, and Community.  Additionally, he’s the Director of Culture for the Teach Better Team, Co-host of the Award Winning Culture podcast, and the Co-Creator of Award Winning Culture. 

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

He’s worked as a counselor in the Richland School District for the past 19 years and at Enterprise Middle School since it opened.  He’s passionate about school culture, servant leadership, and kindness.  In 2018, EMS was awarded the ASCD Whole Child Award for the State of Washington and the Global “Class Act Award” for creating a culture of excellence through kindness, service, and empathy.  Additionally, they were selected as a finalist in the 2019 PBIS Film Festival and took top prize in the Community, Parents, and Staff category.  

In 2018, Hans launched his own blog about School Culture and rolled out a student-led leadership podcast called Award Winning Culture: Hosted by Wildcat Nation, which can be subscribed, listened or reviewed on iTunes Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, Spotify, PodBean, and Libsyn.  

Hans’ blogs have appeared on DisruptED TV magazine, CharacterStrong, Teach Better, AIMS Network, and PBIS Rewards.  He’s written social-emotional lessons for CharacterStrong.  Furthermore, he has been featured on numerous educational podcasts speaking his brand of school culture into existence. 

He’s been a contributor on three educational books:  Define Your WHY,  Teachers’ Reflective Impact Journal and ALL IN: Taking a Gamble in Education. 

Hans believes that education at its highest level is about inspiring others to discover and develop their JOY.

Mentioned in this podcast: 

Want to give your child or a child you know the gift of confidence and tools to tackle worry and anxiety? Order my new book Unthink Before Bed. It is a children’s book on mindfulness. It’s the perfect gift and bedtime book. I am so proud of it! It is a very fun read.

Hans’s book: Award Winning Culture: Building Intentionality and Action through Character, Excellence, and Community

Hans is the Director of Culture for the Teach Better Team

Hans’s website: awardwinningculture.com

Follow Hans on:

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 to the more than 40 episodes to help you level-up your leadership and design a more dynamic life. • Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 180 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 Leader and 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 

Posted on

WEP 180: Personalized Professional Learning, an Interview with Knikole Taylor

In this episode Knikole Taylor and I talk about personalized professional learning, giving teachers a voice, meeting with every teacher, becoming a barrier remover for teachers, and getting excited about the lessons that you’re planning and how you will teach it! Nichole Taylor encourages the use of badging for professional learning and we have some powerful conversations about the state of education in these challenging times.

Click this link to listen to my interview with Knikole.

As the Director of Innovation and Instruction for my school district, I am always looking for ways to help educators but I don’t want to interfere with all the work they’re trying to do. Sometimes it’s like walking a tight rope between professional learning and the work they have to do each and every day. I want to support them and help them, but sometimes it is difficult to find a way into a teacher’s busy day, and the last thing I want to do is create more work for them. Well, Knikole gave me some great ideas on how to personalize professional learning for teachers in my district. I think it’s something that you’ll be able to use too. We go to many important areas in education. As well. You’re gonna love this interview,

It was a great week to be the wired educator! I have two other great interviews coming at you. I have an interview with Josh Stamper from the Teach Better Team. We have an incredible conversation about trauma-informed practices in education as well as restorative practices, I also had a great interview with Hines Apple and his new book titled Award-Winning Culture. These two interviews will be coming to you soon.

Knikole Taylor serves as the Instructional Technology Coordinator for a school district in Texas.  In this role, she supports the growth and development of teachers and students through the seamless integration of innovative technology usage. Through personalized support, Mrs. Taylor works with teachers and teacher leaders to craft professional goals to extend their scope of instruction and meet the needs of all learners.

Knikole is a professional development trainer, curriculum developer, author, and speaker, who has been privileged to travel the world to speak and work with other educators at conferences, campuses, and district-wide events.  It is her firm belief that anyone can succeed with tailored support. Knikole works with 12 educators in being their best for the students and teachers they serve each day.

Knikole also holds many industry designations including Google Certified Trainer, Google Innovator, and Microsoft Innovative Educator Trainer, and she serves as co-leader of GEG North Texas.  She received her bachelor’s from Texas A&M-Commerce and her Masters of Education in Administration from Lamar University.  Knikole is currently a doctoral student at Dallas Baptist University pursuing her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.

Mentioned in this Podcast: 

Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness, written and illustrated by Kelly Croy

Website:  www.KnikoleTaylor.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/knikole

Facebook: www.facebook.com/knikole

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 to the more than 40 episodes to help you level-up your leadership and design a more dynamic life. • Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 180 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 Leader and 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 

Posted on

WEP 178: Teachers on Fire, an Interview with Tim Cavey

In this episode of the Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Tim Cavey. Tim is the host of an amazing podcast titled, Teachers on Fire. If you are a listener of my podcast, you will love Tim’s. It is awesome. Tim is an educator and educational leader from Vancouver Canada. The two of us have an amazing conversation about content creation, podcasting, the future of education, leadership, and instruction during this pandemic.

This episode is so much fun and has so many takeaways, you’re going to need an extra suitcase.

Click here to listen to this episode.

Tim Cavey is a husband, stepfather of two, 8th grade teacher, and assistant principal in Vancouver, Canada. In 2019, he completed a Master’s in Educational Leadership degree that re-ignited his fire for teaching and put him on a new path of growth, professional reflection, and content creation. Tim’s a firm believer in the growth mindset and advocates often for the kinds of informal professional learning that can be found on social media and in blogs, vlogs, or podcasts. When he’s not creating content or spending time with his family, you’ll find Tim hiking, flying his drone, or paddleboarding in the chilly waters of the Pacific northwest.

Mentioned in this Podcast: 
My new book: Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness, written and illustrated by Kelly Croy

Follow Tim on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TeachersOnFire

Follow Tim on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachersonfire/

Connect with Tim on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/teachersonfire

Check Tim out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TeachersOnFire

Visit Tim’s Website: https://teachersonfire.net/

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 to the more than 39 episodes to help you level-up your leadership and design a more dynamic life. • Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 178 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 Leader and 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 

 

Posted on

WEP 177: Changing Hearts, Minds, and Lives, an Interview with Traci Browder

Traci Browder is a Brilliant Educator, Podcast and Speaker

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Traci Browder. Traci is an amazing educator that can help all of us make the greatest impact on students’ lives through the challenges of teaching in a pandemic. She is an expert in remote instruction, creating and curating incredibly helpful content for teachers in this time of need. She was named teacher of the year her first year teaching, and once again in another district. She hosts the amazing Intelligogy Podcast. She leads important chats and discussions ranging from leadership, instruction, curriculum, and race. She produces content for educators six days a week. In short, Traci is amazing, and I am so proud to share her with you in this episode. She has helped me so much personally and professionally. This is a powerful episode. You will leave feeling awesome about yourself, your impact, and you will have a guide of where you need to go. I love this episode and you will too.

Click here to listen to our interview.

Traci Browder is a trailblazer in education inspiring and mentoring teachers and changing the lives of children for more than 16 years.  She was Teacher of the Year her very first year of teaching and was chosen as Teacher of the Year a few years later in her current district.

Mentoring new teachers, helps them understand the importance of building and sustaining relationships critical for student success. Veteran teachers who are perpetual learners also find Browder to be a vital asset while in pursuit of refining their craft.

Browder is known best for her innovative, out of the box teaching style with a mixture of Montessori, gifted/talented, and special services all rolled into one classroom environment.

Establishing a family in her classroom is the pillar of her classroom success and has been well-received by parents.  She finds focusing on social and emotional needs in the beginning and throughout the school year creates a safe and trusting environment.  Students feel comfortable and soon become eager to take risks.  She teaches children not just academics, she teaches them how to be successful and contributing members of society.

Her classroom is a live learning lab in which teachers in her school district have come to observe her unique style of teaching as well as teachers on her campus.  She has created a professional learning community in which all teachers on her grade level now go in and out of each other’s classrooms – with their students in tow.  Teachers teach side by side or are observing and dialoguing in real-time. This powerful method of sharing students and best practices is transforming the classroom experience for the students and teachers at her school.

Technology has been a central point of connecting her classroom to parents.  She initiated working closely with district tech support to use Twitter, a private YouTube channel, and a blog before they were commonplace in her district.  Through this partnership, parent consent forms were designed with approval from the district’s technology department.

The initiatives were so successful that she was invited to design a course to present at her school district’s curriculum conference under Alan November’s technology strand.  Mr. November invited her on stage after she initiated a conversation with him on a break during his speaking engagement to share what she had done during the school year and he told everyone this would be the session not to miss!

Browder possesses a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Dallas Baptist University and is a former reading specialist and instructional coach.  She has served as part of curriculum writing teams in each of the three districts in which she has worked.    She’s written ELA, Social Studies, and Math curriculum and has served on multiple textbook adoption committees.  Browder has a long list of trainings and professional development in each school district in which she’s worked.

Traci Browder is many things to many people.  Wife to her best friend, Quinton.  Mom to her amazing sons, Donovan & Quinton.  She enjoys reading, writing, painting, and spending time with her family.

Mentioned in this Podcast: 
Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness, written and illustrated by Kelly Croy

Traci Browder’s Blog & Website: https://tracibrowder.com/Traci Browder’s Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/intelligogy/id1493409417
Intelligogy The Podcast
An exciting weekly format giving listeners content ranging from COVID-19
considerations, remote learning, anti-racism, self care, deep thinking and
exploration, celebrating students, connecting with my own children, and
creativity and innovation in teaching. In partnership with VoicEd Radio.Antiracism Series – #LeadLAP Chat
https://leadlikeapirate.net/blog/page/2/https://leadlikeapirate.net/blog/

NBC Operation Teacher Relief
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/teacher-hopes-youtube-lessons-help-others-if-class-time-is-lost-over-coronavirus/2327512/?_osource=db_npd_nbc_kxas_eml_shrTexans Giving Back Documentary

https://twitter.com/castleviewatx/status/1250545088524148741?s=21

Fostering my son’s giftedness and servant’s heart
Teen Makes Wishes Come True for Family Who Lost Father
<https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/teen-makes-wishes-come-true-for-family-who-lost-father/2274161/>

Hurricane Harvey Christmas Buddy
Mansfield boy collecting donations for Hurricane Harvey victims | FOX 4
News Dallas-Fort Worth
<https://www.fox4news.com/news/mansfield-boy-collecting-donations-for-hurricane-harvey-victims>

MISD Link
https://www.facebook.com/285747135552/posts/10162977280985553?vh=e&d=n&sfns=moSchool Rubric
Write articles for School Rubric on current topics, passions and best
practices in education.https://www.schoolrubric.com/its-ok-to-not-be-ok/

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 to the more than 39 episodes to help you level-up your leadership and design a more dynamic life. • Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 177 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 Leader and 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 

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 171: Pressing Pause on My Podcast

I just wanted to take a minute (4 minutes and 22 seconds actually) to explain why I feel the need to press pause on my Wired Educator Podcast. I hope you will take a few minutes to listen, reflect, and offer me some advice.

In short, I have been feeling the need to step back from publishing episodes of The Wired Educator Podcast in order to reflect on all that is going on in the world around me and to adjust and become more intentional in providing solutions.

I am pausing my podcast to: honor and mourn the life of George Floyd and others who have died in the black community, highlight the racism in our world, to reflect on how I can use this platform to help end racism and better elevate the voices of educators in all communities, become more intentional in the content I create and share, to stand with peaceful protestors wanting change, and to learn and grow personally.

I realize it is my responsibility, but I do ask for your help if you are willing to recommend guests and topics that would bring greater diversity and serve to make a greater impact in all areas of education.

I thank you for being a loyal listener and supporter. I want you to know I committed to always learning and taking action to improve.

Kelly Croy