Tag Archives: educator

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WEP 184: Deliberate Homework, an Interview with Dr. Erik Youngman

This episode of The Wired Educator Podcast is an awesome interview with Erik Youngman on homework, assessment and growth mindset. Erik is a brilliant. I am so proud to share his story and work with you!

Click here to listen to this episode. 

Erik Youngman is an education leader who is passionate about topics such as homework, grading, leadership, and growth mindset.  He recently began his twentieth year in educational leadership.  Erik is the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for Libertyville District 70 in Libertyville, Illinois.  Previous education experiences include being a principal in Libertyville as well as an assistant principal and teacher in Gurnee, Illinois.

Erik earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Education Specialist Degree, and Master of Science in Education from Northern Illinois University and a Bachelor of Arts from Augustana College.  

Erik is the author of Deliberate Homework. Learn how to assign homework that truly enhances learning and isn’t just busywork. This important book defines what deliberate homework looks like and provides relevant, actionable suggestions to guide your homework decisions. You’ll uncover how to think through these 12 characteristics of homework:

• reasonable completion time

• the right level of complexity

• appropriate frequency

• serves a specific purpose

• aligns with learning targets

• guided by a learning mindset

• contains a thoughtful format

• fits the learning sequence

• communicated clearly

• followed by feedback

• uses grades to guide progress

• implementation is consistent

For each feature, the author includes strategies and tools appropriate for all grade levels. The book also includes self-assessments and reflective questions so you can work on the book independently or with colleagues in professional development sessions. Please follow and contact Erik via Twitter.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Erik’s book, 12 Chacteristics of Deliberate Homework.

Follow Erik on Twitter: @Erik_Youngman

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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. • Listen to Kelly’s other podcast, The Future Focused Podcast, and subscribe to the more than 41 episodes to help you level-up your leadership and design a more dynamic life. • Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 184 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 

 

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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 

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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 

 

 

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Finding the Calm in the Chaos, Five Tips for Educators

A Guest Blog Post by Theresa Welch

Finding the Calm in the Chaos

My eight-year-old daughter asked me the other day, what “this” time is like in terms of other times in my life.  It was difficult to explain to her that it is unlike anything I’ve experienced in my lifetime or her grandparents have experienced in theirs.  These are truly new and can be for some, scary times.

Teachers are moving to remote or distance learning.  Parents are moving to work from home models.  Students are navigating a whole new world of learning without the proximity of their teachers and friends.  And all of us are coping with the physical separation from loved ones and friends.  It certainly makes for a stressful situation for all.

But we are teachers and we are flexible!  How many times have you had to pivot a lesson because it didn’t go as planned?  Well, think of this as the Guinness Book of World Records record holder for a pivot!  And here are some tips so help you handle that pivot like an NBA star:

1.) Set up hours.  We don’t teach twenty-four hours a day – why do we think that we need to be logged in/creating/doing for that amount of time?  Personally, I’m trying to create realistic hours and stick to them.  Once I clock out, I take walks with my family, crochet, or try to do something to help me recharge my batteries.  As the saying goes, “put on your oxygen mask first”.  If we don’t take care of ourselves, we risk burning out during this new endeavor.

2.) Be gentle with students, be gentle with yourself.  This is new to EVERYONE!  In my district, students and many teachers are learning a new platform during this chaotic time.  We are frantically trying to deploy devices and get everyone on board.  But, like I tell teachers – we are all in this together!  Be patient with students and their families who are just as worried as we are.  Be patient with colleagues that reach out to you for help.  And most of all, be patient with yourself.  This certainly isn’t where any of us planned to be in the school year, but we can’t change it, only deal with it.

3.) Enjoy the change of pace.  I don’t know if you’re like me, but I am usually rushing out the door after getting my daughter on the bus, coffee in my travel mug, and praying that there is no traffic!  All of a sudden, most of our commutes have been DRASTICALLY shortened.  Enjoy the coffee in a real mug!  Sit with your kids, dog, or even a good book at breakfast.  Maybe even use that extra time in the morning to get some exercise in (#wired2run anyone???)

4.) Enjoy the change of scenery.  In addition to having a change to the pace of our day, the scenery sure has changed too!  I never taught a library class looking out my front window as neighbors strolled by.  I never did a read aloud from my deck.  And I certainly never had the joy of my dog’s company as I taught.  Enjoy the fact that work truly has all the comforts of home for the time being!  

5.) Don’t forget to laugh.  I am a big fan of Jimmy Buffet and there is a line in one of his songs, “If we couldn’t laugh we would all go insane.”  If there was ever a time where this is applicable, this is it!  Enjoy a meme, an episode of your favorite sitcom, or a cheesy joke with a friend.  One from my son to get you started (full disclosure – 13-year-old boy joke): What is the German word for constipation? Far-from-poopen!

I know that the uncertainty of this time makes us all uneasy.  But I am a firm believer in trying to find the good in the situation.  Try to find those moments of calm or laughter as you go throughout your day.  And don’t forget that we are all in this together!

Be safe, be well, you’ve got this!

Theresa Welch

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WEP 164: What I Learned About Remote Learning After Ten Weeks, an Interview with Stephanie Castle

In this episode of the Wired Educator podcast, I interview Stephanie Castle and share her amazing experience as an educator in Shanghai during the initial COVID-19 outbreak, her ability to adapt and innovate with remote learning, and her adventurous travel from location to location amidst this pandemic. We also discuss her successful return to China, where she was just released from a 14-day quarantine. She is healthy, happy and teaching! She has much to teach us about remote instruction and learning as well as the living of life. Stephanie and her colleagues have been instructing remotely longer than any other teachers. Buckle-up, this is the episode you are looking for! 

Stephanie Castle is a good friend of mine and a fellow Apple Distinguished Educator. I’ve had the good pleasure to travel with her to different parts of the world through the Apple Distinguished Educator Program. She’s a wonderful human and an incredible teacher. She is the first person from whom I ever heard of the term, coronavirus, back in January when she was unable to return to her school in China due to the virus. Stephanie shares her amazing story in this episode and she provides a great perspective and insight on remote instruction and remote learning as well. As I mentioned she is a brilliant educator, and she has a lot to offer. 

Stephanie Castle is an IB Biology teacher at Shanghai American School and an Apple Distinguished Educator. Originally from London, she has taught both High School Biology and Chemistry, previously working at the United Nations International School in New York. Stephanie has a passion for technology integration into the teaching and learning of Science, particularly in giving students opportunities to visualize their learning, explain complex scientific processes and engage in problem-solving. She is the creator of a YouTube channel for IB Biology and author of the published iBook “Creative Clips in Science – Stimulating Inquiry and Visualizing Learning”.  You can follow her work on Twitter @castlestephanie.

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 

 

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WEP 163: Take the LEAP, an Interview with Elisabeth Bostwick

Take the L.E.A.P.: Ignite a Culture of Innovation

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast I interview Elisabeth Bostwick, author of Take the L.E.A.P.: Ignite a Culture of Innovation and co-author of Education Write Now, Volume II: Top Strategies for Improving Relationships and Culture. This is a wonderful conversation about remote instruction & remote learning and all of the amazing work Elisabeth does to help educators level-up and make a positive difference in the lives of students. She is brilliant. You will love this episode. 

In my introduction, I salute our first responders and essential workers during this time of crisis, and I offer some insight and direction on how you can apply the practice of mindfulness to your life.

Elisabeth Bostwick is a multi-award-winning educator who is passionate about creating the conditions to spark curiosity and unleash creativity to empower learning. She is the author of, Take the L.E.A.P.: Ignite a Culture of Innovation and co-author of Education Write Now, Volume II: Top Strategies for Improving Relationships and Culture.

As an innovative teaching and learning consultant and instructional coach supporting K-12 teachers, Elisabeth works alongside educators to create inclusive and equitable classroom cultures where every learner thrives. Elisabeth is driven to deepen learning; leveraging highly effective strategies that engage and empower all learners to maximize growth. With her passion for creating a long-lasting, positive impact on education, Elisabeth inspires others to identify how we can cultivate systemic change and develop essential success skills to ensure learners are future-ready. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Read Elisabeth’s book: Take the L.E.A.P.: Ignite a Culture of Innovation

Read Elisabeth’s book: Education Write Now, Volume II: Top Strategies for Improving Relationships and Culture

Visit Elisabeth’s website: elisabethbostwick.com

Follow Elisabeth on Twitter: @ElisaBostwick

Connect with Elisabeth on Facebook: @ElisaBostwick and Inspire Innovation with Elisabeth Bostwick

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 

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WEP 159: Bold School, My Interview with Weston Kieschnick

Weston Kieschnick Author of Bold School: Old School Wisdom + New School Innovation = Blended Learning that Works

In this episode of the Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Weston Kieschnick. Wes is the author of the phenomenal, best-selling, educational book titled Bold School: Old School Wisdom + New School Innovation = Blended Learning That Works. Bold School is awesome! Wes is a gifted educator, speaker, and author that will inspire all listeners of the Wild Educator Podcast. I had so much fun talking with Wes. His amazing approach to education and his fun attitude is contagious. Buckle-up. 

Weston Kieschnick is a lifelong educator with more than fourteen years of experience designing, developing, and delivering leadership training and professional development to teachers and school leaders around the globe. He is the author of the best selling book, Bold School: Old School Wisdom + New School Innovation = Blended Learning that Works, co-author of The Learning Transformation: A Guide to Blended Learning for Administrators and the creator and host of Teaching Keating; one of the most downloaded edu-centric podcasts on Google Play, iTunes, and Stitcher. For the last 14 years Weston has worked in collaboration with innovative tech and publishing companies (Google, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Apple) to redefine teaching and learning in the digital age. As such, he’s advised educators from every state in the US and more than 30 countries around the world. Districts where Mr. Kieschnick has designed content, implemented initiatives, and trained educational leaders have been recognized by the Learning Counsel as being among the top ten in the nation for their work in blended learning. You can find Weston’s work published in EdWeek, EdTech Magazine, The Spark, and featured on many 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. • 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 

 

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WEP 150: Top 20 Things I Have Learned Publishing 150 Podcast Episodes and Interviewing Amazing Educators From Around the Globe!

In this 150th Episode of The Wired Educator Podcast I share the Top Twenty Things I Have Learned Publishing 150 Podcast Episodes and Interviewing Amazing Educators!

I am so happy I started the Wired Educator Podcast, and it is amazing to me to see it now at 150 episodes. I have no intention of stopping now. In fact, I am looking to growing the podcast in new ways.

I am thankful that you listen to the show, level-up each week, and make a positive impact in the lives of students. You are awesome, and I am not embarrassed to tell you that every week.

I have learned a lot from publishing 150 episodes and interviewing educators from all over the world. I wanted to share a condensed list of what I feel my guests have in common, and what they do that makes them stand out.

As I share what I have learned, I’ll bet many will resonate with you. I’ll bet you see yourself in a lot of these amazing qualities. I believe this because you are taking time to level-up. There are many commonalities in success. Still, I hope there are many that challenge you to grow and improve as they did me.

It is my pleasure and honor to bring you the Wired Educator Podcast each week.

I wish you an amazing 2020 filled with love and laughter, peace and prosperity, & good health and happiness.

Happy New Year!

Kelly

Are you doing something great in education? Fill out this form! Are you #Wired2Teach? Are you doing something amazing in education? I want to know. I want to recognize listeners of the podcast and share it out to the world on www.WiredEducator.com, and I may even choose to interview you on the show. Check the show notes for a link to a form so you can submit your EDUawesomeness. Here is a link to the form: https://forms.gle/ovd1cZjd7YCx1Vyg7

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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. • 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 

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WEP 146: Kids Deserve It! An Interview with Adam Welcome

Adam Welcome Author of Kids Deserve It! Run Like a Pirate! and Empower Our Girls!

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Adam Welcome, the author of Kids Deserve It! Run Like a Pirate! and Empower Our Girls! Adam is a powerful writer, a gifted speaker and an impactful educator. He has been a teacher, a principal, vice principal, Director of Innovation and now he travels the world to speak and share his important message with educators and work with schools.

Adam has been an elementary school teacher, Elementary Principal, Director of Innovation for a district with 35,000 students and enjoys pushing the envelope to always do what’s best for kids!

Adam was Principal of the Year for his region, a 20 To Watch for the National School Board Association, guest blogger for EdWeek, NAESP magazine, and many other publications. Adam also consults and works with many education companies as a way to improve their product for others!

Adam is passionate about technology integration with all educators and a huge advocate of social media and connecting with other educators from across the country. Adam makes it clear that kids come first and has preached the message of Team Kid for many years.

He is also the co-founder of Kids Deserve It with Todd Nesloney and the author of Run Like a Pirate.

Adam has an amazing wife (Stacy) and two young children (Greta and Tilden) that keep life at home exciting and active. Adam also loves to run and has completed 23 marathons.

Mentioned in this podcast: 

Adam’s book: Kids Deserve it! Pushing Boundaries and Challenging Conventional Thinking!

Adam’s book: Run Like a Pirate! Push Yourself to Get More Out of Life!

Adam’s book: Empower Our Girls! Opening the Door for Girls to Achieve More!

One of Adam’s favorite reads: Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg

Another one of Adam’s favorite reads: Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

Adam’s website: mradamwelcome.com

Follow Adam on Twitter, Instagram and Voxer at @mradamwelcome
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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 143 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 Leaderfor a school book study or your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 
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WEP 144: Impossible to Possible, an Interview with Ray Zahab

Photo from Ray’s Instagram.

In this episode of the Wired Educator Podcast, I had the privilege to sit down in person with Ray Zahab after his keynote at the Leadership and Learning Academy 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. Ray is one of my heroes. I love how he connects with educators and students. You are going to love this episode. Than you for listening!

Ray Zahab is a Canadian Adventurer, ultra distance runner and Founder of non-profit impossible2Possible. A recent recipient of the Meritorious Service Cross of Canada, Ray is an Explorer in Residence of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society, and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. In 2015 Canadian Geographic recognized Ray as one of Canada’s Top Explorers. He has ran 14,000+km across the world’s deserts, and completed multiple unsupported expeditions in some of the coldest places on the planet.

Kelly Croy and Ray Zahab.

On November 1, 2006, former “pack a day smoker” turned ultra runner Ray Zahab and two friends, Charlie Engle and Kevin Lin, set out on an expedition to cross the Sahara Desert by foot. 111 days and 7,500 kms after leaving the coast of Senegal, Africa they completed their journey by stepping into the Red Sea.

The expedition had the trio running an average of 70kms a day without a single day of rest, for 111 days. National Geographic tracked the expedition by web, as well as the documentary film ‘Running The Sahara’, produced by Matt Damon and directed by Academy Award winner James Moll, was created in an effort to raise awareness for the drinking water crisis in North Africa. After witnessing and learning about the water crisis in North Africa, Ray decided to leverage his future adventures to help raise awareness and funding for causes, like this one, that he supports and believes in.

Ray founded impossible2Possible (i2P) (impossible2possible.com) an organization that aims to inspire and educate youth through adventure learning, inclusion and participation in expeditions. Youth Ambassadors are selected from around the world, and then participate, at no cost, in all aspects of the expedition, from logistics and running to creating educational content and team support.

Interviewing Ray Zahab.

Ray has also found the time to write two books about his life and adventures. Running for My Life published in 2007 and Ray’s second book, geared at youth readers, Running to Extremes, which recently became a National Best-Seller in Canada. He is currently writing his third book.

In addition to being an adventurer, youth advocate and runner, Ray speaks around the world at events such as TED, IOC World Conference, Idea City, The Economist World in 2010 and 2011, World Affairs Council, and numerous Apple Distinguished Educator events internationally, as well as numerous corporate events. He has been interviewed and appeared on several talk and news programs including CNNi, CNN, The Hour, CBC, CTV, BBC, Jay Leno, OLN and Discovery, and has connected his expeditions live, using satellite to both mainstream and social media. He has also appeared in print media globally, and has been interviewed on numerous popular podcasts. Ray was the host of Project Guatemala which aired on OLN, and co hosted-guided a few episodes of Finding Sarah on OWN.

Outside of his own organization Ray has volunteered as a board member, Ryan’s Well Foundation, volunteered as Athletic Ambassador of the ONExONE.org, and SpreadTheNet. He continues to volunteer with Run For Water, and various other initiatives. Ray received the ONExONE Difference Award in 2007, and the Torchbearers Award in 2010. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and Royal Canadian Geographical Society. In spring 2012, Ray was invited by H.E. Tsogtbaatar Damdin (Minister of Environment, Mongolia) to join their Internal Advisory Committee. In 2015 Canadian Geographic recognized Ray as one of Canada’s Top Explorers. In December 2015 Ray was presented with the Meritorious Service Cross of Canada by the Governor General of Canada. In 2018 Ray was named Explorer in Residence by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.

He continues today with life as an adventurer and as a volunteer with impossible2Possible. ‘Running The Sahara’ would begin a lifelong journey of discovery. A journey of learning that some of the greatest barriers to achieving our goals are the ones we put upon ourselves. By breaking these down, Ray has learned that we are all capable of achieving truly extraordinary things…a message he continues to share with his two young daughters!

Mentioned in this podcast:

Ray’s TEDtalk
Ray’s website
Ray’s InstagramRay’s Foundation: Impossible to Possible
Ray’s book: Running for My Life
Ray’s book: Running to Extremes
Ray’s book: Just Deserts
• Kasey Bell’s Google Certification Online Courses for listeners of The Wired Educator Podcast! This course closes Dec 3, 2019.

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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 143 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