I’ve learned so much this year in my leadership coaching with Aimee Giles. We’ve talked a lot about my values–imagine the islands from the movie Inside Out… that’s what we’ve created, and what we use to check decisions I make (and don’t make). In this episode, hear about two of those values (“I’m going to touch the microphone” and “Deep Appreciation”) and how they are impacting my leadership style.

What is good teaching? It’s complex. It’s not easily replicable. Let’s listen to an MxPx song, and hear why that song accomplishes its goal, but why my songs don’t.

Technology in education keeps getting better, faster, cheaper, and easier. In this episode, I talk about how the audio plugin Abbey Road One: Orchestral Foundations completely changes how you can write and record music (unless you happen to have access to an entire orchestra and can rent out a world-class studio). Click on that link above and check out the trailer to get a taste of what’s possible with these sounds. You’ll also hear a bit about green screening and just how simple it can be with an iPad.

In your early 20s, you really don’t need to have everything figured out. I’m glad I didn’t. In this episode, I share how following what matters to you–particularly in your 20s, but also throughout your entire life–is one of the most important things you, your students, and your kids can do.

I am talking about my professional goals for the 2021-2022 year. Spoiler alert… here are the goals:

* Advance diversity, equity, and inclusion work. * Upgrade and fine tune Hillbrook’s technology infrastructure * Support our new Tech Support Specialist * Next Steps with The Hub 

https://www.billselak.com/podcastupload/bst076-goal-2022.mp3

You’ve probably heard about viewing the world through a Scientific Lens, but what about a Musician’s Lens? What might that look like, and why might more educators adopt this way of looking at teaching and learning?

Have you ever had a perfect slice of pizza? I’m not sure I have (yet), but my preferences have shifted over the years away from ridiculous pizzas like the Roadkill to a simple slice of…cheese. Oh, and I also talk about a plethora of tech subscriptions and managing technology budgets.

Being an educator during a global pandemic is incredibly challenging. Hear how this slice of deep dish pizza is getting me across the finish line. 🍕

How hard do people have to think to use something at your school? In this episode, hear about everything from light switches to websites, and how the goal of all systems at schools should be to make things as obvious as possible.

Being inclusive is important. We all know that. In this episode, we dive deeper into how to be mindful of including members of your community as your school is opening its campus during a pandemic.