ClassCast Podcast

ClassCast Podcast Ep.055 features Clement Townsend, the owner/operator of Broadcasting Career Mentor and VideoJournalismPro.com. Clement shares his views on improving education through project-based learning (PBL), particularly in regard to teaching students how to plan, write, record, and edit video projects that amplify their voices, build foundational academic skills, and prepare them for 21st century jobs. Prior to launching his own education company, Clement Townsend was a popular and successful sports journalist who broadcast in Texas, Alabama, Virginia, and Chicago, Illinois. Clement covered the Super Bowl, NBA All-Star Game, and several NCAA football national championship games. Now, he dedicates himself to empowering young people by teaching them the skills he's learned, by making their learning authentic and applicable, and by improving education through innovation and industry-expertise. Clement's enthusiasm is infectious, and if you have interests in PBL, media, or transitioning students from media consumers to media producers, this episode is for you.

The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major services plus YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com. Contact host Ryan Tibbens via website comment/contact forms. Contact Clement Townsend at www.videojournalismpro.com, on LinkedIn, on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Twitter. Check out the table of contents below; highlights are marked with an asterisk (*).

Table of Contents

1. 0:00-12:53 -- Intro to Clement Townsend & His Educational Journey
2. 12:53-23:04 -- Launching Broadcasting Career Mentor & Video Journalism Pro*
3. 23:04-37:46 -- Serving the Youth: Modern "Essays," Media Education, & More**
4. 37:46-44:26 -- Opportunities for Collaboration & Quick Practice
5. 44:26-50:43 -- Pandemic Pivots: Teaching Media Production Online
6. 50:43-56:04 -- Clement's Ideal School*
7. 56:04-1:00:37 -- Music, Art... Why Not Media?: Expanding Media Production in Schools*
8. 1:00:37-1:05:32 -- Clement's Book Recs & Final Wrap-Up

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ClassCast Podcast Ep.054 features host Ryan Tibbens making unexpected connections between big ideas, from the Capitol attack on January 6 to grading policies to student scheduling to ending the factory model of public education. It sounds like a stretch, but trust me: It's all connected.  If you've ever thought teachers should make time for "teachable moments" in class, or if you want to end "factory" or "industrial" schooling, then there's a lot to unpack in this content-rich 29 minutes. Buckle up!

Remember: you can listen to the ClassCast Podcast at www.ClassCastPodcast.com, on YouTube, and on all major streaming services, including iTunes, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Stitchr, Amazon Music, Audible, and more!  If you like what you hear, please subscribe, leave a positive review, and share with your friends. If you want to get involved in the conversation, visit the website for more information about leaving comments or contacting the host. Enjoy!

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ClassCast Podcast Ep.053 features Dr. Matthew Rhoads, a leader in edtech, blended learning, data utilization, and pandemic responses; he's also the author of Navigating the Toggled Term: Preparing Secondary Education for Navigating Fall 2020 and Beyond.  Matt shares insights into how teachers can leverage technology to adapt to ever-changing pandemic scenarios while also preparing themselves and their students for the future of education. From "moneyballing" school to "navigating the toggled term," from pandemic adjustments to the future of distance learning, this episode connects current contexts to on-going innovations in ways that will help listeners understand the effects on every student and teacher. If you have any interest in school now or in the next decade, Dr. Rhoads shares ideas and predictions that will cement the value of edtech and adaptability into your priority list. Don't miss Matt's second book,  Navigating the Toggled Term: A Guide for K-12 Classroom and School Leaders, which will be released later in 2021.

Contact Dr. Matthew Rhoads via Twitter @MattRhoads1990 and www.MatthewRhoads.com.

Table of Contents (Highlights **)

1. 0:00-6:15 -- Intro to Pandemic Schooling*
2. 6:15-9:28 -- Dr. Rhoads' Education & Experiences
3. 9:28-17:49 -- Engines of Innovation & Pandemic Effects
4. 17:49-24:21 -- Matt's Preferred Edtech & Data Tools
5. 24:21-35:30 -- Moneyballing School: The Role of Data in Modern Schooling**
6. 35:30-55:44 -- Navigating the Toggled Term: In & Out of School during the Pandemic**
7. 55:44-58:26 -- Matt's Ideal School
8. 58:26-1:02:14 -- The Future of Online School
9. 1:02:53-1:08:51 -- Concerns about Concurrent Hybrid/HyFlex in K12** 
10. 1:08:51-1:12:05 -- Book #2
11. 1:12:05-1:15:14 -- Matt's Book & Movie Recs
12. 1:15:14- End -- Wrap Up

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This quick highlight clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.053 features Dr. Matthew Rhoads offering his thoughts on the concurrent hybrid and HyFlex models being implemented in some schools across the country. Dr. Rhoads is the author of Navigating the Toggled Term: Preparing Secondary Education for Navigating Fall 2020 and Beyond and has a second book dealing with blended learning, ed. tech., and pandemic responses that will be available later in 2021.  Near the end of the full episode, Matt offered up his views on concurrent hybrid school. Every student, parent, teacher, and administrator involved in a concurrent hybrid or HyFlex model should consider the issues he addresses. 

The full audio of Ep.053 featuring Dr. Rhoads will be available on Sunday, 1/17/2021, on all major streaming platforms, YouTube, and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com. Be sure to subscribe, like, follow, review, and share the ClassCast Podcast wherever you listen! 

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Episode 052 of the ClassCast Podcast features Sandy Sullivan, president of the Loudoun Education Association (LEA), speaking with host Ryan Tibbens about the LEA, its short and long term goals, collective bargaining in Virginia, pandemic safety measures, community outreach, and more.  This is Sandy's second (non-consecutive) term as LEA president; otherwise, she has spent her career teaching early elementary education in Loudoun and Montgomery (MD) counties. In this conversation, she explains the changes in Virginia's collective bargaining laws, the need for union representation, how education associations and unions function, as well as what is best for teachers and students. Whether you're for or against teachers' unions, this episode will help you better understand the issues and better contextualize their impacts in local communities.

Contact Sandy Sullivan and/or the Loudoun Education association at their website, on Facebook, or by email.  You might also check out the Virginia Education Association and National Education Association.

Be sure to like, share, follow, subscribe, and leave a positive review wherever you get your podcasts.

Table of Contents

1. 0:00-3:40 -- Sandy's LEA Involvement
2. 3:54-8:51 -- Sandy's Path through & to Education
3. 8:52-11:41 -- Member involvement in the Loudoun Education Association
4. 11:41-20:08 -- Political Climate in 2020
5. 20:08-34:14 -- How LEA Works & Unionization/Collective Bargaining ***
6. 34:14-46:33 -- Short Term LEA Goals ***
7. 46:33-52:26 -- What's Best for Teachers? (And Students?)
8. 52:26-57:06 -- Sandy's Ideal School
9. 57:06-59:54 -- Final Thoughts on Teacher Motivations & Collective Bargaining ***
10. 59:55-1:07:19 -- Sandy's Book/Movie Recommendations & Wrap-Up

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2020 has been a special year in many ways, most of them bad.  But for the ClassCast Podcast, 2020 was a year of learning, development, and growth. These discussions about improving education reached thousands of listeners spread across six continents.  In 38 episodes this calendar year, I spoke with passionate students, innovative teachers, reflective administrators, industry-leading CEOs, elected officials -- all kinds of smart, purposeful people who are challenging the status quo of education in the United States and abroad.

​This special episode offers a quick reflection on ClassCast Podcasts from 2020, goals for 2021, and an overview of all the content generated this year. 

Visit www.ClassCastPodcast.com to see the TOP TEN Most Downloaded episodes of the year as well as the ten HOST'S PICKS for most commented-upon and asked-about episodes. 

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ClassCast Podcast Ep.051 features Devin Siebold, America's favorite teacher-comedian, sharing his thoughts on education, school improvement, and why school can be so hilarious (and so tragic). Devin discusses his beginnings in comedy, his classroom experiences, and his ever-growing fanbase (up to 10 MILLION views per month).  If you've ever laughed at Devin's YouTube videos (what teacher hasn't?) and wondered what kind of teacher makes those videos, or wondered how his administrators react, this episode will make it all clear.  Throughout this conversation, Devin shares his personal career goals, sincere hopes for school improvement, and insights into comedy as an art form.  You can learn more about Devin Siebold, his upcoming events, and his social media presence by checking out his website, DevinComedy.com.

Be sure to like, share, follow, retweet, subscribe, leave a positive review, and send passenger pigeons to everyone in your region in support of the ClassCast Podcast!

Table of Contents

• 0:00-8:00 -- Intro to Devin Siebold, Teacher-Comedian*
• 8:00-12:04 -- Devin's Favorite Comedian & Getting Started
• 12:04-17:01 -- Being a Funny Teacher
• 17:01-22:17 -- Becoming a Teacher
• 22:19-27:31 -- Becoming the Teachers' Comedian*
• 27:31-41:35 -- Avoiding Admin's Wrath & the Most Embarrassing All-Staff Ever**
• 41:35-45:42 -- Favorite YouTube Clips & Coworker Conditions
• 45:44-51:11 -- Devin's Ideal School: The Magic School Bus Meets Unschooling**
• 51:14-53:11 -- A New Joke: Christmas Sweatshops
• 53:12-56:29 -- Devin's Book/Movie Recommendations
• 56:30-58:22 -- Upcoming Shows & Wrap-Up

(*Highlights)

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ClassCast Podcast Ep.050 features host Ryan Tibbens discussing the value of and need for snow days, despite our ability to conduct classes online.  The shortest episode to date, just 10 minutes, this passionate defense of snow day school cancellations addresses parent concerns like falling behind, seat time, screen time, and learning as well as social-emotional learning, whole child development, and the sanctity of of snow days in American culture.  Before you criticize the decisions to close schools for snow, or before you engage with someone who opposes snow days, listen to this episode, consider your values, and remember this timeless wisdom -- there is a special place in hell for people who oppose snow days. 

If you disagree with any of the ideas in the episode, or if you'd like to engage further, use the contact form at www.ClassCastPodcast.com or find us on Twitter @ClassCastPod as well as Facebook and Instagram @ClassCastPodcast.  

Be sure to like, subscribe, share, follow, retweet, leave a positive review, and whatever else might help spread the word about the great conversation occurring the ClassCast Podcast! 

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ClassCast Podcast Ep.049 features innovator, writer, and former principal Craig Randall sharing his ideas about improving teacher observation and evaluation processes to increase the quality of teaching and of school in general. Craig is the creator and author of Trust-Based Observations, a new framework for evaluating teachers while encouraging innovation, risk-taking, and growth. His system is, as the name indicates, based on building a trusting, growth-focused relationship between teachers and evaluators; it is the culmination of a long, successful career teaching, counseling, coaching, and administrating in schools on four continents.  This episode offers food for thought AND practical solutions for anyone concerned with improving the quality of instruction of in schools, from teachers to students, from principals to parents.  Listeners with less time should check out highlights in the starred sections below.

The ClassCast Podcast is available on all major streaming platforms, plus YouTube and ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, share, follow, and leave a positive review wherever you listen.


Table of Contents

1. 0:00-6:18 -- Intro/Craig as a Student
2. 6:18-12:32 -- Craig as a Guidance Counselor, Coach, & Teacher
3. 12:33-16:49 -- Working in International Schools
4. 16:49-27:35 -- Becoming a Principal & Revolutionizing Teacher Observation w/ Trust-Based Observations**
5. 27:36-36:49 -- Can We Really Make a Good Teacher Great?
6. 36:49-47:41 -- The Evolution of Teacher Evolution Over Time
7. 47:42-52:47 -- The Reality of Teacher Observations & Evaluations, plus "Fantasy" Teachers**
8. 52:47-59:18 -- Craig's Ideal School**
9. 59:19-1:05:11 -- Action Research
10. 1:05:11-1:09:51 -- Students' Voices in Teacher Evaluations**
11. 1:09:51-1:20:48 -- Craig's Book/Movie Recommendations & Wrap-Up 

Contact Craig Randall at www.trustbased.com, on Twitter @trustbasedcraig, and via email @ craig @trustbased.com.  

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ClassCast Podcast Episode 048 features host Ryan Tibbens sharing insights and advice on reserving judgment (and passing it), building patience, and keeping an open mind.  As a teacher, he has developed a deeper appreciation for patience, optimism, and open-mindedness than most people (and certainly more than he had earlier in life); this quick solo episode includes ideas to help teachers maintain strong relationships with students and coworkers as well as advice to help families and friends overcome personal, political, and moral differences as we head into the holiday season.  Tibbens uses a line from F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel The Great Gatsby to anchor these insights: "Reserving judgments is a matter of infinite hope."  Before you give up on a student, "unfriend" an old friend, or uninvite someone from a holiday celebration, think long and hard about hope, possibility, and patience.  

You can find this and every other episode of the ClassCast Podcast on all major streaming platforms, including Apple Podcasts/iTunes, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, YouTube, and many more.  Be sure to subscribe, like, follow, share, leave a positive review, and tell your friends.  Happy holidays! 

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