On this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast, host Kristy Houle talks to cognitive literacy expert Betsy Hill.  Betsy is an award-winning educator and co-author of the book “Your Child Learns Differently, Now What? The Truth for Parents.”  She studied the neuroscience of learning with Dr. Patricia Wolfe and other pioneers in the field, coining the term neuroeducator. In this episode Betsy shares the idea behind building a child’s cognitive literacy and how parents can help their children's learning abilities

Guest Website: 

https://mybrainware.com/your-child-learns-differently/

On this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast, host Kristy Houle talks with Mae Caratachea, former Co-President of the Saint Louis Sudbury School. The school is based on the principle that we are born curious and learn best when we initiate our own learning. They offer entirely Self-Directed Education in a self-governing democracy for students ages 5-18. No required curriculum, no homework, no tests, no grades. 

Website: https://stlsudbury.org/

On this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast host Kristy Houle talks with author David McBee. David is passionate about reading, self-improvement, health, the outdoors, and his family. He is a podcast host, public speaker and is the author of the children's book series, DJ's Off-Road Adventures. This series teaches elementary-age children lessons on dealing with bullies, overcoming fear and the power of teamwork.

Guest Website: https://davidmcbee.com/

On this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast host Kristy Houle talks with author Maria Castellucci Moore, author of the newly released children’s book Vivienne in Paris which follows a young Parisian girl on a journey through Paris to find what makes her tick.  This book tells a story of mindfulness and insight into how the surrounding world can really move you. It unites curiosity, wonder, and marvel to enlighten, surprise, and tickle your deepest spirit. Sometimes it’s the smallest things that bring you the greatest joy.

Guest Website: https://mariacastelluccimooreauthor.com/author

On this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast host Kristy Houle talks with School Emergency Management Expert, Trauma Informed Practices Consultant, and former Reserve Law Enforcement Officer, Claire Marie to discuss her new book on school lockdowns, Sammy the Sasquatch: Welcome to Crittertopia. Claire also dives deep into her passion for approaching emergency preparedness and management through a trauma-informed lens and supporting schools to do the same. 

Guest Website: https://www.sammyandfriends.com/

On this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast, host Kristy Houle talks with award-winning writer and video producer Tom Speicher.  His book, “A Week with Waffles” is a beautifully illustrated children’s book that is designed to help young children learn about the days of the week, encourage creative thought, help them understand that it’s ok to be an only child, and consider a host of adventures that are part of growing up.  In this episode Tom talks about the importance of children’s literature in a student’s education and the creative process of writing for both kids and adults.

On this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast, host Kristy Houle talks with Ryan Steuer, founder of Magnify Learning, a PBL professional development organization that equips educators to engage learners, tackle boredom, and transform classrooms. 

Ryan believes that when we get education right as leaders, leaders have launched their vision, teachers are fired up to be a part of something bigger than themselves, and learners are moving from passive to empowered. While Ryan has done this work (and fought for it) in the classroom, his joy comes now as he sees district after district adopt the PBL mindset and free their learners up to find their true potential and opportunity.

Prior to founding Magnify Learning, Ryan was an engineer for a Fortune 50 company, 8th grade English teacher, and missionary. He shares his education and leadership insights through PBL Simplified the book, YouTube, and podcast.

Guest Website: https://www.magnifylearningin.org/

Bryson Tarbet is a PreK-6th grade general music teacher just outside of Columbus, Ohio.   He spent his first year out of college as part of an elementary school intervention team where he fell in love with working with students with disabilities. Due to this experience, as well as his personal experience as a neurodiverse individual, Bryson feels strongly about advocating for sensory and emotionally inclusive classrooms. In addition to being a full-time elementary music teacher he is also the founder of That Music Teacher, his online business that is dedicated to offering content-specific professional development for elementary music teachers.

Guest Website: 

https://www.thatmusicteacher.com/

On this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast host Kristy Houle talks with Dr. Bibi Pirayesh, an educational therapist and learning rights advocate based in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Pirayesh has spent the last 15 years working with hundreds of children, parents, teachers, and schools to enhance the lives of children with learning disabilities. In 2020, Dr. Pirayesh launched The Difference is Not Deficit Project to help promote the importance of seeing learning disability as a social justice issue.  

Guest Website: https://www.oneofonekids.org/

On this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast host Kristy Houle talks with author and educator Jaer Armstead-Jones.  Throughout his teaching of reading and writing, he has always had a burning desire to write books for middle school and high school teens they can relate to.  His first novel, My Invisible Father, is a story about three St. Louis teens facing the hurdles of adolescence and the impact made by their fathers’ absences.  Jaer has worked with teens in several capacities since 1993: as a youth minister, a youth facilitator at a juvenile correctional facility, and as an educator.  He is also a librarian at the St. Louis County Public Library.

Guest Website:  https://jaerarmsteadjones.com/