Classroom Matters

On this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast host Kristy Houle talks with Sally Nellson, an award-winning documentary filmmaker, about capturing and sharing the stories of what happens every day in public schools.  Having directed and edited more than 100 films, Sally has a deep understanding of how to connect with her subjects and translate that to greater understanding among audiences. Her new initiative is a nationwide movement to end the teacher shortage through a documentary film and impact campaign.

Guest Website:  https://impact.plusmedia.io/who-taught-you-resources-zve46alg9m#

On this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast, host Kristy Houle talks with Dr. Deborah Offner, who brings more than 2 decades of experience in schools and colleges as a classroom teacher, counselor, administrator, and consultant.   She has written  a new book called Educators as First Responders: A Teacher’s Guide to Adolescent Development and Mental Health, Grades 6-12, which is a comprehensive, hands-on guide to adolescent development and mental health for teachers and other educators of students in grades 6-12.  During this conversation we discuss topics such as recognizing verbal and nonverbal signs of distress in students and how to prevent teacher burnout. 

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

On this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast host Kristy Houle talks with Elizabeth West, CEO of EWC Consulting about helping students build sustainable habits in high school to help prepare for college or a career.  Right out of college, Elizabeth was hired as an Admissions Counselor at UNC Pembroke where she began to see student’s stories come to life. Throughout her 25 years in higher education, working with students and helping them become successful continues to be the greatest joy of her career. Elizabeth has spent 10 years of her career counseling students as an admissions officer, Associate Director of Admissions, and Director of Admissions, and 14 years teaching college students and working with them on how to become transfer students.

Guest Website: https://www.ncewc.com/about

Join host Kristy Houle as she talks with physicist and host of the popular YouTube channel Kathy Loves Physics, Kathy Joseph. Kathy has spent decades researching over 400 years of scientific history in her new book “The Lightening Tamers.”  Not only is Kathy a popular YouTube host, but she's also a former Bay Area science teacher who spent 12 years teaching high school physics. Kathy knows what it takes to keep your students intrigued and involved even during the distracting teenage years. In this episode Kathy discusses proven strategies for ensuring your science lessons are always fun and never dull for maximum focus and better test scores and how to teach science through storytelling.

Website: www.kathylovesphysics.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KathyLovesPhysicsHistory

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KathyLovesPhysics

According to literacy expert Matt Bardin, studies show that only 13% of American adults can read complex texts, and more than half read below a 6th grade level, but Matt is on a mission to change that.  With decades of experience as an educator and entrepreneur, Matt has become an expert in literacy education, test-prep and strategies for transforming adolescents into their highest achieving selves. During this episode host Kristy Houle talks with Matt about what middle and high school teachers need to know about their students' reading and how to work towards solving the literacy crisis. 

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

In this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast join host Kristy Houle as she talks with author and founder of The Umbrella Project about what kids really need as they learn to navigate the ups and downs of life. 

Dr. Jen Forristal, BSc ND, is a Naturopathic Doctor with a primary focus in pediatric mental health and the founder and CEO of The Umbrella Project, a positive coping curriculum used internationally by thousands of parents, students, and educators. She has worked extensively with schools, researchers, and organizations in protecting the long-term health and performance of children facing unique challenges. 

Guest Website Link: https://umbrellaproject.co/

Jeff Utecht is an educational technology consultant, educator, and author. He holds a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in Technology as well as his administrative certification through Washington State. Jeff began his career in the Elementary Classroom at a public school in Washington State. In 2001, he was the recipient of a Bill and Melinda Gates Grant called the Technology Leadership Program. He has a global view on education and the impact technology is having on classrooms. Jeff loves sharing ideas and strategies on ways educators can use technology in the classroom and how we must prepare students for their future not our past.  In this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast join host Kristy Houle as she talks with Jeff about preparing students for the future, blended learning and digital collaboration.

Jeff’s Website: https://www.jeffutecht.com/

Gary Hubb is the Managing Partner for the new streaming video service, HistoryFix.com, which he began with his partner Will Eichler to provide exciting history videos seen from a different point of view for use in classrooms and homeschool settings. Since 1999, Gary has worked in both scripted and unscripted television and film as Production Coordinator, Manager and Assistant Director for multiple networks including CBS, ABC, FOX, TNT, Discovery, History, National Geographic and CNN. Gary has also produced, written and directed several films and documentaries that earned him multiple film festival nominations and a Special Jury Prize Award. During this episode Gary and host Kristy Houle discuss topics such as the biggest challenges educators face when teaching history in school settings and some things teachers can do or stop doing to make history more relevant and engaging for students.

Listeners of the Classroom Matters podcast can use the promo code HEC9MO when visiting HistoryFix.com and receive a choice of $5 a month or $50 for an annual subscription after a 7-day free trial. This unique promo code gives annual subscribers 10% off their first year at $45.00 (12 months for the price of 9 months).

Website Link: https://www.historyfix.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StreamHistoryFix
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/streamhistoryfix/

In this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast host Kristy Houle talks with Dr. Mark David Milliron about preparing new teachers for a career in education and all the challenges that come with the journey to educate students across all settings. Mark is an award-winning leader, author, speaker, and consultant, who works with universities, community colleges, K-12 schools, foundations, corporations,
associations, and government agencies across the country and around the world. He serves as President & CEO of National University, one of the largest private, nonprofit universities in the United States.

Mark's Website: http://markmilliron.com/

Michaell Magrutsche is an Austrian-Californian multimedia artist, educator, and an author of five art-related books. Michaell believes in a student’s untapped human abilities, especially our truth compass and inherent tools of creativity, and healthy discourse and adaptability.

He is an outside the box thinker and is a passionate creativity/art researcher that looks for art/creativity's true values for humans outside of any system. 
In this episode Michaell and I discuss the importance of growing creativity in today’s youth and how that can impact a student’s education.  We also dive into the topic of how students can focus on the process of learning and not the product for a more thoughtful education.

Michaell’s Website: https://michaellm.com/