EdTech Bites Podcast

We want to take this moment to thank our sponsor - Wakelet. Wakelet has been changing the game when it comes to student portfolios. The platform is helping students across the US showcase tangible evidence of their success in creative and personalized ways. Wakelet portfolios boost college readiness, and help students share their skills and achievements in ways that go beyond just test scores.

For teachers, Wakelet is a powerful tool for sharing learning resources, creating lesson plans, and boosting collaboration in your classes.

Help your learners redefine student success, and outshine their test scores with Wakelet Portfolios. Head to wakelet.com/portfolios to learn more, and sign up for a free account today.

In this episode, I chat with Nicole Lipps. We discuss various tools and strategies to help our emerging bilingual students, ESL students, and students with Dyslexia. There are some great tips Nicole touches upon to help these student populations grow in our classrooms.. This conversation was recorded at the TCCA conference in Aldine, Texas. There's a student eSports competition going on in the background so keep your ears open for cheers in addition to our conversation. Nicole brings a wealth of information to the listeners so I'm surprised that this is her first time on a podcast. Hopefully, this won't be her last. Buen provecho!

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com

• EdTech Bites Twitter: https://twitter.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQCZcyW4BkCFQ5P2BLK61xg

Nicole Lipps is a passionate educator with 18 years of experience in the classroom. She has taught grades 3-8 and is currently a Campus Technology Liaison and 8th Grade US History Teacher in Conroe ISD. Nicole is dedicated to student success and amplifying student voices. She believes technology can be a powerful tool for learning, and she is committed to using it to help students reach their full potential.

Nicole is always looking for new ways to improve her teaching and stay up-to-date on the latest trends in education. She is a Certified Apple Learning Coach, Google Certified Educator, Adobe Creative Educator, Microsoft Innovative Educator, and a Microsoft Flipsider. She also has a Master's degree in Applied Digital Learning.

• Nicole on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicolelipps

We want to take this moment to thank our sponsor - Wakelet. Wakelet has been changing the game when it comes to student portfolios. The platform is helping students across the US showcase tangible evidence of their success in creative and personalized ways. Wakelet portfolios boost college readiness, and help students share their skills and achievements in ways that go beyond just test scores.

For teachers, Wakelet is a powerful tool for sharing learning resources, creating lesson plans, and boosting collaboration in your classes.

Help your learners redefine student success, and outshine their test scores with Wakelet Portfolios. Head to wakelet.com/portfolios to learn more, and sign up for a free account today.

In this episode, I catch up with Jeni Long and Sallee Clark AKA Jenallee. This conversation was recorded at the TCCA conference in Aldine, Texas. This dynamic duo has been best friends and been working together for years… up until now. They had an EDU breakup but still manage to spread the educational goodness as Jenallee wherever they go. We discuss where Jenallee goes from here and I also quiz them on 5 different food trivia questions. Can you beat Jenallee in food trivia? Find out for yourself. Buen provecho!

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com

• EdTech Bites Twitter: https://twitter.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQCZcyW4BkCFQ5P2BLK61xg

Jeni Long is a 25 plus year educator that is dedicated to providing unwavering support for teachers both inside and outside the classroom. She understands the challenges that teachers face and is here to offer guidance, resources, and support to all educators. Jeni recently joined the team at MagicSchool.ai as their Senior Community Strategist. Her mission is to ensure that every teacher feels supported, inspired, and empowered to make a difference in their students' lives. She believes in the power of a strong community and knows that when teachers come together, they can create magic in their classrooms.

Jeni has held various positions in education, including 6th grade Math Teacher, ELA Curriculum Specialist, Technology Integration Specialist, and Science Curriculum Specialist. Jeni is a recognized international speaker, consultant, blogger, and author, having shared her knowledge at conferences worldwide. As the co-host of "The Jenallee Show," a popular YouTube and TikTok series, she collaborates with Sallee Clark to showcase the latest EdTech tools and provide valuable tutorials for educators globally. Connect with her at www.bit.ly/jenallee and visit her website, www.thejenalleeshow.com.

As an expert in educational technology, Sallee Clark is passionate about leveraging innovative tools and platforms to enhance the learning experience for both students and educators. Sallee brings expertise gained from her 19-year tenure in education, which includes valuable experience as an instructional technologist, a teacher and librarian. Her knowledge and practical insights have made her a featured presenter, leading impactful professional development sessions at esteemed conferences worldwide.

As part of the dynamic duo known as #Jenallee, alongside Jeni Long, Sallee shares her expertise and EdTech wisdom with educators through various engaging platforms. Their informative TikTok videos, YouTube content, and engaging discussions on Twitter Spaces have empowered countless educators to make learning accessible and fun! 

In addition, Sallee and Jeni have co-authored of "The Microsoft Teams Playbook." Their contributions and innovative approaches have honored them with the Top 30 2022 EdTech Influencer Award by EdTech K-12 Magazine. Connect with her at www.bit.ly/jenallee and visit her website, www.thejenalleeshow.com

• Jeni on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jlo731

• Jeni On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlo731

• Sallee On Twitter: https://twitter.com/salleeclark

• Sallee On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seriously_clark

• Jenallee On Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenallee1

• Jenallee On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejenalleeshow

• Jenallee On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jenallee1?_t=8hMzJrZ0m6d&_r=1

We want to take this moment to thank our sponsor - Wakelet. Wakelet has been changing the game when it comes to student portfolios. The platform is helping students across the US showcase tangible evidence of their success in creative and personalized ways. Wakelet portfolios boost college readiness, and help students share their skills and achievements in ways that go beyond just test scores.

For teachers, Wakelet is a powerful tool for sharing learning resources, creating lesson plans, and boosting collaboration in your classes.

Help your learners redefine student success, and outshine their test scores with Wakelet Portfolios. Head to wakelet.com/portfolios to learn more, and sign up for a free account today.

In this episode, I chat friED Tech with Courtney Watson and Amy Storer. This conversation was recorded at the TCCA conference in Aldine, Texas. Aren't sure what friED Tech has to offer? After hearing this fun episode, you'll be clear as to what they can offer educators. Not only do we chat friED Tech, I also quiz them on some food trivia. Can you beat Courtney and Amy in food trivia? Find out for yourself. Buen provecho!

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com

• EdTech Bites Twitter: https://twitter.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQCZcyW4BkCFQ5P2BLK61xg

Courtney is a Google Certified Educator/Trainer and Lead Learning Guide at friEdTechnology. She is passionate about equipping all learners with the necessary tools to help them become successful and ensuring they have fun while learning. #TechWithoutTears is her goal when sharing tools and ideas with educators to effectively integrate technology into their classrooms.

• Courtney On Twitter: https://twitter.com/cmwatson2010

Amy is a Lead Learning Guide at friEdTech, Google Certified Educator and Trainer, Microsoft Certified Educator, Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, Microsoft Innovative Educator Trainer, and a Microsoft Global Mentor. She is a distinguished educator that encourages and motivates others to reach far beyond the classroom walls to make learning more meaningful and inspiring. She has a true passion for purposeful technology integrations, meaningful PD, and global connections. 

• Amy On Twitter: https://twitter.com/techamys

• friED Tech Website: https://friedtechnology.com/

• friED Courses: https://www.friedonline.com/

* We want to take this moment to thank our sponsor - Wakelet. Wakelet has been changing the game when it comes to student portfolios. The platform is helping students across the US showcase tangible evidence of their success in creative and personalized ways. Wakelet portfolios boost college readiness, and help students share their skills and achievements in ways that go beyond just test scores.

For teachers, Wakelet is a powerful tool for sharing learning resources, creating lesson plans, and boosting collaboration in your classes.

Help your learners redefine student success, and outshine their test scores with Wakelet Portfolios. Head to wakelet.com/portfolios to learn more, and sign up for a free account today.

In this episode, I chat the evolution of Artificial Intelligence in the classroom with Rachelle Dené Poth. We dig into how far it's come in less than a year and I ask her to give me her top 3 AI tools for the classroom. There are several tools out there but she had to pare it down to her top 3. If you're not sure what her top pics are, check out this episode and share it with a friend. Make sure you give Rachelle a follow and check out her top 3 tools. This conversation was recorded at the TCCA conference in Aldine, Texas. Buen provecho!

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com

• EdTech Bites Twitter: https://twitter.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQCZcyW4BkCFQ5P2BLK61xg

Rachelle Dené Poth is an edtech consultant, presenter, attorney, author, and teacher of Spanish and STEAM: Emerging Technology. Rachelle has a Juris Doctor degree from Duquesne University School of Law, a Master's in Instructional Technology, and is currently pursuing a second doctorate, focused on Educational Technology. Rachelle is an ISTE Certified Educator and recipient of the ISTE Making IT Happen Award and several presidential gold and silver awards for volunteer service. She presents regularly at state, national, and international conferences and provides professional development and coaching for educators on a variety of topics including assessments, and emerging technologies such as AI, AR and VR, and STEM. 

• Rachelle On Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rdene915

• Rachelle On Instagram: https://instagram.com/Rdene915

• Rachelle On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelle.berquistpoth

• Rachelle On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelledenepoth/

• THRIVEinEDU On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/THRIVEinEDU

* We want to take this moment to thank our sponsor - Wakelet. Wakelet has been changing the game when it comes to student portfolios. The platform is helping students across the US showcase tangible evidence of their success in creative and personalized ways. Wakelet portfolios boost college readiness, and help students share their skills and achievements in ways that go beyond just test scores.

For teachers, Wakelet is a powerful tool for sharing learning resources, creating lesson plans, and boosting collaboration in your classes.

Help your learners redefine student success, and outshine their test scores with Wakelet Portfolios. Head to wakelet.com/portfolios to learn more, and sign up for a free account today.

In this episode, I chat the importance of collaboration between administration and tech specialists with Stephanie Balster and Laura Depp. We also do some food trivia in this episode. This conversation was recorded at the TCCA conference in Aldine, Texas. Stephanie and Laura bring a great vibe to the show and each come to the table with a specific perspective. Can you beat Stephanie and Laura in food trivia? Find out for yourself. Buen provecho!

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com

• EdTech Bites Twitter: https://twitter.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQCZcyW4BkCFQ5P2BLK61xg

Stephanie Balster is an Innovation Leader for Castleberry Independent School District. She has been in education for the last nine years and has taught first - third grade. She graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and Exceptional Student Education from the University of West Florida. Stephanie is bringing her expertise in education and technology to the forefront, helping teachers integrate technology into their classrooms in meaningful and impactful ways. With a focus on engaging learners, building critical thinking skills, and fostering digital citizenship, Stephanie is dedicated to helping students thrive in the digital age.

• Stephanie on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MrsBalster

Laura Depp serves as the Campus Academic Leader at Castleberry Elementary. She has been in education for seventeen years. Laura taught in all grades kindergarten through fourth grade prior to becoming a math coach which eventually led her to her current position. She is passionate about making learning come alive for all students through hands-on learning experiences and student discourse. Laura holds her national STEM certification, as well as, her Master's in Educational Administration.

* We want to take this moment to thank our sponsor - Wakelet. Wakelet has been changing the game when it comes to student portfolios. The platform is helping students across the US showcase tangible evidence of their success in creative and personalized ways. Wakelet portfolios boost college readiness, and help students share their skills and achievements in ways that go beyond just test scores.

For teachers, Wakelet is a powerful tool for sharing learning resources, creating lesson plans, and boosting collaboration in your classes.

Help your learners redefine student success, and outshine their test scores with Wakelet Portfolios. Head to wakelet.com/portfolios to learn more, and sign up for a free account today.

In this episode, I chat CTE with Heather Brantley and Stacie White. This conversation was recorded at the TCCA conference in Aldine, Texas. Heather is a two time EdTech Bites Food Tour participant and Stacie is a CTE teacher who "doesn't Social Media". This is an awesome discussion around this hot topic in education. And sticking with CTE and Culinary, I also quiz them on 5 different food trivia questions. Can you beat Heather and Stacie in food trivia? Find out for yourself. Buen provecho!

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com

• EdTech Bites Twitter: https://twitter.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQCZcyW4BkCFQ5P2BLK61xg

Heather Brantley is an experienced educator and founder of HeatherTechEdu. With a background in instructional design and technology integration, Heather is passionate about helping teachers and students leverage the power of technology to enhance teaching and learning. Through HeatherTechEdu, she provides presentations on AI/AR/VR in the classroom,  instructional design services, and educational technology consulting to schools and districts around the country. Heather is currently teaching CTE technology and CEER at Pine Tree ISD.

• Heather on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeatherTechEdu

• Heather's Website: https://Heathertechedu.com

The Amazing Mrs. White has been teaching for 18 years both online and in the brick and mortar arenas.  She has taught Spanish 1 and 2, as well as Special Education Reading Resource. Now she focuses on her favorite course of all, Project Success, which is a career explorations course through the Career and Technical Education department.  She is passionate about helping students gain vision for their lives and guiding them to be the best they can be both in and out of the classroom. At home, she and her husband of 18 years have 5 super involved kids, 2 loving grandparents, a German shepherd and a chihuahua who remind them to be grateful for their many blessings.

* We want to take this moment to thank our sponsor - Wakelet. Wakelet has been changing the game when it comes to student portfolios. The platform is helping students across the US showcase tangible evidence of their success in creative and personalized ways. Wakelet portfolios boost college readiness, and help students share their skills and achievements in ways that go beyond just test scores.

For teachers, Wakelet is a powerful tool for sharing learning resources, creating lesson plans, and boosting collaboration in your classes.

Help your learners redefine student success, and outshine their test scores with Wakelet Portfolios. Head to wakelet.com/portfolios to learn more, and sign up for a free account today.

In this episode, I chat Wakelet and Food Trivia with Tisha Poncio. This conversation was recorded at the TCCA conference in Aldine, Texas. This is Tisha's 4th time on the show and as always, we have a great conversation while breaking bread together. We discuss Wakelet and I also quiz her on 5 different food trivia questions. Can you beat Tisha Poncio in food trivia? Find out for yourself. Buen provecho!

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com

• EdTech Bites Twitter: https://twitter.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQCZcyW4BkCFQ5P2BLK61xg

Tisha Poncio, M.S. Learning Technologies, served in public education for 21 years as a classroom teacher and a digital learning specialist. She has presented at numerous educational technology conferences across the nation and in her home state of Texas speaking about student leadership, student autonomy, digital citizenship for all ages, and meaningful technology integration. She is currently serving as a Digital Learning Specialist for Wakelet! 

• Tisha on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/txtechchick

• Tisha On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tishaponcio

• Tisha's Wakelet: https://www.wakelet.com/tishaponcio

* We want to take this moment to thank our sponsor - Wakelet. Wakelet has been changing the game when it comes to student portfolios. The platform is helping students across the US showcase tangible evidence of their success in creative and personalized ways. Wakelet portfolios boost college readiness, and help students share their skills and achievements in ways that go beyond just test scores.

For teachers, Wakelet is a powerful tool for sharing learning resources, creating lesson plans, and boosting collaboration in your classes.

Help your learners redefine student success, and outshine their test scores with Wakelet Portfolios. Head to wakelet.com/portfolios to learn more, and sign up for a free account today.

In this episode, I chat instructional coaching with Debbie Tannenbaum. She's an EdTech coach in Virginia and brings a lot of coaching knowledge to the table. This conversation was recorded at the TCCA conference in Aldine, Texas. This is a great conversation that debunks some of the myths and highlights the bright spots of instructional coaching. Buen provecho!

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com

• EdTech Bites Twitter: https://twitter.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQCZcyW4BkCFQ5P2BLK61xg

👉🏼 This episode is sponsored by BlazerWorks. To learn more about how BlazerWorks can help your organization fill in the Special Education personnel gaps, visit https://blazerworks.com/

In this episode, I sit down with John Veneracion from BlazerWorks, a passionate advocate for inclusive education. Join us as we explore Blazerworks' mission, their work in bridging personnel gaps in Special Education nationwide, and the professional development they offer to empower both special education staff and schools. But that's not all! Because this is The EdTech Bites Podcast, we indulged in mouthwatering In-N-Out burgers during our conversation. Discover the critical role of Special Education in fostering inclusivity. Uncover BlazerWorks' visionary outlook for the future, and gain insights into the heart of their work.

Join us in this engaging conversation as we celebrate the work of BlazerWorks and the flavors of In-N-Out. Together, we're making education more accessible and inclusive. Buen provecho!

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com

• EdTech Bites Twitter: https://twitter.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQCZcyW4BkCFQ5P2BLK61xg

John Veneracion is a member of BlazerWorks' Special Education Clinical Advisory Team. The team works hand-in-hand with school districts to fully integrate clinical expertise into learning environments—enriching therapists and teachers, streamlining school staffing programs and elevating the educational experience. Previously, John was a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant at Ventura Unified School District in California. 

• BlazerWorks Website: https://blazerworks.com/

• BlazerWorks On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blazerworks/

• John On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-erwin-veneracion-19326a200/

In this episode, I chat with Andrew Henry from Stepwell. He's passionate about analyzing data and Stepwell does just that. They focus on the Special Education caseload in schools to give educators insight into their Special Education population trends. This is a wonderful conversation into the world of compliance and civil rights. Peep it and see if Stepwell has what your district has been missing. Buen provecho!

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com

• EdTech Bites Twitter: https://twitter.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites

• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQCZcyW4BkCFQ5P2BLK61xg

Andrew Henry is the founder of Red Cedar Solutions Group, the company responsible for building Stepwell, an online platform for managing Special Education compliance and improvement. Andrew is passionate about the value of data and analytics, design thinking and innovation to address some of the most challenging issues confronting society today: educating our children effectively, especially our most vulnerable populations, and managing complex and increasingly rapid change in organizations.

Prior to founding Red Cedar in 2006, Andrew has been a part of the education community in many different roles:

•        High School English Teacher

•        District Technology Director

•        Michigan State University, College of Education, Program Director and Researcher

•        State of Michigan, Director of the Center for Educational Performance and Information

•        Chief Officer for Research and Development at Learning Point Associates/North Central Regional Education Laboratory

• Stepwell Website: https://stepwelled.com/

• Stepwell On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stepwelled