It's episode 91 of the EdTechLoop podcast and we are joined by the new boss, not quite the same as the old boss, Evan O'Branovic. Danelle and I grilled the poor guy on almost every current issue involving educational technology during this marathon pod. Evan shares some great insights and a "yes we can," mindset to the pod and District. This is a packed show, enjoy!

 

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Transcript: 

Larry Burden  0:00  

good parenting skills. This guy,

 

Danelle Brostrom  0:03  

Come join us, in this small, sweaty office we call a studio

 

Evan O'Branovic  0:14  

so great 

 

Larry Burden  0:15  

It's back here really, It's safe.

 

Larry Burden  0:18  

I have no idea what I'm talking about now.

 

Larry Burden  0:23  

It's Episode 91 of the EdTech Loop podcast. My name is Larry Burden and she's worryingly started every morning for the last month standing atop her desk declaring Oh Captain, my captain. It's Danielle Brostrom. She doesn't get the reference again. And we are joined by the new boss, not quite the same as the old boss. It's Evan O'Bran...O'Branovic

 

Evan O'Branovic  0:46  

Obranovic

 

Larry Burden  0:46  

Obranovic, I got it right. Yeah. 

 

Evan O'Branovic  0:48  

Nailed it. 

 

Moment of Zen  0:49  

Thank you, Karen. He's here to deepen our understanding around what's new and educational technology. Though not nearly as deep as this week's Moment of Zen. The pessimist complains about the wind, the optimist expects it to change, the leader adjust the sails.

 

Larry Burden  1:08  

Though it may have been left unrefrigerated too long, and was surely about to turn, we finally have someone to cook this week's meat of the show. Meet the director.

 

Larry Burden  1:19  

Welcome to the district.

 

Evan O'Branovic  1:20  

Thank you. 

 

Larry Burden  1:21  

Before we get started, I'd like to take a moment and on behalf of the district make a blanket apology for Thomas, just in general, just in general. Besides that, what do you think so far. 

 

Evan O'Branovic  1:33  

I have been extremely impressed so far, coming in from a much smaller district. So, just the pure size and scope and sequence of everything that happens here is quite incredible. 

 

Larry Burden  1:46  

Overwhelming or more like well I can't wait to get my hands on all these... 

 

Evan O'Branovic  1:50  

Oh, both, yeah.

 

Larry Burden  1:51  

Cool toys.

 

Evan O'Branovic  1:52  

We've had plenty of overwhelming moments coming home, looking at my wife like, we're not in Aspen anymore. And then, but it's an extremely exciting opportunity as well so I think that's been kind of what saves those overwhelming moments is feeling like wow there's a lot that I can dig my hands into and the staff around me is incredible so it's been very exciting in that aspect. 

 

Larry Burden  2:14  

What brought you to Traverse City.

 

Evan O'Branovic  2:15  

Well, I grew up downstate. So I'm from Michigan, the mitten, you know, originally and went to Michigan State, go green, 

 

Larry Burden  2:25  

Go blue, 

 

Evan O'Branovic  2:25  

yeah, I know I found that division up here, which is always good. And then I graduated with my degree in elementary education, decided that Michigan was not the place for me and took off out west. Never been to Colorado before but decided that was my time and ended up landing kind of your dream gig in Aspen, Colorado teaching fourth grade. So I did that for six years, convinced my now wife, then girlfriend to come out with me. She's a teacher as well. And then I got my Masters in educational technology, was pursued by my old Tech Director to become a Tech Integrator, found that extremely exciting, rewarding kind of where I wanted to be. And then was always kind of on the lookout for grandiose opportunities to come back to the home state. And so, when I saw this come up, it was something that I had to at least throw my hat in the ring for. And surprisingly, they picked me, which was very exciting and, and then just kind of made the call ho