Educator to Educator

Nyree Clark: Curriculum Program Specialist in EdTech PreK-6 for the Colton Joint Unified School District.

We talk about gifted and talented education (GATE), technology, and culturally responsive teaching with Nyree Clark. Nyree shares her approach to gifted and talented education and how CRT and technology can be integrated together to provide students with amazing learning opportunities. She discusses challenges with GATE. Nyree also shares advice for K-12 teachers about gifted and talented education. We end with Nyree discussing her current projects.

Bio. Nyree Clark is a Curriculum Program Specialist in EdTech PreK-6 for the Colton Joint Unified School District. She is a founding member of #EquityInActionCA and was appointed to the Instructional Coaches Advisory Board for Future Ready Schools Organization. She is very passionate about amplifying the voices of the unheard through culturally responsive teaching pedagogy.

You can find more about Nyree by visiting her ALL ABOUT ME Wakelet. She will be presenting at the Grow Summit in July. You can find Nyree on Instagram at nyree_edu and on Twitter @MsNyreeClark

Dr. Adrie Koehler, Assistant Professor, Learning and Design, Purdue University

We talk about case-based teaching and learning with Dr. Adrie Koehler who is an assistant professor at Purdue University in the department of Curriculum and Instruction.  She shares with us her expertise in problem-solving and problem-centered instruction. Additionally, she shares some new projects she is engaged with regarding educators' use of social media and the implications for teacher education.

Resources. To explore some of Adrie's recent work we have provided a few resources.

Article: What is Case-based Learning? (Purdue University).Article: Asynchronous Online Discussions During Case-Based Learning: A Problem-Solving ProcessBook Chapter: Preparing for eLearning Using Digital Learning Plans in Teaching, Technology, and Teacher Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Stories from the Field (Koehler & Farmer).Author Interview: Koehler, Ertmer, & NewbyArticle: Educators’ Impression Construction: Considering PerceivedSocial Media Missteps (Koehler & Besser)

Bio. Dr. Adrie Koehler, a former business teacher, is an assistant professor in the program of Learning Design and Technology. Her professional interests include the consideration of instructional strategies in teaching and learning processes. Specifically, she has explored these topics through investigating in what ways emerging technologies can be used for instructional purposes; how instructors develop a presence in online settings and the impact of this presence; and methods to best facilitate case-based instruction. Additionally, she is interested in discovering techniques for improving the transition of pre-service teachers into the education profession.You can find Adrie online through her university profile. 

We have a conversation with four teachers who are on special assignment in their districts supporting teachers and students in the use of technology. Jody Green, Jessica Jaime, Brandi Miller, and An Wren work in districts in Southern California. Listen as they share what they do in their roles as teachers on special assignment. We talk about the successes and challenges of their positions along with how their work has changed due to schools moving to virtual instruction in 2020.

Bios.

An Wren - @an_wr3n

Hue-An Wren is an Instructional Technology TOSA at GGUSD. Prior to that, she was an elementary teacher for 12 years. She is also a Google Certified Innovator and enjoys working in this community to bring best practices to our district. Hue-An earned her doctorate in Learning Technologies from Pepperdine University.

Brandi Miller - @teacherbrandi

Brandi Miller is an Instructional Technology TOSA in the Rowland Unified School District and previously taught grades 1-4 for 11 years. She works with teachers TK-12 on thoughtfully integrating technology to enhance teaching and student learning. She is a Google Innovator (#MTV16), Google Trainer, Google Educator, LEC Digital Educator & Professional Learning Leader, Flipgrid Ambassador, Seesaw Ambassador, Wakelet Ambassador, Nearpod Certified Educator, and Common Sense Educator. Brandi has a passion for personalized learning for both educators and students and has created self-paced, personalized professional development opportunities for the teachers she works with.

Jessica Jamie - @justtechit

Jessica Jamie is currently a Digital Learning Coach in the Anaheim Elementary School District where she attended elementary school herself. She has been teaching for 17 years and has taught first, third and fourth grades. Her educational background includes a Masters in Education from CSUF in both Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Technology.

Jody Green - @peerlessgreen

Jody Green is an Academic Coach in Educational Technology who is passionate about helping teachers and students amplify their voices using tech. She is a Google Certified Innovator and Trainer, Leading Edge Certified Professional Learning Leader, CUE Lead Learner, Seesaw Certified Educator, Book Creator Ambassador, BreakoutEDU Ambassador, and a Flipgrid Student Voice Ambassador. Jody is also the co-author of two books published in 2020: Thriving as an Online K-12 Educator: Essential Practices from the Field and Making Technology Work in Schools: How PK-12 Educators Can Foster Digital-Age Learning. Jody blogs at comeongetappy.com, and she believes that glitter makes everything better.

David Lee, Technology and Innovation Specialist, Singapore American School

We talk STEM education and design thinking in K-12 with David Lee, an alumni of our MS in Educational Technology Program at California State University, Fullerton. David describes the work he does in supporting teachers and students at his school in his role of Technology and Innovation Specialist at the Singapore American School. We discuss with David how he approaches design thinking with K-12 students.

Bio. I am currently the elementary Tech and Innovation Specialist at Singapore American School in Singapore. My responsibility at the school is to facilitate educators in integrating STEAM subject areas meaningfully and purposefully into the curriculum to increase learner engagement and achievement, provide learners with real-world experiences, develop their 21st-century skills, promote creativity and innovation, and teach digital literacies. I model/teach the design thinking methodology to students to equip them with a creative, problem-solving toolkit that they use to bring positive change to people's lives.

I was also the former elementary STEM Coordinator at Korea International School (KIS) in Seongnam, Korea. As the STEM Coordinator, I contributed to the vision and execution of the school's STEM program (KoLAB), worked collaboratively with all stakeholders (administrators, teachers, students, parents, & community), assisted in the development and delivery of transdisciplinary STEM professional development, and attended grade-levels meetings to move all teachers towards independence in the delivery of transdisciplinary instruction and curriculum. I also created meaningful connections between disciplines, planned and executed opportunities for students to showcase their work within the school and community (i.e. fairs, exhibition, etc.). As the design teacher, I engaged learners through open-ended inquiry-based activities in the KoLAB spaces by modeling and teaching the design thinking process.

You can find David online at his website (davidleedtech.org) and on Twitter and Instagram (@davidleeedtech).

You can also pick up a copy of David's book on design thinking, which he talks about in the session, at Amazon or wherever you shop for books.

Lisa Moe, 4th-Grade Teacher

Engaging students and helping them to feel part of the classroom community is something that teachers spend a great deal of time and energy on. In this session, Lisa Moe, a fourth-grade teacher in the Chino Valley Unified School District, shares with us how she engages her students, which she does quite well! She shares how she approaches this with a focus on how she has manages to continue to engage her students in a virtual teaching and learning environment. Lisa also discusses how she works to involve parents/guardians in what takes place in her classroom. We are proud to say that Lisa is a graduate of our MS in Educational Technology Program.

Bio. Lisa Moe teaches 4th Grade in Chino Valley Unified School District and is known on Social Media as @MissMoeTeaches. She most recently earned a second Masters degree in Educational Technology from California State University, Fullerton. Additionally, she is the 2020 Edwin Carr recipient in Educational Technology through California State University, Fullerton as an educator deemed to make a significant impact in the field of education. She has presented on growth mindset and social emotional learning through the use of technology for several years at large in-person and virtual educational conferences. Her two positive affirmations that she establishes in her daily classroom are "Yes I Can" and "Be Kind".

You can follow Lisa on her very active Twitter and Instagram accounts at @missmoeteaches

Ray Lopez, Social Studies Teacher at La Habra High School

With many K-12 schools going back to some form of in-person teaching, we have a conversation with a veteran social studies teacher (and soon-to-be graduate of our MS in Educational Technology Program at CSUF) Ray Lopez of La Habra High School about the challenges and successes of teaching and learning in this environment. Ray shares his experience of teaching in a hybrid-environment where he works to engage his in-person and remote students. We also have a conversation with Ray about how he integrates student-choice to deliver student-centered learning experiences. He provides advice on how to integrate student-choice into the classroom.

Bio. Ray has taught United States History at La Habra High School for the past 26 years. Along the way, he has coached multiple varsity sports, presented at numerous conferences, served as a technology lead on his campus, and been a lead instructor for the UCLA History-Geography Project. In 2014 the National History Day program selected Ray as their California Teacher of the Year, and in 2017 he was selected Teacher of the Year by the Fullerton Joint Union High School District. Ray suffers from the divine curse of collecting.

You can follow Ray on Twitter at @histcoach

Dylan Porter

The pandemic has intensified the discussion of and the need to address issues brought about by the digital divide. In this session, we have a conversation with Dylan Porter, alumni of our graduate program in Educational Technology, about the work he is doing for a non-profit that focuses on the digital divide in K-12 education. Dylan discusses the work he is doing to support teachers, students, and parents. We discuss challenges and opportunities presented by K-12 schools moving to virtual teaching during the pandemic.

Bio. Dylan Porter is a former high school dropout turned college graduate. His early struggles with education are what led him into teaching, with the goal of helping students who may be experiencing similar troubles in school. Dylan graduated Summa Cum Laude with Honors from Northeastern Illinois University with a degree in Elementary Education. As a middle school teacher in Chicago Public Schools, Mr. Porter helped pioneer a student-centered 1:1 Chromebook program. This early work and interest in classroom technology led Dylan to the Educational Technology program at Cal State Fullerton, where he further enhanced his expertise with educational technology. After graduating from the program as an Edwin Carr Fellow in 2019, Dylan moved out of the classroom and began working with the California Emerging Technology Fund’s School2Home program which specializes in closing the digital divide with California.

You can find Dylan online at Twitter at @dylanporter206

Ann Kozma, Educator Innovation Lead, Team Flipgrid @Microsoft

We talk all-things Flipgrid with Ann Kozma. Ann shares what Flipgrid is and how it is being used in interesting and innovative ways. Ann gives us a peek into recent additions to Flipgrid and what new additions we might be seeing in the near future. We also have a conversation with Ann about other tools she has been using that support student-centered learning.

Resources. You can find resources using the hashtag #FlipgridForAll and by visiting the blog at https://blog.flipgrid.com/resources

Bio. Ann loves to explore, share, and contribute and has spent 19+ years dedicated to transforming education as a classroom teacher, Innovation & Instructional Support TOSA, and as an Educator Innovation Lead on Team Flipgrid at Microsoft. Believing that “Play is our brain’s favorite way to learn,” Ann loves to bring the fun and is passionate about helping others learn how to meaningfully integrate technology into teaching and learning. She is a member of the Apple Distinguished Educator Class of 2015 and Leading Edge Certified as a Professional Learning Leader.

You can find an online at Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Allison Frenzel, California Department of Education, Education Programs Consultant

Allison shares with us the work she is doing for the California Department of Education to support Arts, Media, and Entertainment Career Technical Education. She shares how with the pandemic her work has pivoted to providing support for teachers and students to navigate teaching and learning in a virtual environment. Allison shares several resources focusing on the work she and colleagues are doing. We are fortunate to have Allison as alumni of our graduate program.

Resources. http://ca-ameschools.net/ provides an overview of Art, Media, and Entertainment programs in California public schools

Bio. Allison Frenzel works as an Education Programs Consultant with the California Department of Education (CDE) in the High School Innovations and Initiatives office, supporting all Arts, Media, and Entertainment Career Technical Education (CTE) and Secondary Arts Programs in California. She is currently leading the CTE Distance Learning Task Force for the Career and College Transition Division at CDE. Allison attended the Evergreen State College in Olympia Washington in 1998 and graduated from Sonoma State University in 2004 with a degree in American Multicultural Studies. She holds multiple teaching credentials: Multiple Subject K-12, Single Subject (English), Supplemental Authorizations (Dance, Physical Education) and Designated Subjects for CTE in the Arts, Media, and Entertainment industry sector. She completed a Masters Degree in Educational Technology at CSUF in 2017 where she received the Elwin Carr Fellow award for excellence in educational leadership. Allison began her career in education as a district intern with Windsor Unified School District where she worked as a classroom teacher, performing arts coordinator and CTE coordinator for 15 years. She founded and directed Windsor High School's Dance Program, and the Nueva School for the Arts, which are both model programs for the state of California.

You can find Allison on Twitter @alfrenzel

Dr. Erin Besser, Assistant Professor, Graduate Program in Educational Technology, CSUF

Dr. Erin Besser is the newest member of the MS in Educational Technology Program faculty at California State University, Fullerton. In this session, we have a conversation about one of Dr. Besser's expertise: digital badging. She discusses how digital badging works and how it can be used in K-12. We also talk about how Dr. Besser first started integrating technology into her elementary classroom. We end with Dr. Besser sharing two research areas she is exploring. We hope you enjoy this session and the reboot of the Educator to Educator podcast! If you like what you hear, please consider subscribing to the podcast and giving us a shout-out on social media.

Resources. Want to explore more about digital badging? We've provided a few resources to get you started.

* Digital badges and the K-12 classroom: A guide for teachers (Erin Besser) - a practical guide to implementing digital badging* Feedback in a Digital Badge Learning Experience: Considering the Instructor’s Perspective (Erin Besser & Tim Newby) - an article from TechTrends* Exploring the Role of Feedback and its Impact within a Digital Badge System from Student Perspectives (Erin Besser & Tim Newby) - an article from TechTrends* Opportunities and Challenges with Digital Open Badges (Tadd Farmer & Richard West) - an article from Educational Technology* The Power of Digital Badges (David Niguidula) - an article from Educational Leadership* Open Badges* EDUCAUSE's 7 Things you should know about digital badges

Bio Dr. Erin D. Besser is an Assistant Professor in Educational Technology at Cal State Fullerton. She earned her PhD in Learning Design & Technology from Purdue, has an MA in Ed Tech from Azusa Pacific, and a BA from CSU Sacramento. She also holds a current California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Before starting at Califorin State University Fullerton, she worked as a Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator in Educational Technology at the University of South Carolina Aiken. Also, she has worked as a classroom teacher at the elementary level. Her research interests include exploring digital badging as a mechanism for learning, using digital tools to leverage teaching and learning, and technology within teacher education.

You can find Erin on Twitter and on Instagram.