SPS Digital Learning Hour

Join us in this episode as we chat with Matt, a former 9th grade teacher from NYC who now works with us at SPS in Western Mass. Matt shares his journey from being a young teacher with computer skills to running and organizing technology for schools. He talks about his experience using Chromebooks and Google Classroom and how he encouraged his students to create podcasts to showcase their knowledge.

Since Matt has joined our department, his work has focused on Performance Matters, organizing the Technology Coordinators and a few other projects. Listen as he shares some valuable insights into his latest project, working with Discovery School for using Standards Based Grade Book. As always, we round out our interviews by asking what our interviewees do to take care of themselves, and Matt doesn’t disappoint. Learn how he balances his work and personal life.

If you're a teacher looking for great tips on teaching with technology in the upper grades, then this episode is for you. We are thrilled that Matt has joined our department, and we can't wait for you to hear his story. So tune in now!

You can find me at:

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Music by AlexGrohl  from Pixabay

In this podcast, Victoria Ellis shares her journey of 15 years in education, starting as a paraeducator. She is now working as a Middle School math teacher at the Springfield Virtual School for Springfield Public Schools. She talks about how she found her calling as a teacher and the challenges she has faced in her journey.

Victoria emphasizes the importance of striking a balance between using physical and virtual tools to teach Middle School Math. She shares her experiences of integrating technology into her teaching methods and how it has helped her reach more students and make learning more interactive and engaging.

Victoria also talks about her current work at the Virtual School and the challenges of teaching in a virtual environment. She shares how she has adapted to this new way of teaching and how technology has helped her create a more dynamic and interactive learning environment for her students.

Overall, Victoria's story is an inspiring one for anyone considering a career in education. Her passion for teaching and her commitment to finding new and innovative ways to reach her students is a testament to the important role that teachers play in shaping the lives of our future generations.

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Music by AlexGrohl  from Pixabay

At the SPS Digital Learning Hour, we take great pride in highlighting the diverse experiences of teachers at various stages of their careers. This week, we had the pleasure of interviewing David Steinberg from German Gerena Community School. David, who previously worked as a consultant in the private sector, made the decision to switch to a career in education after substitute teaching in his free time.

He shared with us how he leverages the extensive professional development opportunities offered by Springfield Public Schools to continually improve his teaching skills. David's passion for education is evident in the way he inspires his students and we are fortunate to have him as part of our community.

You can find me at:

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Music:

Music by AlexGrohl  from Pixabay

For this week’s podcast we are going back to the summer and learning all about what Barbara Cheney from Indian Orchard.  Barbara’s experiences range from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. We discussed teaching early in her career through Covid to now. I have always loved teaching Summer School, and Barbara is part of a cool program during summer school through the Inventor’s Hall of Fame. I even got the chance to visit her class and we made a pretty awesome video, along with this podcast I think you’ll get insight into what English Language Learning is like here in Springfield. You’ll also learn about what technology in the classroom looks like for Barbara near the end.

To see Computer Science and EL Learning in action at Boland Elementary School, check it out here.

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Music:

Music by AlexGrohl  from Pixabay

This week I am bringing you an incredibly special episode. Over the summer I met Karen Toro and Courtney Ciras from Alice B. Beal Elementary School.  During the summer, as teachers, we can really develop new practices in a low-pressure environment. This also means that we get to try new things.  With close to 25 years teaching experience combined and Karen coming up through the Springfield School system, these two were ready to try something new!

This is where Courtney and Karen come in, over the summer they signed up to learn more about Computer Science in the classroom. They took a week’s course over in Boston and it spurred them to really invest into Computer Science in their classrooms. In this episode you’ll hear all about their stories and how they ended up wanting to teach CS in their respective classrooms. It’s important to note that they are not Computer Science teachers but they learned that even if they are not teaching CS they are Computer Scientists.

To see CS in action at Alice B. Beal check out this video.

You can find me at:

Tools Mentioned:

Music:

Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay

This week's podcast we interviewed Denise Cote, a Middle School English Teacher from Springfield’s Conservatory of the Arts. Mike and Denise talked all about the use of technology in the district for the last 17 years! During the interview you will learn how Denise first adopted technology in her classrooms and how that technology continues to enhance her teaching. Denise has also been a proponent of Professional Development and has taken on the 22 Tools Challenge head on. When the challenge started in January of 2022, Denise has been consistently near the top of the leaderboard. You only have a couple more months to catch her!

You can find me at:

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Music:

Music by AlexGrohl  from Pixabay

Welcome to the start of a new school year. For the first episode of the year we spoke with Sarah DeFeo. This interview was recorded near the end of last year and we thought it would be a great way to start this year. Sarah teaches at White Street Elementary School and has been there for the last eight years. Sarah came to teaching 2nd grade as a career change. Throughout the interview we discussed how technology has been used with her students. Learn about her favorite tools and tools she is looking forward to integrating into her classroom. Also, you need to listen all the way to the end to hear how she takes care of herself.

You can find me at:

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Music:

Music by AlexGrohl  from Pixabay

We here at the SPS Digital Learning Hour love to spotlight teachers and this week’s episode is no different. I met Desiree Robinson from Glenwood Elementary. Desiree is a true homegrown teacher here in Springfield. You can hear her love for the city of Springfield in the way she talks about her job. She is a shining example of how you can go from being a para-educator to a teacher to a Math Instructional Leader. Her experience spans Kindergarten all the way up to Middle School. There is a wealth of knowledge to be gained from this interview. You can also hear her solid advice on how to take care of yourself as a teacher.

You can find me at:

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Tell Me (instrumental) by RYYZN

Here at the SPS Digital Learning Hour we are excited to bring you this week’s episode featuring Kathryn Runyan from White Street Elementary. Having taught various grade levels throughout the last 22 years, Kathryn has used a wide variety of technology tools that we get into in this episode. Back in 2002 schools were still using floppy discs!!!!

Throughout this episode we learn about what technology was like back in 2002 in the classroom (hint: there wasn’t as much as you would think). One of the great things that we discussed is how technology has changed and how her teaching style has shifted during that time. Plus. I tell one of my favorite sequencing assignments which made a complete mess of my classroom!

You can find me at:

Website: Bearded Tech-Ed Guy 

Instagram: @beardedteched 

Facebook: @beardedteched 

Twitter: @beardedteched

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Music: Tell Me (instrumental) by RYYZN

Here at the SPS Digital Learning Hour we are excited to bring you this week’s episode featuring KatieAnne DeMars from Springfield Virtual School. Having taught various grade levels throughout the last 22 years, which included time as a School Administrator KatieAnne brings a wealth of knowledge to Springfield’s Newest School. 

Throughout this episode we learn about what technology was like back in 2000 in the classroom (hint: there wasn’t as much as you would think). You can also hear how, as an Administrator she led during the last two years of Covid and what led to going back in the classroom at a Virtual School. We also talked a little about one of the things that she does to take care of herself that you won't want to miss! I know I picked upped up a few tips. 

You can find me at:

Tools Mentioned:

Music:

Tell Me (instrumental) by RYYZN