Anthony D. Mays went from foster care to being a Google software engineer to giving back to his community of Compton. His story shows how resilience, determination, and caring adults can impact one’s life regardless of all the obstacles. Listen to this episode of Tech Lasso as we discuss with Anthony his journey from foster care to Google Software Engineer, what parents/guardians can do to support our children and encourage good use of technology, and what educators should think about when utilizing technology in the classroom.

Website: Anthonydmays.com

BuzzFeed Video

Twitter: anthonydmays.eth

Instagram: Anthonydmays

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Tech Lasso is produced in collaboration with the Instructional Technology Outreach (ITO) Coordinators with support from the Technology, Learning & Support Services Department.

Please note: The views expressed in the podcast are those of the presenters and may not be endorsed by the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

The podcast is recorded and produced with Soundtrap for Education, Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Music credits: Soundtrap.com, Bensound.com

Graphics: Canva.com

Our guest today is a true leader in education. With a background as a former classroom teacher and member of the Scratch team, Mary Jo brings a unique perspective on education technology and innovation. She has been recognized as one of Forbes magazine's prestigious "30 Under 30" in education and last summer served as a moderator at ISTE for an important conversation between Cornell West and Robert George. Additionally, MJ has held positions at the Harvard University Innovation Lab as an Education Entrepreneurship Fellow and at EdSurge as a writer and director. As she pursues her doctoral degree in educational leadership at UCLA, Mary Jo continues to drive growth and engagement for diversity and education initiatives at Google. It's an honor to have her here today to share her insights and experiences in the world of education.

Twitter: MJMadda

Instagram: MJMadda

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-jo-madda-8547137/

If you have recommendations or feedback for us, please complete this form. Additionally, we'd love to hear from you on social media or by email:

Tech Lasso is produced in collaboration with the Instructional Technology Outreach (ITO) Coordinators with support from the Technology, Learning & Support Services Department.

Please note: The views expressed in the podcast are those of the presenters and may not be endorsed by the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

The podcast is recorded and produced with Soundtrap for Education, Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Music credits: Soundtrap.com, Bensound.com

Graphics: Canva.com

In this episode of Tech Lasso, Christopher Hoang and Laura Wilson chat with Selwyn Hollins, Director of the Internal Services Department for Los Angeles County, and Sonia Hooks, Assistant Director of Technology Services with LACOE, to learn more about the Delete the Divide initiative.

Delete the Divide, an initiative led by Los Angeles County, aims to remove the digital divide between those who have computers and internet access and those who do not. COVID-19 and the safer at home orders highlighted the need and access to computers and reliable internet services as vital components in today’s world from accessing education, healthcare services, financial resources, and more. Delete the Divide seeks to make internet affordable ($30 off your monthly internet bill), develop a community of broadband networks, provide internships and job training, and support small businesses with digital tools and an online presence.

To learn more about Delete the Divide or to see if you or someone you know qualifies, please visit www.deletethedivide.org.

If you have recommendations or feedback for us, please complete this form. Additionally, we'd love to hear from you on social media or by email:

Tech Lasso is produced in collaboration with the Instructional Technology Outreach (ITO) Coordinators with support from the Technology, Learning & Support Services Department.

Please note: The views expressed in the podcast are those of the presenters and may not be endorsed by the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

The podcast is recorded and produced with Soundtrap for Education, Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Music credits: Soundtrap.com, Bensound.com

Graphics: Canva.com

Alan Sitomer, California Teacher of the Year award winner, author of 22 books, and CEO of Mastery Coding, will share tools, resources, and best practices in coding instruction that will afford students the opportunity to step into high-paying, high-need jobs right out of high school.

In this episode, Alan Sitomer sits with Chris and Scott to discuss why it is important for the youth of today to learn coding. Additionally, we dive into how technology has changed the workforce and why it is vital for education to support our students so that they can be set up for success with the use of technology.

If you have recommendations or feedback for us, please complete this form. Additionally, we'd love to hear from you on social media or by email:

Tech Lasso is produced in collaboration with the Instructional Technology Outreach (ITO) Coordinators with support from the Technology, Learning & Support Services Department.

Please note: The views expressed in the podcast are those of the presenters and may not be endorsed by the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

The podcast is recorded and produced with Soundtrap for Education, Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Music credits: Soundtrap.com, Bensound.com

Graphics: Canva.com

Ep. 07: Tech Lasso Introduces the ITO Coordinators: Kapui Yip

"It’s something I need to be able to pick up and fairly intuitively.” - Kapui Yip

In this episode, Kapui Yip shares with Chris, Mark, Scott, and Alejandro why he goes by the name Kyip (pronounced Kip), his take on using technology, and how we can engage students by embracing what students are already using.

If you have recommendations or feedback for us, please complete this form. Additionally, we'd love to hear from you on social media or by email:

Tech Lasso is produced in collaboration with the Instructional Technology Outreach (ITO) Coordinators with support from the Technology, Learning & Support Services Department.

Please note: The views expressed in the podcast are those of the presenters and may not be endorsed by the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

The podcast is recorded and produced with Soundtrap for Education, Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Music credits: Soundtrap.com, Bensound.com

Graphics: Canva.com

In this episode, Donna “BasicTaq” Walters introduces us to who she is and what her organization has to do with esports, the history of esports, and where esports is headed. 

Donna "BasicTaq" Walters is the founder and Executive Director of College Esports, a California non-profit organization seeking 501c3 status that supports educators, community leaders, and government officials in creating sustainable, engaging, and inclusive esports and video game programming. As part of College Esports' offerings, Donna formed the California Esports Collective, an internship-style program with a focus on developing student leadership, creating a middle and high school-to-college esports recruiting pipeline, and reducing the college-to-career gap through hands-on learning backed by a premium network of endemic connections. Prior to starting College Esports, Donna launched initiatives and consulted on the development of esports programming for several large brands such as the California State University system, CSU Entertainment Alliance, California State Fair, Big Sky Conference, Sacramento State University, San Jose Sharks, CORSAIR, along with multiple professional esports organizations. Donna currently presents at national conferences in both the esports and higher education spaces as a speaker, moderator, panelist, and event host. 

Website: https://collegeesports.gg/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnawalters527/ 

Twitter: @TaqitoBurrito 

Instagram: basic_taq 

If you have recommendations or feedback for us, please complete this form. Additionally, we'd love to hear from you on social media or by email: 

Twitter @lacoe_ito 

Facebook @lacoeITO 

LinkedIn @lacoe-ito 

Email us at [email protected] 

Tech Lasso is produced in collaboration with the Instructional Technology Outreach (ITO) Coordinators with support from the Technology, Learning & Support Services Department. Please note: The views expressed in the podcast are those of the presenters and may not be endorsed by the Los Angeles County Office of Education. The podcast is recorded and produced with Soundtrap for Education, Zoom and Microsoft Teams. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. 

Music credits: Soundtrap.com, Bensound.com 

Graphics: Canva.com

Joe Marquez is the Director of Academic Innovation with the non-profit organization CUE, as well as the host of the Sons of Technology podcast. He believes that Chat GPT and generative AI will "truly change the trajectory of education." He joins us on Tech Lasso to discuss the benefits of Chat GPT and generative AI and the impact it can have in the classroom and schools. Additionally, he addresses the fears and concerns that educators and parents may have, while also addressing why it’s not a bad thing to have these fears and concerns. Finally, he points out the fact that AI is bias and the potential equity issues that can arise between those who have access to generative AI and those that do not. 

Furthermore, don't miss Spring CUE! Learn from innovative educators, discover new tech & teaching strategies, and connect with other passionate educators. Register now for a conference that'll leave you inspired, motivated, and ready to change the world! Mark your calendars for March 16-17th in Palm Springs! 

If you have recommendations or feedback for us, please complete this form. Additionally, we'd love to hear from you on social media or by email: 

Tech Lasso is produced in collaboration with the Instructional Technology Outreach (ITO) Coordinators with support from the Technology, Learning & Support Services Department. Please note: The views expressed in the podcast are those of the presenters and may not be endorsed by the Los Angeles County Office of Education. The podcast is recorded and produced with Soundtrap for Education, Zoom and Microsoft Teams. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. 

Music credits: Soundtrap.com, Bensound.com 

Graphics: Canva.com

“I can’t save the whole world...we as educators, we can make a difference in someone’s life.” - Alejandro Chavira

In this episode, Alejandro Chavira shares with Mark Schwanz and Chris Hoang his journey from a Geography major to being an advocate for our students in our juvenile camps and halls. He shares how he was inspired to become a teacher by a friend before ultimately deciding that he wanted to be an EdTech trainer to help support educators in integrating the use of technology in the classrooms. 

If you have recommendations or feedback for us, please complete this form. Additionally, we'd love to hear from you on social media or by email:

Tech Lasso is produced in collaboration with the Instructional Technology Outreach (ITO) Coordinators with support from the Technology, Learning & Support Services Department.

Please note: The views expressed in the podcast are those of the presenters and may not be endorsed by the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

The podcast is recorded and produced with Soundtrap for Education, Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Music credits: Soundtrap.com, Bensound.com

Graphics: Canva.com

In this episode, Cathy Rodriguez discusses with Mark Schwanz, Chris Hoang, Laura Wilson, and Scott Moss her experience with the evolution of technology in education from the early 1980’s to present-day. She touches briefly on how EdTech has been viewed as edutainment. Additionally, she states the importance of having the educators’ voice in the room as programmers design and create educational programs.

Cathy briefly touches on the following concepts:

If you have recommendations or feedback for us, please complete this form. Additionally, we'd love to hear from you on social media or by email:

Tech Lasso is produced in collaboration with the Instructional Technology Outreach (ITO) Coordinators with support from the Technology, Learning & Support Services Department.

Please note: The views expressed in the podcast are those of the presenters and may not be endorsed by the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

The podcast is recorded and produced with Soundtrap for Education, Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Music credits: Soundtrap.com, Bensound.com

Graphics: Canva.com

In this episode, Mark Schwanz and Chris Hoang discuss with fellow ITO Coordinator Scott Moss his journey into the EdTech world, ways we can be role models to children with understanding the frequency and the use of technology, and practical ways we can integrate media literacy in the classroom.

Scott briefly touches on the following concepts:

If you have recommendations or feedback for us, please complete this form. Additionally, we'd love to hear from you on social media or by email:

Tech Lasso is produced in collaboration with the Instructional Technology Outreach (ITO) Coordinators with support from the Technology, Learning & Support Services Department.

Please note: The views expressed in the podcast are those of the presenters and may not be endorsed by the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

The podcast is recorded and produced with Soundtrap for Education, Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Music credits: Soundtrap.com, Bensound.com

Graphics: Canva.com