On this episode of the Jersey Educator Podcast, we welcome New Jersey State Teacher of the year Argine Safari onto the program to share her experiences in music education.

Welcome to the Jersey Educator Podcast, a show created by NJEA members … for NJEA members.  Whether you are a teacher, an education support professional, or a New Jersey Student Education Association member, this show will serve as a platform to help YOU bring out the best in your students . . . each and every day in your schools.  The shows are hosted by Jeff Bradbury of TeacherCast.net (@TeacherCast) and Jim Boice, a field representative with NJEA (@boiceinthehood).   For more information, please visit njea.org/podcast and email us at [email protected].

In this episode, we welcome Argine Safari onto the program.

About Our Guest

Argine Safari is the 2016-17 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year.  She is a member of the Pascack Valley Regional Education Association, where she developed a nationally recognized vocal program at the high school.  She has also collaborated with several other departments and artistically directed countless benefit concerts and events in order to raise money for several charities. In 2013, Argine co-founded a non-profit New Jersey youth theater arts company, Stage Scene and Song Performing Arts.

Learn more about Argine here in this njea.org article.

Upcoming NJEA Events

* Bowlero with Central Connection: February 17.

* Swipe Right for your Union Night: February 17.

* Learn more at the events page of njea.org/earlycareermembers.

Subscribe to Our Podcast on iTunes

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Show Hosts

Jeffrey Bradbury, author of Kidblog: An Introduction to Blogging With Your Students, is the creator of TeacherCast.net, TeacherCast University, and Educational Podcasting Today, is an ASCD Emerging Leader, Google Certified Teacher, Google Education Trainer, PBS Learning Media Digital Innovator, speaker, writer, broadcaster, consultant and educational media specialist. He is currently the Coordinator for Technology Integration for the Westwood Regional School District in New Jersey. In 2012, Jeff was recognized as one of top 50 educators using social media at the first ever Bammy Awards and has been nominated three times in the category of Innovator of the Year. Jeff has Keynoted for the Pearson Authentic Learning Conference, EdTechNJ and most recently at Columbia University's Teacher College and Podcast Mid-Atlantic.

 

Jim Boice is a field representative with the New Jersey Education Association.  Prior to joining NJEA is 2012, Jim was a high school English teacher for ten years in the Pennsauken Township School District of Camden County, NJ.

In this episode of the TechEduactor Podcast, we invite Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Certified Innovator, and author, Ross Cooper onto the program to discuss his new book Hacking Project Based Learning.

This year at ISTE, I had the opportunity to sit down with School Speciality to discuss their great solutions for classrooms worldwide.  School Specialty is a leading distributor of innovative products and recently I had the opportunity to see one of them in action.  This past year my school district piloted their FOSS science kits.  These kits are packed with Next Generation Science Standard focused activities and lessons. Also in this interview, we discuss the amazing iSPIRE program, an interactive reading intervention program by EPS.

 

Links of Interest

https://www.facebook.com/SchoolSpecialty/

https://www.pinterest.com/schoolspecialty/

https://twitter.com/SchoolSpecialty

https://plus.google.com/+schoolspecialty/posts

https://www.youtube.com/user/SchoolSpecialtyMain

https://www.linkedin.com/company/school-specialty-inc.?trk=company_name

http://blog.schoolspecialty.com/

About School Specialty, Inc.®

School Specialty (OTCQB: SCOO) is a leading distributor of innovative and proprietary products, programs and services to the education marketplace.  The Company designs, develops, and provides educators with the latest and very best school supplies, furniture and both curriculum and supplemental learning resources.  Working in collaboration with educators, School Specialty reaches beyond the scope of textbooks to help teachers, guidance counselors and school administrators ensure that every student reaches his or her full potential.  Through its SSI Guardian subsidiary, the Company is also committed to school, healthcare and corporate workplace safety by offering the highest quality curriculum, training and safety and security products.  Through its recently launched SOAR Life Products brand, the Company offers thousands of products that sharpen cognitive skills and build physical and mental strength in fun and creative ways. From childhood through adulthood, they help individuals live life to the fullest – engaged, happy and well.  SOAR Life Products is a customized offering for hospitals, long-term care, therapeutic facilities, home care, surgery centers, day care centers, physician offices, and clinics.  For more information about School Specialty, visit www.schoolspecialty.com.

About Delta Education

Delta Education, part of School Specialty’s family of brands, delivers the best of hands-on, inquiry-based science education to K-8 students. Trusted products from Delta Education include FOSS, Delta Science Modules (DSM) and engaging informational texts including Delta Science Content Readers. For more information about Delta Education, visit www.deltaeducation.com.

About EPS Literacy and Intervention

EPS Literacy and Intervention provides K–12 blended-media solutions that build core skills and close the achievement gap in reading and math. With powerful instructional tools and high-quality materials, the company’s reading and math intervention solutions are proven to help struggling students EPS offers an integrated approach to effective teaching and learning.

For more information on EPS and its proven programs Wordly Wise 3000®, S.P.I.R.E.®, Academy of READING®, Academy of MATH®, MCI, , Explode The Code® and EPS Custom Learning, visit http://epsbooks.comhttp://epsbooks.com

This year at ISTE, I had the opportunity to sit down with School Speciality to discuss their great solutions for classrooms worldwide.  School Specialty is a leading distributor of innovative products and recently I had the opportunity to see one of them in action.  This past year my school district piloted their FOSS science kits.  These kits are packed with Next Generation Science Standard focused activities and lessons. Also in this interview, we discuss the amazing iSPIRE program, an interactive reading intervention program by EPS.

 

Links of Interest

https://www.facebook.com/SchoolSpecialty/

https://www.pinterest.com/schoolspecialty/

https://twitter.com/SchoolSpecialty

https://plus.google.com/+schoolspecialty/posts

https://www.youtube.com/user/SchoolSpecialtyMain

https://www.linkedin.com/company/school-specialty-inc.?trk=company_name

http://blog.schoolspecialty.com/

About School Specialty, Inc.®

School Specialty (OTCQB: SCOO) is a leading distributor of innovative and proprietary products, programs and services to the education marketplace.  The Company designs, develops, and provides educators with the latest and very best school supplies, furniture and both curriculum and supplemental learning resources.  Working in collaboration with educators, School Specialty reaches beyond the scope of textbooks to help teachers, guidance counselors and school administrators ensure that every student reaches his or her full potential.  Through its SSI Guardian subsidiary, the Company is also committed to school, healthcare and corporate workplace safety by offering the highest quality curriculum, training and safety and security products.  Through its recently launched SOAR Life Products brand, the Company offers thousands of products that sharpen cognitive skills and build physical and mental strength in fun and creative ways. From childhood through adulthood, they help individuals live life to the fullest – engaged, happy and well.  SOAR Life Products is a customized offering for hospitals, long-term care, therapeutic facilities, home care, surgery centers, day care centers, physician offices, and clinics.  For more information about School Specialty, visit www.schoolspecialty.com.

About Delta Education

Delta Education, part of School Specialty’s family of brands, delivers the best of hands-on, inquiry-based science education to K-8 students. Trusted products from Delta Education include FOSS, Delta Science Modules (DSM) and engaging informational texts including Delta Science Content Readers. For more information about Delta Education, visit www.deltaeducation.com.

About EPS Literacy and Intervention

EPS Literacy and Intervention provides K–12 blended-media solutions that build core skills and close the achievement gap in reading and math. With powerful instructional tools and high-quality materials, the company’s reading and math intervention solutions are proven to help struggling students EPS offers an integrated approach to effective teaching and learning.

For more information on EPS and its proven programs Wordly Wise 3000®, S.P.I.R.E.®, Academy of READING®, Academy of MATH®, MCI, , Explode The Code® and EPS Custom Learning, visit http://epsbooks.comhttp://epsbooks.com

This year at ISTE, I had the opportunity to sit with several great divisions of the Pearson company.  Pearson has many amazing programs that are focused on improving learning outcomes for K12 students and this year I was blown away by one of their new programs.  Pearson is working with the Google Expeditions program to create virtual field trips for students and I am lucky enough to share that I had a sneak peek at what is coming out in the world of virtual and augmented reality.

Above this paragraph is a complete TeacherCast App Spotlight featuring each of the interviews I did with Pearson. Below this paragraph is the individual episodes and links for you to dive deeper into each division.

I wish to thank the following Pearson representatives for taking time to meet with me this year at ISTE: Sue Ann Towle, Suzanne Wendt, Jarren Pester, Todd Cofer, Dean Schaufele, Lisa Sieker and Joanna Web.

Google Expeditions

This year at ISTE, I had the privilege of learning about how Pearson is partnering with Google Expeditions to create immersive virtual worlds where students can visit real environments far beyond the borders of their school district or country.  I had the opportunity of visiting the London Transport Museum and with the help of their new applications that harness the power of Google Cardboard was completely blown away by what today's technology can bring to the classrooms.

For more information on Google Expeditions

* https://www.google.com/edu/expeditions

Pearson Tell

“TELL, Test of English Language Learning (TELL), is a touch-screen delivered language proficiency assessment that can be used to screen, diagnose, and progress monitor English language learners in grades K-12.”

For more information:

* http://www.pearsontell.com

aimswebPlus

 

“aimswebPlusTM is an assessment, data management, and reporting system that provides national and local performance and growth norms for the screening and progress monitoring of math and reading skills for all students in Kindergarten through Grade 8. aimswebPlus uses two types of measures: curriculum-based measures (CBMs)—brief, timed measures of fluency on essential basic skills—and standards-based assessments (SBAs), which are comprehensive measures aligned to current learning standards. By combining these two types of measures, aimswebPlus provides the data that schools need for program planning and evaluation and for tiered assessment (multi-tiered system of supports [MTSS], also known as response to intervention [RTI]). Furthermore, aimswebPlus data provides teachers with the information needed to differentiate instruction and determine who will benefit from intensive intervention.”

For more information about aimswebPlus

* http://www.aimswebplus.com

Pearson Schoolnet

“Schoolnet IIS: A comprehensive and unified platform that fully taps the power of data-driven education:”

* Formative Assessment

* Data Management & Reporting

* Instructional Support

* Curriculum Management

* Student & Parent Access

* Student Profiles and Student Workspaces

For more information about Schoolnet

* Schoolnet

Pearson Realize

This year at ISTE, I had the opportunity to sit down with Bert Bower from TCI to learn about the innovative ways their Science and Social Studies curriculum are helping students become 21st Century Learners.

TCI offers a curriculum designed with online lesson plans, student handouts, digital assessment tools and other enrichment resources to help turn paper driven classrooms into advanced labs for learning.

I have had the privilege of sitting down with Bert over the last few years at ISTE.  This year I was completely blown away at the new activities and advancements in not only their technology but their method for delivering digital lessons.  With Next Gen Science Standards coming into play, it's imperative these days that school districts make the not only the right choice for their curriculum but the best choice.  TCI is certainly a leader in both Next Gen Science and Social Studies worldwide.

About TCI

TCI is an award-winning online K-12 publishing company created by teachers, for teachers. For more than 20 years, the company has partnered with the education community to fundamentally change classroom instruction. TCI’s K-12 programs are based on proven teaching strategies and practices that bring learning alive and achieve consistent, positive classroom results. TCI believes that the best education marries great content, meaningful technology and interactive classroom experiences. The end result: students of all abilities and learning styles succeed. For more information, visit www.teachtci.com.

Links of Interest

Website: http://www.TeachTCI.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeachTCI

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TeachTCI

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/teachtci/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TeachTCI

Blog: http://blog.teachtci.com/

About Bert Bower

Founder and CEOBert Bower has truly experienced the classroom from every perspective. He began his career as a classroom aide, then taught social studies for eight years, and finally earned a PhD in Curriculum and Teacher Education from Stanford University. For the past 20 years he has been crafting innovative K–12 social studies programs by collaborating with teachers and trying out new ideas in the classroom. His goal is to defeat the “silent violence” of stand-and-deliver teaching that leaves youth passive and bored by creating programs that teach students to ponder and participate. Bert combines proven teaching strategies with cutting-edge technology to successfully reach all learners in the diverse classroom, even the students who sit in the back of the classroom and rarely speak. Bert knows his goals are lofty, but he has witnessed the success of TCI programs around the country.

This year at ISTE, I had the opportunity to sit down with Bert Bower from TCI to learn about the innovative ways their Science and Social Studies curriculum are helping students become 21st Century Learners.

TCI offers a curriculum designed with online lesson plans, student handouts, digital assessment tools and other enrichment resources to help turn paper driven classrooms into advanced labs for learning.

I have had the privilege of sitting down with Bert over the last few years at ISTE.  This year I was completely blown away at the new activities and advancements in not only their technology but their method for delivering digital lessons.  With Next Gen Science Standards coming into play, it's imperative these days that school districts make the not only the right choice for their curriculum but the best choice.  TCI is certainly a leader in both Next Gen Science and Social Studies worldwide.

About TCI

TCI is an award-winning online K-12 publishing company created by teachers, for teachers. For more than 20 years, the company has partnered with the education community to fundamentally change classroom instruction. TCI’s K-12 programs are based on proven teaching strategies and practices that bring learning alive and achieve consistent, positive classroom results. TCI believes that the best education marries great content, meaningful technology and interactive classroom experiences. The end result: students of all abilities and learning styles succeed. For more information, visit www.teachtci.com.

Links of Interest

Website: http://www.TeachTCI.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeachTCI

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TeachTCI

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/teachtci/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TeachTCI

Blog: http://blog.teachtci.com/

About Bert Bower

Founder and CEOBert Bower has truly experienced the classroom from every perspective. He began his career as a classroom aide, then taught social studies for eight years, and finally earned a PhD in Curriculum and Teacher Education from Stanford University. For the past 20 years he has been crafting innovative K–12 social studies programs by collaborating with teachers and trying out new ideas in the classroom. His goal is to defeat the “silent violence” of stand-and-deliver teaching that leaves youth passive and bored by creating programs that teach students to ponder and participate. Bert combines proven teaching strategies with cutting-edge technology to successfully reach all learners in the diverse classroom, even the students who sit in the back of the classroom and rarely speak. Bert knows his goals are lofty, but he has witnessed the success of TCI programs around the country.

This year at the ISTE conference, I had the amazing opportunity to sit down with Angela Maiers, Vicky Davis, Lord Jim Knight, Tina Photakis, and Jeff Lowe to discuss how student empowerment leads towards positive and engaging student outcomes.

This very special panel discussion was put together from the team at SMART Technologies. Our goal was to have an open discussion with engaging thought leaders on this very important topic.

Topics Discussed

* Can empowerment and technology together create better outcomes for students and educators?

* What are some examples of student empowerment that have had a positive change in learning outcomes?

* What strategies can teachers use to create student empowerment in their classrooms?

* How has student empowerment created political change worldwide?

* How does Technology play a part in empowering students and inspiring greatness in them?

* How can technology companies best support teachers and students?

* Why is there a continued focus on schools adopting technology?

* How do you see the role of technology and empowerment impacting educational outcomes in the near future?

Links and Resources

* Website:https://www.smartamp.com/

* Twitter:https://twitter.com/smart_tech

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SMARTClassrooms

* SMART Professional Development: https://training.smarttech.com/

** TeacherCast would like to thank SMART Technologies for sponsoring this podcast **

This year at the ISTE conference, I had the amazing opportunity to sit down with Angela Maiers, Vicky Davis, Lord Jim Knight, Tina Photakis, and Jeff Lowe to discuss how student empowerment leads towards positive and engaging student outcomes.

This very special panel discussion was put together from the team at SMART Technologies. Our goal was to have an open discussion with engaging thought leaders on this very important topic.

Topics Discussed

* Can empowerment and technology together create better outcomes for students and educators?

* What are some examples of student empowerment that have had a positive change in learning outcomes?

* What strategies can teachers use to create student empowerment in their classrooms?

* How has student empowerment created political change worldwide?

* How does Technology play a part in empowering students and inspiring greatness in them?

* How can technology companies best support teachers and students?

* Why is there a continued focus on schools adopting technology?

* How do you see the role of technology and empowerment impacting educational outcomes in the near future?

Links and Resources

* Website:https://www.smartamp.com/

* Twitter:https://twitter.com/smart_tech

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SMARTClassrooms

* SMART Professional Development: https://training.smarttech.com/

** TeacherCast would like to thank SMART Technologies for sponsoring this podcast **

How would you like to give your students the opportunity to reach out and learn about the automobiles of the future?  What about teaching your students about the inner workings of the human body in a way that allows them the opportunity to literally reach out and touch someone?

This year at ISTE 2017, I had the opportunity to reconnect with one of my favorite educational technology companies, zSpace to learn about a brand new program coming to Career and Technical Education programs in 2017.  This year, in partnership with GT Education, zSpace is launching a brand new platform to teach students how to properly and safely work on automobiles using their innovative mixed reality platform.

One of the biggest challenges for any automotive program is safety.  It isn't always easy to create a safe learning environment when you have several thousands of pounds of car parts in a classroom.  By using zSpace, students have the ability to take apart cars of the past, present, and future and do so without the risk of injury.  Even better than that, they can complete this process multiple times before actually getting under the hood of their favorite hot rod.

For more information on how you can bring zSpace into your CTE program, visit edu.zspace.com.