The Pixel Classroom Podcast

Jeffrey Westhoff has served as a film critic, feature writer, reporter, and copy editor in his career as a journalist. He wrote his first novel, The Boy Who Knew Too Much, while working as a freelance writer. He has finished his second novel, a spy thriller aimed at a younger audience, which he hopes to sell this year. He is working on his third novel, a sequel to his second book.

Jeffrey grew up in Erie, Pa. As a teenager, he spent his Saturday mornings at the library and his Saturday nights at the movies. That love of reading and film prepared his future as a movie critic. Seeing Star Wars on its opening day in 1977 made him a movie lover, but it was a viewing of The Spy Who Loved Me that sealed Jeffrey’s fate as a James Bond fan. His first published movie review appeared in the Erie Times-News while he was senior in high school.

We talk about his work, writing, love of reading, James Bond and of course Spider-Man and Spider-Girl. You can connect with Jeff at: 

Website: jeffreywesthoff.com

Twitter: @JeffreyWesthoff, @Knew_Too_Much

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffwesthoff/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreywesthoff/

Dawn Harris is a passionate and energetic educator who lives by the motto, “Relationships First.” Her enthusiasm for creating connections is infectious and she thrives on the opportunity to learn about the things that motivate and inspire teachers and students alike.

In her roles as a secondary English Language Arts Educator, Gifted and Talented Teacher, and Associate Professor of Teacher Education, Dawn continually strives to bring authentic and engaging learning experiences to students of all ages.

Throughout her career as an educator, Dawn has taught in urban, rural, and suburban districts meeting the needs of children from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. In addition to general ELA coursework, Dawn’s classroom teaching experience also includes teaching English as a second language, creative writing, film studies, and response to intervention instruction. Dawn’s professional teaching experiences have been showcased in scholarly journals and at local, regional, national, and international conferences.

You can connect with Dawn at: 

Website: www.educationundone.com

Twitter: @DHarrisEdS

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dharriseds/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnmharrris/

Other: Education Undone Educator Network (Facebook Group)

I review the first issue of Tom DeFlaco and Ron Frenz's new series The R.I.G.H.T. Project from The Apex Comics Group. A great new series that really has the feels of: Spider-Girl, Thunderstrike with a bit of modern high school drama mixed in. You should really check this series out and check out the links to it to pick up a copy:

The Apex Comics Group

Indigogo Project

In this episode I review the books: When Passion meets Project by Brian Aspinall, The 6 Literacy Levers by Brad Gustafson, The EDUCookbook by Michael Earnshaw and Aspire to Lead by Joshua Stamper. All amazing authors and books. You can check out and order your own copies through Amazon, Target and Barnes and Noble. Check out the authors websites for more information.

Code Breaker Inc

Aspire

Punk Rock Classrooms

Dr. Brad Gustafson

In this special episode, I talk about my friend and former co-worker, Suzanne Fickbohm.  Suzanne passed away this morning. Her legacy at Christian Life Schools is one that continues to live on through all of her students and in our Kindergarten program to this day. Suzanne began teaching Kindergarten at CLS in 1986, and for 34 made a difference in so many lives both in and out of the classroom. I do get emotional during this episode. Goodbye my friend, until we meet again. 

Katie Powell is the director for middle level programs for the Association for Middle Level Education. She began teaching in 2005 and has served as a special education teacher, Title I teacher, instructional coach, and classroom teacher. Katie’s first book, Boredom Busters, grew out of this focus on providing interventions for struggling students by leveraging curiosity and fun to increase engagement while driving learning deeper. Katie’s newest book, Frustration Busters, unpacks common classroom management frustrations to empower teachers to get the focus back on learning. Katie believes in respecting the expertise of teachers and shares her creative process so they can address instruction and classroom management within their own teaching styles. 

You can contact Katie through:

It's a New Year with a new introduction and exit bumper. In this episode, I want to thank everyone who has supported The Pixel Classroom Podcast for the past two and a half years. I also want to thank all educators for everything they do, you truly make a difference. Here is to 2022. 

I'm joined in the studio by my friend, and Special Education Teacher, Beth Foose for episode 86 of the Pixel Classroom Podcast. Beth shares her career in special education. Working with technology and student advocacy in SpEd and what it's like being a hockey mom. 

In my annual Holiday Shopping and Recommendations for educators. I go over a list of items that you can use in your classroom. From 3D printers, and websites to book and podcast suggestions. Check out this year's episode:

Website

https://emc2learning.com/

Podcasts

The STEM Read Podcast

The Modern Principal 

The Adam Welcome Podcast

Get your Teach On Podcast

Items to get this year

Amazon List

Keven Rinaman is an educator and author. He has taught history, math, and technology at middle and high school grades, and has served as the technology director and Dean of Students

for his district. Keven has coached numerous sports including: wrestling, golf, baseball and esports. He is a graduate of Heidelberg University and

Western Governors University, earning both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Tiffin University. Keven is the author of 3DU: A Guide to 3D Printing in Every Classroom, the host of an educational podcast titled, Magic Potion EDU, and blogs at TeachersTechToolbox.com. Keven has spoken at numerous national and regional conferences including FETC and OETC.

Keven lives with his wife Katie, and son, Cooper in Tiffin, Ohio.

Contact Keven at [email protected] and connect wit him at: 

Website: www.teacherstechtoolbox.com, www.MAGICPotionEDU.com

Twitter: @kevenrinaman