In this milestone 10th episode of the Play Ed3 podcast, hosts Rick and Tisha celebrate their journey with special guest Amanda Macias, a passionate educator. The conversation explores Amanda's unique path from aspiring astronaut to educator, the importance of eSports in education, and how gaming fosters community and collaboration among students. They discuss the need to decenter the teacher as the sole knowledge keeper, empowering students to lead their own learning experiences. The episode concludes with a discussion on Web 3.0 and its potential to redefine ownership and community in education. In this engaging conversation, Amanda Macias, Tisha, and Rick explore the evolving landscape of education, emphasizing the importance of creating safe online spaces for students, embracing failure as a learning tool, and fostering innovation through risk-taking. They discuss the role of play in education, the necessity of building community, and the need for educators to reclaim their creative space. Amanda shares insights on her upcoming projects and reflects on the political nature of education, urging educators to take a stand for critical thinking and creativity.
Takeaways
Education can be transformative and driven by community.
eSports can provide valuable skills and community for students.
Gaming fosters collaboration and communication among students.
Decentering the teacher as the knowledge keeper enhances learning.
Students can lead their own learning experiences.
Creativity is essential in both gaming and education.
Web 3.0 offers new opportunities for ownership in learning.
Embracing failure fosters resilience in learners.
Risk-taking is crucial for innovation in education.
Educators should allow room for creativity and play.
Reclaiming space for creativity can reignite passion in educators.
About Amanda Macias
An active 20 year educator, currently serving the community as an instructional coach rooted in public education, where joy, equity, and curiosity drive our transformation. She believes play isn’t just for fun—it’s a research tool, a strategy, and a radical invitation to reimagine what’s possible in our classrooms.Her practice lives in public schools—grounded in community, shaped by co-creation, and fueled by the question: What if learning felt like an adventure? From Minecraft builds to esports ecosystems and beyond, she partners with educators to co-design hands-on, culturally responsive learning that reflects the brilliance of every learner meeting them where they are to build sustainable pedagogy practices side-by-side. As a Genesis Member of Ed3DAO, ISTE, PlayMatters, DigitalPromise and EduMatch global education community member, she actively engages with fellow educational learner-leaders, to explore how decentralized systems can help educators shift power, rebuild trust, and co-create sustainable models that honor our students' realities. Transformation doesn’t happen by doing more—it happens when we do differently. Bravely. Playfully. Together.
Follow Amanda Macias on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsamandamacias
BlueSky: @amandamaciasedu.bsky.social
Other: https://techtalkradio.com/
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🧠 Let’s learn, grow and play together
