The Good Life EDU Podcast

This week, The Good Life EDU hosts author, speaker, and ed-tech consultant Jaime Donally for a conversation about immersive learning through augmented reality and virtual reality experiences. Jaime is an educator who never puts the tech before the standards and the learning goals, and she advocates for that approach to tech integration while also sharing her insights on how AR and VR can enrich the learning experience for all students. In addition to this pod, you can learn from Jaime at the NETA conference where she will be a featured speaker later this month. Also be sure to check out Jaime's blog/social media campaign for March, #31DaysofARVRinEDU. LINKS NETA Conference Registration Link Purchase Jaime's Latest Book, The Immersive Classroom, on Amazon.

In this episode of The Good Life EDU podcast, the NDE SEED Team is back to share an update on their work with revising the teacher and principal effectiveness standards for Nebraska. This pod delves into personal insights and stories from each of the SEED Team members that helps communicate the thinking behind their efforts and the heart these leaders have for the admin, teachers, and learners across the state.

In this episode, we are joined by Dani Beerbohm, Principal of Bellwood Elementary (David City Public Schools), and Tammy Carlson, Principal of Fullerton Elementary (Fullerton Public Schools), for a conversation on leadership during the pandemic. In the pod, Dani and Tammy delve into their own self-care strategies, their lead by example approach to principalship, and they close the show with several practical ideas for how to improve the culture and morale in their building in the face of these trying times.

This week we are joined by Sally Nellson Barrett, Andy Marinkovich, and Brittany Mascio of Nebraska Public Schools who give their behind-the-scenes insights on the latest I ❤️ Public Schools film, The Mind Inside, Episode 3. This docuseries explores the landscape of mental health issues in Nebraska's public schools, with this particular episode focusing on the North Platte Public Schools' Brandy Buscher (Director of Student Services NPPS) and Officer Jay Johnson (School Resource Officer NPPS) in their efforts to support the students they serve. Click here to view The Mind Inside, Episode 3: https://iloveps.org/films/the-mind-inside-episode-three

On this week's pod, Ebony McKiver, a social studies education specialist with the Nebraska Department of Education, joins us for a discussion on Black History Month, on the NE social studies standards, and how teachers might approach their work in a way that integrates marginalized voices into the curriculum. Resource Referenced in the Show: https://www.education.ne.gov/socialstudies/ Past Episode with Lori Broady on the NE Social Studies Standards: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-social-studies-shifts-and-remote-learning/id1512974122?i=1000489046450

In this episode, Jennifer Casa-Todd, author, speaker, and teacher-librarian at Cardinal Carter CHS in Aurora, Ontario, joins us to share her expertise and insights on the topic of digital citizenship. Jennifer's message promotes that educators think about this work not simply as a list of things students should avoid doing, and instead look to foster digital leadership skills in the students they serve. You can learn more from Jennifer at https://jcasatodd.com/. Additionally, the Nebraska ESUCC is currently promoting a Digital Citizenship competition where students are being asked to share a PSA or poster that helps to educate others on the topic of Digital Citizenship. For more info and the entry form, access this link bit.ly/NEDigCit2021.

In this episode, Tricia Pettis and Kaela Loo of Edina Public Schools in Minneapolis, Minnesota join us for a conversation on their work with personalized learning and their approach to helping learners develop the capacity to learn independently. Edina Public Schools was the recipient of the 2019 Trailblazer Award at the National Convening for Personalized Learning, and in this pod, Tricia and Kaela share about the work being done in their district before the pandemic and also how that has influenced their approach to delivering remote teaching and learning during this time.

In this episode, Julie Moore, the Executive Director for NETA, joins us for a conversation on the multitude of efforts the NETA organization has made and is making to support education in our state throughout the pandemic. The pod captures the NETA board's vision for supporting education and illustrates how that leadership group has held true to that mission despite the challenges facing everyone in education over the course of the past year.

In this episode, Paul Darvasi joins us for a practical conversation on the thinking that goes into developing an Alternate Reality Game (ARG) unit. This pod takes an in-depth look at this unique style of unit design that leverages both game-based learning and gamification elements to create an immersive and engaging narrative experience.

This episode shares audio recorded from an hourlong Q&A session that the ESU TLT group had with author, speaker, and blended learning expert Dr. Catlin Tucker. In this chat, Catlin shares her insights on a myriad of important topics and scenarios related to remote learning and also concurrent or hyflex learning. The pod covers quite a bit of ground in this area in a relatively short period of time.

In this episode, three students from Tri County High School in Nebraska share how they created a self-care resource to support their peers' mental wellness during this challenging time during the pandemic.

There is some exciting new work being done by the Nebraska Department of Education as they look to update the current teacher and principal standards for educators statewide, and in this episode, the leaders of that work, Kim Snyder, Julie Downing, and Ryan Ricenbaw, join us to share the vision and work being done in that space. This pod is the first of several that we will release about this initiative in an effort to keep everyone informed as this work evolves.

This week, Quim Sabrià, the co-founder and CEO of the ed tech tool Edpuzzle, joins us on the pod to share the ways in which Edpuzzle can add accountability and engagement when learners are assigned instructional video content. Our conversation spans everything from Quim's personal story from classroom teacher to CEO to the nuances of how. teachers might use Edpuzzle in their class. We also delve into how Edpuzzle can enhance learning both in the remote setting and also when we return to our future, new normal.

In this episode, NRCSA's executive director Jack Moles, ESU 6 Administrator John Skretta, and Superintendent of Gibbon Public Schools Vernon Fisher join us to discuss their most recent collaborative efforts to develop remote learning supports for rural Nebraska schools. Our conversation provides the backstory and vision behind the initiative, a detailed look at the work currently being done, and a preview of what districts can expect to see from this work as early as December.

In this episode, Julie N. Smith, media literacy advocate and author of Master the Media, speaks to just how important it is for educators to equip learners with media literacy skills, regardless of content area or grade level. In this pod, Julie offers useful insights for how we might better identify fake news and misinformation while also sharing a myriad of practical examples of how teachers might integrate media literacy into their current teaching practices/units.

Ann Kozma from Flipgrid joins us for this episode of The Good Life EDU podcast to share some of the best ideas for how educators might look to leverage Flipgrid during the multitude of learning models occurring during the pandemic. In this episode, we talk ways Flipgrid can support SEL, student creation, relationship and community building, and more.

Wow. We covered a lot of content in this pod! In this episode, Shara Johnson of ESU 2 shares her insights and expertise with how everyone from classroom teachers to school administrators to ESU employees (and even the state of Nebraska as a whole) might seek to leverage Canvas to enhance communication, collaboration, and ultimately learning. Shara has been an integral part of the Nebraska Canvas Consortium's statewide implementation, and so it was great to have her on the show to relay some of the amazing things that Canvas can do in support of education in our state.

This week, we revisit the topic of mental health with ESU 5's Jen McNally and Tri County Public Schools administrators Jesse Gronemeyer and Ryan Clark. In this pod, we explore how Tri County Public Schools have made wellness a part of the school culture as a result of their collaboration with ESU 5's Wellness for All support. In these trying times, this is a critical topic to keep at the forefront of our thoughts and conversations, and this episode shares one district's efforts to be intentional about building an environment where it is okay to not be okay.

This episode is a must listen as Amy and Kristen of ESU 9 go through five engagement strategies that lead to powerful learning experiences for students. Amy and Kristen do a phenomenal job in this pod of first establishing what these practices look like in a traditional classroom setting before then delving into how those same strategies can be utilized in a digital environment for remote learning.

Doug Fisher, co-author of The Distance Learning Playbook, joins us this week on the pod for a discussion on remote learning best practices and strategies. This pod is a fun kick-off to our ESU network's bi-monthly book study of this text! Our first DL Playbook Lunch Bunch session starts today! Whether you are an ESU employee or an edu-friend of the pod, be sure to pick up your copy of The Distance Learning Playbook as a way to extend your own work with remote teaching and learning.

Author, blogger, and teacher self-care advocate Mandy Froehlich joins us on this week's episode as we identify some of the emotional struggles teachers are facing in the present moment. Our conversation explores how giving words to your feelings and fostering empathy for others can help us all get through these hardships together. If you would like to continue to learn from and with Mandy, you can access her blog and resources at https://mandyfroehlich.com/

In this episode, Otis Pierce joins us as our first return-guest of the show to share the work the ESU Perkins Cadre memebers do in support of CTE Teachers statewide. This pod is part of a series showcasing our ESUs' respective cadre groups in the hopes of sharing insights and resources to help teachers navigate the current hybrid or remote learning experiences they are designing for students.

In this episode, Lori Broady of ESU 4 speaks as the ESU Social Studies cadre co-chair and shares her insights regarding the new shifts in the social studies standards, making sure to relay resources and remote learning ideas along the way. Lori is incredibly knowledgable and passionate about this content area, and that truly shines through in this fantastic conversation.

As the saying goes, no significant learning occurs without a significant relationship, and finding ways to foster and maintain those relationships may prove to be more challenging than ever this fall as more and more learning moves online. In this episode, Kindergarten teacher and Apple Distinguished Educator Dustin Carlson and high school ELA teacher Melissa Pilakowski share their ideas for how we might stay connected with our learners during a hybrid and/or remote learning setting.

Catlin Tucker is a bestselling author, international trainer, and a keynote speaker who is at the forefront of the blended learning movement. In this episode, Catlin shares her perspective and ideas for how educators can enhance their effectiveness when teaching remotely, so join us for a conversation full of useful insights and great ideas for how to take the next step forward in your remote teaching practices.

What a fun conversation this was with ESU 2's Kelly Georgius. Kelly also serves as the current math cadre leader for our ESUs statewide, and so in this episode she shares her philosophy on math along with some resources and strategies that educators should look into for both at-school and remote learning.

In mid-March, while schools were closing and the country was shutting down, Dr. Hunter Flodman, a professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Jan tenBensel, chair of the Nebraska Ethanol Board, were just getting started with their plan to help create what became 200,000 gallons of hand sanitizer for essential institutions across the state. In this episode, Dr. Flodman and the ESUCC's own Craig Peterson tell this incredible story of statewide collaboration in an effort that truly showcases the type of hard work, determination, and selflessness that typifies what it means to be a Nebraskan. This pod is a must listen, and on behalf of the ESUCC and educators everywhere, we certainly want to express our appreciation to everyone involved with bringing this effort to fruition.

In mid-March, while schools were closing and the country was shutting down, Dr. Hunter Flodman, a professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Jan tenBensel, chair of the Nebraska Ethanol Board, were just getting started with their plan to help create what became 200,000 gallons of hand sanitizer for essential institutions across the state. In this episode, Dr. Flodman and the ESUCC's own Craig Peterson tell this incredible story of statewide collaboration in an effort that truly showcases the type of hard work, determination, and selflessness that typifies what it means to be a Nebraskan. This pod is a must listen, and on behalf of the ESUCC and educators everywhere, we certainly want to express our appreciation to everyone involved with bringing this effort to fruition.

This week's pod features two of ESU 7's finest, administrator Larianne Polk and profession development director Marci Ostmeyer, for an episode that details how our ESUs collaborate with the districts in their region towards developing strategic, data-driven plans for the services they provide/utilize and implement. Their collaboration follows the SIMPL program (Service Implementation Matrix Process & Log), which ESU 7 developed.

This week, we welcome Dr. Robert Dillon to the pod for a practical conversation on how educators might think through designing our classroom spaces given the social distancing measures that have come with the pandemic. We also take time to discuss ideas for supporting learners in a remote setting. Listeners will leave this conversation with several new ideas to consider implementing within their learning environment that will help make the space more conducive to optimizing student learning.

In this week's episode, Tara M Martin reminds us to be "R.E.A.L." as educators, even in a remote setting, by putting our relationships first. We discuss the need for and applicability of this message across all levels of our educational system, particularly in the present moment, so join us as we discuss strategies such as humble inquiry, #Booksnaps, being the mirror holder, and more. You can access many of the coaching resources Tara mentions in the pod, including her #Booksnaps idea, by accessing her blog at http://www.tarammartin.com/

In this episode, games in learning guru Paul Darvasi joins the show to chat about the concept of utilizing games to enhance the learning experience for students. This pod covers everything from terminology to alternate reality games to video games as texts to the potential role of games and gamification in a remote setting. You can follow Paul on Twitter at @PaulDarvasi or read about The Ward Game on his blog at http://www.ludiclearning.org/. For more on utilizing video games as a central text of a unit, check out iThrive Games' Museum of Me curriculum over the video game "What Remains of Edith Finch" at https://ithrivegames.org/

The Good Life EDU podcast is proud to bring you this episode with educator Lisa Hermann who has found a number of ways to be innovative and build/maintain positive and supportive relationships with her students despite the challenges she has faced teaching remotely. In this episode, Lisa shares about tools such as Seesaw and Zoom and how she used her new tech savvy to create innovative learning experiences for her students.

In a time when new tech tools are being shared and implemented at a record rate, are educators taking the time to pause and put their student's data privacy first? In this episode, ESU 3's own Bill Pulte and Robbie Jensen share their knowledge and insights on student data privacy laws and what teachers, tech leaders, and administrators can do to ensure that their student's data stays safe. If you want to learn more from Bill and Robbie, they will both be presenting at the FUTURE READY NEBRASKA CONFERENCE on June 15 & 16, 2020. This online learning opportunity is free, just be sure to register ahead of time at bit.ly/FRNebraska

In this episode, ESU 5's Nick Ziegler and Eileen Barks from ESU 2 share the work that they have done in collaboration with ESUs from across the state in developing remote learning supports for teachers. This pod delves into the thinking that can potentially drive a remote learning plan, and throughout that discussion, Nick and Eileen reference tolls, tips, tricks, video, resources, and more as a way to equip educators with the tools they need to be successful in this remote learning space. To learn more about the Digital Age Pedagogy's Remote Learning Plan, be sure to check out Nick and Eileen's presentation at the Future Ready Nebraska Conference on June 15th and 16th. It's a virtual conference, it's free to register, and don't miss their session from 10:00-10:45am on 6/15/20. Register for the FUTURE READY CONFERENCE at http://bit.ly/FRNebraska For more on the Digital Age Pedagogy initiative, check out the resources available at http://bit.ly/ESUDAP

This episode is the first of the three shows this week that feature speakers presenting at the Future Ready Nebraska Conference on the mornings of June 15th and 16th. This pod takes us to the Nebraska panhandle for a conversation with ESU 13's own Julie Downing. Julie shares her personal experience with seeking out self-care strategies as a reminder to all educators that they too should be mindful of their own mental health and well-being during these trying times. If you enjoy the episode and want to hear Julie's Future Ready presentation, she will be presenting from 10:50am to 11:15am on June 15th. Just be sure to visit bit.ly/FRNebraska ahead of time to register for this free virtual event.

Andi McNair is an innovative educator and thought leader who that also authored several books on the topic of passion projects and student-centered learning experiences. In this episode, Andi and I discuss remote learning, and she shares her perspective on how we might think about engaging learnings, designing learning experiences, and empowering our students in a remote setting. We hope you enjoy this Nebraska/Texas ESU collaborative conversation!

In this episode, Hannah reflects back on her experiences with remote learning this spring, and we explore what it might look like to grow in those spaces over the summer in preparation any similar experiences in the fall.

In this episode, Katie and I discuss the current state of remote learning and also look to what it all might mean when we return to school in the fall. This pod shares insights, great ideas, tech tool recommendations, and the story of one teacher's efforts to leverage technology as a way to bring both a sense of closure and comfort to her students in these troubling times.

For this first episode of our show, Otis Pierce joins me as we discuss the state of remote learning and ideas for ways in which the Nebraska ESUs can help districts, buildings, and teachers during these unprecedented times.