UEN Homeroom

This week Dani and Jared interview Payden Littlefield, a Science/Robotics teacher at Syracuse Jr. High in Davis School District. As part of their conversation they look at the role robotics can play in helping students develop critical thinking skills. In addition, they cover topics such as: the biggest impacts for teachers who implement robotics into their classroomsgood first steps into using robots in instructionhow technology helps students of all different backgrounds and ability levels learnResourceshttps://www.roboticseducation.org/ - This is the foundation that helps organize the competitions that we have attended.https://www.roboticseducation.org/resources/ - This is the resources page from that same website. it includes a place to apply for grants to help with the cost of robotics kits.https://www.vexrobotics.com/vexiq/education/iq-curriculum - This link has a free robotics curriculum that you can download to use with the VEX robotics kits. https://code.org/ - It is a great resource for students and teachers getting started with coding or computer programming.https://www.vexrobotics.com/vexcode-vr - This final link is a virtual reality robot that you can program. It includes more lessons with problems for students to solve.

Dani and Jared are pleased to welcome Bri DeLeon and Richard Thomas, from Latinos in Action, into the Homeroom this week. During this powerful episode we discuss topics such as: How do we talk to students about racism? What does systemic racism look like in the education system? How do we encourage schools to celebrate diversity? How do we include parents and families into conversations about racism? and What are some strategies that can help create a more inclusive environment for faculty and students? Latinos in Action - https://latinosinaction.org/

In this episode of UEN Homeroom we're talking with Dr. Allison Martin and Kody Colvin, both educators/administrators in the Salt Lake School District and members of FAM (Friends, Allies, and Mentors of the LGTBQ+ Community. During our conversation we focus on topics like: the key issues schools need to address when it comes to addressing the needs of LGBTQ+ students, improving our school culture to be more inclusive, ways teachers can help LGTBQ+ students feel safe at school, and more.Links shared in the episode include:GLSEN: https://www.glsen.org/resources/educator-resourcesWelcoming Schools: https://www.welcomingschools.org/resources/Friends, Allies, and Mentors (F.A.M.)’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FAM.SLCFor additional information please contact Kody Colvin at [email protected]

Jared and Dani are talking coaching the week with Robert Proffit, Professional Learning Coordinator from Washington County School District. As we look into coaching we discuss the following topics: What are the biggest impacts for teachers who participate in a coaching program? How do you encourage teachers who are reluctant to coaching to try a new approach? What is the research surrounding coaching and its effects?

In this episode of UEN Homeroom, Jared and Dani are pleased to welcome Tim Eernisse, Vice President of the National Education Telecommunications Association (NETA). As part of our conversation we tackle such topics as: the role that public media can play in helping people of all ages learn, how local public media stations make a difference in their educational communities, the future of public media, how public media and education partner with one another to benefit classrooms, and what was the original color of Oscar the Grouch.

In another of our Lost Episodes, Jared and Dani meet with Chris Larsen, Director of Educational Technology for Granite School District and UCET President Elect, to discuss the impact that UCET has on classrooms throughout Utah. We talk about the different activities that UCET provides educators, the need for professional learning in education, and the future of UCET moving forward.

In one of our Lost Episodes, Jared and Dani connect with Amanda Souza, Manager of Community Partnerships for the Southwest with Girls Who Code. During our conversation we cover topics including: the role that Girls Who Code plays in Utah, the need for gender equity in computer programming, the skills that students develop in Girls Who Code, and the need for teachers and schools to get involved in teaching computer programming to students.

UEN Homeroom is excited to welcome the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Syndee Dickson, to be the final guest in our Learn @ Home series. As part of her role in guiding K-12 schools we talk with Dr. Dickson about the decisions leading up to the soft close of schools and the eventual decision to close in-person instruction for the rest of the school year. We also cover topics like preparing the state for distance learning for the past several years through the DTL program, how to help families and communities through services provided at the schools, and how to help schools return, recover, and reimagine education for the future.

UEN Homeroom is excited to welcome Kip Motta, Principal of Rich Middle School and North Rich Elementary, to discuss the response to COVID 19 in our latest episode in the Learn @ Home series. We discuss topics such as: how Rich schools prepared for distance learning in a 1 to 1 computer program for students, helping students by balancing the workload during distance learning, and facilitating teacher adoption of tools like Canvas to help students in the online environment.

In the next installment of the Learn @ Home series, UEN Homeroom talks with Scott Wihongi, principal of Murray High School. As the school year nears completion, we talk about topics like: how to provide the class of 2020 a sense of closure, connecting with students and parents who are struggling during this time, and helping the community stay strong in the face of challenge.

This week Jared and Dani continue our Learn @ Home series by talking with Zachary Sloan, a special ed teacher at Copper Hills High School in Jordan School District. During our discussion we cover topics like: how to help seniors make it to graduation while being socially distant, keeping relationships going with students who need connection, and making the transition to using an LMS on a daily basis and how these tools will impact future teaching.

This week Jared and Dani meet with Karen Sterling, Director of Student Advocacy in Canyons School District, as we continue with our Learn@Home series. We focus this episode on the equity issues brought up through the switch to distance learning. Our topics this week include: how to maintain relationships with parents and students while separated (including old school mail), how is the digital divide being addressed for those families who don't have access to technology, helping students with special needs cope with all the changes to their learning environments/schedules, and the importance to meet the social, emotional, and physical needs of students during times away from in-person education.

In this episode of UEN Homeroom, we turn in house to talk with Kelleigh Cole, Sr. Manager of Strategic Initiatives at UETN. We discuss the need to extend internet to all students throughout Utah, the educational and social impact of lack of internet, and how to partner schools with local telecom providers to help strengthen connectivity.Utah Communities Connect Wifi LocationsDigital Divide Resources

In our latest Learn @ Home episode, Jared Covili and Jared Fawson (Homeroom Super Sub) check in with Joe B. Wright, Executive Director of the Southwest Educational Service Center (SEDC) to learn more about the impact that distance learning is having on the students and faculties of Southern Utah. In our discussion we cover topics like: how rural Utah is helping all students receive broadband internet service, the need to balance work and home life for educators, and how to help school districts connect with their communities.

Jared and Dani are back with another UEN Homeroom. This time we're joined by Sarah Young, Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Utah State Board of Education. The conversation touches upon fun topics like what your Zoom background looks like to when is the appropriate time each day to get dressed. Sarah provides information about how USBE is helping districts deal with addressing student technology needs, how the Digital Teaching and Learning program has helped Utah prepare for distance learning, and what schools may look like next year.

UEN Homeroom welcomes Gabbi Young, an EdTech coach with Washington County School District, to our Learn @ Home series. As part of the discussion we focus on the need to be on the same team with teachers and students, the impact of the Digital Teaching and Learning Grant in preparing our schools for distance learning, and how to support teachers with their current needs.

Jared and Dani are back with another Learn @ Home episode of UEN Homeroom. This time, we are pleased to welcome Dr. Cade Douglas, Superintendent of Sevier School District. Our conversation covers topics such as: how to work with community partners to share information with parents, the importance of the school district in keeping families afloat, and strengthening teachers and students during times of crisis.

UEN Homeroom is pleased to welcome John Kelly, principal of Washington Elementary in Salt Lake School District, into our Learn @ Home series. During this episode we discuss the important role schools play in providing for the needs of the community, how to connect with your faculty and students while distancing, and the importance of communicating with your stakeholders.

Jared and Dani are back with another Learn @ Home episode of UEN Homeroom. This week we are discussing what distance learning looks like with Cody Spendlove, Edtech Director of Alpine School District. As part of our conversation we talk about how to provide devices to a district with 80,000 students, how to keep kids safe online while working from home, and the best practices teachers are using to engage students in an online learning environment.

In our next Learn @ Home episode of UEN Homeroom we are focusing in on Jr. High with Levi Andersen, a History teacher from Mound Fort Jr. High in Ogden School District. During our conversation we explored topics such as: how Levi is connecting with students who struggle, the role of using Canvas to help with distance teaching, and what kind of babysitter was Jared Covili.

In the next installment of our Learn @ Home series, Jared and Dani connect with Hilary Linton, a 5th grade teacher at Oakwood Elementary, to discuss the impact of moving to an online curriculum. Hilary shares her insights on the importance of letting students know they are cared for, working with your team to be successful and how to juggle working from home with helping you own family cope with everything going on.

As part of our special, Learn @ Home series, UEN Homeroom connects with Dr. Laura Rogers, Assistant Profession in the College of Education at the University of Utah. During our distance conversation we talk about how she is managing her classes as they transition from in-person to online, the importance of compassion in dealing with this stressful situation and why you need to be prepared with Girl Scout Cookies.

As part of our UCET Live series, Jared, Dani, and Fernando participated in the Utah Podcasters Unite panel discussion. They were joined by the hosts of three Utah education podcasts to chat about all things audio and education. Jake from the Teaching Literacy Podcast, Quin from Edtrex Rewind, and Tracy from Little Things First are all Utah educators who started podcasts to influence classroom learning. Lively discussion topics include:Why they began podcastingWhy education podcasts should be an essential part of every educator's PLNHow podcasting can innovate educational practicesWhat these hosts have learned through podcastingTips for starting your own education podcastAudience Q&A

As part of the UCET conference, Jared moderated a panel of Utah educators and leaders for a group of international education leaders. Our panel of Utah educators including Robert Gordon (Box Elder), Justin Brooksby (UEN), Tonya James (Ogden), Dave Horan (Alpine), Pam Turley (Nebo), Rick Gaisford (USBE). Topics include: Differences between Rural and Urban schools, the role of standardizing curriculum, what does distance learning look like, and how prepared is Utah for COVID 19.

In this episode of Homeroom, we're live at the 2020 UCET Conference with Ditch that Textbook's Matt Miller and UCET President Pam Turley. We discuss topics such as creating a vision for your classroom, how to be brave when trying something new, and exploring your passions in learning.

Jared travels down South to attend Edcamp St. George. During the camp, he sat down with Derek Larson, Library Media Specialist at Tonaquint Intermediate School, to discuss the nature of edcamps, why edcamps are so popular in education, and the importance of professional development for teachers.

In this episode of the Homeroom, Camille Cole and Michelle Shimmin from Canyons School District drop by to discuss the impact of having structured classroom discussions with students, peers, and leadership. We look at the role of using sentence starts, how to get started and help students follow guidelines, and the importance of being honest and open when sharing.

This week UEN's Rob Bentley joins Jared and Dani in the Homeroom to discuss how students can learn from games. We discuss the difference between game-based learning and gamification, how games help students engage with content, and how to get started building your own educational games.

This week Fernando break free from behind the mixing board, as he joins Jared to host our conversation on creativity. We welcome our special guest, Tacy Trowbridge, Leader of Adobe's Global Education Programs. In our discussion we cover topics like: what does creativity look like in the classroom, how to help solve challenges using their personal creativity, and how Adobe tools can promote creativity for students.

Quin Henderson, Partnerships Manager of Future Design School, dropped into the Homeroom recently to share his thoughts on the importance of design thinking in our classrooms. Included in our conversation is the need for teachers and students to innovate, how problem solving is an essential art in learning, and the need to build creativity into our schools.

Jared and Dani are joined by Liz Arias, a Senior Customer Success Manager for Adobe Education. During the episode we discuss Adobe's statewide partnership with Utah schools to bring Creative Cloud to teachers and students.

In our latest Homeroom we are pleased to welcome Dr. Anthony Godfrey, Superintendent of Jordan School District. In this episode, we discuss the Supercast - a podcast hosted by Dr. Godfrey and featuring the amazing educators, students, and employees of the Jordan School District. We find out how Supercast began and Dr. Godfrey shares the impact of telling the stories of his district.

In this episode of Homeroom, Jared and Dani talk with Dr. Janice Bradley, Assistant Director with the Utah Education Policy Center. During the conversation we cover topics like: how to deal with a teacher who's a "downer", what role does a school leader play in changing a toxic culture, and how can a teacher make a difference in a negative school culture.

We're excited to bring Kerri Hopkins and Anne Dibble from the Beverly Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program to discuss how all teachers can bring more art into their classrooms. We learn how arts can improve academic performance across all subjects, the need to overcome our fears when expanding into the arts, and the different programs available to Utah schools through BTSALP.

As UEN Homeroom celebrates our one year anniversary Dani and Jared take a look back at some great moments from the podcast. You'll meet our producer, Fernando Lara, as he answers some tough questions from Utah students. We also reflect upon some moments that made us laugh, think, and celebrate the wonderful world of education in Utah.

This week we took UEN Homeroom on the road, literally, as we met with Cory Henwood, Digital Teaching and Learning Coordinator for Iron School District, from the front seat of a car. During this discussion we covered topics such as providing students with choice, using technology to empower students, and Launch High School, Iron's soon-to-open competency based high school.

Tami Pyfer, the Education Advisor to the Governor, recently dropped by UEN Homeroom as we kick off the 2019-2020 school year. As part of our conversation we discussed the state of education in Utah, the role of the Education Advisor and how she works on behalf of Utah teachers, and the need for teachers to share the good things they are doing in their classrooms.

Kiera Beddes, Language Arts teacher extraordinaire from Jordan School District, joins us in the Homeroom this week to talk about networking. Specifically, we explore how building your Professional Learning Network (PLN) can help you grow as a teacher. We talk about maintaining an online presence, reaching out and learning from others, and how a PLN can help with transitions in your teacher life.

Even during summer break, UEN Homeroom is working hard to bring another interview to our listeners. This week Tod Cracroft, the principal of Oakwood Elementary in Granite School District, discusses how school culture is built. We talk about the importance of building relationships, how music can help students connect to school, and how culture is at the heart of a successful school.

Jared Fawson moves from UEN Homeroom SuperSub into our featured expert this episode as we discuss professional learning. In this discussion we look at how learning has changed for educators, the need to have more diverse opportunities for professional growth, how tech plays a role in the changes, and golf.

Kaite Blunt, Educational Technology Specialist from Canyon School District, drops by the Homeroom to share her insights from a recent educational tour of China. During this episode we discuss the impact of learning about culture through travel, the difference between classrooms in the US and China, and the need to expand your PLN globally.

This week Holly Todd, the Project Aware Coordinator for Jordan School District, comes by the Homeroom to share ideas on social and emotional learning in schools. We discuss the need to help students understand their emotions, how to provide self-care for teachers, and the need to teach kids "soft skills" that can prepare them for real life.

This week we talk with Dr. Pablo Riboldi, Assistant Director of Instructional Design at Brigham Young University, about how and why technologies fail to get adopted. During our discussion we explore the four elements of diffusion in technology, the role that politics play in educational technology, and how social capital is just as important as technical skills with successful technology rollouts.

UEN Homeroom is excited to talk with Rick Gaisford, Educational Technology Specialist for the Utah State Board of Education. Rick discusses the changes he's seen in classroom technology over his 30+ years in education and the crew shares their thoughts about the Digital Teaching and Learning Grant, the impact technology has made for schools, and more.

Dani and Jared Fawson (Homeroom Super Sub) sit down with Kelly Dumont from the Canyons School District to chat about personal growth as an educator. They share insights into how to stay relevant as a teacher, the importance of constantly learning, and how to pay it forward.

This week we attended the annual UCET conference. This conference allows educators from across Utah to learn and share their examples of technology integration in the classroom. Jared was the "man on the street" as he was able to talk with conference goers, both new and experienced, to find out what they learned at this year's UCET.

This week UEN Homeroom welcomes Chris Jones and Nadia Pflaum, from KUTV's Beyond the Books series. We discuss the role of media in education, how citizens can get involved in education oversight, and where all the great stories about education originate. We're lucky to Jared Fawson sub for Dani for this conversation.

Kathleen Riebe, School Technology Specialist in Granite School District and State Senator from Cottonwood Heights, joins the Homeroom on location from the State Senate floor to discuss her journey from the classroom to the Senate. We also talk about the current legislation that involves education and share ideas for getting teachers involved in the political process.

UEN Homeroom hits the road for this episode as Dani visits with Kelly Witkowski's students at Newbridge Elementary in Ogden School District. These students are the producers and hosts of a brand new podcast, Bookcast, in which they provide summaries and reviews of the books they are reading.

In this week's UEN Homeroom, we talk with Brandon Jacobsen, the CTE - IT Specialist for the Utah Board of Education, about the changing face of computer science in our schools. We discuss topics like: how is computer science being presented to Utah students, the role of computer science in all curriculums - not just STEM, what the job market looks like for students with a CS background, and more.