Unpacking Education & Tech Talk For Teachers

Disclaimer: The information provided during this podcast is not, nor is it intended to be, construed as legal advice. You should consult with a licensed attorney in your state if you have specific questions and for advice regarding your individual situation.   In today’s episode, we'll review the basics of copyright and important factors to evaluate when considering the use of content in your...

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Michelle Magallanez, the Head of Special Projects at AVID Center.  Despite being a self-defined math phobe, Michelle has become a champion for STEM, computer science, and the transformative skills those areas of study can provide students.  Michelle wants students to understand that these fields are not about multiplication tables. They are about asking, “How are...

In today’s episode, we'll review the final step of the ANSWERS Inquiry Process, which focuses on preparing students to effectively share their new learning with an audience. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

In this episode, we talk with Unpacking Education host Paul Beckermann about his teaching career and what he’s learned along the way. Paul believes, “The most successful teachers are the ones who learn a little bit every day.”   Paul also believes that teachers are amazing and that we can learn a great deal from each other. “Every single teacher does something really well,” he says, and he encoura...

In today’s episode, we'll explore the sixth step of the ANSWERS Inquiry Process and review strategies that can help guide students to review their work, reflect on possible improvements, and then revise their products to make them ready for sharing with an audience. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Today, we celebrate the 200th episode of Unpacking Education and Tech Talk For Teachers. We reflect on our journey so far and look ahead to possibilities for the future. Throughout the show, we talk about some of our most vivid memories in education and what this podcast has meant to us. We share plenty of laughs as well as sincere appreciation for all of our listeners. We are here for you and bec...

In today’s episode, we'll explore how students can elaborate and express their learning by analyzing, synthesizing, and interpreting their research as well as how they might communicate those findings. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

In this episode, we talk with Unpacking Education cohost Rena Clark about her teaching career. From her personal experience as a struggling reader, who did not want to be a teacher, to a successful career as an elementary teacher, district learning coach, and educational leader, Rena shares what she’s learned along the way.   Overall, Rena says, “I have lots of hopes and things for the future. I t...

In today’s episode, we'll review two key elements of weaving information together: the critical consumption of information and the process of note-taking and making connections. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Girls Who Code recently celebrated its 10th anniversary as an organization, having served over 500,000 girls and women during that time. Chrissy Ziccarelli, the Senior Director of School and Community Programs at Girls Who Code, joins us for today's episode to share more about this impactful work supporting girls and women in the fields of computer science and coding. Tune in to this episode...

In today’s episode, we'll review five ways that students can search and seek out credible information to support their inquiry questions. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Dr. Kelly Camak joins us to discuss ways to rethink assessment in our classrooms. Using a five-part framework, she explains how we can use assessment as revelation and make assessment a more collaborative, personal, and student-centered experience. Dr. Camak says that this framework is not a one-way-to-do-things recipe, but rather, these elements include “ideas and constructs to help us really thi...

In today’s episode, we'll review how to have students gain general background knowledge about their topic and develop a research plan by noting the possibilities available to them. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

This week, we are joined by Shannon McClintock Miller, a teacher librarian, director of innovation of instructional technology, international speaker, and leader in future ready education. She joins us to talk about the role of librarians in our schools and how the Future Ready Librarians Framework impacts everyone in a school system. Shannon says, “Every person, no matter what role you are within...

In today’s episode, we'll explore step 1 of the ANSWERS inquiry process and learn how to have students generate questions that drive their learning. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

“Every week, you’re within arm's reach of a kid who needs to hear the right words to get them looking in the right direction,” says our guest, Dé Kwaan Wynn. He continues, “And kids need a light these days, so do your best to be that for them.” This message rings true throughout this episode as Dé Kwaan shares his story. It’s a story that begins with his earliest memory of a SWAT team breakin...

In today’s episode, we'll explore the unique and important role curiosity plays in the learning process. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

This week, we share a student success story about a current high school student rather than a past graduate. Our guest, Ruby Arun, is a high school sophomore and the founder and CEO of the nonprofit organization Mission:MathMinds . Ruby created the organization in 2020 and says, “Our purpose and mission is to empower girls in STEM.”  Through a combination of hard work and passion, Ruby and her tea...

In today’s episode, we'll review four strategies for making email more manageable. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

In this episode, Unpacking Education cohost Dr. Winston Benjamin shares his unique story of success. He retells his memories from growing up in Jamaica, his family’s journey to the Bronx in New York, and ultimately his move to Washington state where he earned his PhD. As he tells his story, Winston explains the life lessons that he learned along the way and how those lessons have shaped him person...

In today’s episode, we'll explore how you can use the 3 B4 T framework to organize and present online study skills to your students, empowering them to be successful when learning independently. To learn more about today’s topic, visit AVID Open Access. Explore the article called “ Help Students Hone Their Online Study Skills .” In this article, you will also find a link to a free 3 B4 T stud...

“It only takes one teacher. One teacher to see me for me to see myself. One.” These words from our guest, Jesula Jeannot, reverberate throughout this episode as she talks about her journey as an earthquake survivor in Haiti to a successful college graduate and marketing professional in the United States. JJ says, “At 24, I call myself a success story,” and she adds, “Look at how far I’ve come.” As...

Review eight ways that you can create a classroom culture of academic integrity. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

In this episode, we hear the story of Jonathan Grant Brown. Jonathan grew up in foster care after having been abandoned by his mother at an early age, which led to behavior issues and struggles in school. But his teachers never gave up on him.  Jonathan talks about the “consistent and unwavering determination by educators to just keep helping, no matter how disruptive I was. No matter how many tim...

In today’s episode, we'll review four digital tools and four integration ideas for using ePortfolios in your classroom. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.