Classroom Matters

In this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast join host Kristy Houle as she talks with author and founder of The Umbrella Project about what kids really need as they learn to navigate the ups and downs of life.  Dr. Jen Forristal, BSc ND, is a Naturopathic Doctor with a primary focus in pediatric mental health and the founder and CEO of The Umbrella Project, a positive coping curriculum used in...

Jeff Utecht is an educational technology consultant, educator, and author. He holds a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in Technology as well as his administrative certification through Washington State. Jeff began his career in the Elementary Classroom at a public school in Washington State. In 2001, he was the recipient of a Bill and Melinda Gates Grant called the Techno...

Gary Hubb is the Managing Partner for the new streaming video service, HistoryFix.com, which he began with his partner Will Eichler to provide exciting history videos seen from a different point of view for use in classrooms and homeschool settings. Since 1999, Gary has worked in both scripted and unscripted television and film as Production Coordinator, Manager and Assistant Director for multiple...

In this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast host Kristy Houle talks with Dr. Mark David Milliron about preparing new teachers for a career in education and all the challenges that come with the journey to educate students across all settings. Mark is an award-winning leader, author, speaker, and consultant, who works with universities, community colleges, K-12 schools, foundations, corporatio...

Michaell Magrutsche is an Austrian-Californian multimedia artist, educator, and an author of five art-related books. Michaell believes in a student’s untapped human abilities, especially our truth compass and inherent tools of creativity, and healthy discourse and adaptability. He is an outside the box thinker and is a passionate creativity/art researcher that looks for art/creativity's true...

Shaunak Roy is the Founder and CEO of Yellowdig, a community-driven active learning platform with a mission to transform every classroom into an active, social, and experiential learning community. Prior to founding Yellowdig, Shaunak spent a decade advising global companies on technology, strategy, and growth. Today, Shaunak shares a rich discussion on the state of institutional learning, how Yel...

On this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast host Kristy Houle sits down with Akberet Boykin Farr, Vice President of Diversity and Social Responsibility for Emerson Electric and Dr. Gwen Diggs, Vice President of Head Start/Early Head Start at the Urban League of Metropolitan Saint Louis. This discussion will focus on Emerson’s commitment to education equity and the emphasis on programs and ini...

Julius B. Anthony is the president of the St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature. His organization is changing the lives of Black boys and girls by sharing books with characters that look like them.   The STL Black Authors of Children’s Literature Initiative is committed to fostering awareness about the importance of early literacy by creating innovative opportunities for all kids to hav...

Education PowerED presents educators with a powerful new set of Culturally Responsive Teaching standards that can be used by teachers and administrators to counter institutionalized racism and white supremacy. On this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast an expert panel of guests and authors of the book Culture to the Max! Culturally Responsive Teaching and Practice offers an in-depth look int...

On this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast, host Kristy Houle chats with Vicky Weber. Vicky Weber is a musician and an elementary educator with a love for children’s literature. As a Puerto Rican author of Taíno descent, she strives to create picture books that are fun, engaging, and educational. All her current titles are based on her background in music education or her heritage. Vicky als...

On this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast, host Kristy Houle chats with internationally-recognized teaching and recording artist, actor, TV host, and storyteller, Bobby Norfolk.  Bobby’s innate ability to read and connect with audiences of all ages makes him one of America’s premier storytellers. Using dynamic movement and vocal effects, he creates vibrant characters who come to life throug...

On this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast host Kristy Houle chats with a pair of popular children’s book authors: Lori Orlinsky and Alysson Bourque. Lori Orlinsky is CDC-certified in Bully Prevention and Response Training and serves as a National Bullying Prevention Center Ambassador. She has also earned multiple awards for her children’s books such as Being Small (Isn’t So Bad After All),...

Sasha Graham is the founder of Tiny Ninja Books and is the author of Milo Does Not Like Mornings, and Whitney Wins Everything. Sasha is a former executive at the Walt Disney Studios and her writing has appeared in magazines, newspapers and on television. Every book in the Tiny Ninja Books collection centers on the idea that we are each born with our own Tiny Ninja who is the very best version of u...

Sandy Joy Weston is a keynote speaker, international podcaster, 3x published author, and entrepreneur, who has owned and operated health and wellness companies over 30 years. She became the first female trainer for the Philadelphia Flyers and created the nationally recognized Philly Street Line Dance to help combat Philly’s “fattest city” label. For the past five years, Sandy has been focusing on...

In the last session of this 3-part series with the HOMEWORKS! organization we focus our discussion on the links between attendance, academics, and student behavior in the school setting.  Founder Karen Kalish and CEO Colleen Polack describe what the HOMEWORKS! organization is doing to close the gap on equity, attendance, and academics in the schools they currently partner with. 

What is parent engagement?  What does it look like in a thriving school community?  Why is it so critical?  Get the answers to these questions and so much more as host Kristy Houle dives into part 2 of this 3-part series with the St. Louis based HOMEWORKS! organization.  Founder Karen Kalish and CEO Colleen Polak discuss what research tells us about parent engagement and the many links it has to s...

Rose Griffin is heavily engaged in the field of the art of communication. Rose Griffin is both a skilled speech-language pathologist, as well as an accomplished behavior analyst. Rose currently works with both public and private school students in Ohio, where she has a focus and passion on helping individuals with autism learn how to become better communicators. With these efforts, Rose has create...

Engaging parents in their children's education is critical to a child’s success. National education research overwhelmingly supports the finding that students do better academically and socially when parents and teachers work together, and children show up on the first day of school ready to learn.  Join host Kristy Houle as she talks with Karen Kalish, Founder of HOMEWORKS! and Colleen Polac...

Children have been isolated at home for months, staring at screens, and parents are looking to summer camps as a critical opportunity for social interaction, physical activity and enriched learning. Getting kids moving and socializing are top priority as we move into the summer months. According to the 2022 Summer Camp Outlook by Blue print4SummerSTL, 82% of responding STL regional families plan t...

What is Educate. Today? Watch to learn more about who we are and the video resources and user friendly features we provide you and your students.

What are the Curriculum Areas in our video library? What kind of topics do we cover? Watch to learn more about the content areas we provide.

What are Video Segments and why do some stem from longer versions of the same videos? Watch to learn more about our segment categories.

What are the Quick Ideas that supplement each video in our library collection? Watch to learn how they can assist your educational environment.

What is Point to Point? Watch to learn about our On-Demand Live Interactive Programming that you can schedule on a date and time that works best for you and your students.  See our list of currently available programs, here .

Antwaun Thompson or Coach T, has coached and mentored young men and women, helping to improve their athletic skills, confidence, resiliency, life skills experiences and focus for over 30 years. Nothing brings him more satisfaction than seeing the heart, determination, and commitment from young people.  Coach T is the founder and executive Director of JLT Fieldhouse, a 501c3 nonprofit youth coachin...