The Beautiful Struggle

I interview a dear friend, who happens to be an ex-roomate who also happens to be an Associate Dean and Director of Academic Development and Technological Innovation at the University of San Francisco , Dr. Charlene Lobo Soriano. Charlene shares with us so much valuable ideas and stories that it was a mind blowing experience.   We go over her story of being finite to infinite. I learned that its i...

We had the wonderful opportunity to interview Stef: our dear friend, former teacher, godparents to our boys, stay at home mom, awesome chef and knitter!  Talk about talented!  Fred met her in college and we become godparents to her two girls.  She recommended me to her principal and I got the job I currently have at my school, what a blessing!  We watched each other's kids grow up while living nex...

We reflect on our first year of podcasting. We go over the technical challenges and expectations of trying to produce a valuable resource for our fellow teachers.   We then go over our 2016 goals and expectations so that we can be accountable so that we can deliver good stuff.

On this episode, we chat with my colleague, Krista Inchausti . Like me, she is a K-8 Educational Innovation Coordinator , or what we call ourselves - an EIC.  Krista who has over 17 years experience in education, shares valuable insights on the importance of relationships and what it means to be innovative. Krista shares her ”aha moment" on what resonates with her to this day.  We also dissect the...

Christmas message to everyone!

In this episode we talk about the issue of cursive in the classroom.  Should we still teach it in our classrooms?  Do teachers even have time to teach students when they are so pressed for time as it is?

Fred participated in a world-wide webinar with the Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools. With five other cutting edge schools, Fred shares his school's experience on the transformation from the antiquated computer lab model to a more dynamic and hands on learning experience of a flexible maker space studio.

Sharon and Fred discuss how limited technology resources in the classroom can be extremely frustrating.  We share a few strategies and project ideas that can help your students be engaged and develop their skills with only one iPad in you classroom. Join us and let's discover some simple, yet powerful ways to use technology in your tech strapped classroom!

In this episode, we give an overview of the survey results they have gotten the past couple weeks. We've identified (and confirmed our suspicions) the problems teachers face using technology in their classrooms Sharon talks about her incredible experience at the first inauguaral Better Together Teachers Summit.  She shares what made it so inspiring and something all teachers need to look out for!...

This is part 2 with Fred and you can find part 1 (episode 18)  with Sharon here .   Wecatch up with what went on during our haitus.  Then, we share our goals and plans with you and we do an end of year review of this school year.  

On episode 20, we continue breaking down our popular "19 Tech Skills Every Teacher Must Develop." Make sure you listen to episode 19 first and to download the free PDF!

This episode, we breakdown our hugely popular FREE giveaway, 19 Tech Skills Every Teacher Must Develop This Summer. There has been a lot of questions and Sharon and I clarify and add a lot of info to each of the points.   Get the download and follow us along as we go beyond the list.

We're back and we catch up with what went on during our haitus.  Then, we share our goals and plans with you and we do an end of year review of this school year.  This is part 1 with Sharon.

This is our first interview!  In this episode, we ge together with our good friend and teacher, Elena.  She shares some great insights that can help our listeners take their teaching to the next level. Join us and check it out!

As Sharon has been in the public school system, she found out about one of the best resources to get funding for classroom and teaching materials every teacher should explore-- DonorsChoose.org ! Its a great organization where any public school teacher can create a proposal for classroom furniture, technology tools, teaching materials - anything related to teaching and learning.  

Spring Break!  It was such a long awaited and so very welcome time to take time off from teaching.  This year, Sharon and Fred had their breaks coincide perfectly. In years past, their respective schools had different weeks for Spring Break.  This year, they took their young family to Hawaii. This is Fred's first time there and he shares his wide-eyed view of his first visit.  Let's just say, he w...

In the 14th episode, we talk about "teaching on the fly."  This is something they don't teach you in credential school.  It isn't even on a job description!    We'll explore what this is, the ways to recognize it and how to develop it in your classroom.  Its an extremely valuable skill for any teacher to use. Join us and check it out!

In the spirit of sharing our favorite productivity tools in Ep. 11 & 12, we thought you'd like to know what furniture and equipment we use in our classrooms and why.  Perhaps you need a classroom makeover or have been looking for easy solutions to make your teaching smoother? Well, we are here to help you out! We'll go over each item and suggest alternative methods to achieve the same outcome as s...

This is part 2 of 2 where Sharon and Fred share their favorite productivity tools.  These tools in particular, are especially valuable for managing their own personal workflow.  Join us now and see if these can work for you too!   Have one or two tools that you like? Let us know! Please leave a review, rating and subscribe! Thanks!

In episode 11, This is part 1 of 2 where Sharon and Fred share their favorite productivity tools.  These tools in particular, are especially valuable for managing their own personal workflow.  Join us now and see if these can work for you too!   Have one or two tools that you like? Let us know! Please leave a review, rating and subscribe! Thanks!

Yup! We are back after a week haitus! Its so good to be back.  In this episode, we ask the question: Are teachers learners ? You would assume that teachers are automatiically are learners.  But, we do share what can prevent us from learning.  This is the logical extension of our very popular TBP 006: Burnt Out on Teacher Burnout episode .   We share our insights on why we should be learners, the o...

This is the Bits & Pieces episode, where we put a little bit of everything from the past week and roll it into one!
 The new TV show, Fresh Off the Boat as it explores growing up as Asian Americans
 Tech Timeout -  our  effort to raise awareness of digital distractions through encouraging students (and adults) to voluntarily abstain from certain devices for a 72 hour period on Feb. 12-14
 Fred's s...

In this episode, Fred & Sharon share their favorite tips and some cool new ways to have a successful and efficient  Parent-Teacher Conference.  

In this episode, we share the struggles we're currently facing and how we're pushing through them. We discuss our attempts of using several strategies of taking the negative stuff and turning them into positives. Maybe you can relate with what we're sharing, or maybe you've already turned your struggles into positives, join us and see if this all sounds familiar.  Please subscribe, rate and give a...