The Pixel Classroom Podcast

I am joined by Marisa Thompson (M.A. Teacher Education) who has seventeen years of experience teaching various levels of English including advanced and support classes. As a Curriculum & Intervention Coordinator, she assesses success and develops goals and curriculum, K-12, and designed a role to become her previous district’s first Innovation Support coach. She is a designated cooperating tea...

On International Podcast Day, I reflect on relationships not with students, but work co-workers and staff members. How connecting and understanding each other can make some amazing friendships and relationships that will last for many years. No matter where you or they go in life. 

We celebrate the 125th episode of the Pixel Classroom Podcast with long time award winning comic artist, Ron Frenz. Ron shares how he became interesting in being a comic artist, especially Spider-Man since he was young. How he broke into the comic book industry, his partnership with writer, Tom DeFalco. Being the artist who drew the famous black suit for Spider-Man in the 80s, the creation of Eric...

I'm joined by artist and business owner, Eddie deAngelini is a long time comic book fan and collector. His love of comics began at a young age and continues to this day and his webcomic Collectors is loosely based on his own life, marriage and comic collecting obsession. Collectors is a love letter to the pop culture phenomenon of comic books and to all the wives who trip over longboxes all over t...

This week I reflect at having fun during the school year. Whether you are doing in the classroom, at events or out with friends. Have some fun this year.

I am joined by author, teacher and entrepreneur, Don Wettrick. Don Wettrick is the founder and CEO of The STARTedUP Foundation, which hosts Innovate WithIN- Indiana's innovation and entrepreneurship programming and competition. He is also the author of “Pure Genius: Building a Culture of Innovation,” which aims to create innovation mindsets in our schools. Don is known for his award-winning work a...

In this short episode I reflect on student engagement and when to get out of the way and let students work.

In episode 120 I review Hacking Assessments Vol. 2. In Hacking Assessment: 10 Ways to Go Gradeless in a Traditional Grades School, award-winning teacher and world-renowned formative assessment expert Starr Sackstein unravels one of education's oldest mysteries: how to assess learning without grades -- even in a school that uses numbers, letters, GPAs, and report cards. I review my favorite chapter...

In episode 119 I reflect on making mistakes in the classroom, learning and growing from them. It was a very regular week of school, but a very good one.

In the 118th episode of the Pixel Classroom Podcast, I talk about starting your own podcast in your classroom. What are your options for elementary? What are the pitfalls to avoid? What equipment should you use? How can Flip help you get started to empower Student Voice. What does the book, The Magnificent Microphone by Chey Cheney and Pawan Wander and Shawnna Purkis fit in all of this? Listen to...

In the 117th episode, I reflect on the first regular week of school. About working with new students, handling rough days and creating rapport with new and old coworkers.

In episode 116, I talk about starting the 2022-2023 School Year in an uncomfortable position that occurred for me just before the first week of school. I reflect on what it is like to play it safe, knowing when to take a chance on something. I also explain why I'm happy with where I am at and where I am going in my career. 

I reflect on my first week at my new school. On a beautiful but windy day.

I am joined by Aspire Podcast author and Teach Better Team member, Joshua Stamper. Joshua Stamper is the Training and Development Specialist for the Teach Better Team and manages the Teach Better Podcast Network. Prior to Joshua's current position, he was a middle school Administrator, classroom art educator, and athletic coach. In addition to being on the Teach Better Team, Joshua is the author o...

I reflect in my new teacher orientation as I begin to prepare for the new school year.

In episode 112, I review the books I read this summer. I review: Edu Protocols Field Guide: Social Studies Edition, Evolving with Gratitude, Stanley and the Very Messy Desk, She Leads, The Edtech Coaching Primer, Breaking the Blockbuster Model, A Teacher's Top Secret Confidential and The Magnificent Microphone.  You can check out these books: The Magnificent Microphone  A Teacher's Top S...

In episode 111 I begin a new weekly segment reflecting on the week as I walk home from school. In the first episode I talk about my first day in my new room. Starting my curriculum planning and what I’m hoping for the new school year.

Kicking off Season Four of the Pixel Classroom Podcast, I review the Summer of 2022, a summer of relaxing, recharging and what I'm hoping to bring to the classroom this fall. I also talk about my new weekly reflection: As I Walk Home that will begin in episode 111 and as new school year begins. 

I reflect on the 2021-2022 School Year in episode 109 of the Pixel Classroom Podcast. A year that was like no other for me both professional and personally. Also in this episode, a big, big announcement for my career. Thank you everyone who has supported the podcast for the past three seasons. 

In episode 108, I talk about the legendary comic book artist, George Perez who passed away on May 6, 2022. I talk about his career in comics, when I first discovered his work. Meeting him in person at conventions and what his artwork really meant to me. 

In episode 107 I review the books Markertown and The Hitchhiker's Educators Guide to the Canva Classroom both by Amanda Fox. Both books are have a plethora of great resources, tips, PBL, STEAM, UDL, UBL and DOK for your classroom from PK to college and beyond. I give both books high ratings and you can look for them at: MetaInk Publishing  MarkerTown

In this episode, I talk about the Path we walk in our Careers from professional to personal. Sharing my own struggles and successes and sadly stories that plague many of us as we try to be happy and successful in our careers and dreams. 

To bring the month of April to a close, I review Instructional Coaching Connection by Dr. Nathan Lang-Raad. I go over the highlights of the book. What you can get out of it whether you are new to instructional coaching or a veteran and what it meant to me. Five stars on this book. 

Ben Brazeau is an expert in technology integration. He is a former high school social studies teacher and instructional technology coach; a current Instructional Technology Coordinator and passionate advocate for education. As a classroom teacher, he infused technology to create engaging lessons for students in his own classroom and now supports teachers to integrate technology with their students...

On episode 103, I am joined by Theresa Hoover, who is a music educator, speaker, and writer. She is an advocate for student voice in the music room and helps teachers empower students throughout their musical experiences by transforming their classrooms into student-centered learning environments. Theresa has taught instrumental, general, and vocal music in a variety of settings, most recently tea...