The Pixel Classroom Podcast

In this episode, I am joined by my old friend, Juan Castro, an inker and illustrator from Tijuana, Mexico, has worked in the comics industry for over 10 years on such titles as, GI Joe, Transformers, Halo, Arrow, Aquaman, Green Lantern Corps, Suicide Squad, Grayson, the Wrong Earth and more, has also been nominated to 3 inkwell awards. Juan talks about how he found himself in a career as a profess...

In this byte size episode, I reflect on the past two years of the Pixel Classroom Podcast. How it came into being, where I would like it to go and even asking for your suggestions on what you would like to see in season 3. I want to thank everyone who has listen to the podcast and been with me on this journey. There is also a Google Form up here . 

I am joined by my friend, Tony Vincent. Tony Vincent has been an educator for 23 years. He started out teaching 5th grade and then was a tech coach. He left school teaching to be a self-employed consultant, on a mission to empower teachers & students with awesomeness. Recently, Tony went back to teaching for the 2018-19 school year where his fifth grade class was 1 to 1 with Chromebooks. Tony post...

In this episode, I follow up on my blog post from earlier in the year about Social Media Burnout. I talk about signs that you are starting to burn out from social media whether it is simple posting to video and more. What are some ways that have been researched to cut back on Social Media and to start dealing with your burnout. 

In this episode, Becky shares her story of how she d ealt with drug-resistant seizures for 23 years. Her seizure focus was located at an Epilepsy Center in the EMU/epilepsy monitoring unit and surgically removed. She talks about her journey, the writing of her book, Living Seizure Free and more about Epilepsy Advocacy and her about Surgical Hair Design.  You can contact or follow Becky throug...

In our first episode for April 2021, I am joined by my former co-worker and school principal, Shavina Baker. Shavina's passion for education compelled her to teach in the city of Rockford to give back by educating and empowering the children in her city to achieve their goals and use their talents and gifts to enrich the city of Rockford. Prior to taking on her role as principal Shavina has had th...

In this episode, I talk about how you can use a Cricut in your classroom from Elementary all the way to Higher Education. A Cricut allows for PBL, creativity and of course play with your students and learning. Look below for several of the resources I talked about in the episode.  Youtube Videos https://youtu.be/9OjywJZp3jM https://youtu.be/KCcYdqgpWSc https://youtu.be/3b6qjVUUtL8 https://you...

I am joined by direct instructional, friend and former coworker, Peter Smetana on the Pixel Classroom Podcast today. Pete shares his history in education, how he went from elementary teacher to being an advocate for special education students and how he has grown as an educator. Peter also shares his love of photography, pop culture and how it's important to always establish a relationship and rap...

In this episode originally filmed and recorded in Early 2019, my wife, Melissa joins me on talking about Living with Epilepsy from the struggles to achievements she has made in the past forty years. If you would like to support Seeking a Cure you can check out the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago . Thank you for listening. 

In this episode, I talk about the pop culture phenomena that is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. From its history to how it effected education such as STEM, health and more. I also review the current hit mini series, the Last Ronin. I will be more episodes like this going forward, which is a mixture of education, comics and reviews. Thanks for your support and happy listening. 

I am joined by the hosts of the Staffroom Podcast, Chey Cheney and Pawan Wander to the Pixel Classroom Podcast today. Pav and Chey talk about their experiences as teachers. The origins of their podcasts, being social leaders in the classroom and how social media has played a part in making and solidify important connections and develop a dependable PLN. We had a wonderful time together and you can...

In the final chapter of my audio book, The Broken Teacher. I reflect on a ten year road that lead me to education and completing my doctorate. From encouragement to lost of jobs and careers. Through pandemics and personal successes, I learned that the Journey wasn't over, but starting down a new path. I want to thank everyone who has been part of this road for the past decade and even those long b...

I return to my audio book of the Broken Teacher with Chapter 11: COVID-19. Reflecting on what was the final days of the 2019-2020 school year as the pandemic began and progressed. To reflecting on those days, my own goodbye to my seniors who graduated that year and how the 2020-2021 school year began. 

On our big 50th Episode, I welcome Teach like a Pirate author, Dave Burgess to the Pixel Classroom Podcast. Dave shares his story of how he entered into education to the publication of his book and launching DBC Inc. with his wife, Shelly. Dave shares his many passion, inspirations and his amazing energy that inspires educators, administrators, authors and students around the world. You can can al...

In Chapter 10 of The Broken Teacher, I reflect on what lead me to become a cheerleader for others and the unfortunate trap we fall into by comparing ourselves to others. A short, but emotional chapter. Thank you for listening. 

In chapter 9, I narrate how Professional Development can be such a transformational piece, that doesn't have to be kept to yourself. However, many get stuck in their old ways and don't see the point of PD. 

As I narrate Chapter 8: Welcome to a Good Year Again, I reflect on the 2018-2019 School Year. As while many tragedies faced me personally. These same tragedies helped to shape my classroom and students to be better people and create a great rapport as we moved toward PBL and Blended Learning. 

In Chapter 7, I talk about my last days at Jackson Charter School and the very difficult year that 2017 was. Leading up to taking my position as a high school Business and Technology Teacher at Stillman Valley High School. 

In Chapter 6 of The Broken Teacher, I talk about my last days at CLS after three and a half years as their Technology Facilitator and my two years at Jackson Charter School. Going from one side of town to as I put it in the chapter "The Other Side of the Tracks". While a major shift in my life from the fall of 2015 to the start of summer in 2017. I look back now on a wonderful stint and what lead...

In the fifth chapter of The Broken Teacher, I travel back to the summer of 2015 where I had hit such a high point in my career. Only to have it taken away as I returned to school as the new fall school year was about to start. Please check out my previous blog on all the educators over at the Mobile Learning Experience and be sure to check out Tony Vincent's Shapegrams for incredible learning.&nbs...

In Chapter 4 of the Broken Teacher, I talk about my early days as a technology facilitator and where I had to find creativity both from my own experiences and from others. Which lead to 2014 when I discovered Teach like a Pirate by Dave Burgess and how it respired my "unconditional passion" in teaching. You can also check out the other educators I mentioned in this chapter below. Craig Bandura Geo...

In this brief chapter, I narrate what lead me to leave my graduate position to become the Technology Facilitator of Christian Life Schools in the Summer of 2012 and having to face being an "adult" trying to find a home for my family. You can also learn about NIU STEM Read I talk about in the chapter on their website and podcast here .

I narrate Chapter 2 of the Broken Teacher, Climbing up from Brokenness. In this audio episode,  I journey back to the the dark days of 2010-2011 and how I climbed up from having my world torn down. For those wanting to check out the blog I mentioned in this chapter, please head over to https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e266/ and you can learn about Skitch over at Evernote.com .

I kick off 2021 with the audio version of my book, The Broken Teacher that I wrote during 2020. In these introduction chapters, I narrate what lead me to education from being unemployed, stressed and what lead me to better days. 

In this byte size episode, I talk about what you should try for the new year. I talk about various tools you should try in your classroom for the new year. Several book suggestions and just going out and trying something you have never tried before for your classroom or yourself.  Book Suggestions Blended Learning with Google The Road to Awesome Fired up Leadership  Unlocking Unlimited P...