Connected Educator

Angela Maiers has been a leading educator and voice for students for over 26 years. Her breakout TEDx Talk launched her second act and provided the platform to build Choose2Matter, challenging and inspiring students all around the world. Her new book, “An Interactive Guide to Liberating Genius in the Classroom,” gives teachers a “how to” approach to genius hour. Maiers took time to discuss the importance of Connected Educator Month and shared her perspective on public-private-partnerships in US education.Angela Maiers has been creating and leading change in education and enterprise for 26 years, teaching every level of school from kindergarten to graduate school and consulting with companies around the world. Angela is the founder of Choose2Matter, a global movement that challenges and inspires students to work collaboratively to develop innovative solutions to social problems. She is an alumna of The University of Iowa, where she earned her Bachelor’s in Education and her Master’s in Educational Supervision and Reading. 

I recently had a chance to talk with renowned “rapping” math teacher Mark Rogers from Round Rock, Texas. Rogers shared the story of how he got his start in teaching and discussed the role humanity plays in his day-to-day activities with students. After watching the interview, check out the YouTube video displaying Mark’s creative side in education.

Many of you know Patrick Larkin from Connected Principals fame. Larkin took time to discuss many of his experiences in education and the career path that took him from classroom teacher to Assistant Superintendent. Check out Larkin’s latest op-ed, in EdWeek, about the number of learning opportunities October has for everyone in education including Connected Educator Month.Patrick Larkin is the Burlington Public Schools Assistant Superintendent for Learning. Prior to this position, Larkin served 15 years as a building level administrator at the high school level. In 2012, in recognition of his exemplary use of digital tools as a school leader, he was recognized as one of three national Digital Principal Award winners by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). As the Burlington High School Principal, Patrick led his school in the transition to a 1:1 environment for the 2011-2012 school year and became one of the first schools in the nation to distribute iPads to all staff and students.

Richard Culatta, Director of the Office of Educational Technology, is a leader in the field of educational innovation. He has experience in K-12, higher education, and workplace learning environments. As the Director of the Office of Educational Technology for the US Department of Education his work focuses on leveraging technology to create personalized learning experiences for all students and promoting increased connectivity to improve access to education and make college more affordable.

Author and educator Kathy Cassidy discusses her new book and how primary teachers can integrate technology into the classroom. “Connected from the Start: Global Learning in the Primary Grades”, makes a compelling case for connecting our youngest students to the world, using the transformative power of Internet tools and technologies. Cassidy presents both the rationale for connecting students “from the start” and the how-to details and examples teachers need to involve children in grades K-3 in using blogs,

BrainPOP has a rich history supporting Connected Educators Month (CEM). Andrew Gardner, Director of BrainPOP Educators, was part of the original Connected Educators initiative working group. Dr. Kari Stubbs, VP Learning and Innovation at BrainPOP, talks with Dr. Berger about their efforts to support CEM with a list of fantastic events. Stubbs also updates the audience on BranPOP’s latest news.

Professional development often addresses different approaches to pedagogy. High school teachers have unique needs in this area as they prepare their students for the academic and life challenges that lie ahead. An approach to consider is one that offers individualized experiential learning. Students can use what they’ve learned in the classroom as they enhance life skills to prepare to transition into the “real world.”

InterviewDigital citizenship continues to become a part of the everyday vernacular in education. Dr. Marialice B.F.X. Curran takes a deeper dive into the subject following her recent op-ed in edCircuit. Curran shares upcoming events tying Connected Educator Month with the DigcitSummit and provides educators resources for weekly Twitter chats

Frank Gallagher, VP of Education at Cable Impacts Foundation, talks with Dr. Berger about his experience in education and best practices for integrating solutions into schools and communities.Led by Cable Impacts Foundation: How do you make a school “future ready?” What combination of infrastructure and devices, pedagogy and professional development, curriculum and content, leadership and culture will enable schools to effectively prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s challenges in college, career or civic life?