Connected Educator

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.

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?

Mike Lawrence, CEO of CUE, talks with Dr. Berger about professional development and the role CUE plays in advancing technology and learning. Lawrence discusses CUE’s role with Connected Educator Month including the CEM Cafe and Twitter chats that will be happening all month!IntervieweeMike Lawrence has been impacting education as a teacher, administrator, technology coordinator and non-profit leader for twenty years. He is a respected presenter, at national conferences and events and was named an Apple Distinguished Educator in 2003. He assisted in the development and launch of the Discovery Educator Network (DEN) and co-founded the Google Certified Teacher program.  He currently serves as CEO of CUE (CUE.org). Each year, thousands of educators attend CUE’s conference events and professional learning opportunities, making it the premier Educational Technology association.Interviewer featured on the edCircuit,  in EdTech Review India, Scholastic’s District Administrator and on RFD TV’s Rural Education Special. As an industry personality Dr. Berger has interviewed Ministers of Education, leading voices like Sir Ken Robinson, U.S. Secretary Arne Duncan, AFT President Randi Weingarten and other global thought leaders. Dr. Berger is a guest lecturer at Vanderbilt University and resides with his wife and two children in Nashville.